Next game: Monday, April 13th vs. Cincinnati
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The first week of the Brewers' 2009 season exposed a hole in this team that most people knew we had, but which many foresaw few solutions available.

Starting pitching.

The Brewers finished 2-4 in their start of 2009, losing each series to San Francisco and the Chicago Cubs.

Check out the ERA of each starting pitcher (as of Monday morning, April 13):

Jeff Suppan (0-2): 12.91 ERA
Manny Parra (0-1): 10.38
Dave Bush (0-0): 6.14
Yovani Gallardo (1-0): 2.70
Braden Looper (0-0): 1.80

Granted, these stats come from one week of games, but it gave a solid indication of the potential inconsistency that is probably going to continue all year long.

Of course, that's what happens when CC Sabathia, your best pitcher, THE best pitcher in baseball in 2008, takes off for $60,000,000, and the other - the longtime ace, Ben Sheets - tests the water, fails a physical, then decides to become the next hired Hessian to help out a pitching staff.

There is a possible solution to Milwaukee's quandary, one that deserves to be looked at if not absolutely pursued with more passion than your typical Brewers fan goes after a free beer:

Free-agent pitcher Pedro Martinez.

Yes, he's the same Pedro Martinez who has only gone 17-17 in the last three years: the same guy with a serious injury issue in recent years.

He's also the same guy who mowed down batters in the World Baseball Classic to the tune of an ERA 12.91 less than Jeff Suppan is currently pitching.

The New York Post says he's willing to go for a $5 million deal for this year.

He's 37 years old. He also still has it at 37 years old.

How much did the Brewers invest in Eric Gagne for one good month of pitching and five entire blown months?

$10 million?

Compared to that, half-price for a pitcher who not only might improve your rotation that has one legit starter (Gallardo) and two others who might be able to make some hay this year (Bush and Looper), one young guy still trying to figure it out (Parra) and someone who may never have it figured out again, if his two starts say anything (Suppan)...half-price is a bargain!

Martinez wearing blue and gold in '09? The next hired hand to help Milwaukee to the playoffs?

Sounds like a good idea.

I'm not Doug Melvin, and his due diligence may dictate that such a move might not be a good idea.

With a couple duds among a lot of great pickups, I trust Melvin.

Still, Pedro in Brewers' blue and gold in '09 sounds too good to pass up, especially with pitchers who give up three bases-loaded free passes against archrivals.

Somehow, I don't see him calling the Cubs his daddy while he plays older-brother figure for the young Brewers clubhouse.

I see him making the Cubs call him daddy.

Brewers fans should relish the thought.