Bill Hall out 4-6 Weeks with left calf tear

[bobbledude25]

Blessing in disguise. Watch

[monty57]

This is definitely too bad. I was really hoping Hall could have a nice comeback year. Not a good start to that, assuredly.

 

At this point if our options are a McGehee/Lamb/Counsell platoon, I'd rather see what Gamel has. I guess it is good that it's still early so there is some time to see how things shake out.

 

Hall will likely not miss much of the season. 4-6 weeks from now will mean he'll either be back mid-ST or right around opening day. If the injury persists for six weeks, he'll probably need some extended ST. I'd hate to rush Gamel and start his clock early simply because Hall will miss 1-2 weeks of the season. As the RH hitter in a platoon, McGahee would probably only start three games or so, and that would be worst case scenario for Hall's injury

[Tbadder]

In my prediction, unscientific though they be, this is what I dreaded most--the chance that Gamel wins the 3B job. If he does I'll bet dollars to doughnuts they have a slightly below .500 record if he's the everyday 3B. Above .500 without him. Please Doug, please Ken resist the urge and keep Mat in AAA all year.

[afeter]

We'll see how the injury affects him, but this is potentially a big loss. I'm holding out hope that improved weeks, hart and a resurgent hall back can get us to 88 wins. It's not that far-fetched. I hope he recovers well and bats against righties and lefties.

[TheCrew07]

In my prediction, unscientific though they be, this is what I dreaded most--the chance that Gamel wins the 3B job. If he does I'll bet dollars to doughnuts they have a slightly below .500 record if he's the everyday 3B. Above .500 without him. Please Doug, please Ken resist the urge and keep Mat in AAA all year.

BCB did an interesting analysis of the defensive Break Even Point for Gamel vs the other alternatives at 3B earlier this year. It's interesting reading if you're into that sort of thing.

[TuesdaysWithRillo]

That's a really nice article that I never would have found. Thanks for posting that. It's definitely promising to know that Gamel's defense doesn't have to improve that much in order for him to be an above average 3B.

[Ennder]

If Gamel is as bad as Braun was he is something like -25 or more defender and should be in AAA.

[BrewCrewForever]

McGehee and Gamel will get more chances to shine now. They have to be happy if anyone is about this.

[logan82]

Even if Gamel would be slightly better than what we could get out of a platoon, is it really worth using a year of service time for the minimal gain?

[Fatter than Joey]

If Gamel is as bad as Braun was he is something like -25 or more defender and should be in AAA.

 

Gamel probably is not going to hit like Braun did either...

 

I really don't see a good reason to bring him up, unless his defense is passable.

[TheCrew07]

If he is, why would they hold him back? They'd probably do what they did with Braun to avoid super 2 and then he'd be up for good. If he's ready this year when is the right to bring him up? Next year? What would be the difference next year other than Hall being more expensive? Escobar, Salome, and Gamel have not been rushed, they've gone 1 step at a time, so there should be no concern that they were pushed too fast. Salome and Escobar are currently blocked by Kendell and Hardy, but who's blocking Gamel? If there's a significant injury at C or SS we'll see Salome/Escobar anyway.

 

I get what you're trying to say, but I'm having trouble understanding your logic. If he's better than Hall/Lamb, Hall, or whomever then why shouldn't he play? If he's the best option and the team thinks he's ready, how is it fair to the player to hold him back? I understand the team might just be around 500 this season, but if he gets comfortable this season chances are he'd be even better in 2010. What if he signs a Braunesque deal down the road? There are so many other variables to consider other than a year of service time in this case. If he's up then his defense has come around... this isn't a case like Hardy where the team essentially wasted a year of his service time while he got his feet back under him post shoulder surgery. I don't think any of us thought Hardy would come in and set the world on fire that first year, I didn't think Weeks was ready either but he was absolutely crushing the ball at the time, I don't see how Gamel's situation is similar to either player. The team didn't have a SS and Spivey wasn't exactly setting the world on fire and was easy to move. The team has alternatives at 3B if Gamel's D isn't ready, they don't have to do anything unless Gamel proves he belongs.

 

Looking at it from the player's perspective, I'd be awfully ticked if I was the best option and got stashed in the minors for another year, the team would be intentionally shortening the window on my career. I would want as many years before the age of 30 as possible and would take it very personally.

[logan82]

A year of service time is highly valuable to a team that needs to keep a relativity low salary year to year. Gamel might be at least as ready as Weeks was and I think Weeks was brought up to early. Gamel is unlikely to be much more productive than a platoon of other players at 3B. If we are in the race we can always bring him up if he is crushing AAA pitching and isn't a complete butcher in the field.

[ILuvDaBush]

I doubt they would ship Gamel back to AAA if they brought him up, so I don't like Hall getting injured. It robs us of a year (in his prime) of Gamel. Let McGehee/Lamb hack their way to Hall's health. Keep Mat at AAA.

[Invader3K]

Again, it's been said, but we can't keep expecting all the Brewers' prospects to almost immediately be MLB ready starters when they've barely grazed AAA. Between Lambe, McGehee, Hall, and I guess Counsell (if they really have to)l, they should be able to field a competent platoon until Hall is ready.

[JJHardy7]

I'm one of the crazy people that think/thought Braun should've stuck at 3b and was rushed up to soon. I've seen Mat play and I feel the same about him. His bat isn't as good as Braun (how many are?), but once again I do believe he can stick at 3b. He's made some nice strides. With that being said, I hope the Brewers don't put Mat on the MLB roster and then move his position after a year. If he's the best option at 3b, put him there and stick with him. If the Brewers didn't call up Braun/stuck with him at 3b, we wouldn't be having this discussion. A little patience on the Brewers part and their fans would've paid off.

