Plan B

I'm starting to believe that the Brewers are for more than 1 player away from competing in the NL Central this year. They've watched as both Houston and Chicago have charged past them. They have lost 7 of their last nine series including all of the series they have played in July (they did beat the Mets in game three of that series on July 1st). They're hitting is too inconsistent, their pitching is too inconsistent and they might have to seriously consider themselves sellers at this deadline. I'm not saying to break the whole team up, they are one year removed from the playoffs, but I feel they have too much of the same thing on their roster. They have guys who bat .250 on their team, but it isn't a bunch of guys who go 1-4 every night, it's a team full of guys who go 9-13, followed by 1-37 and unless you get a couple guys to coordinate their 9-13 stretches, they don't win. And it isn't happening much. Prince has quieted down a bit right now, and Braun has started to hit the ball. No one was hitting the ball in May when Cameron was hot. JJ hasn't gotten hot and every time Bill Hall starts to turn the corner... nevermind, I couldn't even get through that one with a straight face. So who would some trade candidates be if the Brewers leaned toward the seller side?

Mike Cameron, CF - Cameron would be a very valuable asset to a team making a playoff push. Especially a team who could afford to bat him 7th where he belongs. He's basically an all or nothing hitter but as we know, can play centerfield with the best of them. He's a free agent after this season, so get something now before he leaves for nothing.

Jeff Suppan, SP - The Brewers aren't the only ones who think a veteran presance on the mound with successful playoff experience is valuable at this time of the year. You might not get much of a return on him, but a midlevel prospect while getting rid of his salary might be worth it.

JJ Hardy, SS - The day is coming when a decision is going to have to be made about Hardy with Escobar seemingly ready to go in Nashville. He is 26 years old, a former All-Star. Shortstops with 2o home run power aren't a dime a dozen and I imagine he is still very sought after around the league. A team with some young pitching depth could be intriguing. Think the Red Sox, Braves, Twins, Giants off the top of my head.

I don't believe this team is ready to make a serious run this year for the postseason. I hope I'm wrong, but maybe with a little retooling, next year could be a possibility. And remember, Halladay and Cliff Lee have a year and a half left on their deal, so maybe next year at this time, they could be available again to push towards the playoffs...