Left-handed bat challenge, part 2

[MNBrew]

I'm still not convinced Teahan is much more than a slightly better and lefty version of Bill Hall. Better BA, unspectacular OBP, unspectacular power/RBI numbers, more triples, slightly more favorable K rate. Of course, it wouldn't take much to represent an upgrade from the '08-ending 3B situation. Would Teahan be an upgrade? Yeah. Would he make much of a difference? Hard to say but I'm not convinced.

 

However, I don't have any better suggestions. I'm still totally mystified about what they should do for 3B if they don't move Hardy or Escobar there.

 

Maybe the Cardinals would want Jeff Suppan back with Bill Hall for Troy Glaus. (that would be in blue, not for desirability but for its seeming unlikelihood) That wouldn't address the LH bat issue but would save a few pennies.

[tigerbrew]

If the Royals are agreeable to a trade of Weeks and Hall for DeJesus and Teahen, I'd do it.

[Chio151]

If the Royals are agreeable to a trade of Weeks and Hall for DeJesus and Teahen, I'd do it.

It first I scoffed at this, but then when I looked at the numbers...

 

I think DeJesus would be a good fit, and I think Teahan may have a nice ceiling in a lineup like the Brewers. That could be a real nice trade.

[Hate those Rodents]

Eh, I'd pass on that trade, but I'd be in the minority. We may get "solid" players, but they get the two highest ceiling guys in the deal. If Rickie figures it out this year (I know, I know) and Billy produces 25-90 hr-rbi, the solidness we gain in the deal would look pretty bad.

[endaround]

Weeks projects better than anyone else in that deal next year and costs the least in addition to being a 2B.

[yoshii8]

A left handed bat that I would love to acquire if available is Robinson Cano, I would pick him as the player to target if we deal Cameron to the Yanks. I know it would probably take more than just Cameron, but that would be the starting point. Some of the reasons I like Cano are:

 

-buy low, had a bad first half of the season last year, after having 126 and 120 OPS+ seasons as a 23 and 24 year old. Had a big drop in BABIP in 08', .283, compared to his .329, and .359 the two previous seasons.

 

-better 2nd baseman statistically than Rickie Weeks, at least from what I've seen.

 

-Doesn't strike out a lot, is more of a contact hitter, has a career .303 BA.

 

-Has played in high pressure situations his whole career, including 3 seasons in the playoffs.

 

Some of the bad things are, his contract, but only if he puts up stats like he did in 08' instead of his previous years. Also he has a low walk rate, and doesn't steal many bases.

 

If this trade was made, we then could use Rickie Weeks to acquire a center fielder, like the one that often gets mentioned David Dejesus.

 

I think the addition of these 2 contact hitters would make our lineup better.

 

Dejesus

Hardy

Braun

Fielder

Hart

Cano

Hall/Gamel

Kendall

[NievesNoNO]

I think the Brewers are more in need of some batters with a different approach at the plate to balance the lineup, but all things being equal another left handed bat wouldn't hurt. How about Fielder (yes, I realize he's left-handed) to the Angels for Figgins, Kendrick, and Adenhart. (Is that overvaluing Fielder??) Then, as some have discussed all ready, make a play for DeJesus and Teehan from KC. Maybe for Weeks+??. They could play Teehan or give Nelson a shot at first. Teehan and Figgins would also give them some defensive flexablility. Seems like more of a fantasy game idea than realistic, but that's what the off season is for I guess.

1. Figgins S
2. DeJesus L
3. Kendrick R
4. Braun R
5. Hart R
6. Teehan/Nelson L
7. Hardy R
8. Kendal R

 

[Mr Southpaw]

Kelly Johnson for Weeks as the primaries would be awesome. He can bat almost anywhere in the order. Any thoughts?

[yoshii8]

I don't see why the Braves would do the trade, I think if they trade Johnson it will be for a starting pitcher.

[BrewCrewForever]

If the Royals are agreeable to a trade of Weeks and Hall for DeJesus and Teahen, I'd do it.

I would do that trade in a minute. I would love that trade. Im a big fan of DeJesus and Teahen.

[piccione88]

When evaluating players, I believe that handedness should be far down the list. If a player is not clearly better than what we have, I see no reason to go after that player just because he is left-handed. If the Brewers aquire a player that improves the team and he happens to be left-handed all the better. Doug Melvin showed last year by signing Cameron that he will not make that mistake.

 

I am not talking about any player in particular, I actually like a few of the names being thrown around, such as Teahen.

[brewerguy71]

Jim Edmonds is only looking for a one year contract. Still can play good CF and could maybe create a platoon with Cameron or allow the Brewers to deal Cameron to the Yankees, get Cabrera in the deal, and not have to worry so much about Cabrera's production.