[silversurferr]

Gamel could also spot start in right.

[TheCrew07]

I thought I made it pretty clear that if Gamel is the best option, his defense had improved to the point of being MLB ready, because his bat is already superior to what we have. The kids are going to have to play at some point, so if they are the best option coming out of spring training I see no reason to hold them back. In truth Salome will not be ready defensively, Escobar is blocked by Hardy, and Gamel likely would spend 2 months in AAA even if he was ready so I wouldn't say the odds aren't good, I'd peg it today as a remote possibility at best.

 

I don't get the comment about losing a year in their prime either as it's essentially the same argument as starting their service clocks this year... As of today the earliest Gamel could be a free agent is his age 30 season, Escobar age 29, and Salome age 30. If the team buys out a year or 2 of FA with each player they'd be the wrong side of 30 by the time they were FAs, what exactly would the team lose? Salome is vastly superior offensively to what we already have as is Gamel, if those guys were better defensively they'd both be up for good right now. Escobar is the only player who's realistically blocked by the player(s) in front of him and a very good case can be made that he should stay where he is as long as Hardy is around.

[rluzinski]

The bar isn't exactly set very high at 3B, so Gamel could be the best option and still not be very good. I'm not in favor of starting his service clock for a marginal upgrade. If the Brewers could buy out a year or two of free agency, yes, it won't probably matter. Of course, if Gamel is any good by then, they probably won't be able to. They won't get that year back from Hardy.

[brewtank34]

I'm actually ok with starting his service time if he starts rackin in ST. If we need him, then use him. I want to win now and if he's our best option, being a lefty over Counsell...then by all means, let the kid play.

 

What about this McGehee kid...I keep hearing his name but I don't know much about him. I saw his profile on brewers.com, but that doesn't tell me much.. Is he a more of a hitter than a fielder or vice versa? Can he play defense? Can he hit?

[Ennder]

If he's the best option at 3b, put him there and stick with him

 

Braun was the worst fielding 3B in history since they started tracking more advanced fielding stats. I highly doubt he would have ever been as valuable at 3B as he is in the OF.

 

It also wouldn't fix our problem because Hall would be in CF still and Cameron wouldn't have been signed. That combination of moves means we don't make the playoffs last year since it would cost us at least 2-3 wins in fielding. You can point at many things that we improved on from 2007 and to 2008 but the single biggest improvement was probably defense, moving Braun was the best move Yost made as a manager.

[JJHardy7]

My question is this...if he sucks at 3b, but rakes will bf.net forgive him? Or demand he's moved to a different position after really seeing him for one game? Most people here have never seen any of these guys in the minors -- like Braun. He'll be able to hit, but I don't want to see posts after the first game about how his defense is awful and he must be moved. Give the guy some time if he has the bat. It's great to point out the good of a player, but I think around here it's pretty clear a negative will be posted about more. If Braun was given a legit chance to stick at 3b, this team would be better. I hope we give Mat a chance and...he will be the starting 3b on opening day. I can't link a source or anything, but that's my guess and I've heard he'll be given a big chance to win the job. Now if he stinks in spring training, that may not happen. I've heard he's made pretty big strides on defense so if he hits in spring training there's a very good shot he'll be the opening day 3b. The Hall injury opens a huge door for Mat, but IMO the door may have been opened already.

[1992casey]

I'm actually ok with starting (Gamel's) service time if he starts rackin in ST. If we need him, then use him.... What about this McGehee kid...

 

Spring training sample sizes are too small to judge anything with the bat. However, defensive strides (if there are any) could be observable.

 

Re McGehee...

colbyjack wrote:

---

McGehee is definitely a low ceiling guy, but he has some solid tools. As noted already, his defense is a big plus at third base, and he can catch. (His) arm strength is an asset, and he puts the ball in play and is a good situational hitter. He's not a big strikeout guy, but he also doesn't walk much. He's younger, has options and interesting versatility.

 

He was a top prospect coming out of Fresno State in 2003, and one of the more prevalent comments at that time focused around his contact bat and how he had some power potential but it was a matter of it developing over time. Obviously that hasn't happened (yet).

Casey's a bit old to be a "kid," which would be part of the reason for the low ceiling.

[Ennder]

Here are some things BPro said about him.

The team's wide-open third base situation might create space for a guy with McGehee's skills: decent contact hitting, modest power, and excellent glove work. Add in a dash of utility at first base and even as an emergency catcher after some time spent behind the plate at Iowa, and he might make a very effective bench player

They also mention that he is pretty low upside with a translated EQA of .241 and that he doesn't have big platoon splits so doesn't make a natural platoon player. Gamel also does not have big platoon splits.

http://www.baseballprospe...le.php?articleid=8295#MIL

[rluzinski]

They also mention that he is pretty low upside with a translated EQA of .241 and that he doesn't have big platoon splits so doesn't make a natural platoon player. Gamel also does not have big platoon splits.

 

Gamel has only 446 AB against lefties in the minors. Mcgehee has something like 750. According to "The Book", major leaguers need something like a minimum of 1000 AB against lefties before their personal splits would be more predictive than just assuming a league average split (I could be remembering this incorrectly). Considering there's even more undercertaintly with mineo league stats, I would be comfortable making any assumptions about their expected platoon splits.

[TuesdaysWithRillo]

So McGehee is Craig Counsell 2.0? That's what I'm gathering from those scouting reports.