Macha met with general manager Doug Melvin earlier this week in a routine end-of-season evaluation meeting to discuss a season that was anything but routine. There were certainly a number of topics on the agenda, namely the pitching staff and subpar seasons from cornerstone players.
One thing that didn't come up, however, was Macha's status with the organization. Without the help of an agent, Macha, who turns 59 on Tuesday, signed a two-year contract prior to this season. Despite the fact that Macha's contract wasn't discussed he isn't concerned.
"With all the conversations I've had with Doug, I feel comfortable," Macha said.
The manager said that he does his own evaluation of himself after every game.
"As a manager you self-assess yourself every time you go home at night," Macha said. "I've done t 156 times already. You try to get better everyday."
This season was Macha's fifth as a major league manager. Including four years managing in the minors, Macha has never had a losing season. With six games left, the Brewers are a pair of games under .500.
Injuries aside, Macha says the focus has always been on winning games and, if he's back in 2010, that won't change.
"If I'm the guy next year, I'll certainly be doing my best to win as many games as we can," he said.
After sneaking into the playoffs a year ago, the Brewers floundered in 2009. While Macha certainly didn't expect to lose a suddenly matured Rickie Weeks to injury, his beleaguered rotation to get decimated, and year-long slumps from Bill Hall, J.J. Hardy and Corey Hart, he did use a number of different lineup combinations and there have been occasional rumblings of a distant nature in an otherwise tight-knight clubhouse.
Whether or not to retain, fire or extend Macha will be one of the general manager's first orders of business when the season wraps up a week from now. Melvin originally wanted to offer Macha the Brewers job after the 2001 season but Macha, then the bench coach in Oakland opted to stay with the A's and replace Art Howe. Melvin instead hired Ned Yost, who was fired with 14 games to play last season.
In addition to meeting with Macha, Melvin also had individual meetings with each of the coaches. Hitting coach Dale Sveum and bench coach Willie Randolph are considered to be candidates for open managerial positions during the offseason and it's likely that Melvin, should he retain Macha, will allow his manager to pick his own pitching coach.
Bush's status uncertain: Dave Bush struggled Sunday against the Phillies, allowing a leadoff home run and giving up four runs in the first two innings of the Brewers' 6-5 loss.
After the game, Macha dismissed the notion that Bush, who spent several weeks on the disabled list with a torn right triceps, was still feeling the effects of his injury.
"He said he felt fine," Macha said.
Bush told reporters that physically, he doesn't feel discomfort but admitted that he's lost a bit of his velocity.
"It's not terrible, but it's not quite what I'm accustomed to," Bush said.
The right-hander is 2-5 in seven starts since coming of the disabled list but has been knocked around in his last two outings, giving up 11 runs on 13 hits in 5 2/3 innings.
After two consecutive short outings, it's unclear whether or not Bush will make another start before the season ends. The Brewers are off Monday and Chris Narveson, Jeff Suppan and Manny Parra are slated to start the three games in Colorado this week. Bush's next spot would likely come up either Friday or Saturday in St. Louis
For his part, Bush would like to make one last start and end the season on a high note.
"We haven't sat down and discussed anything yet," Bush said. "The rest is going to be good for me, no doubt about it. Since I got hurt, it's been a battle to feel completely healthy, so I'm sure that having a couple of months off and some time without throwing at all is going to be beneficial. Let my arm heal, let everything rest. I look forward to coming back in the spring feeling normal again.
"As for the last week of the year, I don't know. We haven't discussed that yet."
For the season, Bush is 5-9 with a 6.38 ERA.
Butler heading home: With Manny Parra looking ready to make one last start, the Brewers sent prospect Josh Butler home after Sunday's game. It'll be a long trip for Butler. He'll fly to Huntsville, Ala. to pick up his car and then drive cross-country to San Diego. He won't be home long since he'll have to report to the Brewers' Arizona Fall League affiliate on October 5.
