Sorry for the lack of updates this past week. I've had a cold that's moved back and forth between my head and chest and I'm just now starting to feel like myself again. I know it's now been over a week but here's my thoughts on what's all going on over at One Miller Park Way.
Well, we all knew that after Milwaukee was eliminated by the Phillies that the hot stove league would be an especially active on for the Brewers. Doug Melvin wasted no time in naming Ken Macha as his manager. I've written extensively on here that I was not in favor of Macha getting the job but it now does no good to complain. I will give Macha the benefit of the doubt and let him prove himself before passing judgment. I did like how he came off in his press conference, particularly describing his experience in Oakland and the reported issues he had with players as well as his belief that he's not here to be a friend to the players but rather their boss. That will be a welcome change from Ned Yost who seemed to put friendship with players above performance on the field.
The biggest change that Macha may notice is in his pitching staff. With Oakland, he had the likes of Hudson, Mulder, Zito, Haren, Harang and Loaiza. That is a great collection of arms that Macha had at various times in his tenure. I think it's highly unlikely that CC Sabathia will return next year but think there is a small chance for Ben Sheets to come back. If either were to return, it would make Macha's job that much easier.
Dale Sveum has decided to stay with the team and will become hitting coach. He's now been hitting coach, third base coach, bench coach and manager of this team. Maybe next year he could try his hand at pitching coach. While I'm glad that Sveum has decided to stick around, I question him becoming the hitting coach. Sveum can serve as a good middle man between the players and Macha but I would have much rather have seen him return to the third base box or become bench coach again. Sveum has no experience as a hitting coach in the majors and the Brewers aren't an ideal place I would like to see someone learn on the job. I would rather see someone with several years of experience as a hitting coach work with and mentor several of the young Brewers hitters.
Mike Maddux has decided to leave the team and join the Texas Rangers as their pitching coach. Maddux was with the team for six years and will now be replaced by former bullpen coach, Bill Castro. Castro has been with the Brewers for 17 years and will finally get to serve as a pitching coach for a Major League team. Castro previously served as pitching coach for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic in 2006. It's nice to see Castro finally get a chance and his knowledge of the current pitching staff will definitely serve to his advantage.
The Brewers decided to pick up Mike Cameron's $10 million option for 2009. There are now reports that GM Doug Melvin is talking with the Yankees about trading Cameron to the Bronx. Although I'm not happy with picking up Cameron's option, I think what the Brewers would get back from the Yankees wouldn't help them for the 2009 season if the rumored names are correct. Melky Cabrera is a light-hitting centerfielder. Wilson Betemit has never had any type of measurable success anywhere in the Majors. Ian Kennedy is thought to be a future pitching star but hasn't put it together with the Yankees. Kennedy is 18-6 in his last two years in the Minors but I don't want to give up a Gold Glove centerfielder for a player that might be a good pitcher down the road. The Brewers need to make trades to help their team now, not two and three years down the road.
CC Sabathia is likely to make a counter offer to the reported $100 million contract the Brewers made to him. Sabathia probably won't make a proposal until after he gets offers from the Yankees and whatever other teams have interest. I still don't like the idea of the Brewers spending up to a quarter of their payroll on one player. Let's say Sabathia decides to sign with the Brewers for $22 million a year. Sabathia, Cameron, Bill Hall and Jeff Suppan would have a combined salary of over $50 million. That's more than half of the team's payroll for just four players. That just isn't good business for a mid-market team like the Brewers. And that's not even taking into account the raises coming for JJ Hardy, Prince Fielder and Corey Hart.
The hot stove league has started and it will prove to be a busy winter for the Brewers. Doug Melvin needs to be creative if he's going to keep the Brewers a competitive team over the next couple years. Creativity is a great thing as long as it doesn't turn into stupidity of trading a player for the sake of making a trade.