Major-league scouting reports about Milwaukee must be amended to include the following warning: Beware of Brewers batters in the bottom of the ninth inning of games played on parental holidays at home.
On Mother's Day, Bill Hall hit a walk-off homer to beat the New York Mets. Sunday afternoon, on Father's Day, Carlos Lee ripped a three-run game-winner to beat Cleveland.
Not only did Lee's blast off Indians reliever Rafael Betancourt send the sellout crowd of 43,391 home happy, it probably served to seal his second straight berth on the National League all-star team.
A year ago, Lee took a .268 average, 22 homers and a first-half franchise record 76 RBI into his first all-star appearance. He went 0 for 3 with a RBI in the game and finished third in the Home Run Derby.
Heading into a game tonight against Detroit, Lee's numbers virtually scream "All-Star." He has a .280 batting average, 23 homers, 58 RBI and a .941 OPS (on-base plus slugging average). He might as well start packing for Pittsburgh, which will host the All-Star Game on July 11.
What other Brewers even warrant consideration?
If they had a rookie game like in the National Basketball Association, first baseman Prince Fielder (.272 average, 15 homers and 35 RBI) would be a lock. If they conisdered utility men, Bill Hall (.272, 15, 35) would get a look. If they need a solid starter, lefty Chris Capuano (7-4, 3.30 ERA) could get consideration. Derrick Turnbow, who has 20 saves, could work his way into the closer's conversation.
But, let's get serious.
It's Lee, and he'll probably be going alone.
It a strange way, Lee's first-half heroics could prove be a mixed blessing for the Brewers.
An impending free agent who hasn't missed a game since coming to town in a deal that sent Scott Podsednik and Luis Vizcaino to the Chicago White Sox, Lee is driving up his price tag for next season with his production. With a relatively weak crop of free agents slated to hit the market, it's certainly not out of the question to think that Lee will command a four-year deal worth between $10 million and $12 million, if not more.
That could put him out of the Brewers' price range, but that cloud could have a silver lining.
At the same time he is driving up his free agent price, Lee is increasing his trade value. A contending team in need of a consistent power producer from the right side may give up that extra pitcher or position prospect for a two-time all-star.
While Brewers fans will undoubtedly spend the next few weeks debating the merits of a potential Lee trade, there is clearly a precedent at work here. Since 1995, a total of 12 players have represented the Brewers in the All-Star Game. Eight of them (Kevin Seitzer, Greg Vaughn, Bob Wickman, Jeff Cirillo, Fernando Vina, Jeromy Burnitz, Richie Sexson and Dan Kolb) were eventually traded by the club. Of the remaining four, two were allowed to leave via free agency (David Nilsson and Jose Hernandez) and two are still with the team (Ben Sheets, Geoff Jenkins).
On Mother's Day, Bill Hall hit a walk-off homer to beat the New York Mets. Sunday afternoon, on Father's Day, Carlos Lee ripped a three-run game-winner to beat Cleveland.
Not only did Lee's blast off Indians reliever Rafael Betancourt send the sellout crowd of 43,391 home happy, it probably served to seal his second straight berth on the National League all-star team.
A year ago, Lee took a .268 average, 22 homers and a first-half franchise record 76 RBI into his first all-star appearance. He went 0 for 3 with a RBI in the game and finished third in the Home Run Derby.
Heading into a game tonight against Detroit, Lee's numbers virtually scream "All-Star." He has a .280 batting average, 23 homers, 58 RBI and a .941 OPS (on-base plus slugging average). He might as well start packing for Pittsburgh, which will host the All-Star Game on July 11.
What other Brewers even warrant consideration?
If they had a rookie game like in the National Basketball Association, first baseman Prince Fielder (.272 average, 15 homers and 35 RBI) would be a lock. If they conisdered utility men, Bill Hall (.272, 15, 35) would get a look. If they need a solid starter, lefty Chris Capuano (7-4, 3.30 ERA) could get consideration. Derrick Turnbow, who has 20 saves, could work his way into the closer's conversation.
But, let's get serious.
It's Lee, and he'll probably be going alone.
It a strange way, Lee's first-half heroics could prove be a mixed blessing for the Brewers.
An impending free agent who hasn't missed a game since coming to town in a deal that sent Scott Podsednik and Luis Vizcaino to the Chicago White Sox, Lee is driving up his price tag for next season with his production. With a relatively weak crop of free agents slated to hit the market, it's certainly not out of the question to think that Lee will command a four-year deal worth between $10 million and $12 million, if not more.
That could put him out of the Brewers' price range, but that cloud could have a silver lining.
At the same time he is driving up his free agent price, Lee is increasing his trade value. A contending team in need of a consistent power producer from the right side may give up that extra pitcher or position prospect for a two-time all-star.
While Brewers fans will undoubtedly spend the next few weeks debating the merits of a potential Lee trade, there is clearly a precedent at work here. Since 1995, a total of 12 players have represented the Brewers in the All-Star Game. Eight of them (Kevin Seitzer, Greg Vaughn, Bob Wickman, Jeff Cirillo, Fernando Vina, Jeromy Burnitz, Richie Sexson and Dan Kolb) were eventually traded by the club. Of the remaining four, two were allowed to leave via free agency (David Nilsson and Jose Hernandez) and two are still with the team (Ben Sheets, Geoff Jenkins).
Host of “The Drew Olson Show,” which airs 1-3 p.m. weekdays on The Big 902. Sidekick on “The Mike Heller Show,” airing weekdays on The Big 920 and a statewide network including stations in Madison, Appleton and Wausau. Co-author of Bill Schroeder’s “If These Walls Could Talk: Milwaukee Brewers” on Triumph Books. Co-host of “Big 12 Sports Saturday,” which airs Saturdays during football season on WISN-12. Former senior editor at OnMilwaukee.com. Former reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
