In my conversations with my long time friend who works for the Giants yesterday, we bounced around the idea that Durham might not want to go to the Brewers, it was a back-up role it seemed after all.  How could he not want to go to a team in a race, who has a real shot of making the playoffs, my long-time baseball friend mused.  Well, in San Fran he is the man, moving to Milwaukee, a less exciting city where he would be a role player, well, that may not be what he wants in the last days of his career.  It may be about being comfortable more than winnings.  Seemed weird to both of us, but it also seemed like it might be right on. Well, today’s Henry Schulman article gives a lot of insight into what Durham was thinking.  A long tenured Giant, he asked not to announce the trade until yesterdays game was finished, so as he didn’t have to play against the team he had just spent so many recent years with.  He found himself though scoreboard watching as if playing for Milwaukee though, and even rooting for both teams.  It also looks like he will step into the starting role rather than just be a switch hitter off the bench, which will help make the transition much easier.  This is a perspective we don’t often get from a guy who was traded, and though Durham could hardly be called a super-star, he certainly will be a difference maker.  If Cubs fans don’t think so, they are in for a surprise. Durham also gets $20,000 if he is traded, and though that seems like a weird clause, its very smart, as the at $20,000 will take care of living expenses in his new home away from home, much like the moving expenses any of us would get if our big company transfered us to another office.  Since he won’t be living at home, he will need a per diem, and that money will make the difference.

Tom Hardricourt writes a similar article, but gives a lot of insight about how this will affect Rickie Weeks, the Brewers (still) current second baseman.  Ned Yost makes some great points about Weeks, who was drafted second behind Delmon Young of the Twins in 2003.  He got to the big leagues at the same time as Prince Fielder, Corey Hart and JJ Hardy, yet hasn’t flourished like those other young players.  As Yost points out, that doesn’t mean he has underachieved.   He might not have developed as quickly as the others, but since he has yet to achieve the high numbers you can’t call him an underachiever.  Perhaps our expectations have been too high for him all along.  Certainly, being drafted number 2 in the country comes with high expectations, but as Yost points out, there is no saying he won’t get there just because he hasn’t gotten their yet.  Hopefully, Durham is able to help him develop while he is helping the Brewers win.