"Game Over" is now a Brewer

I just read a rumour that Brewers are working on a deal with Texas involving Tony Gwynn Jr....Capuano...and Matt Wise in exchange for Hank Blalock...Now, I read that you think Billy Hall might be traded. DO you have any speculations where Hall might go? I guess Blalock fits what you say about us going for a left handed bat and 3B...I guess this means Braun will be making the switch to LF. Where does this leave De LA Porte?

Well I don't really agree with that deal, I think Tony Gwynn will be a great talent in this league some day.

But anyways, I've been following the blog the whole offseason, been glad to see you're keeping up with all the moves. Some interest me, and some don't. I know our bullpen was pretty bad last year, so that has been the focus. But I think with Ben Sheets security as a brewer in the balance, Cappy in trade talks as well, and a few people who didn't step it up enough last year, we have more problems then just the bullpen.

I'll start with the starting pitching. Are we honestly going to rely on Ben Sheets to be the "ace" again, I mean he's got to be the most fragile pitcher in the league. I don't think he's made it one year without being on the DL. That's not what an ace is about. An ace is your horse and needs to give you a ton of innings which Sheets does not supply. But then again are we going to rely on the 2nd year pitcher Yovanni to be our ace? We all know Suppan can't do it, and I don't even know if we have Bush or Vargas anymore(I kind of hope not). So yes, many questions there, and we haven't made any attempt at someone to fit in the rotation.

Now, as for the offense/position players. I don't get this one. Have we picked up even one position player? Listen, Rickie Weeks was awful last season, save the last month or so. JJ Hardy completely lost his mojo in about the 2nd month of the season. And I know if Ned Yost is still the manager, which he is, then Hardy won't be put 8th. Bill Hall was terrible last season on every aspect, offense and defense. I honestly think he had a fluke year in 06. I'm sorry but I just don't want to see him as a brewer again, he's a great guy but we're probably going to be contending for a playoff spot this year so we don't need that kind of subpar output. Same with all the other outfielders, I mean Jenkins is gone but I didn't like Mench out there either. Corey Hart was good, I think he could end up having close to 40 SB's this year if they let him steal more often. Also if he keeps up the offense then good. Tony Gwynn was never used but I thought he did great when he was. Not really as a PH but he did good when he was actually inserted in the lineup. Also, the catchers. I mean anyone can make a case that they didn't do terrible. But I think they could've been 10x better. We got an...and I'm sorry...an out of shape switch hitter that couldn't make it to 1st if he hit a homerun. And we had an old guy that couldn't handle the rest of the load. I don't know, I think Kendall will be a huge improvement at the catcher spot though. Sort of a question of who's backing him though, I hear Damian will be leaving and Johnny is already gone.

Well I know I'm ranting on but another point I need to make, our utility players really weren't good. That's not a huge problem but it could be improved upon.

Basically what I'm getting at is the positions need improvements too, and it doesn't seem like anyone is too worried about that. If you look at the lineup last year and think about the output of certain players last year the only people that stand out is Braun and Fielder. And they can't do everything by themselves.

Oh and by the way, I do really like the addition of Gagne, he has wanted to be a closer again for a while and Boston decided not to use him like that, and he did poorly. So we'll see how he does for us

I didn't hear about any talks with the Rangers and Hank Blalock. The concern I would have there is that Blalock is much like Jenkins when it comes to facing left-handed pitchers. In 833 career plate appearances against left-handed pitching, he is averaging just .226 with an on-base of only .280. So, if the Brewers are really looking to obtain Blalock, they probably will sit him down against left-handed pitchers. Does that mean they will let Ryan Braun go back to 3rd base when we face a left-handed pitcher?

This is becoming confusing. I forgot who I spoke with but people still believe that Scott Rolen may still become a Brewer once things settle down a bit. As far as Matt LaPorta is concerned, I guess by then, they can move Braun or LaPorta to right and then move Hart to center.

I'd like to go down to spring training next year and see up close what they intend to do. I still believe there is one or two moves left before Christmas which might start clearing things up...

Hopefully Gagne will get in shape because he never has and is not young enough not to anymore.he also was a steroid fan and thus prone to injury.