Crank That Offseason Plan: Milwaukee Brewers Edition

What went wrong for the Milwaukee Brewers after making the playoffs in 2008?
Just about everything that involves throwing the ball to the opposing team and staying healthy.

But let's start with the positives.

Perennial All-Stars Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder had monster seasons and return for 2010. Ace Yovanni Gallardo and future Hall-of-Fame closer Trevor Hoffman will also be back on the mound for the Crew next season.

The bad news is that injuries and poor pitching (CC Sabathia took his hefty frame to the Big Apple) buried this team alive.

It's also bad news that trading offensive parts for pitching is murky because the Brewers are forced to sell low on guys like right fielder Corey Hart (injury) and shortstop J.J. Hardy (since traded to Minnesota).

From a prospect standpoint, the Brewers didn't want to part with shortstop Alicdes Escobar or third baseman/first baseman/future designated hitter Mat Gamel.

So here we are: The Brewers are still desperate for pitching and don't have a ton of tradeable parts they are intrested in trading.

So after the Hardy deal that netted newly-minted center fielder Carlos Gomez, the Brewers stand to shed roughly $12-13 million off the payroll by letting center fielder Mike Cameron walk along with declining pitcher Braden Looper's option and not offering second baseman Felipe Lopez arbitration.

Pitcher Dave Bush figures to get a raise over his $4 million salary in 2009 and it may be best to non-tender him. This would leave the Crew with Gallardo, Manny Parra (who really needs to realize his potential) and Jeff Suppan.

This rotation certainly doesn't scare anyone and it will remain one of the worst in baseball unless they can get two starting pitchers one way or another. With Escobar sliding into Hardy's spot at shortstop and second baseman Rickie Weeks coming back from injury, the infield seems like a lock (though I don't know if you can count another season like Casey McGehee had.

Where does that leave Mat Gamel? He can't really play anywhere besides third base or first and unless you plan on moving McGehee for something of great value it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to hang out to Gamel that much longer. Sure, he may be needed down the line to potentially replace Prince Fielder at first base but the time is now for the Brewers to win.

With roughly $10-15 million to spend, the Brewers are limited in what they can do. The best idea is to trade Gamel and some other minor leaguers for an established starting pitcher on the trade market. Hart is also another possibility to be traded for a pitcher.

My idea would go as such:

Under the assumption that the Brewers don't have an enticing enough package to aquire Roy Halladay from the Toronto Blue Jays, it makes sense to go after either Atlanta Braves pitcher Javier Vazquez or Edwin Jackson from the Detroit Tigers using Gamel and Hart as a package if necessary.

Neither will probably have as good of seasons as they did in 2009 but the Braves have the ability to trade pitching in favor for a player like Gamel. Vazquez is only getting traded if they can't move Derek Lowe first but unless they eat a monstrous portion of that contract, he isn't going anywhere. Chipper Jones can't be at third base forever and it remains to be seen just who will be starting first base for the club anyway.

The Tigers on the other hand need to clear payroll above all else. Jackson may not repeat his numbers for Tigers so it might be time for them to sell high. The Brewers will like the fact that Jackson hasn't pitched against the National League since his early days in Los Angeles. I would figure Gamel would be included in this package as well.

So assuming they get one of those two pitchers, what's the next step? Sign up some comeback candidates to fill out the rotation and hope for the best. The first few names that come to mind are Mark Mulder, Erik Bedard and Rich Harden. It wouldn't cost a ton to get any of these reclamation projects and if it works out, the Crew will come up roses.

Ryan Braun Can See Who's Creepin' On Him Through The Rearview

Just like yours truly, Brewers starter Jeff Suppan wasn't scoring this weekend, either.

I got a few chuckles about this blog I wrote about the Cubs after winning the first of a four-game set against then-division leading Milwaukee Brewers.

The dust has cleared and the Cubs have snuck within 2.5 games of the first-place St. Louis Cardinals with six games left in the first half, including a three-game series against the Cards starting Friday.

