Rest for the Weary

Jason Kendall may see more bench time this season. Kendall led the Majors with 149 starts last season at catcher. Skipper Ken Macha would like to have backup Mike Rivera start at least once every time through the rotation. He does not want Kendall slowing down at the end of the season.

I think this would be a great idea for the Brewers to put Rivera in the lineup more. Rivera is a solid catcher who should have seen more time last year, especially when Kendall's numbers started to drop off. Kendall won't be happy to see any bench time but that is Macha's decision. Rivera batted .306 with 14 RBI in 62 at-bats.

I am starting to love Macha who has already made a few decisions that I wanted to see done last year. Former manager Ned Yost was not a good coach, putting pitchers in at the wrong time and never really vocalizing with his players to tell them what they did wrong. Macha is a big step up because he is not afraid of displeasing his players and he adds some much needed toughness, exactly what this young team was lacking a year ago.

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Photo: Courtesy of JSOnline.com

Gag(me) Gagne is back!

According to JSOnline, Eric Gagne is back with the Brewers. He signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring camp. The terms of his contract are yet to be disclosed.

Gagne will compete for the setup role. Last season he went 4-3 with a 5.44 era, and 10 saves in 17 chances. He was stripped of the closer position for Solomon Torres who retired after the season.

Minor league deal? No risk, but there won't be any reward. I don't see him on the Brewers roster this year unless he somehow shakes his funk.

There's a guy that steroids did wonders for. It's like having Derrick Turnbow back on the team. Just a complete waste of roster space if he actually makes the team but might as well give him the chance, in case there is that small-miniscule chance that he redeems himself.

Gallardo not the No. 1 Guy?

According to reports, the Brewers head coach Ken Macha, doesn't want Yovani Gallardo as the opening day starter. He doesn't want too much pressure on his young star, especially after missing most of last season with injury. New signee Braden Looper and Dave Bush are two contenders to be the ace. Macha also said that after the All-Star break, if Gallardo is pitching well enough, he will most likely take over as the ace.

Maybe it isn't such a bad idea to put the veterans in the front part of the rotation. Macha might have something there... I would still have Gallardo in the front part of the rotation, probably as the No. 2 guy until the All-Star break. He can flat-out pitch and I don't know if I like Looper and Bush going back-to-back in the rotation.

Photo: Courtesy of MLB.com

Brewers Looking at Chad Cordero Tomorrow

According to JSOnline.com, the Brew Crew reportedly have interest in closer Chad Cordero. Cordero, who was injured almost all of last season (pitched just 4.1 innings due to shoulder surgery), is holding workouts for interested clubs. Milwaukee has been interested in the 27-year-old for awhile. They will be one of several teams to take a look at Cordero's throwing session on Wednesday.

Milwaukee previously signed Trevor Hoffman this offseason to shore up the closer role. But, with Hoffman's age (plus only a one-year deal), the Brewers would like to have a closer for the future and Cordero would fit that role. Milwaukee has yet to discuss anything about where Cordero fit's in the relief position. My speculation is that they would start him off slow since he missed a year and than slowly work him back as the setup man. That is unless Seth McClung (who I think will be the setup man to start the season) is doing a great job. If the Brewers sign Cordero and he pitches well through the season, I wouldn't be surprised if they gave Hoffman a few games off either, so they don't wear him out.

Cordero has impressive stats and would be a great signing for the Crew: 20 Wins, 14 losses, 320.2 INN., 292 K, 11 HLD, 128 Saves - 24 Blown Saves, 2.78 ERA.

Photo: Courtesy of MLB.com

Brew Crew's Starting Lineup Theme Songs (Not actual theme songs for this year)

Here's my theme songs for Brew Crew's everyday lineup:

1. Rickie Weeks

Theme song: Under Pressure- Queen & David Bowie

Why? One more campaign of under achieving won't look so good when he sends out his resume.

