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10-30-2004, 03:30 PM
As the Milwaukee Brewers wallowed in the final stages of the Great Collapse of 2004, many theories surfaced as to why a team that played so well in the first half looked so pathetic after the break.
One possible answer started to make more and more sense: The Brewers had too many role players in the lineup on a daily basis, and they eventually ran out of gas.
"I would say that's a fair assessment," said manager Ned Yost. "I think we've got some guys who would do a better job playing 80 to 110 games. When they get past that point, there's a drop-off.
"That doesn't mean they aren't valuable or don't have a role on the club."
No, but it also tells general manager Doug Melvin exactly what he must do between now and next spring. He must acquire at least two everyday players with track records of making offensive contributions on a consistent basis.
And, with too many left-handed hitters in the lineup already, they need to swing from the right side.
A lack of clutch hitting eventually doomed the 2004 Brewers to their 12th consecutive losing season and another last-place finish. They overcame that shortcoming in the first half with superior pitching and defense, but you can't camouflage a woeful attack for an entire season.
Just like you can't ask a role player to go the full 162 games and remain productive.
"We need more depth," agreed Melvin. "I'd like to bring in a couple of guys, regular-type performers."
That task will be much easier with new owner Mark Attanasio's intention to boost the payroll for 2005. The Brewers tried to make do with a $27.5 million payroll this year, the lowest in the National League, and it simply wasn't sufficient to see them through an entire season.
What Melvin must do is find offensive help at the positions he needs it most. He can start in right field, where free-agent signee Ben Grieve was a relative bust and shipped off to the Chicago Cubs.
Brady Clark filled in admirably after Grieve departed but does not have the pop or run-production background to be the everyday rightfielder. He's one of the better extra outfielders in the league but that's all he is.
Melvin also must decide if Wes Helms is salvageable at third base. Because Helms has a guaranteed contract that pays him $2.7 million in 2005, he'll probably get another shot. But he was a train wreck this year, offensively and defensively, hitting four homers with 28 RBI and committing 18 errors.
Melvin took a chance in the second half on Russell Branyan, but the Brewers already strike out too much to have an all-or-nothing player at third. Branyan whiffed 68 times in 158 at-bats, and he also hits from the left side, something the Brewers don't need.
The Brewers also must decide what they're going to do in the middle of the infield. They'll probably bring back second baseman Junior Spivey, assuming his shoulder is OK, because it was after his injury that the team started going south. Spivey's a better fielder than his replacements, Keith Ginter and Bill Hall, and he's also a right-handed hitter.
The original plan was for minor-league prospect J.J. Hardy to take over at short next season. But Hardy suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the early weeks at Triple-A and will have to go back to the minors next year to show he's healthy.
Thus, Melvin must decide whether to offer incumbent Craig Counsell a contract (his option won't be exercised) or find another shortstop to hold down the position on a one-year basis.
Melvin also must decide how important offense is out of the catching position. He got virtually none out of Chad Moeller and Gary Bennett this year (combined .215 with eight homers, 47 RBI), though Yost and the pitchers applauded their work behind the plate.
Leftfielder Geoff Jenkins and centerfielder Scott Podsednik both underachieved after signing multiyear contract extensions. But Melvin and Yost believe they'll bounce back in 2005 and make better use of their talents.
The brain trust also expects a more consistent performance next season out of first baseman Lyle Overbay, who played a full big-league schedule for the first time. Overbay mirrored the club's collapse by playing great in the first half and poorly in the second half, but still finished with a .301 average, 16 home runs, 87 RBI and a major league-high 53 doubles.
Despite the team's steep decline, Yost said he doesn't think the Brewers are that far away from being competitive.
"We've got two components that I think are going to be markedly better next year Jenkins and Podsednik," he said. "I think they're smarter; I think they're more experienced. I think they've both been through some things that will make them better offensive players next year.
"I think Overbay is going to be a more experienced, better hitter. I think if we get Junior back or another offensive right-handed hitter, that's going to make us a lot better.
"You add another piece or two to that puzzle, that improves your offense dramatically."
Fortunately for Melvin, he won't have to look for a lot of pitching, which always is the hardest thing to find and afford. He has a solid 1-2 punch in the rotation in Ben Sheets and Doug Davis, and should be able to fill two other spots with Victor Santos and Chris Capuano, assuming the latter can stay healthy.