[RyDogg66]

Ken Griffey Jr for right field anyone? A two year deal to finish out his career in Milwaukee? Even if you get 400 ABs and a .250/.350/.450 out of him he'd be a nice balance to the lineup.

 

I dont know, maybe it is the 13 year old in me that is wanting Junior to come to Milwaukee.

[kwelak21]

What about trading JJ Hardy for Delmon Young and then trading Cameron for Ian Kennedy. I know the Twins would like to move Young to bring up Span and are looking for a shortstop. This would balance out the lineup and probably could move Hart to center. I think a lineup like this would really be solid.

Weeks
Hart
Braun
Fielder
Beltre - Bush/Prospect
Young
Escobar
Kendall

[trwi7]

I don't see how downgrading from Hardy to Young helps us. It's not like Young is a left handed hitter.

[clancyphile]

The side of me that believes in maxing out on offensive potential is crying out for the Crew to acquire Dunn, put him in left, and to move Braun back to third. The defense might be bad, but Braun, Fielder, and Dunn each should be good for 40+ homers. Cameron, Hart, and Hardy are good for 25 each.

 

---

 

The other option, Daniel Murphy... I have to ask, "What does he give the Brewers that Taylor Green won't in 2010?" What is one year of Murphy at third base worth? The Mets will likely ask for too much for my blood.

[MNBrew]

I don't see how downgrading from Hardy to Young helps us. It's not like Young is a left handed hitter.

Young's also not a CF.

 

In essence...Trade Hardy & Cameron for Young & Kennedy? Sounds good but who plays CF? I'd assume the Brewers get a little more in return than they give up in both deals. Young's value is obviously down a bit.

[thebruce44]

Hardy for Young...Braun back to 3rd. Come on people. Lets try to make informed posts here.

 

We all seem so concerned about cutting ties to the players we already have or potentially blocking someone coming up from the minors. The Brewers should in fact be in a win now mode (assuming they get another pitcher) and be looking to add an impact bat anywhere they can while not worsening the defense. This may mean signing Dunn and sending Hart to another team for pitching or to burn Soup's contract.

[TooLiveBrew]

...move Braun back to third.

 

Clancyphile... let it go. Not happening.

[aracko]

I actually really like the idea of Griffey Jr in right. I feel like there is always room to add a hall of fame player. I think our high rate of afro american players might be in assistance when trying to get a guy like him. Hart would then move to CF.

[Hate those Rodents]

At the very end of Baseball Tonight (Hot Stove League edition) Steve Phillips predicted that Sheets would accept arbitration Sunday and that Kerry Wood would be signed by us for a two year 18 million dollar deal. Man, if we could make these two things happen, that's not a lot of guaranteed money. I'd think the pitching staff would be as "solidified" for the upcoming year as we could have hoped and we could turn to a big bat. If this held true, I'd offer Dunn about fifty million and get him in my lineup in a heartbeat.

[dpapo]

At the very end of Baseball Tonight (Hot Stove League edition) Steve Phillips predicted that Sheets would accept arbitration Sunday and that Kerry Wood would be signed by us for a two year 18 million dollar deal.
Well, if Steve Phillips is predicted this, then I guess we can now be 100% sure that Sheets will reject salary arbitration and Kerry Wood won't be signing with the Brewers. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif
Maybe he'll be right for once as I think that would work out quite nicely for the Brewers.

[Invader3K]

Yeah, those two acquisitions would make me feel much better about the team's pitching at this point.

[JohnBriggs12]

I actually really like the idea of Griffey Jr in right. I feel like there is always room to add a hall of fame player. I think our high rate of afro american players might be in assistance when trying to get a guy like him. Hart would then move to CF.

Griffey is done. He was a Hall of Fame player with the emphasis on was.

[jjfanec]

That would give us a rotation of Gallardo, Sheets, Parra, Bush and Suppan (which is better than the rotation we had until CC came and we were in contention). Our bullpen would be Wood, Villy, McClung, Julio, Stetter, Riske, and another lefty that depends on whether Shouse accepts arby. We really would not have any open spots unless we trade someone our Macha likes the 13 man bullpen like Yost. We have two guys who can start in a pinch in McClung and Villy and some solid options for the 8th inning. I would like another top end guy for the rotation because I am greedy, but I believe Parra could develop into that.

Those two transactions would open it up for us to move to what this thread was started to talk about. Getting a left-handed bat. With no trades to get pitching the places for the bat would be 3B or maybe CF if melvin decides to move Cameron which he would not have to.