Kirby Lee-US PRESSWIRE
Milwaukee Brewers manager Ron Roenicke has apparently seen enough of Rickie Weeks’ poor play this season and pulled him from Thursday afternoon’s loss to the Miami Marlins.
Roenicke made the double switch in the eighth inning after Weeks was unable to get the baseball out of his glove and convert a double-play that would have gotten the Brewers out of the inning down only 1-0.
With one out in the inning starter Michael Fiers was yanked from the game after allowing Jose Reyes and Carlos Lee to reach base. With runners on the corners, reliever Manny Parra got the necessary ground ball and shortstop Cody Ransom threw it decently to Weeks who could not grip the baseball as it fell to the ground. Roenicke quickly jumped out of the dugout and made the switch with the home plate umpire. Ransom was moved to second base and Cesar Izturis entered the game to play shortstop.
Roenicke was clearly not happy with the play but this move goes much deeper than today. Weeks is playing the worst baseball of his career and fans are frustrated with his inconsistent play on offense and defense. He is among the bottom of the league in most hitting categories and his 10 errors in the first half of the season is inexcusable, not to mention, ranks seventh in the National League. Roenicke was sending a message to the team, the fans, and specifically Weeks that he is not going to tolerate incompetent play and that everyone is expendable.
After this season, Weeks will be half way through his four-year, $38.5 million contract. I understand it is insane to talk about trading a player who was an All-Star last season, not to mention, the Brewers would probably get nothing worthwhile in return and have no one else ready to play second base. However, his play this season is horrendous and questions whether he is worth the contract. Also, the Brewers have to be concerned whether he will mentally be able to bounce back after this year.
I personally believe Weeks can rise up and overcome this obstacle as early as the second half of this season but he really needs to step up his game in order for that to happen. The Brewers were counting on him to be a major contributor with the loss of Prince Fielder and he has done everything but help the team. We will have to wait and see what Weeks’ fate is with his manager and general manager over the next few days.
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