What’s Up with Rickie Weeks?

Last year at about this time, I wrote an article about how the Milwaukee Brewers’ Rickie Weeks is Really Good. I felt so strongly about it that I titled the article Rickie Weeks is Really Good. My bold prediction was: “Over the next 5 years, Weeks makes 4 All Star games (as long as the fans have something to do with it, Milwaukee players will get left off), hits 137 HR and steals 100 bags.”  This time in 2012, I couldn’t feel less confident in my prediction and couldn’t be less happy about having Weeks on my fantasy baseball team.  I bought in on Weeks’ 2010 numbers (29 bombs and .269 average) last year at this time but his numbers come September 2011 had slipped to just 20 bombs and a .269 average. Now, he’s hitting a wopping .170 with 5 homers.  So, I ask what’s up with Rickie Weeks? It’s simple.  It’s time to give up on Weeks as an elite second baseman. 

I’m not saying Weeks’ true value is as a .170 hitter and the -1.5 WAR that he has accumulated to this point, but he’s a lot closer to mediocre than to really good. Last year was his first all star appearance and it was a product of his stellar 2010.  He’s a very average Major League second baseman who will continue to produce at a very average rate.  It’s time to face it Milwaukee fans:  Weeks is a 29 year old, slightly overweight second baseman.  He’s not getting any better.

The frustrating part for Milwaukee fans is that with Prince Fielder now gone, the expectation was for Weeks to step up and provide the power that might be missing from the right side of the infield.  It’s safe to say that Weeks has failed at that job.

I look forward to seeing Weeks do his best Dan Uggla impression from 2011: get really hot and raise your average to .230 by the end of the year.  Also, there’s this headline from the funny guys over at theonion

Hoping to Break Slump, Rickie Weeks Chewing Increasing amounts of Tobacco, Bubble Gum, Sunflower Seeds, Pine Tar all at the Same Time.  

Bold Prediction:  It doesn’t happen– Weeks’ final line .195/.306/.386 with 11 homers and 9 steals and winds up on the disabled list come September with a fake injury.

Other Stuff: 

I’m really enjoying the NBA playoffs right now.  Without getting too melodramatic on my mostly baseball audience, I think we’re witnessing two of the more awesome conference finals’ ever.  The implications of both the Spurs/Thunder series and the Heat/Celtics series are far reaching and awesome.  Can’t wait for October.

The AL East and NL East are a combined 50 games over .500 and all 10 teams are at least .500

I wanted to do a post about the trade partners for the Padres, but they’re so bad that I’m not sure anybody will be interested in anything they have to offer. Zing…..

-Sean Morash