The Brewers are struggling in so many areas, it’s impossible to pinpoint exactly what would fix this team right now but here are few thoughts;

1.  Just because he’s making $10 million doesn’t necessarily make him a better thrower than what you have in the pen, it just means that Eric Gagne is the highest paid reliever the Brewers have.  Work in Mota, work in Stetter every now and then and see where it may lead.  Yost can no longer be concerned about feelings and confidence, it’s about “W’s” and that’s it.  Why save Gagne’s confidence if it’s ultimately going to cost you your job?

I don’t want to hear about weather conditions or defense or strike zones as big as postage stamps, the true reality is that Gagne hasn’t been able to throw strikes consistently.  If you’re going to give hitters “free passes” late in ball games, you’re setting yourself up for failure.

2. It’s time to stop saying that “it’s still early”.  No, it’s really not anymore.  These guys have been playing regular baseball now since February 28^th.  You can’t tell me that they haven’t had enough at-bats to get their timing down.  We’re in the 1^st week of May and the bats are still inconsistent and there’s no end in sight for the grand awakening.  Maybe if your concentration wasn’t so focused on the long ball you might be manufacturing a few more scoring opportunities.  The last time I’ve seen the Brewers execute a perfect hit and run was opening day in Chicago .  Granted, you can’t really hit and run with guys who can’t put the bat on the ball but the status quo just isn’t cutting it.  You’re 5 games back in the NL Central and fading quickly.

3.  Since you’re not winning ball games consistently anyway, you might want to try using your head on the basepaths.  Running yourself out of innings and giving your opponents easy outs isn’t going to create anything positive.  Yes, you want to be aggressive but not to the point of stupidity.

4.  Note to the starting rotation; Throw Strikes!  (*Same note can apply to Eric Gagne*).  Working behind in the count consistently is only going to raise your pitch count, give the hitter better at bats, jack up your era and put undue stress on an already overworked bullpen.

5.  Note to Ned Yost; there’s a difference between confidence and arrogance.  You’re coming off, more and more, as arrogant.  That doesn’t play well in a blue collar town like Milwaukee .  You keep reciting that Milwaukee ’s got great baseball fans and very knowledgeable baseball fans yet when you’re asked a relevant question, something that’s being discussed publicly BY THE FANS, you dismiss it in a way that seems condescending.  I’ve been your defender in many cases, if you haven’t noticed, but it’s becoming harder to do when you appear smug.  Perception becomes reality, remember that!

     Ned Yost arguing with home plate umpire Eric Cooper

Look, I’m not crying for massive overhauls or anything in that realm, I’m simply saying that these young ball players aren’t kids anymore and there’s a big dose of reality hitting them in the face right now.  They need to step up, focus and play better baseball.  Ned needs to put them in the best possible position to win games and stop defending their shortcomings and egos.  If you want to be in a pennant race, pressure comes with it.  You can’t cruise through anymore on your smiles and potential.  It’s put up or shut up time.

This 4-game losing streak, as the saying goes, it’s either going to build character or reveal it.