But before we get there, the Cubs have three games against the Atlanta Braves, who the Cubs have dropped two-of-three against despite stellar starting efforts from Randy Wells and Ryan Dempster, both ended up on the short end of the stick against Los Bravos.

And before I put this last series away, Brewers All-Star slugging outfielder Ryan Braun, who went 3-for-14 in the Crew's three losses, confirmed the Cubs' quickly approaching in the rearview mirror of the NL Central contenders.

Via the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:

"Braun said the Cubs' starting pitchers are 'a lot better than ours.' 'They threw the ball a lot better than our starters did,' said Braun. 'They certainly swung the bats better than we did as well. Clearly, they were the better team. It was nice to at least get one win but they clearly outplayed us and outperformed us during the series.'"

Outplayed and outperformed, two words that haven't been associated with Chicago Cubs baseball this year. Unless, of course, when the other teams are outplaying and outperforming the Cubs.

It's a shot in the dark, but it is possible for the Cubs to be in first place at the All-Star break if they get a few breaks as the first half winds down.

Of course, now that I've written that, iIve ensured that they will lose at least five of their next six.

Something's Brewin' in Milwaukee

Trever Time and Miller Time will go hand-in-hand beginning in April.

The Milwaukee Brewers signed veteran closer Trevor Hoffman to a one-year deal worth $6 million with an option for 2010 in an attempt to bring relief to one of baseball's worst bullpens.

The long-time San Diego Padres closer fell out of favor out west when management went full speed ahead with a rebuilding program that involved massive salary dumps. Hoffman, baseball's all-time save leader with 554, notched 30 in 2008 with a 3.77 ERA which happens to be his lowest save total (31) and highest ERA (3.88) since 1995.

This is the kind of move that makes the Brewers a better ball club, especially after losing CC Sabathia and presumably Ben Sheets to free agency. It should also strike fear into the hearts of Cubdom.

Why?

Because even at his elderly age, Hoffman has baffled the Cubs. In 57 games against the two-time defending NL Central champs, the second greatest closer in the history of the game has 34 saves, a 2.66 ERA and a 4.91 strikeout-to-walk ratio (59-12). So if the Cubs are trailing the Brewers going into the final inning, Salomon Torres and Eric Gagne will not be bailing the them out with lifeless low-90s fastballs screaming "hit me!"

Instead, when "Hells Bells" plays at Wrigley Field North, it might mean a long drive back to the city for fans making the trek.

The only thing left to look forward to

Well, let's be honest. The Cardinals are done. They're not coming back. No division crown, no wild card. Over, we are done.

I was feeling down about it until I realized something. The Cubs are in first place!

Most of you are probably saying 'Wait, I thought you were a Cardinals fan?' Yes, I am a Cards fan and yes, I hate the Cubs with a fiery passion.

That's why I'm so happy they're in first. I don't have to watch as whatever team goes and wins a World Series. I still have something to hope for. That something is for the Cubs to choke.

So, let's break down the possibilities:

Mets win East, Dodgers win West, Brewers win Wild Card

Under this scenario, the Cubs will go up against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS. I love the Dodgers' chances here. They have been on a role since acquiring Manny Ramirez, who will undoubtedly earn another hefty contract in the free agent market.

Currently, they're my favorite to make it to the World Series from the National League.

If the Cubs do slip past the Dodgers, then they would go up against either the Milwaukee Brewers or New York Mets. In a five game series, I think the Mets take it.

In the Cubs-Mets NLCS, the curse of Ron Santo takes place. There is no way the Cubs are getting past the Mets with Santo still part of the organization.

Phillies win East, Dodgers win West, Brewers win Wild Card

In this scenerio, the Cubs once again face the Dodgers in the NLDS. My prediction stays the same as above.

Once again, if the Cubs do slip past L.A., I think the Brewers take care of the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS, so that sets up an all National League Central NLCS.

The Brewers fired manager Ned Yost. They're now the team that has no chance. In a series against the Cubs where no one gives them a shot, they prove that Billy Goats can cause curses.

Mets win East, Dodgers win West, Phillies win Wild Card

Ryan Howard vs. Rich Harden and Carlos Zambrano, as much as this intrigues me, I don't see the Phillies beating the Cubs.

