Overbay Traded to Toronto!
Contract Extensions
Should Melvin and Yost Return?
Dennis Jenders
Brewers owner Mark Attanasio has been clear that General Manager Doug Melvin is important to the organization. He has not been so clear on the status of Manager Ned Yost. What are his plans for Yost?
Yost took over the Brewers in 2003 after previous manager Davey Lopes posted the worst record, 56-106, in franchise history. Yost immediately went to work and posted 68 wins in his first year, and had a remarkable first half in 2004 posting a 45-41 record. But the Brewers fell apart after the All Star break and won just 22 games blowing the hopes of the Brewers finishing with a winning record for the first time in more than a decade.
While the Brewers found success in 2004, found two All Stars in Ben Sheets and Dan Kolb, and a diamond in the rough with Lyle Overbay - they still knew they needed to improve. Melvin immediately went to work acquiring Jose Cappelan from Atlanta for Kolb, who has not shown signs of his 2004 self. He also signed catcher Damian Miller, a Wisconsin native. And then came the big surprise - the Brewers further depleted their bullpen when we traded Luis Vizcaino and fan favorite Scott Podsednik for Carlos Lee.
Half way through the 2005 season and the trades have looked to help the Brewers. Much like the Richie Sexson trade the trades of 2004 have continued to build the Brewers towards respectability. Carlos Lee was named to the NL All Star team with his league leading RBI total. He is also on pace to have the best year of his career. Podsednik is exactly what the White Sox needed and he looks to have a great year, but Lee's clutch hitting and power has propelled the Brewers while Geoff Jenkins has slumped and J.J. Hardy has adjusted to life in the majors. Kolb has not been as successful as Podsednik and Cappelan looks to have the makings of a major league starter - or closer in the near future.
Melvin has proven his worth between the 2004 trades and the amazing return he got for Sexson. Overbay looks to be a solid major leaguer and Chris Capuano is just showing his makings as a solid middle of the rotation pitcher. Junior Spivey, also aquired in the Sexson deal, was just traded to the Washington Nationals this June for pitcher Toma Ohka. Ohka has been nothing less than spectacular for the Brewers since arriving. And the trade opened up second base for rookie prospect Rickie Weeks.
On the other hand people have looked at Ned Yost and not seen as much improvement. I think Attanasio is waiting to see the results of the 2005 season before making a decision. But that would be a big mistake.
Firstly - the fans should not expect to see Yost signed before Melvin is. Very seldom do you see a manager's contract extended beyond the life of the general manager. When, and it will happen soon, Attanasio agrees to a deal with Melvin I believe negotiations will start with Yost. Melvin is savvy and important to this franchise. He has given the fans a reason to believe and should not have to wait long for an extension.
Yost has been equally important. He has instilled a hard work attitude for the blue-collar Brewers. Many will attribute the poor hitting to batting coach Butch Wynegar, and his appointment and vote of confidence from Yost seems to give people reason to pause about Yost's ability.
But lets not forget that Yost is a product of Atlanta. He has learned how to coach and win there and has brought that same philosophy with him. While Butch Wynegar may not be showing much team improvement in the hitting department - individually there seems to be reason to believe he is effective. Podsednik and Overbay had their best year under Wynegar as is Carlos Lee. Additionally his work with Hardy seems to be helping as continues to make good contact and drive the ball with players on base. Jenkins has obvious holes in his swing, and the thought that he needs to smash the ball with every at bat, but is that Wynegar's fault or Jenkins? With ducks on the pond Lee is absolutely crushing. Brady Clark - whom many thought could not replace Podsednik is having an amazing year and could have 200 hits for the Brewers. Is Wynegar appreciated for the development of these players? No - but he definitely is blamed for their short comings. At some point you need the players to produce, Wynegar can not hit for them.
And lets not forget pitching coach Mike Maddux. Yost brought him along to Milwaukee and he has been spectacular. Faced with a depleted bullpen from the winter trades Maddux had one of the best ERAs in all of baseball in the first half of 2005. While Ben Sheets was on the mend Doug Davis became the ace and a sub 4.00 ERA and 9 wins, while Chris Capuano shined with his 10 wins and K per 1.3 innings. Victor Santos has been the tough luck loser of the Brewers sporting an ERA around 3.5, yet only having 2 wins on the season. Maddux has proven that he can build a rotation without a lot of talent and make those he has even better.
And Yost, he continues to build a winning team. His decisions on the field are usually never questioned by me. His moves and support of the players has built a club house that respects the direction the team is going, and the managers and association for brewing a winning attitude. For the first time in years the Brewers have potential. Their minor league system is considered by many as one of the best, if not THE best in all of baseball. And Yost has been patient and calculating with the future stars.
Hardy has proven his defense is up to par, and Yost continues to show confidence in him as a defensive replacement when he does need to sit him. His hitting is coming around and for a player that missed most of 2004 with a shoulder injury it was quite a big jump to the majors. Future star Rickie Weeks has proven his bat is ready, but his defense would give any manager a reason to sit him - but yet Yost continues to show confidence. Why?
Yost knows the future rests with these players. Hardy will be a very good shortstop and he knew bringing him along this year would give J.J. the chance to work out the kinks. This year is about winning, but not winning it all. And knowing that Yost plugged Hardy in to learn on the job, to make him and the Brewers better next year.
The same goes for Weeks. He probably could have stayed with the team in April but Yost wanted him to concentrate on his defense in the minors for awhile. While working on that the Brewers could execute a trade for Spivey - which netted a very reliable starter. Along with J.J., Weeks will get comfortable in the majors while having a familiar face to turn double plays with now, and hopefully for years to come.
While fans beg to see Prince Fielder and many of the other young stars Yost knows that they are still blossoming in the minors, and more importantly winning. He does not want them to forget that feelings. And he doesn't want to bring them up just to experience a losing season. To Yost it's just important to season them in the minors as it is to build a winning attitude throughout the organization.
Even with the talent to come the Brewers will likely need to acquire another pitcher and possibly another bat to really challenge the St. Louis Cardinals in the Central Division. But Yost has proved that he has patience, pride, and a plan to create a winner. That should command respect for the fans, and a contract extension from Attanasio. Hopefully the Brewers organization continues to give him the chance to succeed.