Dallas McPherson

[homer]

DM was released from FLA today. He's kind of a Branyan with a little less power and some better bat skills. Any interest in picking him up? He could play 1st at AAA and potentially be the left handed side of a 3B platoon with Hall if there's an injury.

[patrickgpe]

if he wants to come here on a minor league deal and the only consequence is that he takes a job away from Scott Thorman, I'd be fine with that. I don't think he can really expect a major league job right now.

[TheCrew07]

The more I think about this... the way things have fallen I think Gamel might get a mid season nod to platoon with Hall. It limits the team's vulnerability if his defense isn't good enough and provides favorable match ups both ways. That could be a very productive platoon offensively while allowing the team to work Gamel in at an advantageous pace. The guys at BCB were onto something when they suggested it earlier this off season. I was initially indifferent but the idea has really grown on me the last 2-3 weeks.

[TooLiveBrew]

The only problem I have with platooning Gamel is that it would waste a large part of one of his valuable, salary-controlled seasons. Imo it's a far better use of Gamel to let him play as much 3B as possible in the hopes that he can stick there.

 

Otherwise, just bring him into the fold in the OF if Hart or Cameron is dealt this season.

[TheCrew07]

Isn't that what he'd be doing as he'd be getting the majority of the playing time as most pitchers are RH? His splits don't suggest he'll need to be platooned in the future, but as I said the more I think about the idea it seems the most painless way. If he's hitting like he can, it will be awfully hard to justify keeping him down in AAA, we all want to maximize our window with the special players, or guys that could be special is probably more accurate, but the organization also has to keep what's best for the player in the mind as well. They have to balance both sides, and generally speaking teams don't hold a prospect back. It happens occasionally like with Howard, but there's not a top 5 player in front of Gamel at his position. I know the Rays are doing it with Price, but that's very understandable, they have to limit his innings somehow regardless of what he's saying about it in the press, sometimes the player needs to be protected from himself.

 

If Gamel doesn't make a serious push I'm alright with him spending the year in AAA, but if he hits and his D continues to improve he'll have earned the right to make his mark.

[sbrylski]

The only problem I have with platooning Gamel is that it would waste a large part of one of his valuable, salary-controlled seasons. Imo it's a far better use of Gamel to let him play as much 3B as possible in the hopes that he can stick there.

 

Otherwise, just bring him into the fold in the OF if Hart or Cameron is dealt this season.

 

I think the premise is to not bring him into that role until mid-June or later so he can work on his defense and make any other adjustments to his swing he might need. In that case he wouldn't reach free agency or arbitration any earlier than if we kept him down until 2010 because his time in 2009 wouldn't count as a full season. We'll still have three full seasons with him at pre-arbitration salary.

[madtowndrunkard]

The Brewers should be all over McPherson. Gamel is not ready. We can only pray that Hall doesn't stink up the place. The only reason Hall is even on the team is because of 1 fluke season. You take that season off his resume and he would have been cut two years ago. Counsel barely deserves to be on a major league roster...I think he's done.

 

Now we have McPherson there for the taking. he's a former top prospect who struggled w/ injuries. He's healthy now. He had one heck of a season last year in the minors. Why not add him to the roster? If he doesn't work out cut him loose and the cost is very little.

 

I don't understand why Doug is so willing to gamble a TON of $ on old RP's and cast offs RP's....but he's not willing to take a shot at a young position player.

 

Doug Melvin is sooo over rated.

[brewerfan82]

I'm also on the McPherson bandwagon. He'd provide a lot of insurance at a position that is full of "ifs" in the organization.

 

Worst case scenario:

• We lose a Thorman-type player from AAA

Best case scenario:

• We have a top notch 3rd baseman for the next few years
• We add a lefty stick to a righty dominant lineup
• Hall replaces Counsell as a supersub player
  
• Gamel is allowed to shift to a position where his defense isn't as much of a question mark
  

If you trust Hart in center, a much more balanced lineup including Weeks, Hardy, Braun, Fielder, Hart, Gamel, and McPherson could be sick in 2010. I still consider McPherson a top-notch talent and I hope Melvin does too.

[recte44]

You guys forget that since the injury, McPherson has gone from questionable to below average at the hot corner. We had this guy already, his name is Russell Branyan.

 

ThE Astros should be all over him. JEFF KEPPINGER? Really???

[madtowndrunkard]

I'd take Keppinger over Bill Hall. At least he can get on base.

 

McPherson is worth a look given our situation. Our bench is just pathetic. Bill Hall is a platoon bat at best.

[Never Outhustled]

The only reason Hall is even on the team is because of 1 fluke season.

Hall has 2 seasons in which he was worth at least $13 million, per Fangraphs, and looks poised to do some good things this year.

 

McPhearson must have looked horrible this spring, because I would think he's exactly what Florida needed if he was the player we think he is.

[endaround]

Macpherson is a worse version of Branyan. He doesn't have Branyan's plate discipline. McPherson will hit .235with an OBP of like.290 while Branyan's would be like .320. I still think McPherson had a chance to be something (not great but solid starter) but was stuck in absolutely the wrong organization.