Butler was a very pleasant surprise for an organization that has little to smile about in terms of minor league pitching prospects. Acquired from Tampa Bay in last year's Gabe Gross trade, Butler went a 9-2 with a 2.78 ERA in 20 starts between all three levels of the farm system. In 107 innings of work, he allowed 96 hits and 37 walks while striking out 80.
In three appearances with Milwaukee, Butler posted a 9.00 ERA, giving up four runs on four hits and six walks with three strikeouts. Not exactly top-prospect numbers, but Butler managed to make a good impression on the manager.
"He's got terrific movement on his fastball, he's got some definition on his curveball," Macha said. "This guy's got some pretty good stuff."
DiFelice to get second opinion: Reliever Mark DiFelice will meet this week with noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. Lewis Yocum this week in Los Angeles for another opinion on his sore right shoulder. DeFelice has been on the disabled list since Sept. 15 with what has been described as "wear and tear" on his throwing shoulder. He enjoyed a breakout year of sorts in 2009, posing a 3.59 ERA in nearly 60 appearances before going on the DL.
DiFelice underwent an MRI earlier this month which didn't reveal any structural damage. But after needing nearly two and a half years to feel fully recovered from elbow surgery prior to the 2001 season, DiFelice decided to head to Los Angeles to meet with Yocum.
"We're entitled to second opinions. I think to cover all the bases, it's the best thing for me."
Whether or not surgery is necessary, DiFelice already has a rehab plan in place. He will work out in his hometown of Philadelphia at the same facility at which he recovered from previous shoulder and knee surgeries. For now, DiFelice want's to remain with his teammates for the last few games and is happy to have finally established himself as a big leaguer, after a lengthy journey through the minors
"I wouldn't want to be in Philadelphia, back home, while the season is going," DiFelice said. "I didn't finish how I wanted to finish, but it's been a good year."
McGehee to get advice, too: Casey McGehee will also meet with a specialist this week to determine whether or not we will need to undergo offseason surgery on his sore right knee.
Originally, McGehee and the team thought the issue was patellar tendonitis. McGehee himself isn't sure what, exactly the problem is, but said that there is no sign of structural damage. He was examined by team physician Dr. William Raasch and McGehee will get a second opinion during the off-day Monday.
McGehee has had a solid season and played himself into the rookie of the year discussion, despite needing regular days off to prevent further injury.
Heading into play Sunday, he was among the rookie leaders in every major category and was third in the National League in RBIs during September.
"He's done a good job of playing through it," said assistant general manager Gord Ash.
Quick hits: The Brewers need to finish 4-2 in order to finish above .500 for the third consecutive season. ... Todd Coffey hasn't allowed a run in his last seven appearances. ... Trevor Hoffman has converted six straight save opportunities and 17 of his last 18. His 36 saves are the fourth-most in the national League. ... Claudio Vargas hasn't allowed a run in his last 10 outings and is 1-0 with a 2.05 ERA since joining the Brewers on July 31. ... Carlos Villanueva has a 2.11 ERA in his last 21 innings of work. ... Ryan Braun's walk-off home run Saturday night was the second in his career. ... Craig Counsell snapped a 2-for-21 slump by going 3-5 Saturday with two runs and two RBI against the Phillies. ... Jody Gerut hit .400 on the home stand (8-for-20). ... Since returning from Class AAA Nashville, J.J. Hardy is hitting .222 but has a six-game hitting streak. ... Corey Hart's next hit will be the 500th of his career. He's hit safely in seven straight games. ... Felipe Lopez has a .325 average since joining the Brewers. ... The Brewers finished the home portion of the 2009 season a game under .500, at 40-41. ... Braun needs just eight hits to finish with 200 for the season.
Injury report: In addition to McGehee and DiFelice, pitcher Mike Burns will also see a physician on Monday. He will undergo an MRI on his right shoulder, which he says has been bothering him as of late.
Attendance: Total - 3,037,451; Average - 37,499. Sellouts - 27.
This week: The end is near. Monday is an off-day for the Brewers, who head to Denver for a three-game series against the Rockies, who are fighting to lock down the National League Wild Card. After that, the 2009 season comes to an end in St. Louis, with a three-game weekend set against the National League Central champion Cardinals.