Backup Song: When I Come Around- Green Day

Still waiting for that one to be heard but he has shown signs of greatness...

2. J.J. Hardy

Theme Song: Anyway You Want It- Journey

Why? Hardy can do it all and is going to be a great player for years to come. He is small but versatile. Can hit the homerun (as a shortstop), has gold glove potential, doesn't strike out often and puts the ball into play. He's a hard worker and a team player. The lyrics, "Anyway you want it, that's the way you need it" rings in my head when I look at him.

Backup Song: It's In The Way That You Use It- Eric Clapton. He is small guy but has an immense amount of talent for his build.

3. Ryan Braun

Theme Song: Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours- Stevie Wonder

Why? Seven-year contract last year, that's why. No better feeling for Brewers fans than knowing that we have an incredible outfielder locked up for many years to come.

Backup Song: Danger Zone- Kenny Loggins. Pitcher's beware: Don't throw it in his wheel house because he will take advantage. It's something I like to call the Danger Zone- well put Kenny Loggins. Look for Brauny to be a MVP candidate this season.

4. Prince Fielder

Theme Song: Encore- Jay-Z ft. Linkin Park

Why? Have you ever seen Fielder hit a homerun or play pickle in the middle with a catcher? It is one of the greatest spectacles you'll ever see in baseball. The homeruns are monsterous and well when you get into a rundown with a heavy set man that can sprint pretty well for his size, your going to get a concussion and possibly end up dead. Ask a former San Francisco Giants catcher Todd Greene and he'll let you know how it feels to be run over by Fielder. Or ask Brewers Manny Parra if he will ever say any smart comment back to Fielder. "Now can I get an encore, do you want more?" Yes, I do. Video of Fielder and Parra- http://buzzcuts.uproxx.com/sports/2377

Backup song: Hungry Like the Wolf-Duran Duran. Is this a fat joke? Yes it is. Another backup is I Won't Back Down- Tom Petty. Don't mess with him.

5. Corey Hart

Theme Song: I Wear My Sunglasses at Night- Corey Hart. No not the baseball player, the singer.

Why? Why not? They have the exact same name. Hart is good enough and cool enough that I give him permission to wear his sunglasses at night.

Backup Song: The Stroke- Billy Squier. Forget what the lyrics actually mean, the guy has a sweet stroke at the plate. He is a strong hitter and most of the time puts the ball in play. He has amazing speed and has a great glove in right field.

6. Mike Cameron

Theme Song: I'm Alright- Kenny Loggins

Why? Because he is an alright player and veteran enough that nobody has to worry about his progression. He pretty much puts up the same statistics every year but he is better than alright in the center field- he is tremendous. You know what you are going to get from him year in and year out. "I'm alright, don't nobody worry 'bout me."

Backup Song: Paranoid- Black Sabbath. He has to be a little paranoid after almost getting traded to the New York Yankees twice. Talks died for awhile than heated back up. I'd be a little paranoid, wondering will I stay or will I go?

7. Bill Hall

Theme Song: Drive me crazy- Fine Young Cannibals

Why? Because he drives me crazy, simply put. He strikes out way too much and the Crew need to get rid of him after this season. Given that this song is about how much a girl drives a guy crazy in a good way the lyrics can be spun around and made negative: "He drives me crazy, like no one else. He drives me crazy (ooh ooh) and I can't help myself."

Backup song: Big Yellow Taxi- Counting Crows. Because I want him to be out of the every day lineup. I like him especially in the field and how he has handled moving to so many different positions. But, it is time to part ways and put him in a Big Yellow Taxi. I thought about using Fly me to the Moon- Frank Sinatra- but he isn't that bad.

8. Jason Kendall-

Theme Song: When You Were Young- The Killers

Why? Well is much older now but when he was young he was one of the best hitting catcher of all time. Now all of a sudden his defense has picked up and his hitting has declined. Weird how that happened. Still a valuable asset to a team that needs veteran leadership.