I see the Dodgers taking care of the Mets in that series, setting up Chicago to take a seat to Joe Torre ripping Yankee hearts out by making the World Series as Dodgers manager while the Yankees sit patiently at home waiting until CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets hit the open market.

I really don't care how it works out. As long as the Cubbies choke, I'm going into the offseason a happy person.

I love to see the Cubbies choke and all the sad faces on their drunk faces after it happens. The only thing that makes me happier is seeing St. Louis win.

STFU, Ned Yost

[Ed. Note: How'd you like that Cardinals post? Yeah, I know some of you who read this want to throw me to the wolves, but hey, let's be fair to the new guy. We all make mistakes, his is being a Cardinals fan, it's not a sin.

TBDS will be operating slow for a few days until I get my laptop back.

Read on, please, if you'd like to learn why Ned Yost is the initial recipient of the TBDS STFU award.]

I wonder if Ned Yost ever thinks before he speaks.

On second thought, I don't. I already know he doesn't.

Instead of focusing his attention on his team's ever growing lead in the NL Wild Card or even catching the first-place Chicago Cubs, Yost is up in arms over one stinkin' hit.

"He accomplished a no-hitter and wasn't given what he deserved. That should have been a no-hitter.... That's a stinking no-hitter we all got cheated from. I feel horrible for CC."

On top of that, the Brewers are going to make an appeal to the head honchos of MLB to reverse the call. I can't believe it. Nothing says "no-hitter" like getting a call from Bud Selig saying "Hey, CC, you've got yourself a no-hitter. Congratulations."

That moment would likely rank behind Sabathia's Cy Young Award and maybe the day he discovered all-you-can-eat buffets.

As for CC Sabathia, who was masterful over the Pittsburgh Pirates:

“The ball was still rolling, and I probably should have picked it up with my glove,” he said, adding, “I think if I pick it up with my glove, I get him.”

You see that? Sabathia doesn't care! He's got his mind on three things right now: winning, eating and getting a boatload of George Steinbrenner's money in the off-season.

While the rest of Milwaukee is huffing and puffing about the no-hitter that wasn't, CC 's going to continue to mow down the competition until his arm falls off or the season ends, whichever comes first.

You know why? Because he's got his priorities in order.

For crying out loud, Ben Sheets' groin knocked him out of the game against the New York Mets and I bet you Yost spent the majority of his press conference STILL bitching about the Pittsburgh scorekeeper.

And I know there will be a Brew Crew Baller somewhere saying "but he was so dominant against the Pirates..."

You know who else was dominant against the Pirates last week?

Jason Marquis.

Case closed.

Brewers fans have got to be thinking 'here we go again'

Ned Yost's boys are at it again.

Reliever Carlos Villanueva's reaction after retiring Joe Mather with the bases loaded in the seventh inning helped spark the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-3 come from behind victory against the Milwaukee Brewers.

You really can't blame Villanueva for being excited, with a 4.35 ERA and 1.33 WHIP, I'm surprised he can get anyone out, let alone a guy hitting .246.

Cards first baseman Albert Pujols took exception to Villanueva's "excessive celebration" and took it out on David Riske in the eighth inning. Pujols lead off the inning with a double and the rest of the Redbirds followed in suit, scoring four runs to over take the Brew Crew.

Doesn't that whole Brewers incite Cardinals thing sound familiar?

Like when they started a bean-ball war with the NL Central title in the balance last season?

Starting shit against your closest competitor in the Wild Card with over a month to play isn't smart. Had the Brewers won Wednesday night, they would have pushed the Cardinals 5.5 games back and had them reeling off a brief two-game sweep in their home ballpark.

Instead, a split leaves Fredbird's gang only 3.5 games out with plenty of confidence headed into Houston to take on the Astros. And they don't even have to face Roy Oswalt this upcoming weekend.

Are you ready for another classic collapse?

Let's see if the Brewers follow in a great tradition they began last fall.

