Crafting a Good Brew, other notes

I agree with Doug's view of the Brewers. The pieces are coming together, but I think this can be chalked up to a hot start. However, they are in a good position to become a yearly contender for the NL central seeing how the Cardinals age and lack of a strong farm system will be their demise and the Astros pitching is mediocre with the losses of Pettitte and Clemens. I predicted the Brewers to go 85-77 this year and finish behind the Cubs in the NL Central. But they'll be in the wild card chase for sure.

The Tigers vs Brewers comparision is interesting given that both teams are coming from virtually the same roots circa 2002 when Milwaukee was 56-106 and Detroit 55-106. Both teams have rebuilt themselves to respectability, though I'd argue the Brewers have done so more like the Indians than the Tigers with a focus on homegrown talent--Sheets, Hardy, Fielder, Hart, Hall, and Weeks.

They have also used some sluggers to get some crucial pieces: Sexson yielded Capuano, Lee yielded Cordero, and Overbay yielded David Bush.

The smart thing the Brewers will have to do, which they did with Ben Sheets, is to sign some of the young talent to long-term deals. Veterans help some too, and though Jeff Suppan sure isn't a $42 million player over four years, he will be a big help if he pitches the way he did in the second half of last season.

Give it a couple years and you may see an Indians versus Brewers World Series.

Some other notes:

• The Carl Pavano saga continues. Again it's a he said the Yankees said debate with conflicting reports. Apparently Pavano decided upon Tommy John surgery before being assessed as a candidate for it. On the ride home from the Yankees game Sunday, Tommy John was on WFAN (NY's sports radio program) and is someone Pavano reaches out to frequently because the two developed a relationship back when they were with the Expos (John was a scout). I'm not saying Tommy John told Pavano to get the surgery named after him, but during the interview it was clear Tommy told Pavano about the procedure. Of course the Yankees are doing their own assessment and want Pavano to either rehab his elbow or get other opinions. I honestly don't know what to believe other than Pavano seems to be a head case the last two years when it comes to his injuries.

• It's official, it's Phil Hughes, not Phillip reports Will Carroll.

• Rickey Henderson proves he can still play baseball. With Damon constantly banged up I say why not get Rickey. Some of these Yankees do like their gambling and Rickey could teach them a couple tricks I'm sure.