Looking back, that rotation is literally in tatters.

Greinke was traded to the Angels when the Brewers thought they were out of contention. Marcum went on the disabled list for over two months, and has a 5.70 ERA in five starts since returning. Wolf was released towards the end of August after he was unable to ever find himself as a starter this season. Narveson went down after just his second start in April with a torn rotator cuff.

In other words, Gallardo has been the one staple of the rotation. The Brewers have had to dip into their farm system to find the rest of their current rotation. And, I have to say, most of them have filled in admirably. Marco Estrada, who pitched out of the bullpen to start the season, was the first guy the Brewers turned to, and, despite the fact he hasn’t been able to notch many wins, he’s been very solid. Mike Fiers, who was having just a mediocre year at Triple-A Nashville prior to his call-up, has come up and established himself as a perennial Rookie of the Year candidate. Mark Rogers was solid before his shut-down, but Wily Peralta has been dominant since taking his rotation spot.

Let’s say the Brewers don’t make any starting pitching-related moves this offseason. The 2013 rotation would look something like Gallardo, Estrada, Fiers, Rogers, and Peralta, since Marcum is leaving via free agency. There are plenty more prospects who will get a chance in ’13 Spring Training, but these pitchers are the ones with the most experience (despite the fact some of them still have very little experience).

There is definitely a lot of inexperience in that rotation, but, if they all pitch to their ability (and get solid run support while doing so), they could all be successful in the Majors. And, personally, I’d almost like to see the Brewers experiment with that next year.

But we know they won’t, because there’s too much risk involved. The Brewers will more than likely go after at least one free agent starter. But, many consider the 2012-13 offseason’s starter front to be one of the worst in years. The highlights will be Greinke, Marcum, Ryan Dempster, and that’s really about it, at least for big names. Greinke is definitely the safest of the three, and he expressed the possibility of re-signing with the Brewers this offseason. But we might have to wait and see if he’s still around after waiting for the $15 million per year that he isn’t going to get.

Since it’s more than likely the Brewers won’t pick up one of those three, I’d almost like to see the Brewers try an experiment of young, in-house starters in the rotation, like I said earlier, and I’d like to see that for a few reasons.

First off, it would keep the Brewers from thinking they need to make an actually unnecessary move that would make the team worse. The most recent examples of that are Wolf and Jeff Suppan. Now don’t get me wrong; I liked Wolf. He had a solid year and a half under his belt with the Crew prior to his release. But things weren’t clicking this year, which makes me worry about the Brewers signing a similar veteran over this offseason. I don’t think I need to explain my reasoning for Suppan.

The front office will probably think that veteran presence is needed in a young rotation, but Gallardo should be at the point of his career where he can start setting an example for the guys behind him and serve as that “veteran” (although he’ll only be 27 next year). Estrada hasn’t been on the Brewers for very long, but he’s been around. I don’t think the Brewers should waste money on getting that “veteran starter” this year.

My second reason is that the Brewers have something that they didn’t have previous years in which they needed a veteran guy: they have a ton of prospects that are big league ready. Fiers, despite his inconsistency recently (which could be due to fatigue from his first year in the Majors), should have a rotation spot locked up for next year. Before his shut-down, Rogers was giving the Brewers a chance to win every time out. It’s too early to say about Peralta, but, after three dominant starts, a good Spring Training next year could net him a rotation spot. And then there are all the prospects (i.e. Hiram Burgos) and the recent draft picks (i.e. Taylor Jungmann, Jed Bradley) that haven’t even made it to the Majors yet.

Even though Gallardo is the only pitcher who has a spot locked down for next year, the Brewers have so many starting pitching prospects that they’ll have to be able to get something out of at least some of them, particularly the ones who are getting big league experience this year. This could be the makings of a very dominant future rotation for the Brewers; why not get a glimpse of it next year?

Brewers shortstop Jean Segura is a huge part of this teams future failure and/or success Photo: Chris Humphreys-US PRESSWIRE

With the way this season has shaken down, it is very difficult to be optimistic.  The truth is friends, aside from the bullpen pooping in the sleeping bag, this has been a pretty good season. 

Many of you will scoff at my last statement.  But consider for a minute that Ryan Braun is on pace to best  his MVP season of 2011, Aramis Ramirez may set the team record for doubles in a season, and Mike Fiers has emerged as one of the bright young stars in this organization.  And that is just the tip of the iceberg Brewskies…

First let me start with recent news and work back to my point.

When I first began writing this piece, it mostly revolved around how to handle the pitching rotation.  In fact, it was darn near half the article. One of those problems was corrected before we even made it to the off-season.  Randy Wolf was released on Wednesday.  While I may not have been the loudest member of the Wolf Pack, I certainly did not dislike the guy.  In my eyes, he was what Jeff Suppan was supposed to be.  So I was not surprised when his 2012 started to spiral into Suppan territory.  The truth is, we overpaid on a mediocre pitcher…again…for like the 20^th time in the past 10 years. His spot in the rotation was vital to this team’s success in 2013, so I am glad that they made the move sooner rather than later.  That opening will give us a few more options at achieving excellence next season, and give us a chance to watch some more young arms get a shot.   In my original piece I had assumed the Brewers would not keep him around for next season, so we are right back on track. 

