August 29th, the Brewers traded RHP Jamey Wright to the St. Louis Cardinals for a minor leaguer and a player to be named later. This week the Brewers announced that the player to be named later was LHP Mike Williams. Mike had a 3.89 ERA in 43 relief stints as a Cardinal. At the time of the trade Mike was on the DL. Wednesday he was reactivated when he changed teams before the second game of a three game series between the Cardinals and Brewers at Miller Park. Jerry Royster will have him come out of the bullpen for the next week but, he has assured that Mike will start before the season is over.

August 31st, the Brewers traded 3B Mark Loretta to the Houston Astros for a player to be named later. Loretta was the senior-most Brewer, in his seventh season with the club. Loretta a seventh round pick (1993), broke into the majors in 1995. He was hitting .267 with 2 HR's and 19 RBI's. In his last game as a Brewer Loretta hit his second homerun of the season which was his 750th career hit. Since Mark is now gone the "eldest" Brewer is OF Geoff Jenkins, in his fourth year with the club. Geoff is currently injured (Read section "Jenkins Back?" in Rumor Mill for information)

Announced Thursday September 5th, the Brewers aquired INF Keith Ginter and LHP Wayne Franklin from the Houston Astros as the "Player(s) to be named later in the trade for Mark Loretta.

Ginter, selected by the Astros in the tenth round of the 1998 June Free Agent Draft, batted .264 with 12HR's and 54RBI's in New Orleans (Astros AAA Affiliate).

Wayne Franklin was 13-9 this season with a 3.12 ERA in 27 starts and two relief stints. Franklin led the Pacific Coast League in strikouts (141), was second in innings pitched (179), tied for second in victories, and was third in ERA.

In other news, the Brewers released C Raul Casanova. The move was expected ever since Raul was designated for assignment after coming off of the DL with an hyperextended elbow. Since Raul got injured the Brewers have stacked themselves with catchers. On the current roster Paul Bako, Jorge Fabregas, and Robert Machado are all fighting for playing time.

Local Perspective

Of course we care what the fans think! The Milwaukee Brewers, as you all know, aren't the greatest team in Major League Baseball. I went and talked to some fans and asked them what they thought about Milwaukee and what the Brewers could possibly do to improve their "under .500" status. All in all I think that the fans are not sympathetic to the Brewers record for the 2002 season. The reason for the non-sympathetic attitude is because all of them (who I asked) believe that the Brewers need to do something about it in order to change. I talked to a man at a Brewer game who told me that he thinks the Brewers' great record against the Cubs is awesome but he says, "That just wont do it." Now that the 2002 All-Star game is over (7-7) it is time for the Brewers to stop running on Miller Park's name. Don't get me wrong, I am a HUGE Brewer's fan but, I do believe that it is time to get it straight.

I talked to some other fans and their response wasn't any better then the last. "What do you think the Brewers' bad season is all about?" and the response, "The Brewers, just like any other team, are arrogant and run on the MLB name. I think that maybe if players actually earned their money than they would deserve the millions that they get. Teams aren't just about money. A good thing about the Brewers' is they understand that they don't have to spend a ton of money to lose. Unlike the Chicago Cubs who have the highest payroll in the NL Central, and are still garbage. Maybe Dean Taylor should give the Cubs a call and tell them how to lose in a respectful, smart way.

You are probably wondering if anyone had anything nice to say. To answer your question, they did. I asked an elderly woman the same question who has been a fan for years. Her response was the kind of thing that I like to hear, "I have been a fan of the Milwaukee Braves and Brewers for 58 years. All I have to say is it is that Selig's fault (commisioner). My boys are gonna come back next year and win the watch-ya-ma-call-it (pennant).

Rumor Mill

Geoff Jenkins suffered a gruesome ankle injury in mid-June. I had the opportunity to see the injury from the cove hanging over Right-Center Field. Since then Jenkins has been in rehab and all throughout it has been very doubtful that he will return this year. However, interesting things have surfaced in the Brewers organization about this matter.

Jenkins is supposed to join the team Friday when the Brewers travel to Arizona to play the Diamondbacks. Geoff makes his home in Scottsdale, Arizona during the offseason and has been there throughout his rehab. Does this mean he will see the field at all this season?

Royster has not concluded anything on Geoff. Thursday he will be evaluated to see how good his motion is and what his limits are. If the team thinks he can go then Geoff will definitely play. Jenkins says, "I am aiming to play the last three weeks of the season." Jenkins must be keeping an eye on the schedule because, Friday when he is scheduled to join the team there will be 3 weeks and 2 days left in the season.

Injuries

OF Geoff Jenkins
Injury: Dislocated Right Ankle
Status: ?

Rumor has it that Geoff might play the final three weeks of the season.

OF Alex Sanchez
Injury: Fractured Tibia
Status: Out for Season

When Geoff got injured the word was, "At least it isn't broken." This word can't be said for Alex. Too bad, those stolen base #'s were sexy!

Down on the Farm:

No news from down on the farm

Player of the Week: (As of 9/4/02)

RONNIE BELLIARD

2002: .228 (54-237) 27R 3HR 23RBI's
L. 7 days: .269 (7-26) 6R 2HR 3RBI's

Those definitely aren't eye popping numbers. I really was drawn to him because Loretta and Houston are gone. Besides newcomer Ginter, Belliard is the man at third. He has been a starter before before EY came he was the second baseman but, it has been a while and the guy has been putting up.

Other Consideration

Ben Sheets

2002: 9-15 4.36ERA 181.2IP 88ER 64BB/142K
L. 7 Days: 1-0 1.23ERA 7.1IP 1ER 6K

He is a hell of a fighter. A limited offense and a constantly changing defense doesn't help him any.

Quick View:

Add:

SP Ben Sheets: 9-15 4.36 ERA 142 SO, give him offense and he will be one of the best. He just has no run support.

SP Glendon Rusch: 8-13 4.68 ERA 121 SO, Use to having no run support but, I don't think it is any easier on him. Both Rusch and sheets have been hot lately.

OF Ryan Thompson: .259 16R 8HR 24RBI, the guy has tons of power. In batting practice he enters Sammy Sosa First Round Home Run Derby Land.

Keep:

1B Richie Sexson: .285 75R 28HR 99RBI, Power numbers are down but, he has no protection this year. If you think about dropping him I bid you good day.

SS Jose Hernadez: .284 67R 24HR 64RBI, Numbers are good. They would be better if the bat companies didn't send him bats with holes in them....Geez

Drop:

OF Alex Sanchez: OUT FOR SEASON!