Following an extremely disappointing ending to their season that saw them slip from first place to completely out of playoff contention, the Brewers will conduct an “extensive review” following the season, CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman writes. GM Doug Melvin is concerned about the team’s inability to stop losing streaks once they start, and about the team’s offense. That means that manager Ron Roenicke and hitting coach Johnny Narron could be under review, even though both are respected within the organization.
The Brewers had a 6 1/2 game lead on the rest of the NL Central in early July, but they went 9-16 in July and 13-14 in August, and they’re now 8-16 in September. Ryan Braun, Scooter Gennett, Mark Reynolds and Lyle Overbay have all struggled as the Brewers’ offense has sputtered in the second half. The Brewers were eliminated from the playoff race Thursday.
Doug Melvin should be reviewed as well…
Review Ryan Braun too while you’re at it.
So, either everything is really gonna be under review, or this is a complete cover for when we make no changes and fire no one. At least it looks like we did something, eh?
Okay, but really, I hope they take this seriously. Look at everything. Look at the mistakes Roenicke made with in-game decisions. Look at the bad season from Braun. Look at the MISERABLE season from Jean Segura. Look at the giant hole at 1B. Look at our offense’s general lack of on-base ability. I mean, our team slash line in 2014 is .250/.310/.398 with a wRC+ of 94. That’s not good. Our defense fell apart at times, too. There’s a lot to look at here, and Attanasio and company need to look closely at everything.
That is a MLB average slash line. 94-95 wRC+ is average for NL.
Indeed it is. And that 94 wRC+ places us 18th in baseball and 8th in the NL. I don’t think a team should be okay with league average performance. In 2010-2012, we were second in the NL all three years in wRC+, above 100 in each year. That’s what we should be aiming for. That’s why I’m saying this year’s performance is not good (well, that and the offense disappeared completely for the final month plus). I understand it’s close to league average, but that doesn’t make it good, ya know?
In this era, having league average offense is just about the most you can hope for. You have to make up the rest through pitching and defense.
If we are returning to an era of the pitcher (which it kinda looks like we are), then I have to agree. I still don’t think that excuses what the offense was this year. It was impatient and undisciplined. Add in that we made oodles of baserunning blunders, and it’s just really disappointing and broken. I mean, I certainly don’t expect us to get back to the level of performance we had with Braun & Fielder in their prime batting 3 and 4, but we need to do better than this year. And our defense also needs to be more consistent. Like I said, there’s a lot that needs to be looked at with this team.
Impatient and undisciplined describes the entirety of baseball. This entire generation of players is impatient.
If anyone should go, it’s Melvin. If the Brewers wanted to be serious contenders, they should have upgraded at the deadline. Broxton in August was hardly enough.
What is it you wanted them to do? FWIW, they got Parra and Broxton.
For the right package of prospects Napoli might be available.
He has 1 year left at $16 M the Sox might eat a little if they get decent prospects.
Eat money for a 1B who put in 3.2 WAR in 119 games? No thanks.
Nap has not done much for the Sox this year.I would much rather spend the money extending Cespy. You say 3.2 WAR in 119 games out of 162. The Sox probably won’t move him—I am looking at a platoon of Nava and an improving Craig for next season.
Multiple prospects? What are thinking 3 or 4?
I’m thinking a minimum of two good prospects.
I’d guess that would stop further conversation.
Hal you sound like a Brew Crew Fan–has ARam got enough in the tank for the R Sox to take a flyer on him? 1, 2, or 3 yr.
commitment? and why?
Still hits and still plays pretty good defense. It seems as if the nagging injuries like a tight hamstring might be happening more often. He also likes to hit early in counts. I don’t know if that would be a consideration by the RS.
it all boils down to the brewers did not want to give away their prospects to win this year. they had a chance to trade for both Price and 1B Morneau and said no when when the rays and rockies asked for a certain prospect. Was keeping that prospect really worth it?
So you say whatever the price is pay it? Should they have gone for both of those players? That might make sense if they were going to do a Cubs/Astros style rebuild with a half dozen years of tanking.
I don’t think this has much chance for a positive result. There were players in the minors who should have been brought up long ago and should be used next season and that’s the opposite of what Melvin likes to do. Melvin created a roster with Weeks, Overbay and Reynolds. He’s always talking about veteran leadership and knowing how to win.
He’s cultivated a fanbase that thinks paying high prices at the deadline is smart management. Expensive FAs and expensive trades is a recipe for more losing.
FWIW, Gennett has been injured and still hitting the ball well but his babip has dropped.