The Brewers rotation will be terrific – I firmly believe that the Brewers will be able to re-sign Shaun Marcum.  He has been on the shelf for the past two and a half months, which will put a huge dent in his open market value, come November.  Recently he stated that he wants to stay in Milwaukee and would love to come back, even though the team has not even broached any contract negotiations with Marcum.  So, in my mind the rotation could like one of two ways: Option 1 – Yovani Gallardo, Shaun Marcum, Michael Fiers, Marco Estrada, and Chris Narveson, or Option 2 – Gallardo, Marcum, Fiers, Narveson, and Mark Rogers.  Either way, I am going to feel pretty good about that going into next season.  Not to mention that we still have guys like Tyler Thornburg and Wily Peralta ready to get their chance at pitching in the big leagues.  This is not even including the potential acquisitions through trades and free agency.  Who know what Melvin may have up his sleeve.  

An Unchanged Lineup – Consistency is the key!!  As I look at the roster, the way it sits today, I do not envision a ton of changes.  I think that Rickie Weeks may be playing his last season in Brewer blue.   It is also hard for me to imagine 2011 NLDS hero Nyjer Morgan being on the roster when spring training breaks next April.  Aside from that, I believe what we are seeing right now will mostly make up the 2013 roster.  If Rickie Weeks does go away, I would hope that it would be via trade, for some more middle infield talent.  Scooter Gennett is not far away from making his MLB debut (hitting .294 in a full season at AA), so Rickie’s time is limited anyway.  The only question that remains for me is Mat Gamel.  What do we do with him?  Where does he go?  In my mind Corey Hart should not ever go back to RF.  Mr. Hart is the Brewers first baseman of the future, end of discussion.  So, in my mind, the lineup would look something like this: Nori Aoki, Carlos Gomez,  Ryan Braun, Aramis Ramirez, Corey Hart, Jonathan Lucroy, (yet to be named 2^nd baseman), Jean Segura, and pitcher.  Like I said, unchanged lineup.  This team has not had problems producing offense (as long as runners are not in scoring position), and I do not expect it to be a problem in the first year after the Mayan calendar ends.  If anything, I expect a huge upswing in team moral and group hugs.

History – In each of the past two seasons, the World Series winners have had a unique combination of youth and veteran leadership.   The Brewers are on course to fit that mold.  In 2010, the San Francisco Giants shocked the world with their amazing run to the World Series.  That Giants team had no offense to speak of, but due to their unique chemistry and stellar pitching…they became world champions.  Last season (as much as it pains me to even reference this) the St. Louis Cardinals defied the odds…again.  For the second time in a decade, they snuck into the playoffs only to win the whole thing.  The 2011 Cardinals had a unique mixture of proven commodities: Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday, Yadier Molina, and Chris Carpenter, and young budding stars: David Freese, Jon Jay, and Jason Motte.  This is the type of team the Brewers could be fielding in 2013, if they can get the bullpen sorted out.  Many of you will remember that the Cardinals bullpen threw more innings in the NLCS than starting pitchers did.  Having a strong bullpen is what separates the mediocre form the good, and the good from the great.  And the Brewers are on the verge of having that perfect concoction of baby faces and grizzly veterans. 

As Billy Joel once said, “You may be right, I may be crazy.  But it just may be a lunatic you’re looking for”. 

In a season where most Brewers fans have been turning off games after the 8^th inning, it feels good to be optimistic for a change.  I genuinely and truly believe that the 2013 Brewers will be a much better, stronger team than the team we are watching tonight.   Maybe they won’t make the playoffs, but at least we will have something to really get excited about again.  The only time this entire season that I have actually jumped of my couch to cheer, was Corey Hart’s Grand Slam last Thursday against the Phillies.  And it was the first time I was jacked out of my mind, since Game 5 of the NLDS.  I guarantee all of you that 2013 will be much more exciting.  How could it not be?!?! 

On a side note: Doug, Gord, and Mark…please resign Corey Hart.  As soon as possible.   Do not drag your feet on this one.  It seems like he has finally found some consistency, don’t let him take it somewhere else.  Thank you in advance.  -Lou

It was reported via MLBtraderumors.com and various sources on Twitter that as of about ten o’clock this morning that team officials had notified the veteran left-hander was no longer a member of the team.

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With the season far out of reach of the postseason, the coaching staff and front office for the Brewers are switching to a new strategy – tinkering. The changes are set to come later this month and into September as Shaun Marcum looks to get back into the rotation following a long stint on the Disabled List after dealing with elbow problems.

