It seems like forever since my last post, but March Madness and weekend trips to the my home town for Easter and godfather duties have been a bit much, putting this bad boy on the back burner. But never fear, when the season comes, I will be in full force trying to analyze every game I can get to or watch. If things go as planned, I will be going to another 40 games this year, and setting up about two rather big groups of about 50 each, so I'll be doing my part to up this team's payroll.
But this blog isn't about me, it's about our own Milwaukee Brewers, and as Spring Training dwindles down, guys are at wits end trying to make the final roster spots. Unsurprisingly, two guys have shined at their respective positions. My boy Carlos Villanueva, has really pitched himself into the rotation with a 2.50 ERA in 18.0 IP, including 13 Ks and 5 BBs. A quality start today, should really seal the deal as this team's #4. If it doesn't, I really have a big problem with the management of this team. With almost two quality years of service for this team, and the experience gained during last year's pennant race for 5 starts, Carlos shouldn't even have to fight for his job. It should be handed to him like it was handed to an injured Yovani Gallardo.
The other standout this spring, is the scrawny guy out in center field. When I first started this blog, I posted a rather extensive free agent list of guys we should or shouldn't get, and in the end, I went against the numbers and really just wanted Tony Gwynn Jr. to be our every day center fielder. Well, he may just be that for the first 25 games of the season. TG is batting an impressive .400/.462/.556 this spring with four stolen bases, six walks and only two strikeouts. This is what I want from a starter. He's not going to give you the power other CF's might, but a .300/.360/.470 line would be quite alright with me, especially if he strikes out fewer the 70 times. Yost refuses to say that he's the guy, but don't fret, he'll be patrolling the ivy next Monday in Chicago.
As for the rest of the spots, Joe Dillon has pretty much wrapped up his bid as the utility OF/IF, Gabe Kapler and Gabe Gross should seal up the outfield while Cameron is out and Eric Munson probably solidified his chances as yet another below average back-up catcher. Sorry Mike Rivera, you just didn't perform this Spring.
Then there's the bullpen and the rotation. Parra, Bush, Vargas and McClung are all fighting for spots while Capuano fights for a stronger ligament in his throwing shoulder, or at this point, an in tact ligament would due. I feel for the guy, but at least he's going to get paid a couple hundred thousand dollars to rehab. Manny Parra has struggled his last two outings, giving up 13 runs in just 6.2 innings. The problem: control. Parra walked four batters in the first two innings yesterday, and the result was a 4-run first, a la Dave Bush. Parra should get one more chance to throw in the exhibition game at Miller Park (Which I should be attending). A strong outing won't make or break Parra because there's no point of bringing the guy on the plane unless he's already on the roster. Because McClung and Vargas don't have options, Parra is likely to be the odd man out here. An injury or trade will result in his immediate recall and final placement on the roster.
Dave Bush has tried his darnedest to not be the early bird bust, but has yet to have a flawless outing like the rest of the guys in this group. Even in his solid start last week, he started with a 2-run first, but was boosted by his teammates who came back with three quick ones. From there he settled down and pitched well. I've come to the conclusion that no matter how bad Bush pitches, he's this team's #5 and that's frustrating because he's like the 9th best pitcher on this team in my book. But he's serviceable and will be named a quality pitcher because of his win total.
Vargas has pitched well for most of the spring with two rough outings marred by his control issues and inability to stay on the attack. Nevertheless, something tells me Vargas is not to far from finding it. In an interview a couple of weeks ago he mentioned going to see a psychologist of some kind so that he can work on the mental aspect of his game. In the first televised spring game this year, he looked unbelievable. I wasn't sure if it was Kendall calling changeup after changeup, but they were pretty. If he can keep the pitch count down and stop giving charity, this kid might be a damn good pitcher.
6 days away every one and the Cub Massacre of 2008 starts.
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