Courtesy of http://bostonsports.mlblogs.com/2009/03/08/one-guy-is-out-the-other-gets-a-raise/

Crosby, 33, owns a career batting average of .236, so why would the Brewers take a chance on him? The Brewers are in need of a veteran presence, much like Craig Counsell or Gabe Kapler in recent years. Not only does Crosby have eight years of major league experience under his belt, he can aid Jean Segura and accelerate his progression.

Here’s what Doug Melvin had to say about Crosby via Tom Haudricourt:

He’s going to come to camp and get a chance to make the club as a backup infielder. He can play all three infield positions. We might carry two (extra) infielders.

In all likelihood, Crosby will be out of a job once Spring Training is over. He will have to turn some heads and play out of his mind to beat out Bianchi, and I don’t see that happening. But, if I’m Bianchi, I would erase my name off of the World Baseball Classic roster, report to Spring Training early, and prove to Ron Roenicke that I belong on the team. There’s no point in playing in the WBC if you don’t have a guaranteed roster spot, even if your competition is laughable.

If somehow Crosby does in fact make the squad, he will just be another verson of Cesar Izturis—a veteran player who can’t hit to save his life. It just seems like another foolish signing to me.

What are your thoughts on Bobby Crosby? Can he make the team? Leave comments and questions below! Follow Justin Schultz and @ReviewngTheBrew on Twitter. Be sure to like us on Facebook, too.

Segura’s bat was obviously far too strong for AA pitching, where he .433 in 37 plate appearances in 8 games with Huntsville; not only that, but he was already a reserve for the Angels in the weeks prior to the trade. Overall in AA ball this year, the 22-year-old batted .304/.358/.413 in the Texas League and Southern League.

With little reason left to watch the remainder of the 2012 season, seeing Cody Ransom at shortstop everyday wouldn’t help. Segura’s bat is big league-ready and he is batting eighth and playing shortstop in Monday’s lineup. The only part of Izturis’ game that is better than Segura’s is his defense–he’s only played in 136 games professionally at the 6 position.

As Jaymes Langrehr noted on Disciples of Uecker, it will do no good to only give him an occasional start. There’s no way Ransom playing six or seven out of ten games will help the club now or in the future. We’ve seen Taylor Green and Mat Gamel fail to fulfill their potential yet because of inconsistent playing time. And the Brewers shouldn’t toy around with their newly acquired top prospect; not to say Segura is of the level of either player, but look at the success of Mike Trout and Bryce Harper after they received everyday roles. The Brewers obviously feel that now is the time to see what Jean Segura’s got, so why only “see what Jean Segura’s got” two or three times a week?

It was hilarious, and inspiring. I did some research, and uncovered a few startling facts as to why the Brewers find themselves on the wrong side of .500.

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That puts the total on the DL up to five for Milwaukee, and while they don’t have it as bad as some other teams, Ransom is the final shortstop on the team’s roster. When asked by Adam McCalvy how Milwaukee would absorb another hit to the position, manager Ron Roenicke said “We can’t.” Encouraging words from the skip.

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Jonathan Lucroy has hit full beast mode as of late. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

Once again, our podcast that talks about anything and all things Brewers. Today’s episode (which is also pretty short as well) also acts as a ‘Recap on Tap’ as Colin and I discuss today’s 8-2 win over the Cubs. There was quite a lot to talk about in these past two days so here’s what we talked about:

-Today’s game

-Rickie Weeks and Ryan Braun getting beamed

-Last night’s game

-Which platoon player could pitch if need be?

-Jonathan Lucroy’s value

-Brewers-Cubs rivalry rising?

-Tomorrow’s match-up, Jeff Samardzija (4-1, 3.03 ERA) vs Marco Estrada (0-2, 4.50 ERA)

-The line-up

-Cesar Izturis vs Brooks Conrad at shortstop

-Marcum’s performance today

Thanks again for listening and stay tuned for next week!

Ron Roenicke has more on his plate than expected so far this season. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE

Well…at least not everyone has torn their ACL or injured their shoulder. With the devastating blows of losing Chris Narveson, Mat Gamel and now Alex Gonzalez for the season, the Brewers ship is being roughed up in the sea that is the NL Central. The pitching is still trying to get on track all while the offense struggles to survive without two everyday batters. Last night’s loss to the Reds shows that Marco Estrada has not really adapted to the starting role, and in a rotation with our four main starters having a rough go of things, the fifth man role becomes all that more crucial. So, the pitching will eventually figure their problems (well hopefully), but the reconstruction of the line-up is a new task for Ron Roenicke.

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Here's Cesar, just for you Colin. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE

Here is our third episode of Brew Crew Online. It’s a bit late as our podcasts are usually on Wednesdays, but the next few weeks might see a Saturday release. As usual, Colin and I discuss practically everything and anything Brewers and branch out to other topics around the Majors. In today’s podcast, we discuss:

-Last night’s win against the Giants

-The rest of the series in the Bay Area

-Injuries around the MLB

-Marco Estrada’s role as the fifth man

-Bryce Harper

-Albert Pujols’ home-run drought

-Jered Weaver’s no-hitter

-Cesar Izturis (just for Colin)

-No concern for the Brewers’ record

Stay tuned for next week!

The Brewers look to Ishikawa's experience to help the lineup. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE

I really can’t say this move that Ron Roenicke made is by any means surprising, but it is a good topic for discussion. Travis Ishikawa is the veteran player over Brooks Conrad and actually did fairly better than Conrad in Spring Training. Of course, Roenicke has announced that Ishikawa will be Mat Gamel’s back up at first, which if Gamel doesn’t produce, I’d be fine with Ishikawa at first. Though, what exactly does this all say for Brooks Conrad? Tough luck? Better luck next time? No. Conrad still can play and maybe will prove himself to have a Brewers’ roster spot later in the season.

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