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Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Mike Fiers is D-E-A-L-I-N-G Photo: Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

This is something that Brewers management needs to be asking themselves right now.  And if you are asking me?  The answer to that question is YES!  And this article will have many opinions and Lou oriented hearsay…no one will blame you if you turn back now. 

After what we saw yesterday, Mike Fiers talent can not be denied.  The kid has no fear.  To no-hit the Reds through 6 complete innings is nothing to turn your nose up at.  Shaun Marcum has not pitched for almost 2 months and has never really “wowed” me.  Mike Fiers “wowed” me yesterday.  So that makes it a quick 1 to nothing. 

Marcum will be a free agent at seasons end.  This is a fact.  He will probably fetch upwards of $10-$12 million a season, from a team looking to over spend on a middle of the rotation starter.  My thoughts are still along the lines of…the Brewers will throw everything they can at Zack Greinke to get him to come back.  It would be one of the biggest coups in baseball if we snag Zack back.  That would leave Shaun playing second fiddle, which will piss him off, which will give him road rage, which will cause him to drive his car into Miller Park, which will cause him to burn it to the ground, which will cause him to sign with the Cubs, because he is the type of guy a team like that will spend money on…and jerks play for the Cubs.  I’m not saying Marcum is a jerk, but if he drove his car into Miller Park and burned it to the ground, he would clearly be a baby bear loving jerk.  

Mike Fiers will cost us almost nothing (for a few years anyway) and he has shown me enough for me to believe that he can be a dominant pitcher in this league.  After his first few starts, I was very skeptical of the kid.  There was no doubt that he could pitch at the major league level, but I was concerned about his delivery and stamina.  There was something so herky-jerky about his delivery.  Plus he has kind of a small frame, so I thought maybe he would be better suited for long relief.  I no longer believe any of those things, it was a phase, like POGS or Tamagatchi.   

In 12 major league starts, the kid is 6-4 with a 1.80.  This is something we all know by now.  It has been all over the news.  Have you not seen it?  Well…it’s true, so accept it. 

Fiers has thrown 80 innings already this season and strikes out 1 batter per inning.  That is not just a rookie getting lucky.  Mike’s delivery is very deceiving and a little bit jerky, I want to compare it to Tim Lincecum…but Fiers looks much more graceful.  I think that a large part of his success comes from his ability to hide the baseball prior to delivery.  As he rears back, the ball drops almost behind his thigh and then he brings it down, over the top of his body arch.  This delivery makes his off-speed stuff crippling to batters.  Yesterday he got Brandon Phillips to drop to one knee after a swing and miss.  Whatever Fiers is doing, it works and we should continue to encourage it. 

Now, why does Fiers make Marcum expendable?  Yovani Gallardo, Randy Wolf, Chris Narveson, and Marco Estrada.  That’s how. 

In my opinion, Mike Fiers is a solid #2 starter going into next season.  He is a perfect compliment to Yo and a wonderful lead in for Wolf.  Should we not get Greinke or Marcum back, I feel very confident in the rotation referenced above.  Let’s not forget that we still have some absolute flame throwing studs in the minors.  They will not be held down for much longer. 

Mike Fiers is a cheaper, younger, more marketable option.  Oh, I’m sorry…did I hurt your feelings by reminding you that baseball is a business?  Mike Fiers is a marketing gold mine!  His name alone will spurn all kinds of amazing t-shirts and signs. ”We Didn’t Start the Fiers”  “Fiers Down Below”  “Then you add in that amazingly well crafted facial hair?!?!?  This guy is everything a front office could possibly want.  Shaun Marcum is kind of bland…he probably fit in better in Canada. 

Look, I like Shaun Marcum.  He is not a bad pitcher, but I would rather we save the money and spend it elsewhere.  By comparison, Marcum only threw 82.1 innings before getting injured.  His stats were as follows: 5-3 record, 3.39 ERA, 31 ER (Fiers has 16), 10 HR’s, 26 walks, and 77 strikeouts.  In my mind it is a bit of a wash right now, but it is certainly not worth dropping a lot of coin to keep Marcum around. 

Mike Fiers has made me feel very good about the future of this team, although his offense leaves something to be desired.  This team could still contend for the NL Central next season.  I honestly and truly believe that.  If Doug Melvin guts the bullpen, figures out what to do with Mat Gamel (Corey Hart should be our 1st baseman, end of discussion), and can get Rickie Weeks to not suck …we might really have something to cheer for in 2013.  Unfortunately, this season is lost.  That does not mean we can not watch some of the young kids play and see what the future holds.

On an unrelated note, Jean Segura is awesome.  I am a fan.  His future is so bright….he will have to wear shades.

Zack Greinke left for the Angels. George Kottaras left for Oakland.

Then, something strange happened: nothing.

The Non-Waiver Trade Deadline has officially washed over Major League Baseball, and though there were plenty of big deals going down across both leagues – the Brewers weren’t in on one of them.

Why?

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