FanNation

The sweep courtosy of the Red Sox this weekend highlighted how nothing seems to be clicking for the Crew other than Braun.  This was proved as the Crew's defense, pitching, and offense all struggled at times this weekend.  The Crew have actually been struggling with this trifecta all season, never firing on all cynlinders.

The pitching other than Sheets has been the main reason for the Crew's struggles.  Their starting rotation currently features Ben Sheets, Jeff Suppan, Dave Bush, Carlos Villanueva, and Manny Parra.  Sheets has proven himself as the ace, even though the bats do not show up when he throws.  Suppan is what he is, and the Brewers knew this when they signed him, a 15 win guy with an ERA hovering around 4.50.  Bush needs to figure things out in the minors.  Villanueva should be moved back to the pen where he thrived as a long relief guy last year.  Parra needs to work through what I will call a learning experience.  The bullpen has been just as bad.  Gagne does not deserve a comment (here's your $10 million, please leave).  Stetter could not throw strikes, DeFelice cannot throw, and McClung is a glorified DeFelice.  How many pitchers can one squad have who throw a low 90s fastball, a baby slider, and  slow pitch with no movement they call a change up?  Shouse and Mota are the only reliable options for the Brewers and Shouse is more of a situational lefty special guy.  Unfortunately, the minors are tapped out.  If the Brewers can't work their way out of the cellar of the NL Central, look for Melvin to trade Sheets at the deadline.  If he cannot sign him to a new contract Melvin will get something rather than lose him to free agency.

The Crew's offensive struggles start at the top with their leadoff second baseman batting .200.  It is time for a clean start at second base.  Weeks may have great potential of a Delmon Young-like player at second base, but he has yet to tap into this potential since joining the Crew.  I believe there are better options avialble through reasonable trades.  I think Tony Gywnn Jr. needs to be inserted into the leadoff spot.  It may look like an apple for an apple switch with Gywnn's current average a little over .200, but he has proven he can hit well in the leadoff spot earlier in the season, setting the table for the big hitters and stealing a base every now and then.  Odd man out here has to be Mike Cameron.  I would like to see Russel Branyan called up from Triple A to compliment Bill Hall.  Hall can hit lefties great, but must not be facing many if he is batting under .200.  Branyan is a high strike out and high power left hitting guy - like an Adam Dunn who does not walk as much.

 Prince Fielder and Rickie Weeks are the two glaring defensive short comings.  Prince is a double edge sword, with his great bat comes his bad defense.  Maybe Melvin can trade for a decent glove at second, and maybe he wants to wait a month, a year, never?  Until Weeks realizes he can ball with the best.

Finally, the glue holding everything together is manager Ned Yost.  He just loses more games than he wins.  For every decision he makes in which he looks genius, like batting Kendall after the pitcher; he makes five which has me shouting at the television about leaving a pitcher in too long, not arguing some questionable strike zones, penciling in a .200 leadoff hitter, Gagne, etc.  I think Yost has done all he can do in Milwaukee and the Crew need to move on without him.  They need to find a manger who in the past has been able to take young up and coming teams to the "next level".