Jim with Bernie's Crew tweeted earlier a suggestion that the Brewers should try to get LHP Dan Runzler. Jim definitely has his finger on the pulse of more players than I do...but after a review of his stats, I'm not totally convinced.
This is NOT a criticism of Jim or the suggestion. It's just a suggestion and we're getting to the time of the year where it's fun just to talk out trade possibilities and throw stuff around. The concern I have: Relief pitchers are, for the most part, a dime a dozen. Sure, we might argue the Brewers bullpen is terrible or has hit the wall or whatever. But I say Roenicke is flat-out mismanaging the pen. (Forget Monday night, thanks to Bob Davidson stealing the show).
Hawkins might have a implosion waiting to happen, but until he's used in more high-leverage situations and DOES implode, then his very solid performance this year so far is going to waste. And once the 10 days has passed, the Brewers need to get Braddock out of time out and bring him back to Milwaukee. Tell Axford he needs to tell Zach when it's time to wakey, wakey if you have to, but leaving him in Nashville is just stupid.
From my view, the Brewers biggest weaknesses are shortstop and the bench. Counsell is DONE (but serves an acceptable role on the team for now as a backup IF). Kotsay can make contact, but he'd be lucky to hit the ball out of TD Ameritrade Park, much less any MLB park. Brandon Boggs, meanwhile, is toiling away in Nashville.
Trade for a SS when the right deal comes along, while getting Wilson a couple starts a week. Cut Kotsay, bring up Boggs and USE HIM. I don't pretend this will suddenly solve all the Brewers woes, but I think the Brewers really only have the pieces to make one trade. History tells us trading for relief pitchers doesn't work most of the time. The best return is one that improves the biggest holes...and that's what Melvin should be looking at.
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