Brewer's rotation faces many changes
Tom Haudricourt
Issue date: 9/29/08 Section: Sports
(MCT) - When you look at the starting rotation that Dale Sveum inherited for the final 12 games of the season, perhaps the Milwaukee Brewers should have bestowed a title other than "interim manager."
How about crisis manager?
No manager had a bigger challenge piecing together a representative rotation over the final days than Sveum. It began with the September meltdowns of young left-hander Manny Parra and veteran right-hander Jeff Suppan, who were unable to hold it together until Suppan finally came through in a big game Friday against the Cubs.
Then came the inevitable late-season injury to Ben Sheets, who just can't stay healthy for an entire year. Sheets' balky elbow sidelined him for more than a week until Sveum rolled the dice by starting him Saturday against Chicago, which didn't work out.
If not for CC Sabathia, perhaps the best in-season pitching acquisition ever, the situation would have been a complete disaster. Right-hander Dave Bush, who struggled earlier in the season, evolved into one of the more reliable performers in the rotation over the final weeks and deserved credit for stepping up at the right time.
If only Yovani Gallardo had returned from his knee injury a bit sooner.
Many already are wondering how the rotation will shape up for 2009 and beyond. Sabathia has done nothing but increase his price tag with his incredible performance and unselfishness, so you have to assume the Brewers have no chance in thwarting his free-agent exodus.
It's doubtful the Brewers even will try to keep Sheets. He's mighty good when healthy, but those periods did not last nearly long enough after he signed a four-year, $38.5 million deal. What his current elbow problem does to his value on the market remains to be seen, but you have to assume at least one pitching-hungry team will overpay.
At this point, Gallardo is projecting as the Brewers' No. 1 starter next season, with Parra in a solid position as well. By virtue of the two years and $25 million remaining on Suppan's contract, you have to assume he'll be back as well.
How about crisis manager?
No manager had a bigger challenge piecing together a representative rotation over the final days than Sveum. It began with the September meltdowns of young left-hander Manny Parra and veteran right-hander Jeff Suppan, who were unable to hold it together until Suppan finally came through in a big game Friday against the Cubs.
Then came the inevitable late-season injury to Ben Sheets, who just can't stay healthy for an entire year. Sheets' balky elbow sidelined him for more than a week until Sveum rolled the dice by starting him Saturday against Chicago, which didn't work out.
If not for CC Sabathia, perhaps the best in-season pitching acquisition ever, the situation would have been a complete disaster. Right-hander Dave Bush, who struggled earlier in the season, evolved into one of the more reliable performers in the rotation over the final weeks and deserved credit for stepping up at the right time.
If only Yovani Gallardo had returned from his knee injury a bit sooner.
Many already are wondering how the rotation will shape up for 2009 and beyond. Sabathia has done nothing but increase his price tag with his incredible performance and unselfishness, so you have to assume the Brewers have no chance in thwarting his free-agent exodus.
It's doubtful the Brewers even will try to keep Sheets. He's mighty good when healthy, but those periods did not last nearly long enough after he signed a four-year, $38.5 million deal. What his current elbow problem does to his value on the market remains to be seen, but you have to assume at least one pitching-hungry team will overpay.
At this point, Gallardo is projecting as the Brewers' No. 1 starter next season, with Parra in a solid position as well. By virtue of the two years and $25 million remaining on Suppan's contract, you have to assume he'll be back as well.
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