Projections Series: 25-Man Roster
By: Big Rygg
In a recurring theme of posts, I will be offering my suggestions/predictions under different categories. I ask you to not only tear mine apart, but also post your own. Reasons are appreciated as they can lead to better discussion.
Without further ado...
25-Man Roster Projection
The 40-Man roster is easily accessable on Brewers.com. What I'm asking (and offering) is who I think will make the 25-man Opening Day roster for the Milwaukee Brewers from the current 40-man. Don't predict trades, just go from the roster as currently constituted.
Keep in mind that while it's probable that the Crew will break camp with 12 pitchers and 13 position players, there is no guarantee of that at all, let alone how those splits will break down further.
If you think they'll keep four catchers, say so. I'll tell you why you're very wrong, but the point is that if you can justify it, I'll listen.
So...
Pitching Staff (4 starters, 8 relievers)
I personally think that we'll utilize four starters at first because of all the scheduled off days in April. In fact, the Brewers won't need a 5th starter until April 19th. I think that Ned will want to take advantage of the extra bullpen arm since he loves to try to push buttons, necessarily or not.
SP - Ben Sheets
SP - Jeff Suppan
SP - Yovani Gallardo
SP - Carlos Villanueva
CL - Eric Gagne
SU - David Riske
SU - Derrick Turnbow
RP - Brian Shouse
RP - Salomon Torres
RP - Guillermo Mota
RP - Chris Capuano
RP - Dave Bush (I believe that once we need a 5th starter, that it will be Bush that transitions to that role)
Position Players (13 total - 2 Catchers, 6 Infielders, 5 Outfielders)
Obviously, this will change no later than 25 games into the season when newly acquired free agent Mike Cameron comes off of his suspension to begin roaming centerfield for the Brewers.
C - Jason Kendall
C - Eric Munson
1B - Prince Fielder
2B - Rickie Weeks
SS - J.J. Hardy
3B - Bill Hall
INF - Joe Dillon
INF - Craig Counsell
LF - Ryan Braun
CF - Tony Gwynn Jr./Gabe Gross (I'm not really predicting starters at this point)
RF - Corey Hart
OF - Gross/Gwynn
OF - Gabe Kapler
The only wrinkles I can see in regards to the position players is possibly trying Mike Rivera out (even though I believe Munson's left-handed swing and solid defensive capabilities will win him the job), and possibly if the Crew decides that Craig Counsell is expendable by finally giving a Major League roster spot to Vinny Rottino. Again, though, I don't see that happening which is why Counsell is my choice above.
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Alright, Brewer Nation. Let's hear your thoughts!
I would say replace Kapler for Rottino and put Bush in the rotation and Villaneuva in the bullpen. Everything else looks to be correct...
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You can find my thoughts in the link below. Villanueva should be a starter on this team. You put your 5 best pitchers in there and Bush is not one of them even if he has more experience. Rottino will not get the nod, not yet anyways and Munson is a career .218 hitter, .213 against righties, so people can stop talking about his left-handed bat off the bench doesn't add anything.
http://brewcrewpub.blogspot.com/2008/02/position-analysis-25-man-roster.html
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I agree, Villanueva starts. Maybe Cappy's left arm in the bullpen with Shouse till they need a 5th. They may want him to fill that role too
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HEY GUYS BREWERMIKE.....WERE IS VARGAS IN YOUR 25 MAN!!!???
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Nowhere, my man. As a matter of fact, I truly feel that of all the pitchers that we've got, Vargas is one of the more tradeable commodities.
I still think that Melvin will pull off a deal before the start of the season. I personally believe that Vargas will be a part of that deal. He did win 11 games, but this team can't afford that many bullpen innings every 5th day.
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I want to know about Manny Parra. Apparently no one hear thinks he is major league ready or there are too many starters in front of him that are better, or what? Why doesn't he fit into the rotation now?
Steve from Menomonie, WI
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I think he could contribute at the Major League level right now, but I'm also a realist in knowing that Parra has an option remaining and the team will send him down to AAA so that he can pitch every fifth day and be ready in case of injury.
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