Brooks Kieschnick Apparently Released

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Brewers are planning on releasing relief pitcher and pinch hitter Brooks Kieschnick. 'Kiesch' pinch hit in 44 AB's off the bench last year, the fourth most in a season for the Brewers, and recorded 11 hits for a pedestrian .250 average. Other highlights...posted a 1.99 ERA in 14 games at Miller Park and a 5.75 ERA in 18 games on the road...allowed 9 0f 17 inherited runners to score...14 of 32 appearances were for 1+ innings...hit .429 in July...batting average was .359 on July 16...went 3 - 23 (.130) for the rest of the season...hit .316 when batting as a pitcher...hit .317 with runners on base.

I don't seem to quite understand why Doug Melvin would do this move at this point in time. Brooks' greatest value to the team was the ability to perform two roles as a two-way player. He provided some power off the bench as a pinch hitter as well as served as a middle reliever/set up guy in the bullpen. With Brooks gone, the 2005 bench will be considered one of the worst in all of baseball, whereas last year it was considered a strength of the team with all of its depth. The "Official Krispy Kreme Spokesman" will be the only bat off the bench that will provide any potential power, and that's not really saying much. McGruder, Hall, Moeller, and possibly Cirillo definitely will not strike fear into the hearts of opposing pitchers, compared to last year where Keith Ginter and Brady Clark were also coming off the bench who were more than serviceable in the role.

Brooks almost assuredly will not pass through waivers without being claimed by some team, so, good luck on what's left of your career.