Pudge Rodriguez

[phxMILWfan]

Was watching Hot Stove on MLB today. Sounds like he is having trouble finding a starting job any where. They even mentioned him possibly going to Seattle as a back up. Sounded like he could be available for just over 1 million. What does everyone think? I'd love to see him picked up but with the way Kendall wants to play every day it would be a struggle to keep both happy. Maybe one of them could give Prince a day off every now and then.

[rluzinski]

If Pudge is willing to be a backup for about $1 mil, he probably has 20+ teams he could choose from. Is there any reason to think he'd chose Milwaukee in that scenario? I would love if he did but I see it as far fetched.

[Invader3K]

Well, you'd have to like the idea of a Kendall/Pudge platoon, at least.

[TooLiveBrew]

They're both RHB, though

[nate82]

They're both RHB, though

Rodriguez's 2008 splits

By Breakdown	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	HBP	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
vs. Left	97	8	28	4	1	1	8	8	0	13	0	1	.289	.343	.381	.724
vs. Right	301	36	82	16	2	6	27	15	3	54	10	0	.272	.312	.399	.711

Kendall's 2008 splits

By Breakdown	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	HBP	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
vs. Left	136	14	34	10	0	1	16	16	2	13	1	1	.250	.335	.346	.681
vs. Right	380	32	93	20	2	1	33	34	11	32	7	2	.245	.324	.316	.640

Basically both could be platooned together with Pudge getting more AB's against righties than Kendall. Having both Pudge and Kendall playing only 80-90 games a year would keep them both fresh for the whole year and we wouldn't see such a drop off in performance from both of them. I would rather have Rivera though play more games than signing Pudge to be honest just because of the cost factor. Pitching and a left handed bat are the big holes on the Brewers. Starting pitching being the biggest hole.

[DHonks]

Taking a flier on a guy like Pudge makes sense, as sometimes veterans will have occasional huge years while they are declining.

[JohnBriggs12]

I read the other day where Pudge says he's in his best shape in years. He could be blowing smoke but time will tell.

 

Not sure why the Brewers have to stay married to Kendall as a starter if they could get Pudge that cheap. Kendall will be well paid whether he's starting or a backup. If Pudge plays for $1 million that's only $600,000 more than what Rivera figures to get and for that amount you have the potential for a significant upgrade at the position I think they could use one.

[davego]

If Pudge would be signed, could the 'Crew carry Vinny too and have him be the 3rd catcher so eitther Pudge or Kendall could also be PH (Vinny to for that matter)?