In the shadow of a wildly unpopular trade shipping Josh Hader to San Diego, the Brewers endured a miserable week, going 1-5 against the Pirates and Reds and going from three games up in the National League Central to two games down. Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and podcast host JR Radcliffe look at the ripple effects of the transaction and the other moves the team made at the trade deadline. Could a comparable move been made in the offseason instead? Do the Brewers think Hader is in serious decline? What to make of the negative reaction from the clubhouse? Did the Brewers bullpen really get better? How can this team not address the offense at the deadline? Does this still look like a playoff team?
The pitching hasn't been difference-making enough to maintain its status as a playoff contender, and young Aaron Ashby has been among those struggling. But the Brewers did have SOME things to celebrate this week: Freddy Peralta's return, the 1982 team, Prince Fielder in the Walk of Fame and a stolen base from Rowdy Tellez.
Then, JR chats briefly with Taylor Rogers, the newest Milwaukee Brewer, acquired in the Josh Hader trade. The former all-star closer has now been traded twice this season. He talks about pitching at altitude while growing up in Denver, his mirror-twin big-league brother and his time at the University of Kentucky.
Music intro:
https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music. Music clips: "ABC" by Jackson 5, "Red Hot Memories (Ice Cold Beer)" by Jerry Lee Lewis, "Pursuit Music Logo" on SoundCloud and Bob Uecker on WTMJ 620-AM radio.