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Hank Blalock

fleehaw

By fleehaw,
in Transaction Rumors & Proposals

fleehaw Draft Eligible

fleehaw

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His name has been mentioned a few times in lineup ideas/trade proposals for 2009. IMO, he's probably the guy to go for if you're the Brewers. If the Rangers pick up his option, he's a FA after '09. That would give Gamel, Escobar, & Green among others another year of development in the minors making it easier to project how they fit in with the major league team. Not to mention the Brewers would have the option of offering him arbitration and picking up extra picks in next year's draft as well. It appears he has lost his 3B job with the Rangers, although he has been playing 1B and DH. I would think he'd be available at a decent price.

 

Blalock's OPS vs. RHP & Hall's OPS vs. LHP

'08 0.819 (56 games) 0.893

'07 0.932 (55 games) 0.794

'06 0.776 (143 games) 1.072

'05 0.818 (150 games) 0.967

 

Offensively & defensively it should be a fantastic 3B platoon. Not to mention adding Blalock and batting him 6th behind Hardy vs. RHP would help to balance the lineup more.

 

Worst case scenario is the Rangers see him as a type A FA after the '09 season. This would mean the Brewers offer would have to top the value of 2 picks early in the next draft. He does have some injury concern, but that could also lower his price a bit.

 

I could understand if the Rangers had some interest in Brad Nelson as he appears to be major league ready and could play 1B or DH. I'd imagine it would take 2-3 prospects outside of the Brewers top 11 in the power 50. Something like a Nelson, a SP prospect like Braddock, Periard, or Anundsen, and a maybe bullpen arm like a Pena or a Dillard of a OF prospect like Gindl. Is this fair value?

 

What do you think the Rangers would demand in return for Blalock? Is he worth it for what he could be to the Brewers?

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dadofandrew ACL Brewers

dadofandrew

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I've been after Tracy for a couple years. His value might be down because he played hurt this past Summer, so this might be a good time to go get him.

 

I'm sure ARI would be happy to throw Eric Byrnes in...http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

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twobrewers ACL Brewers

twobrewers

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Blalock had a .710 OPS on August 10th.

He historically has an OPS of .656 against LHP.

He has a career OBP of .337.

And for all the production, we would have to trade a pretty decent player/prospect. And in the end, Blalock probably ends up in a platoon with Ball Hall at 3rd.

Given that, I think I would rather just resign Branyan. Branyan posted a .925 OPS with a .342 OBP.

The big question is whether the Brewers plan on using Bill Hall as a platoon player or a bench player. If he goes back to "super sub", we have no need for Counsell - but would need a full-time 3B. If we resign Counsell, then Hall pretty much has to play in at least a platoon as a 3B.

To me, Blalock is only slightly better than Branyan - but Branyan won't cost us anything.

I would like Tracy, however. Do you think Byrnes value is low enough that they would trade Byrnes and Tracy for next to nothing. Byrnes would have to play CF

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Blunt36 Prep Ball

Blunt36

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From what I've heard Blalock didn't lose his 3B job as much as he can't really play 3B anymore due to injuries, and specifically his arm. The Rangers have a need at 3B, and if Blalock could play there full-time or as a platoon, they'd keep him themselves. I'd be all over getting a pre-injury Blalock to hold down 3B for us, but I'm not sure he's a realistic option anymore.

 

If we did decide to take a flyer on Blalock and see if he could indeed play 3B again, I doubt the Rangers would have much interest in a 1B/DH like Nelson, since they've got plenty of those guys themselves, but pitching prospects such as the guys previously mentioned should get their attention. I don't think his price would be that high, but I also don't think he fits the Brewers' needs at this point.

 

I also agree with the other posters who mentioned Chad Tracy, and think he'd work out better for the Brewers (but still wouldn't be ideal).

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twobrewers ACL Brewers

twobrewers

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Doug has never been one to pick up bad contracts. And, I do not think Byrnes is anything but a well below average defensive CF.
Regarding the contract - Byrnes is signed for around $11 million for the next two seasons. Considering we would then let Cameron walk, we would only be picking up one additional year at $11 million. Considering that Tracy is signed at a reasonable contract for next year with an option for 2010 - it is someone reasonable.

 

However, I admit that I have no knowledge of Byrnes in CF. But I would imagine if he could play a decent CF, he would already be doing it. And frankly, we have no use for a LF or RF.

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twobrewers

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"Only" an extra year at $11M, and a huge step down production wise from Cameron.
My point was that if Byrnes can play CF (And apparently, that isn't really an option), he is a pretty similar player to Cameron. Hence, the extra year wouldn't be that big of a deal.

 

Since he can't play CF - it is moot.

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fleehaw Draft Eligible

fleehaw

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And for all the production, we would have to trade a pretty decent player/prospect. And in the end, Blalock probably ends up in a platoon with Ball Hall at 3rd.

 

 

That was exactly the point and the reason why I included Hall's OPS vs. LHP. A Blalock/Hall platoon would most likely be a very good one.

 

I hadn't heard that he's not much of a 3B anymore due to injuries, etc. If that is the case, then it's probably not worth it.

 

IIRC, Tracy isn't much of a 3B either. Is this true? If he can be at least average at 3B defensively, then I'd be all for him as well if the price was right.

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twobrewers ACL Brewers

twobrewers

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That was exactly the point and the reason why I included Hall's OPS vs. LHP. A Blalock/Hall platoon would most likely be a very good one.
And my point was that a Blalock/Hall platoon doesn't give much more than a Branyan/Hall platoon.

 

And Branyan/Hall would be cheaper - and not cost a prospect.

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endaround Carolina Mudcats

endaround

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The only problem with a Branyan/Hall platoon is who replaces Branyan when he misses time with injury. Lamb would be ok, but carrying Lamb limits your bench. that and hoping whoever manages realizes that Hall is a very good defensive 3B and so should be willing to bring him in late in games.
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