It's official. Ned Yost does not want to make a decision. In a surprise move this morning, the Brewers activated Yovani Gallardo and sent down journeyman, outfielder Joe Dillon. Dillon was only batting a .200/.273/.300 clip, but his hard hitting and ability to help the younger talent has been invaluable. In pretty much an exact scenario from last year, Dillon allowed Prince to use his bat after a big slump and a home run ensued. On top of that, Dillon has spent extensive time in the cage with Bill Hall, showing him how to shorten up his swing and get around on pitches he wasn't able to last year. Ultimately, Dillon's play really wasn't significant, but his mentorship was.
I know that the Brewers claim they need 14 pitchers on the roster because of a taxed bullpen and a hurt Ben Sheets, but nobody in the league ever needs 14 pitchers, no matter how taxed they may be. It leaves only three people on the bench: Mike Rivera, Craig Counsell and Gabe Gross. So that means one back-up outfielder, one back-up infielder and one back-up catcher. This puts the Crew in a horrible position with regard to any in-game injuries and extended innings, which has been the case in 3 of the 5 games played against the Reds. If Gallardo struggles today and a pinch hitter is needed immediately, the Brewers become especially vulnerable. An in-game injury would immediately hose them in the field. But there's even more...
The fact is Ned Yost is incapable of disrespecting Dave Bush or Manny Parra. It hasn't been the case in years past that Yost concedes to his players. Everyone remembers the clubhouse fight last year when Yost went after a player and was consequentially approached by Johnny Estrada and Tony Graffanino. But this year is different. Yost has been a push over as players have requested moves in the line-up and getting them, despite Yost's conflicting comments less than 12 hours before. While the moves make perfect sense, Yost would never have made them without the complaints because he's just that stubborn.
There is a potential positive. There's no way the Crew can make it more than few games with 14 pitchers. This means that Tony Gwynn Jr's return from the DL will send Mitch Stetter back to the minors. And when it's all said and done, a trade will be completed or the outright release of someone will happen. It's just scary, but just like this move, Yost and Melvin are completely unpredictable.
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4 comments:
While I was surprised by the move, I think people need to stop blaming Ned Yost for every more the team makes. While Yost gets to have input, its actually Doug Melvin, not Yost, who makes the final call. Plus I don't expect the Brewers to carry 14 pitchers for long, especially since I believe Tony Gwynn can come of the DL this week I believe. I believe it was done just as a precautionary move since Sheets' health is still up in the air. I'm sure the Brewers will be back down to 13 pitchers by Wednesday and probably back down to 12 by time Cameron comes back.
Greg, You're right. It's not just Ned Yost, but in the end Yost has just as much say as Doug Melvin. Sunday's game was a prime example as to why you can never have a 14 pitcher roster and expect to be in good shape in an extra inning game. Even worse, Yost threw a guy for the fourth day in a row who is no longer over powering. Therefore, if he's not sharp, he can hope to blow it by a guy.
In the end Sunday's game was partially Yost's fault, partially Eric Gagne's, partially Doug Melvin's, and the rest goes on the team. Nevertheless, in the end, you need to minimize culpable people and if the Brewers do not make the playoffs this year, Yost needs to be considered for that chopping block.
I agree that 14 pitchers is way to many to have on one team. I just don't think it will last that long (although it probably will last longer than I thought now that sheets is missing a start). I also agree that if the Brewers don't make the playoffs that Yost probably should be fired, but I don't think we need to jump on Yost after every game only a month into the season. People are over reacting right now. Let the season play out a little bit before the Ned Must Go conversation gets going again. If by July or August, the Brewers are not in the playoff race and this team still isn't hitting then fire Yost but please let's wait and see how things play out a little more before getting to discouraged. Last year this team jumped out of the gates and everyone was excited and then they faded. Maybe this year they will start out somewhat slow and then become red hot near the end of the season.
I couldn't agree more. I don't know if you're in the city, but last night on the Brewers post-game show, everyone and their mother was blaming the game on Yost for putting in T-Bow. I thought it was a great idea. It was either Turnbow or Riske. What I didn't like was Yost even warming up Gagne for a 5th straight day. Other than that, Corey Hart was responsible for 4 runs, two on the Glaus' double that was very much catchable, the error that he lost in the lights and then the mistake on the base paths. Yost shouldn't even have been in that situation.
I rag on Yost, but you don't fire a manager mid-year. It doesn't make sense. But that won't stop me from going after him when he's culpable for big mistakes that cost us 5-10 games a year. We'll see how it goes. His only real problem is his bullpen management. Everything else I'm ok with.
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