The remainder of the current options - Wes Obermueller, Gary Glover and rookies Ben Hendrickson and Jorge De La Rosa - aren't cause for much excitement. If pitching coach Mike Maddux can get Hendrickson to pitch more as he did in earning International League pitcher of the year honors and less like he did with the Brewers (1-8, 6.22), the young right-hander might be useful next season.
The bullpen requires no major adjustments other than adding at least one left-hander, something the Brewers went the entire season without. As crazy as it might sound, Melvin might entertain trading closer Dan Kolb, who set the franchise record with 39 saves.
Here's the thinking: Kolb is due a huge raise in arbitration and has hard-line agent Scott Boras, so the price tag will be high. He also has experienced arm problems in the past. With his value at an all-time high, why not trade Kolb for a quality hitter and give impressive young reliever Mike Adams a shot at closing?
Even with a payroll bump from new ownership, the Brewers won't be able to go after the Grade A free agents, such as Carlos Beltran, Adrian Beltre (wouldn't he look nice at third base?), J.D. Drew or Carlos Delgado.
Unfortunately, the second tier of free agents this winter is not overly appealing. Melvin might take a run at outfielder Gabe Kaplar, a player he likes. If he decides to shop for a third baseman, Milwaukee native Joe Randa, Tony Batista and Shea Hillenbrand will be on the market.
Catchers who will be available include Einar Diaz and Damian Miller, a Wisconsin native who probably would like playing for the Brewers. If Melvin decides a veteran starting pitcher is needed, he can choose from the likes of Kevin Millwood, Cory Lidle, Aaron Sele and Paul Wilson.
For various reasons, the Brewers have had trouble attracting quality free agents to Milwaukee over the years. They've had to overpay (Jeffrey Hammonds, Jose Hernandez) to get players of any note to look in their direction.
Melvin believes that will change as word gets around that players enjoy working for Yost and his coaching staff.
"I think it's getting better," he said. "We're getting to the point where we're starting to turn it around and have some stability. I think the players you have are really the best salesmen for a ball club.
"Things are being run in a professional way but we've got to take the next step. We want to compete on the field, set our sights higher and get to post-season play."
One possible answer started to make more and more sense: The Brewers had too many role players in the lineup on a daily basis, and they eventually ran out of gas.
"I would say that's a fair assessment," said manager Ned Yost. "I think we've got some guys who would do a better job playing 80 to 110 games. When they get past that point, there's a drop-off.
"That doesn't mean they aren't valuable or don't have a role on the club."
No, but it also tells general manager Doug Melvin exactly what he must do between now and next spring. He must acquire at least two everyday players with track records of making offensive contributions on a consistent basis.
And, with too many left-handed hitters in the lineup already, they need to swing from the right side.
A lack of clutch hitting eventually doomed the 2004 Brewers to their 12th consecutive losing season and another last-place finish. They overcame that shortcoming in the first half with superior pitching and defense, but you can't camouflage a woeful attack for an entire season.
Just like you can't ask a role player to go the full 162 games and remain productive.
"We need more depth," agreed Melvin. "I'd like to bring in a couple of guys, regular-type performers."
That task will be much easier with new owner Mark Attanasio's intention to boost the payroll for 2005. The Brewers tried to make do with a $27.5 million payroll this year, the lowest in the National League, and it simply wasn't sufficient to see them through an entire season.
What Melvin must do is find offensive help at the positions he needs it most. He can start in right field, where free-agent signee Ben Grieve was a relative bust and shipped off to the Chicago Cubs.
Brady Clark filled in admirably after Grieve departed but does not have the pop or run-production background to be the everyday rightfielder. He's one of the better extra outfielders in the league but that's all he is.
Melvin also must decide if Wes Helms is salvageable at third base. Because Helms has a guaranteed contract that pays him $2.7 million in 2005, he'll probably get another shot. But he was a train wreck this year, offensively and defensively, hitting four homers with 28 RBI and committing 18 errors.
Melvin took a chance in the second half on Russell Branyan, but the Brewers already strike out too much to have an all-or-nothing player at third. Branyan whiffed 68 times in 158 at-bats, and he also hits from the left side, something the Brewers don't need.
