So what's new on the Crew front? Not a whole lot, and to be honest, it's expected. The market is cold, and the Crew is slowly running out of cash as arbitrations start. I can say that the Brewers have done plenty this off-season to try and make the turn that they couldn't finish last season. While I can't stand Kendall and thought that Estrada was a better fit here, his OBP (.375 to Estrada's .320) is something we can really appreciate, provided he shows up. He's an 8-hole hitter with zero power (3 homers last year) and he doesn't throw anybody out, but that's not that much of a change from Estrada or Miller for that matter.
The real question is, who will be the backup. I read an article by Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal who said that Munson may have the one up on the other guys because he's a lefty. Sorry, Tom. Great thought, but there's no way this guy should get his shot. If anything, Vinny Rottino and Mike Rivera have the best shot. Rivera because the Brewers owe it to him and WILL lose him this year if they put him on waivers. He's turned it on every time he's been brought up and we keep giving him the wrong end of the stick. Rottino's shot lies in his ridiculous versatility. He can play the corners in the infield and outfield and then the catcher position. His bat is unproven, but I was impressed last year with the type of at bats he was having. I seem to recall a game where he hit a bullet that looked like a game winning hit, perhaps against the Astros, but was ripped out of the air. Cold-blooded and versatile. We need this on the Brewers, and it sure as hell isn't Craig Counsell.
Speaking of the useless piece of utility infield... Why oh why did we tell Jeff Cirillo to piss off when Craig Counsell was one of the BIGGEST flaws of this team last year? With the exception of his defense, his bat was pitiful and it appeared that he brought no leadership to this team. I was disgusted by the signing last year and am even more disgusted now. Cirillo is a born leader with soft hands, amazing teaching ability and is a significant improvement on offense. He's your hit and run guy who can shoot the middle and opposite field better than anyone I've ever seen. Even better? His career OBP is .366 compared to Counsell's .323. More analysis to come as I get more things built up in my head.
Just want to give a quick shout out to Big Rygg and South Side Rob for their Brewers Nation blog on the MLB website. It's an excellent blog about the crew and will discuss a lot of the same things I will, but both have very different opinions and point of views. I suggest checking both out for news, rumors and authentic analysis.
Aaron (HeadWriter)
5 comments:
I dont understand how you pass on Cirillo? He is by far the best brewer to put on the uniform in the last fifteen seasons. You can argue that the players here know are better and I would agree to some extent, but all around skills of the game he is the best. Highest batting average in team history, second highest on base percentage, best defensive player at any position. Leader on the team, in the community and never has let us down. Name me one guy if you have to get the runner in from third with less than two outs that you would want to have up. Rillo. Name me one guy you want the ball hit two with the game on the line, JJ or Rillo. He is our guy and he has never ever let us down. Bring him home....
I couldn't agree more. I don't know how Counsell gets all of this credit. He won a WS with Arizona, but he really has done nothing for the Brewers except for deal with the down years like most other Brewers of the 90s. Cirillo is a perfect fit here for all the reasons you just said. But Melvin has never let us down and probably doesn't want to deal with the blow the salary for this season. Thanks for the comment
What salary? 750 grand and a few small incentives? We are talking about a 6 billion dollar industry. He has NEVER had a bad season with the Brewers. Do you understand that? Dillon 400/Rillo 750? Dillon is a 32 year old rookie with a disc problem in his back. Rillo is a 38 year old vet who was is and hopefully will be the heart and soul of our team. Billy Hall, JJ Hardy and Geoff Jenkins all sang his praise even when he was gone from the team last season. If he has something left in the tank and says he wants to come back to our team, why wouldnt you want to root for him. Who do you want to cheer for Dillon/ Or Rillo? Who would sell more tickets? Who would sell more jerseys? Who would give two shits if Joe Dillon is on this team. Is Joe Dillon going to make this team better? A 32 year old ROOKIE or the best clutch player we have had in the last 15 years. YOu say their is no loyalty in sports or you cant root for guys anymore. This guy is our own and let him finish it and help us get to where we want to go. He is going to sign somewhere and if I were him I would be looking directly at the NL Central. Dont bet against him, again...............
Joe Dillon has never ever been my concern. If Jeff Cirillo were to sign with the Crew, that means we would have to let Craig Counsell go. That, in my book, is where the problem lies. I myself would much rather prefer Cirillo, but you need to consider the money the Brewers would end up spending by releasing Counsell and signing Cirillo. You go from paying the 750k + 100k for releasing Dillon to losing 750k + 1 Mil for Counsell. that is my ultimate point. I agree with the clutch, the jerseys, and everything else that Jeff has done, but they just can't and won't have two utility infielders on this team.
Your roster consists of 2 catchers, 5 outfielders, 6 infielders and 12 pitchers. You carry two utility infielders. So again it becomes Dillon or Cirillo. It doesnt matter, the Brewers will again shoot themselves in the foot and finish anywhere from third to last in the Central. Although it would be painful, but I would love to see him sign with the Cubs and let him again prove his worth. Lets make sure we go after guys who are on the Mitchell Report or banned for the first 25 games. Not the classy Cirillo. Far to practical and smart for the world of professional sports.
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