Daily Dosage: My arm hurts, thanks Ned

I know I'm not the only person who has a thing for Alyssa Milano, but I'm sure I'm the only one who has a thing for her because of her love of baseball. Don't believe it, even she's got a baseball blog. Much love, Alyssa.

Taking the lead. Let the record show that I might be one of the handful of people that realize that Ozzie Ball is a joke. That whole small-ball/smart ball doesn't exsist. And Sox fans, you shouldn't care because the South Siders are slamming their way to another division title.

For the second consecutive game, the ChiSox hit four homers in their 13-5 win against the Mariners on Monday night. The Men In Black lead the major leagues with 182 long balls.

Leading the attack is Carlos Quentin, who hit his ML-leading 35th and is solidifying his case as AL MVP. And teammate Alexei Ramirez is really making a push for the AL Rookie of the Year. Ramirez is hitting .308 with 13 homers and 51 runs batted in, despite hitting .121 in April.

The Sox took sole possession of first place with the Minnesota Twins' loss against the Oakland Athletics.

Ned Yost doesn't care about CC Sabathia's arm. I probably should lead with the fact that the Brewers beat the Astros 9-2 on Monday night. Or I could have led with the fact that CC Sabathia has been flat-out dominant since coming to the NL. Instead, it is apparent that Ned Yost is riding Sabathia 'til he's on 'E'.

Sabathia threw 130 pitches in Monday night's win and has five complete games in his nine starts in Milwaukee. Even ESPN's Steve Phillips (who traded top prospect/Rays ace Scott Kazmir for Victor Zambrano) said he would trade an inning in August for a fresher arm in October.

If this pace keeps up, buyer beware when Sabathia hits the open market this winter.

Quality Linkage:

• Curt Schilling buries the lead. Can you find it? [38 Pitches]
• Charles Barkley: Gone off Patrone! [You Been Blinded]
• Women don't like fantasy sports? Say what!?!? [Lion In Oil]
• The Dodgers are bringing back Greg Maddux [LA Times] and don't have to trade Cesar Izturis to do so.
• Kanye West's favorite white girl is...Scarlett Johansson. [Kanye Universecity]
  

Just Call 'Em The Brawlin' Brewers

It's almost like clockwork. The Milwaukee Brewers are led into a pennant race by a youthful and talented squad of ball players such as Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun and J.J. Hardy. And then it gets ugly.

For the second consecutive year, the Brew Crew have gotten themselves into a brew-ha-ha among each other. In Monday night's 6-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, star first sacker Prince Fielder shoved lefty starter Manny Parra as he headed to the showers after being lifted for a pinch hitter. Apparently, the Prince took offense to Parra hitting the showers and felt he should stay and watch the rest of the inning with his teammates.

Hence, the shove heard 'round the Midwest.

Parra shrugged it off as something that happens "all the time" in the Brewer clubhouse. I'm not surprised, and you shouldn't be either.

Let's take a trip to 2007, shall we?

Remember when manager Ned Yost picked duked it out with then-catcher Johnny Estrada? And then followed that by pelting the Cardinals' Albert Pujols in a late-September game with pennant implications. It was retalliation after Fielder was hit by a pitch a few innings earlier. Pujols scored the tying run in a game the Brewers would eventually lose 7-3 as the Cubs moved a bit closer to their division title.

The 2008 Brewers began bumbling, stumbling and fumbling their chance at catching and surpassing the Cubs during as they hosted the NL Central leaders in a four-game series at Miller Park. The North Side Nine known for leaving their bats at home turned Miller Park into Wrigley Field North, outscoring the Crew 31-11, including an 11-4 romp in which the unraveling began.

With reliever Seth McClung warming in the 'pen as the inning started, former closer Eric Gagne threw a pitch behind Cubs center fielder Jim Edmonds, who earlier homered twice, on a 3-0 pitch. Doug Eddings immediately tossed Gagne, and McClung (who was the one who plunked Pujols by the way) immediately came in to deliver two high-and-hard ones to catcher Geovany Soto.

It was apparent to anyone with baseball accumen that those were purpose pitches and that the Crew was trying to leave the Cubs with some parting shots.

