What about dealing Hart for a young 1/2 starter?

[DrWood]

Just for comparison, Gamel and LaPorta are far out-performing Prince and Braun in Huntsville, and are slightly out-performing Miguel Cabrera when he was in the Southern league before he was called up straight from AA to MLB with the Marlins.

If they keep going at this rate up to the all-star game, there is no way they should stay at Huntsville, and their bats would be ready for the Majors. Would you rather have LaPorta or Kapler or Dillon? Gamel is a bit more problematic, as his glove doesn't play in the majors yet.

[Tbadder]

Well, LaPorta's been playing Right Field. In fact, that's almost all he's played. Clearly they want him to be a right fielder in the future. Frankly, I could see Braun as a possible CF'er in the future. Not this year, but he has the athletic ability to play there in the future.

 

I must confess I never thought of Braun as a centerfielder. I'm very skeptical that this is a good thing. But he does have wheels, so maybe that is a possiblity. I'd rather pick up Cameron's option or go with a more typical CF. But LaPorta and Braun at the corners make me smile. I never though, despite his speed and intelligence, that Hart is a CFer, hence one of the reasons I'd be fine trading him.

 

I find it strange that LaPorta is playing rightfield--maybe the Brewers have had plans for trading/moving Hart all along.

 

Why? Based on what? What exactly suggests those two need that much time in the minors? That would still have Braun in AAA right now.

 

Braun seems to me to be a once in 20 year prospect, and while I'm excited about LaPorta and Gamel (Gamel moreso) I want to make sure they are ready. As a small market team I don't want to start the Arby-Clock any sooner than I have to in order to protect my investment. I'm guess that Hart's stock will continue to rise during this period, so I think patience is called for. But again, I'll concede that LaPorta could be ready for the majors by August. Gamel's defense must show significant improvement for him to be ready and I'm doubtful he'll have a handle on that before the 2009 season.

 

Why? He was shopped around this past off-season. He could have been had for Rios which tells me that he could be had for Corey Hart, if not Corey Hart plus a minor leaguer.

 

I think this is an anomaly. It just seems to me that Aces don't get traded unless it's to avoid free agency loss at season's end. So, yes, he was being shopped but I considered that a fishing exhibition to see if someone would truly overpay a truly awful team. I could be wrong, but the fact is that the deal wasn't made for some reason.

 

I don't think we could get Cain for Hall.

 

Agreed. I was throwing out an idea, just brainstorming. I think we'd have to include a major prospect at the least.

 

I'd be fine with giving up Hart for Cain plus a prospect and bringing LaPorta up.

Me too!

[logan82]

I believe LaPorta played left last year.

[Gopher74]

I believe LaPorta played left last year.

True, but this was before they moved Braun to LF. Moving LaPorta to Right this year tells me that he's the future right fielder, and that Hart's either the future CF'er, or he's possibly gone. I don't think they'd be planning on moving him, but perhaps just more open to it.

 

[pogokat]

LaPorta's going to be league average out there...he's got a pretty good arm...

 

I'd say they moved him t right because they plan on playing him there next season with Hart in Center...it could also be because he's got a better arm than Cole Gillespie..

 

I think what we are seeing is that LaPorta is capable in an outfield corner...and that we'll see him in one next year in milwaukee

 

he's going to be in AAA very soon, methinks

[Gopher74]

LaPorta's going to be league average out there...he's got a pretty good arm...

 

I'd say they moved him t right because they plan on playing him there next season with Hart in Center...it could also be because he's got a better arm than Cole Gillespie..

 

I think what we are seeing is that LaPorta is capable in an outfield corner...and that we'll see him in one next year in milwaukee

Or at least they figure if he can handle playing right, he should have no problem playing left. It's easier to go from Right to Left than vice versa.

 

How strong of an arm does he have? Compare him to Braun? I'd have a hard time believing a former 1st basemen has a stronger arm than Braun, but does he? Or is he more in the Hart range.

 

[homer]

LaPorta is also a former catcher.