Jeff Sackmann
from Brew Crew Ball was nice enough to answer some questions about the
first week and a half of games this April. He was great about the whole
process, and I cannot thank him enough for taking the time out of his
busy schedule to answer some questions for everyone. Here we go:
Bernie's Crew: This
has gotten a lot of ink, but who do you feel will be the odd man out
once Yovani Gallardo comes back into the rotation? Is it possible that
a starter will just be sent to the bullpen?
Jeff Sackmann: It’ll depend a lot on how the
next time or two through the rotation goes. If Dave Bush can produce a
7-inning outing, I think he’s in the rotation to stay. If he keeps
pitching like he did in his first start, I think he probably goes to
the minors, as amazing as that is to consider. Doug Melvin is probably
hoping that the situation will iron itself out and he won’t be stuck
trading or waiving somebody after Bush, Villanueva, and Parra throw
another round of decent-but-not-great starts.
BC: I understand it is quite early in the
season, but you have to be impressed with Jason Kendall. I think we all
know that he will not be able to keep up his offensive output thus far,
but what about his defensive presence?
Jeff: That’s all everybody can talk about,
but I don’t know how to measure it, and I don’t know how, as a fan, I
can talk about it without parroting what the coaches and the media are
saying. Sure, if they say so, he must be good. But coaches tend to say
that stuff about every catcher on every team every season.
BC: Ben Sheets has obviously gotten off to a
very hot start this April. Many people are calling for the Brewers to
sign him to a long-term contract. Would this be a wise move for the
Crew?
Jeff: I don’t think so. He’s not going to
come cheap now, and he won’t come cheap after the season. No harm in
waiting. I don’t know how badly he wants to stay, but I’m sure there
will be contract talks at the end of the season. He’ll be expensive,
and there are too many variables between now and November to know
whether he’ll be worth what the market will bear for him.
BC: Who have you been most impressed with this April? Why?
Jeff: So far, Bill Hall. He’s playing great
defense at third, which isn’t really a surprise, but is awfully
impressive given how much he’s been moved around. He may never match
his previous offensive output, but the fact he’s still hanging in there
as a league-average offensive threat while moving around the diamond is
really saying something.
BC: Who needs to step up for the Brewers to be successful this season?
Jeff: I don’t think anybody does. This is a
deep team, and if any one player falters, there’s a solution. Of
course, it’d be nice to get a full season out of Sheets, but even
without that, this is still an 85-87 win team.
BC: Who do you feel is better, Ryan Braun or Prince Fielder? Why do you feel that way?
Jeff: Fielder has more of a track record.
Braun could be better, but we’ll have to see more. His incredible
performance last year was propped up by an unsustainable BABIP. When
that comes back to earth, we’ll see how his numbers hold up. Needless
to say, both players are among the best in the league.
BC: What Brewers prospect are you most excited to see progress this season?
Jeff: The obvious choice is Matt LaPorta, but
I’ll also be keeping my eye on Jonathan Lucroy. He’s no future star,
but if he emerges as a possible big-league regular behind the plate,
that’s a huge boost to the organization.
BC: I feel like I need to ask an obligatory
Eric Gagne question. How do you see him faring this season? Will the
Crew need to fill his spot sometime this season?
Jeff: I think he’ll make it through the year as closer. Whether that will be Cordero-style or Borowski-style, I don’t know.
BC: How do you feel Mike Cameron will fit
into the fold once he is eligible to return to action? Do you expect
him to make a big difference in the lineup?
Jeff: Based on how Gwynn and Kapler have
played, he’s not going to make a big difference. Based on how Gwynn and
Kapler *would* play if they were platooned all season long…yeah,
Cameron will be huge. I’m particularly excited to have him out in
center every night. Gwynn is good, but Cameron is as good as it gets.
He’ll take a lot of pressure off Braun as well.
BC: Finally, give me a prediction for the Crew this season. How many wins and where will they finish?
Jeff: Division winners with 88 wins or so.
Thanks again to Jeff Sackmann for answering these questions. If you have the chance, stop by Brew Crew Ball and thank him!