And even though there's plenty of ball to be played, the Brewers open today five games behind the Cubs in the NL Central. And even though they sit atop the NL Wild Card standings, they'll be fighting the likes of the Cards, Phillies and Marlins.

And of course, themselves.

That's No Gouda!

For most of the year, the Chicago Cubs have been giving their fans a different type of road rage, entering the series with Milwaukee a whopping eight games under .500 away from the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field.

After beating the Brew Crew on a night where CC Sabathia started, the Cubs followed with a sixth inning base-hit barrage against All-Star Ben Sheets to extend their lead to three games. Now the question is: can a pair of wins two hours north of Wrigleyville propel the North Siders for the rest of the season?

After the CC trade, when he still had periods in his name, everyone seemingly wanted to crown the Crew and brush off the cursed Cubbies. And while the Brewers have been the hottest team in the league since the All-Star break, erasing a five game deficit to tie the Cubs for the division lead July 26, the North Side Nine have rebounded in Milwaukee at the expense of the beer makers.

It might be back to the drawing board for Ned Yost.

The Brewers' team 'D' looks porous as Swiss cheese. Monday night, it was Rickie Weeks turning an inning ending double play into a two-run fielders choice. Tuesday night, Ryan Braun and Corey Hart made Manny Ramirez look like a Gold Glover turning singles by Kosuke Fukudome and Ryan Theriot into triples. Even the slick-fielding shortstop J.J. Hardy spun his wheels and was unable to stop a weak grounder by Mark DeRosa from turning into a line drive RBI single in the box score.

If not for the efforts of three-time Gold Glove winner Mike Cameron, the Brewer defense would be even more offensive.

Oh an did I mention the Brewer bullpen? Seeing Ned Yost making a call to the pen is like seeing the drunk chick at the end of the bar giving you eyes, you know your night is gonna get better, soon.*

And even if they get all of that straightened out, Ned Yost is still in charge. He's overdue to make a silly decision. Like keeping Yoavani Gallardo in a game where he tears his ACL. Or using a suicide squeeze with the bases loaded. Or head-hunting against a team that's out of it while you're in a pennant race.

Look, the NL Central is far from being decided. But if the Brewers can't get their act together, Wisconsinites will be turning to FOX NFL Sunday sooner rather than later.

Arms Race

One day after the Milwaukee Brewers announced newly no-period CC Sabathia as the newest member of their ballclub, Jim Hendry decided he had better put the fork down and make a move of equal significance. Hendry countered the Brewers' acquisition of Sabathia by making a move to bring in Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin to help solidify the pitching depth for both the starting rotation and the bullpen.

Uh, yeah. If you would've told me a couple weeks ago that the Brewers traded for Sabathia while giving up their top prospect and future stud Matt LaPorta while the Cubs landed Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin for Sean Gallagher and Matt Murton, I would've broke out the champagne right away. Here's what the Cubs gave up:

The jury is still out on Sean Gallagher as he could become a good middle of the rotation guy. Gallagher had some outstanding strikeout to walk ratios in some games, in limited innings as well. Against the Rockies, Gallagher had eight strikeouts in just over five innings of work. Against the White Sox, Gallagher fanned nine in six innings. The problem with him is that he tends to get too cute with batters, which runs up the pitch count and shortens his leash to remain in games. Lou Piniella's reaction to Gallagher in that White Sox game a week and a half ago basically told everyone what he thought of the young right-hander.

Looking through the other names the Cubs gave up, there really isn't too much there. Matt Murton is your typical Billy Beane acquisition; a guy that is very patient and doesn't hit for a lot of power. I always thought Murton didn't get his fair chance with the big-league club, but he never made the most out of any opportunities handed to him. His numbers against lefties are pretty good, but he absolutely can not hit right-handed hurlers.

As for Eric Patterson, he hit Sweet Lou's doghouse during the first game of the three game set at the Cell. The Cubs' organization decided last year that it would be best to convert a guy that has played second base his entire life and to make him a left fielder. That worked just swimmingly well. Not only does Patterson not have the offensive numbers to be just a below average corner outfielder, but his defense was just flat out terrible. If the Athletics stick with Patterson as a second baseman, he should have a good career in the majors as a utility infielder.

