Who were the up and coming pitchers that Melvin gutted from the system? It’s not like there are pitchers he’s traded that are top starters in the game right now. I remember everyone being upset the team traded Will Inman (including me), but the guy isn’t lighting the world on fire and most scouts think his upside is a back-of-the-rotation starter now. Steve Garrison, of the same ugly Linebrink trade, was horrible last year and ended the year in High A ball. Joe Thatcher is a situational lefty reliever. Dana Eveland has flamed out as a starter. Dennis Sarfate and Zach Jackson haven’t amounted to anything. I can’t really think of any other notable guys he’s dealt. I think the problem was developing pitching, not that the organization traded it away. Luckily, it seems like they’ve turned the corner a bit there and have a pretty good group of young pitchers coming up. It should be pointed out that Gallardo and Parra came through the system too.

It’s sad to read that most publications have Milwaukee in the middle of the pack when it comes to rating farm systems. Remember the days when Milwaukee had one of (if not the top) farm system in baseball? Melvin gutted the “up and coming” pitchers and now we have to wait for Arnett/Odorizzi to make their way up. That’s probably 3 years away yet for Odorizzi and Arnett. By that time Prince is gone and Ken Macha will have died of old age, oh….and Edmonds will be 44 years-old.