Brewers Season Wrap-Up

Well it was a once in a lifetime year for me as a Brewer fan. Only missing around 30-40 games all year, enjoying most of the summer ones at the Clubhouse and just so many memories for the 2008 season. So I am going to first grade the Brewers

Pitchers

CC Sabathia-A+ -If there was a grade higher, I would give it to him. This man is the reason why the Brewers went to the playoffs and carried the whole team on his shoulder throughout July, August, September. Granted his playoff appearance was shaky but who gives a shit, he is the NL CY Young and please come back to Milwaukee.

Solomon Torres-A -Torres is one of the reasons that the Brewers are in the playoffs and he became a very good closer despite the September swoon. He got 28 saves I believe which was huge as he became a reliable closer when the Brewers needed one the most.

Ben Sheets-B+ -This grade may be a little high for Sheeter as he had another pathetic second half of the season but he was lights out throughout the entire first half of the season. I wonder how healthy he was in the second half and I think the Brewers could have been so much better if he was.

Dave Bush-B -Bush had a solid season this year and has really seemed to turn the corner as at one point in the mid-summer he became unhittable. I expect big things for him next year as he will continue to get better.

Seth McClung-B -Big Red Nasty was a key part of the Brewers this season as he provided some solid spot starts in June/July and he was a great pitcher out of the bullpen. He finally figured out his control and I think he will be apart of the starting rotation come next April.

Brian Shouse-B -He was one of most reliable guys out of the bullpen all year and when not put in for an entire inning, he did his job as the situational lefty very well.

Manny Parra-B- I would love to give Manny a higher grade but he really displayed his youth during the late part of August and September but next year he will grow into a better pitcher who will do major things for the Brewers.

Guillermo Mota-B- Some might say that this grade is a little high but to be honest, Mota was lights out in the final two months of the season when they needed him the most. If we can keep him for a cheap price, I would say do it.

Jeff Suppan-C+ -Soup had some good games throughout the year but he did not stay consistent at all. He had one good month but when he was suppose to be clutch (September) he was awful and that isnt why the Brewers paid him.

Carlos Villaneuva-C+ -Probably makes a B- if he didnt have some really bad innings in the bullpen. He needs to work on another pitch to rival his change-up and I think he would be a great player for the Brewers.

Eric Gagne-D+ -Some might grade him even lower than this but he did do some alright things when he pitched in the 8th inning but when the chips are down, we paid him to pitch in the 9th and that didnt happened whatsoever.

Batters

Mike Rivera- B -Granted it is probably not fair to grade him on his limited play but whenever he was in the game, he played like a damn-near starter. He needs to be more in the lineup next year and I think the only worry with him must be that he calls a bad game.

Jason Kendall- B+ -His hitting after April was shotty at best but the real thing he did was manage the game for the pitchers plus he got outs on the basepads. If I am the Brewers, I would probably sign him on for one more year.

Prince Fielder-A- Now he didnt have the 50 homer year that he did last year but when we needed our superstar to step up, he did. He carried this team down the stretch and I think no one can really look past that.

Rickie Weeks-D -Isnt it about time for Rickie Weeks' coming out party? He is awful at defense and he still cant hit worth shit. He has one more year left if that, to prove himself to this organization.

Ray Durham-B -For his time as a Brewer, he put in work as he was a big run-producer whether getting on base or providing the big hit late in the season for the Brewers. I dont know if I want him back on the Brewers, he cannot be a starter anymore because his hamstrings dont seem to let him.

JJ Hardy-B- JJ did alot of things on defense and lets not forget he had not been producing runs at all until his major hot streak in mid-June. His offensive expolosion helped the Brewers get into the playoffs but a big thing for him is he needs to find a way not to hit into so many double plays.

Bill Hall-D+ -Billy really didnt do anything for the Brewers except for the St. Louis series where it looked like maybe he could of turned the corner same with Weeks, and I blame Ned Yost for not giving them enough starting time to keep them hot. If we can trade Hall, I say go for it. JJ would be a solid third basemen and could then pave way for Alceides Escobar.

Craig Counsull-C+ -He was the only Brewer who had some paitence at the plate during the year but did not hit for average at all. He gets a high grade because of his defense for the most part.

Ryan Braun-A+ -I had a tough time with this one but when you hit a walk-off grand slam plus the homer to put the Brewers in the playoffs, you have proven you the Brewers future. Braun did everything he could for the Brewers this season and I hope he will continue his dominance.

Mike Cameron-C- Mike really had only one good stretch during the year and he didnt play the defense I think we all expected. Although, I still think it wouldnt be a bad idea to pick him up for next season because we dont have anyone else that is better.

Corey Hart-B- Some might say that is way too high but this guy was an all-star in the first half of the season. I have no idea where his patience, his opposite-field hitting went and I think he will be just fine. People who are saying to trade him are just insane.

Gabe Kapler-A- He deserves this grade because he did everything ask of a fourth outfielder. I hope they keep around for next year because I think he still has a couple years left in him.

Until next year...

-Charlie.