And Josh Donaldson? A sandwich pick in the 2007 MLB Amateur Draft, Donaldson burst onto the scene in Short-Season A ball with Boise. He hit .370, put up an OBP of .470, hit nine dingers and drove in 45. His defense left something to be desired as he had a disgusting amount of passed balls. He was promoted to Low Class-A Peoria for the 2008 season and not only has his defense been bad, his offensive numbers have taken a huge downfall. At the time of the trade, Donaldson was hitting .217 and only had an OBP of .276. He does have six homeruns and 23 RBI's, but that's a huge dropoff over what he did last year in Boise. Keep in mind that Peoria is only one level higher than Boise. I don't know what Billy Beane sees in this guy, but more power to him. The Cubs are already set at catcher with Geovany Soto raking and with Wellington Castillo down on the farm as an insurance option.

So here's how I grade the two big trades over the last 48 hours:

Milwaukee Brewers: B-/C+
Chicago Cubs: A+
St. Louis Cardinals: TBD

Of course I'm going to get called a homer (among many other things), but the Brewers gave up one of the best prospects in the game for a two and a half month rental. Sure they'll be getting draft picks in return when they inevitably lose Sabathia to the Yankees, but LaPorta is going to be a thorn in the side of many American League teams in the next few years. And how can you not give the Cubs an A+ for this trade? They pick up not only Harden, but Chad Gaudin who can be both a starter and a reliever. Gaudin is a huge upgrade over what the Cubs currently have in the rotation in a guy named Jason Marquis. And all the Cubs had to give up for these two gentlemen was Sean Gallagher, a corner outfielder that can't hit righties, a second baseman that plays out of position, and a catcher that can't hit his own weight in Low-A ball. They didn't even have to give up Felix Pie or recently rejuvenated Rich Hill. Congratulations Jim Hendry. It took six years, but I have finally grown to appreciate you as a General Manager.

I'm not done yet. Notice I put the Cardinals in my little report card. You would have to imagine that they would get involved with a pitcher, and fast. Now that the Brewers and Cubs have made their moves, the pressure is all squarely on their shoulders. You wouldn't have thought that they would have chose to pursue Harden after the Mark Mulder trade, where Billy Beane just absolutely owned Walt Jocketty. But keep an eye on A.J. Burnett. He's the next domino to fall and going to the Cardinals makes a lot of sense for all parties. Burnett wants a change of scenery and going to a National League team would be a very good fit for him. The Cardinals can't keep getting shutouts from Joel Piniero...can they?

Even if the Cardinals make a move for someone like Burnett, it'll be hard to beat what the Cubs did to get Rich Harden. The Brewers got their number two pitcher and the Cubs got their number two pitcher. It's going to be a fun three months in the midwest.

Are You Afraid Of The Brewers?

Mr. Hartwig provided a great piece that made me fear the BrewCrew for just a moment. However, after sleeping on it, that moment has passed.

I'm going to take a step forward, take a deep breath and hope that Cubdom follows my lead...

"I am not afraid of the Milwaukee Brewers."

Despite the fact that they just brought in the reigning AL Cy Young award winner, I am not afraid of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Why?

Because this team has holes. And it's not like the Northside Nine doesn't have holes, the Brewers have holes like the cheese that the Swiss produce.

Don't believe me? Follow my lead.

At 49-39, the Beermakers are 10 games over .500 and in second place in the NL Central. However, their much ballyhooed offense has just produced a +11 run differential. The Cubs are not only sitting pretty atop the division at 53-36, they own the best run differential at +102.

Prince Fielder isn't living up to either part of his name. He's hitting .268 with 16 homers and 45 ribbies. Fantasy darling Rickie Weeks has been anything but that. He's hitting .208 with 8 bombs and 23 ribs and 11 swipes. Bill Hall made a deal to hit 30 homers a few years ago, but in 2008 is only hitting .227 and wants out if he's not playing third.