The Brewers also must decide what they're going to do in the middle of the infield. They'll probably bring back second baseman Junior Spivey, assuming his shoulder is OK, because it was after his injury that the team started going south. Spivey's a better fielder than his replacements, Keith Ginter and Bill Hall, and he's also a right-handed hitter.
The original plan was for minor-league prospect J.J. Hardy to take over at short next season. But Hardy suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the early weeks at Triple-A and will have to go back to the minors next year to show he's healthy.
Thus, Melvin must decide whether to offer incumbent Craig Counsell a contract (his option won't be exercised) or find another shortstop to hold down the position on a one-year basis.
Melvin also must decide how important offense is out of the catching position. He got virtually none out of Chad Moeller and Gary Bennett this year (combined .215 with eight homers, 47 RBI), though Yost and the pitchers applauded their work behind the plate.
Leftfielder Geoff Jenkins and centerfielder Scott Podsednik both underachieved after signing multiyear contract extensions. But Melvin and Yost believe they'll bounce back in 2005 and make better use of their talents.
The brain trust also expects a more consistent performance next season out of first baseman Lyle Overbay, who played a full big-league schedule for the first time. Overbay mirrored the club's collapse by playing great in the first half and poorly in the second half, but still finished with a .301 average, 16 home runs, 87 RBI and a major league-high 53 doubles.
Despite the team's steep decline, Yost said he doesn't think the Brewers are that far away from being competitive.
"We've got two components that I think are going to be markedly better next year Jenkins and Podsednik," he said. "I think they're smarter; I think they're more experienced. I think they've both been through some things that will make them better offensive players next year.
"I think Overbay is going to be a more experienced, better hitter. I think if we get Junior back or another offensive right-handed hitter, that's going to make us a lot better.
"You add another piece or two to that puzzle, that improves your offense dramatically."
Fortunately for Melvin, he won't have to look for a lot of pitching, which always is the hardest thing to find and afford. He has a solid 1-2 punch in the rotation in Ben Sheets and Doug Davis, and should be able to fill two other spots with Victor Santos and Chris Capuano, assuming the latter can stay healthy.
The remainder of the current options - Wes Obermueller, Gary Glover and rookies Ben Hendrickson and Jorge De La Rosa - aren't cause for much excitement. If pitching coach Mike Maddux can get Hendrickson to pitch more as he did in earning International League pitcher of the year honors and less like he did with the Brewers (1-8, 6.22), the young right-hander might be useful next season.
The bullpen requires no major adjustments other than adding at least one left-hander, something the Brewers went the entire season without. As crazy as it might sound, Melvin might entertain trading closer Dan Kolb, who set the franchise record with 39 saves.
Here's the thinking: Kolb is due a huge raise in arbitration and has hard-line agent Scott Boras, so the price tag will be high. He also has experienced arm problems in the past. With his value at an all-time high, why not trade Kolb for a quality hitter and give impressive young reliever Mike Adams a shot at closing?
Even with a payroll bump from new ownership, the Brewers won't be able to go after the Grade A free agents, such as Carlos Beltran, Adrian Beltre (wouldn't he look nice at third base?), J.D. Drew or Carlos Delgado.
Unfortunately, the second tier of free agents this winter is not overly appealing. Melvin might take a run at outfielder Gabe Kaplar, a player he likes. If he decides to shop for a third baseman, Milwaukee native Joe Randa, Tony Batista and Shea Hillenbrand will be on the market.
Catchers who will be available include Einar Diaz and Damian Miller, a Wisconsin native who probably would like playing for the Brewers. If Melvin decides a veteran starting pitcher is needed, he can choose from the likes of Kevin Millwood, Cory Lidle, Aaron Sele and Paul Wilson.
For various reasons, the Brewers have had trouble attracting quality free agents to Milwaukee over the years. They've had to overpay (Jeffrey Hammonds, Jose Hernandez) to get players of any note to look in their direction.
Melvin believes that will change as word gets around that players enjoy working for Yost and his coaching staff.
"I think it's getting better," he said. "We're getting to the point where we're starting to turn it around and have some stability. I think the players you have are really the best salesmen for a ball club.
"Things are being run in a professional way but we've got to take the next step. We want to compete on the field, set our sights higher and get to post-season play."