The Craig Counsell Thread

[humanrefutation]

Update as of 7/20/18 (Post ASB):
Great Manager: 8%
Good Manager: 70%
Meh: 17%
Below Average Manager: 3%
Fire Him Now: 1%

[trwi7]

This is a good read.

http://milwaukee.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2018/07/21/the-brewers-cant-afford-to-be-dumb/

[Kerb Hohl]

This is a good read.

http://milwaukee.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2018/07/21/the-brewers-cant-afford-to-be-dumb/

Using Knebel as "closer" doesn't really bother me. Hader is still the highest leverage guy. Knebel's blown saves have been with Hader/Jeffress mostly not able to be used that day (I haven't fact-checked this but that is my general feel).

Even before Knebel's injury, it seemed like they were using him in the 8th at times if the 9th looked better for someone like Hader and I wouldn't be surprised to see them keep doing it.

Why is he saying it's a bad thing to use guys like Jennings (in bad situations) when they trail? That's smart. I'm not wasting Jeffress innings. I'd rather lose 7-2 and not use Jeffress than lose 4-2 and use Jeffress. "Here is the DRA of some pitchers, which is a really advanced, helpful stat. Now let me judge the bottom of the bullpen on ERA completely without context. They called up Mike Zagurski who basically pitched a handful meaningless innings after blowing one game."

It's not a bad article because my opinion of Counsell has always been on the "pretty good" side and he hasn't been perfect...but I think some of the weaknesses mentioned are non-issues or actual strengths.

[MAC1987]

This is a good read.

http://milwaukee.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2018/07/21/the-brewers-cant-afford-to-be-dumb/

Using Knebel as "closer" doesn't really bother me. Hader is still the highest leverage guy. Knebel's blown saves have been with Hader/Jeffress mostly not able to be used that day (I haven't fact-checked this but that is my general feel).

Even before Knebel's injury, it seemed like they were using him in the 8th at times if the 9th looked better for someone like Hader and I wouldn't be surprised to see them keep doing it.

Why is he saying it's a bad thing to use guys like Jennings (in bad situations) when they trail? That's smart. I'm not wasting Jeffress innings. I'd rather lose 7-2 and not use Jeffress than lose 4-2 and use Jeffress. "Here is the DRA of some pitchers, which is a really advanced, helpful stat. Now let me judge the bottom of the bullpen on ERA completely without context. They called up Mike Zagurski who basically pitched a handful meaningless innings after blowing one game."

It's not a bad article because my opinion of Counsell has always been on the "pretty good" side and he hasn't been perfect...but I think some of the weaknesses mentioned are non-issues or actual strengths.

So I've read some people say we shouldn't have a traditional set closer. That you use the best right away. Well the Brewers are arguably doing that. Hader, Jeffress, Knebel.

[Kerb Hohl]

This is a good read.

http://milwaukee.locals.baseballprospectus.com/2018/07/21/the-brewers-cant-afford-to-be-dumb/

Using Knebel as "closer" doesn't really bother me. Hader is still the highest leverage guy. Knebel's blown saves have been with Hader/Jeffress mostly not able to be used that day (I haven't fact-checked this but that is my general feel).

Even before Knebel's injury, it seemed like they were using him in the 8th at times if the 9th looked better for someone like Hader and I wouldn't be surprised to see them keep doing it.

Why is he saying it's a bad thing to use guys like Jennings (in bad situations) when they trail? That's smart. I'm not wasting Jeffress innings. I'd rather lose 7-2 and not use Jeffress than lose 4-2 and use Jeffress. "Here is the DRA of some pitchers, which is a really advanced, helpful stat. Now let me judge the bottom of the bullpen on ERA completely without context. They called up Mike Zagurski who basically pitched a handful meaningless innings after blowing one game."

It's not a bad article because my opinion of Counsell has always been on the "pretty good" side and he hasn't been perfect...but I think some of the weaknesses mentioned are non-issues or actual strengths.

So I've read some people say we shouldn't have a traditional set closer. That you use the best right away. Well the Brewers are arguably doing that. Hader, Jeffress, Knebel.

Exactly...so I personally don't mind.

[humanrefutation]

With pitchers and catchers reporting soon, thought I'd go ahead and bump this up. Change your votes if you so choose to, and I'll update OP. We'll close the vote at the start of the year.

[WeekapaugGroove]

I was in the "good" category but I was talking brewers with my neighbor who pitches for a NL team and he went out of his way to heap praise on Councell for being a good manager and great person. Said his friends who'd played for him can't say enough good things about the dude.

[ReasonablySober]

Changed from Meh to Great.

[humanrefutation]

Went from Meh to Good. I've heard so much praise for him this offseason from baseball people - especially for his embrace of analytics - and clearly the team had their best finish since 1982. I do think he was a little too aggressive in pulling his starters down the stretch and that taxed the pen, but we went to Game 7 of the NLCS at home with a rotation led by Jhoulys Chacin, so I can't hate too much on that.

[humanrefutation]

Alright, locking this up for now.

Update as of 3/28/19 (Opening Day 2019):
Great Manager: 15%
Good Manager: 67%
Meh: 14%
Below Average Manager: 3%
Fire Him Now: 1%

[humanrefutation]

Bumped.

We're about halfway through the season. Cast/Change your votes as needed! We'll run this for a week.

[ReasonablySober]

I mean, you can't make chicken salad from chicken ****. The pitching staff sucks. Not CC's fault.

[BUCKnation]

I haven't watched as much this season, but from always following the box score at least, I can't really fault him for the reasons we've been losing.

[humanrefutation]

Update as of 7/23/19
Great Manager: 15%
Good Manager: 69%
Meh: 12%
Below Average Manager: 3%
Fire Him Now: 1%