Ryan Braun (.288/21/59) and Corey Hart (.296/14/55) are carrying this team. And it might last the rest of the year, but it won't mean squat if Fielder or Weeks or even Hall aren't hitting worth a lick.

There's no doubt the front-line pitching is there with Ben Sheets (10-2, 3.77 ERA) and Sabathia but after that...eh. And while the naysayers are waiting for Kerry Wood or Carlos Zambrano to fall apart, you never know when Sheets is gonna pull a Mark Prior and end up on the DL.

As for the rest of the rotation: Dave Bush (4-8, 4.74 ERA) and Jeff Suppan (5-6, 4.71 ERA) don't scare me. In fact they make me want to grab a bat and take some hacks. And while Manny Parra has potential, at this point all he has is potential.

Salomon Torres (15 saves in 18 opportunities) is filling in as the closer quite well in the abscense of Eric Gagne who seems to be struggling since his appearance in the Mitchell Report. However, I'm sure that his ERA at the end of the season will be closer to 3.89 than the 2.89 it is now.

Look, Kudos! goes out to the Brewers who are looking to escape the laughingstock shadow as given to them by one Allan H. "Bud" Selig, but after they lose Sheets and Sabathia, it's going to be a long haul back to the (almost) top of the NL Central.

That's no gouda!

Ahh.. let's bask in the aftermath.

The Cubs may have won the battle after capping a winning series in St. Louis with a 7-1 victory Sunday but so far, they are losing the war for NL Central.

With the Brewers picking up C.C. Sabathia for much ballyhooed uber-prospect Matt LaPorta, Milwaukee puts themselves in a prime position for this year and next year. It doesn't really matter what happens with Sabathia this year because he's likely leaving for the big bucks and bright lights in the Bronx.

The Yankees have both Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte coming off the books and they'll be looking to spend. Heck, they may even snatch up the other ace in Ben "awe" Sheets.

The good news for the Brewers is that they'll get a chance to give Chicago and St. Louis a run for its money in the the central the rest of the year. Let's say this fails miserably and the Cubs win it by five games. Milwaukee will pick up four compensation picks for both pitchers leaving. These are technically first round picks too.

Besides, LaPorta likely projects as a first baseman and they already have the Prince there.

Now, back to Chicago for a minute. This is truly a difficult time now. They have to pursue either Rich Harden from the A's or A.J. Burnett from the Blue Jays. Sure, Harden sounds great. His first loss was earlier Sunday against the White Sox. But Harden is an injury waiting to happen. Burnett's ERA is in nearly 5.00.

Neither is C.C. and the Cubs are in a desperate position.

Sorry, Ted Lilly, Sean Marshall, Sean Gallagher or Jason Marquis doesn't scare me. Neither does Ryan Dempster outside of the Gum Stadium.

Sorry folks but even in a weak National League, the Cubs don't even look like anything but a one-and-done in the postseason. Honestly, the offense is better than last season and it appears Kerry Wood is managing to stay healthy long enough to lock down the 9th inning but is this rotation much better?

I just don't think so and that's the most important thing in October. Right now, the 1-2 punch of Sabathia and Sheets sounds scary good. Mix in Manny Parra, a potent offense and voila, 2008 NL Central Champions.

As for the Brew Crew?

http://lacubanagringa.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/its-all-gouda.jpg

BREAKING: C.C. Sabathia To The Brewers!

In an attempt to channel former Pittsburgh Pirates GM Dave Littlefield, the Cleveland Indians GM Mark Shapiro has sent 2007 AL Cy Young winner C.C. Sabathia to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for two truckloads of Miller Lite, three cases of real Wisconsin cheese and a tub full of bratwursts.

Even though the deal strips Wisconsin of its three biggest assets, it gives the Brewers a formidable one-two punch at the top of the order with Sabathia and Ben Sheets, both of whom are in their contract years.

Is it time for the Cubs (53-36, 1st) to counter the Brewers (49-39, t-2nd, 3.5 GB) acquisition of Sabathia?