Can Rickie Weeks rebound in second half?

[Kingdom]

While Braun, Sheets, and Hart were named all stars and the brewers went big by acquiring C.C. or "CC" Sabathia, is should be noted that even with this fire power, the brewers could be even better if Weeks could break out.

Recently, Prince Fielder (now hitting .270 with 18 homeruns, 52 RBI) and J.J. Hardy (.282 with 13 homeruns) has snapped out of their funks to contribute to what is a very potent lineup (7 guys with 10 or more homeruns, Weeks has 8, Kapler has 5, and look out, Sabathia has 2 now) but Weeks has pretty much spent the entire first half trodding along in a bad slump. Last season, nagging injuries pretty much ruined Weeks' first half, but he did rebound and finish with 16 homeruns and 78 walks, and a high obp of .374. Right now he's only hitting .217, with a .320 obp (so far in July, he has 14 strikes and just 2 walks). It's important for him to catch fire while the rest of the lineup is clicking, as he can be a terrific table setting up top, but so far he's being outperformed by Joe Dillion and Russ Branyan.

So brewer fans, how important is it for him to get going? Is he capable of being a big time producer or will he just be another guy with so many tools that could never put it together?

Perhaps what would be even more important, is if they had Gallardo to go with Sheets, Sabathia, and Parra!

[Hardy Blonde]

Rickie is a very valuable player because he plays lead-off in the batting order and he's very needed at 2nd base. He turns double plays with JJ very well. He's made errors but he always rebounds. I think he'll get going. We don't need HRs all the time just base hits will work from Rickie. Just getting him on base will be good because he steals bases very well..{Except recently he made a dumb move stealing 3rd. }. So yes I believe he'll be back.

As for the pitching thing, oh man if Gallardo was still in the line up I think our pen would be the best in the NL Central....Shame but he'll be back and so will Parra and possibly CC, doubt we'll be able to keep Sheets...Which is a shame.

[brewcrewrock]

he strikes out alott...so lets put him leadoff eh yost?

[brewersfan19]

He better have a better second half, because it looks like Ray Durham is going to be a Brewer by tomorrow.

[Hardy Blonde]

Already is!

[brewersfan19]

yep!! Durham may become a leadoff hitter again!!! I know he did some leading off when he was with the White Sox.

[love_that_reefer]

Durham hit leadoff with the Giants too. I am pleased to see that Jack Taschner was not involved with the trade. Giants got two struggling players for their best hitter at the moment but did get rid of $3 mil of salary. Durham is having a much better year than Weeks so Weeks' job is up for grabs. I don't see Durham staying on the bench for long.

[Hardy Blonde]

I agree. I highly doubt the platoon will sit well with Weeks. Would hate to see him go but who knows. Right now anything can happen to keep CC and Sheets around.

[brewersfan19]

I dont either. Weeks may be dangled out their for trade offers.

[Hardy Blonde]

After what I just saw he should go. That HR doesn't mean much.

[brewersfan19]

nice game for Weeks tonight. Maybe a little pressure is what he needed.

[love_that_reefer]

Weeks did not have a good game. He almost blew the game.

[brewersfan19]

see, that is what happens when I cant watch the game. thanks. He did have a 3-run shot tonight though. Lets give him a C for the night then.

[Hardy Blonde]

Yeah he was not pretty in the infield tonight once so ever...

[brewersfan19]

eeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.................... ...come on rickie