Backup Song: A Pirate Looks at 40- Jimmy Buffett. Not just a crack at his age but is it just me or does Kendall look like a cross between a pirate and Charles Manson? Creepy.

I would like to publicly thank Kenny Loggins for having great theme songs from Top Gun and Caddyshack that fit right into the Brewers theme songs.

Photo: Courtesy of MLB.com

Looper Super!

According to Milwaukee's official website, the Brewers are closing in on a deal and nearly have Braden Looper signed to a contract but nothing is official yet. Milwaukee has said they were most likely done with picking any free agents up but decided to pull the trigger on Looper. A smart move on GM Doug Melvin's part because Milwaukee needs some depth. The move will likely take Seth McClung out of the rotation and move him to a setup role for closer Trevor Hoffman.

Looper would be a big addition in Milwaukee. He is a ground ball pitcher and rarely is injured. It is uncertain if the 34-year-old will get more than a one year contract, Melvin has yet to comment on the subject.

Here is how Looper stacks up with the rest of the Brew Crew's rotation:
Wins:
Looper: 12
Parra: 10
Suppan: 10
Bush: 9
McClung: 6

Losses:
Looper: 14
Bush: 10
Suppan: 10
Parra: 8
McClung: 6

Innings:
Looper: 199
Bush: 185
Suppan: 177 2/3
Parra: 166
McClung 105 1/3

ERA:
McClung: 4.02
Looper: 4.16
Bush: 4.18
Parra: 4.39
Suppan: 4.96

K's:
Parra: 147
Bush: 109
Looper: 108
Suppan: 90
McClung: 87

Looper is top three in all of those categories but leads the worst category with 14 losses. However, a 4.16 era is not deserving of a 14-loss season. But than again it is baseball, anything can happen. There is no doubt who the ace of the staff is in a young Yovani Gallardo, he is the future of the Brewers. He had injury problems last season but is dynamic on the mound and has a great bat to go along with it. Both Dave Bush and Manny Parra showed flashes of brilliance last season. Bush heated up down the stretch while Parra cooled off considerably (most likely because of the pressure and he was inexperienced). Another year on Parra makes him wiser and you can't argue with his stats- 166 innings pitched and 147 strikeouts. I look for Parra and Bush to surprise a lot of people this year. I personally have a hard time taking Seth McClung out of the rotation but I think he will exceed in the setup role. McClung had very solid numbers last season and is underrated. He had a 4.02 era, 105 innings pitched to 87 k, pretty solid stats. If I could take anyone out of the rotation it would be Jeff Suppan because, well, he is high-priced garbage. The guy gets it done every once and awhile but too many times the other team takes advantage and drills him for homeruns.

So, what would my rotation be?
1. Gallardo
2. Looper
3. Parra
4. Bush
5. Suppan

I would put McClung as the setup man at least for the beginning part of the season and see what Soup can do. If Soup messes up and gets pegged than bring McClung into the rotation. Suppan can go to middle to long relief depending on what they need and move reliever Jorge Julio to the setup role. I think Suppan will do alright especially if he pitches as a number five but the Brewers won't have him that far back in the rotation.

Photo: Courtesy of stltoday.com

Braden Looper a Brewer?

Reports that Braden Looper will be signed before Spring Training are heating up. Brewers lost two crucial starters in CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets but still have a decent rotation if they stay healthy. That is the cause for concern after Yovani Gallardo was out for most of last year. Everyone else on the Brewers stayed healthy for the most part.

If it were up to me I would pull the trigger and sign Looper to be a long reliever and if anyone gets injured the Brewers still have a viable pitcher to take whatever spot in the rotation. Chris Capuano may be an option but he hasn't pitched for awhile and unless he stuns the Brew Crew during Spring Training will part with Milwaukee and head down to Nashville. I look for him to be up in Milwaukee contributing at some point during the season.