Weeks out for the season; Hurricane's a-comin'

[RobDeer 45]

I was really bummed about this. I just feel that when he's tried to play with this in the past it has not been good for him. When his wrist is bothering him his hard hit line drives turn to towering infield pop flys. I hope it's nothing, but this worries me a lot.

[naivin]

Why does Durham not have a job yet?

I don't know if this is true, but maybe he doesn't really want one.

 

With the options currently available in house, I don't see them spending a penny to fill the open spot at this point. Depending on what happens over the next few weeks, they may need to look at acquiring a lead off hitter, but for the time being, they have a number of combinations they can turn to.

[Invader3K]

Hopefully this is just a tweak or strain, and nothing more serious like a torn ligament. At least he's getting it checked out right away.

 

As far as Durham, this team doesn't really need him at this point. I think he's another one of those veterans sitting out there that probably doesn't want to accept that the market has really dropped down on aging veteran players.

[Tbadder]

I'm really sick about this. Rickie was slowly becoming my fav Brewer. Quiet, work hard, slowly turning things around. I really hope it's only a short 15 days on the DL.

 

But more importantly how do the Brewers react? I've begrudgingly admired how the Cubs have come through their injuries with a very good record. If the Brewers can't respond in kind I fear we may be looking at the butt-end of the Cubs freight train within a month.

[Invader3K]

Whoa, I think talk of a DL stint is pretty early right now. Nothing like that has been announced yet.

[jeffy]

I hope his unwillingness to talk at any length was due to something like an abundance of caution.

B & B seemed to imply it was normal for Rickie to not talk, in any case. So I would think it probably does not mean anything one way or the other.

[JohnBriggs12]

If Weeks were to go on DL, they have some options. They don't have to recall Iribarren necessarily. The current roster even without Weeks has 6 infielders and only 4 outfielders and they do have a 40 man spot available if they wanted to add someone. They could just add Catalanotto now. I presume he's been playing in extended spring and don't forget he was with Rangers all during spring training.

 

Yes Durham is still out there and so is Mark Grudzielanek. I would think they'd look seriously at those two if Weeks' injury is more long term.

[GAME05]

definitely a blow just to hear the initial reports of it.

 

if worse comes to worse, i don't really see Hall taking over, just because we've already told him he was a 3rd basemen, and we've moved him around so much that i think Melvin would want to finally stay true to that and let him stick to that position. although a Gamel/Hall platoon i could see so that Hall could play utility guy on his off days maybe, though i guess that'd be reducing him to Super Utility guy.

 

is it just way too soon to be calling up Escobar?

[joepepsi]

If Rickie goes on the DL I think you'll see more PT for Gamel. Counsell and McGehee platoon at 2nd, Hall/Gamel at 3rd. I agree Catallanato is probably the one to be called up.

[splitterpfj]

is it just way too soon to be calling up Escobar?

 

Yes, I believe it is too soon for Escobar...he's not hitting well in AAA so far, why push it?

 

To me, it makes a lot more sense to leave Gamel in Milwaukee, and platoon him with Hall.

[sargennm]

Just heard DM on 540 and he said hey will wait until Tuesday to make a move, if needed. But he seemed to indicate that this will likely be a 15-day DL stint, at least.

 

If Rickie goes on the DL I think you'll see more PT for Gamel. Counsell and McGehee platoon at 2nd, Hall/Gamel at 3rd. I agree Catallanato is probably the one to be called up.

I think you're spot on Joe Pepsi. Melvin mentioned that the Brewers would be facing a number of LHP in Jouston and that McGehee would likely get some more PT.

[GormanHarvey]

Is there anything more you can elaborate on about what Doug had to say sargennm? I have been checking all the sites and have yet to find anything...

[logan82]

Durham isn't really an everyday player anymore. I guess we could platoon Counsell/Durham at 2B and Hall/Gamel at 3B. Unless Weeks is out for the season, I don't think Durham would make much sense. Durham's his range is roughly the size of a phone booth.

[PrinceEatMeat]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/45305842.html

 

Melvin says he isn't optimistic about Weeks staying off the DL. Also, Gamel is starting tonight.

[clancyphile]

Perhaps the simplest move is a Hll/'Gamel platoon at third, with Counsell leading off and playing second. JJ moves up to second in the order.

[sargennm]

Here is the link to the audio of the DM interview.

 

http://espnmilwaukee.com/audiovault/d_list.php#

[GormanHarvey]

Thanks for the links sargennm and PEM

[logan82]

Perhaps the simplest move is a Hll/'Gamel platoon at third, with Counsell leading off and playing second. JJ moves up to second in the order.

Counsell as an everyday player is not a real good idea. He shouldn't bat against LHP.

[GormanHarvey]

Well, under the assumption that Weeks is ticketed for the DL (and I pray it is 15 days and he is good to go) my only concerns about Counsell playing every day is it wearing him down in turn diminishing his production and also his knee with the cartlidge tear in it. I wonder if it would become more of a problem with an increase in playing time. Doesn't seem to be bothering him much right now. I am glad to hear that it sounds like Hall will be staying put at 3rd and McGehee will get some PT against LHP. I think he will do fine with some regular AB's

[sbrylski]

Hall can only hit LHP, Counsell can only hit RHP, Gamel can hit both. The solution should be obvious.

[Brewtacular]

I hate this.

[JohnBriggs12]

Counsell is not an everyday player anymore. If he played 5-6 days a week, his offense would suffer.

 

To me, the best solution is to move Hall to 2B and have him split time there with Counsell like he is now at 3B. If Gamel is going to stay up beyond the Twin series, he needs to be in there against righthanders and even some lefthanders (Gamel is not going to be a platoon player after all anyway). That's why I'd have Gamel play third backed up by McGehee, and have Hall play second backed up by Counsell. That would leave Counsell or Hall available to be used defensively at 3rd late in games in place of Gamel.

 

For the Twin series, I'd hope they'd have gotten Catalanotto enough AB's in ESP to come up to DH. What he's lacking in his timing might be made up in knowledge of Twin pitchers.

[JJHardy7]

To me, the best solution is to move Hall to 2B and have him split time there with Counsell like he is now at 3B. If Gamel is going to stay up beyond the Twin series, he needs to be in there against righthanders and even some lefthanders (Gamel is not going to be a platoon player after all anyway). That's why I'd have Gamel play third backed up by McGehee, and have Hall play second backed up by Counsell. That would leave Counsell or Hall available to be used defensively at 3rd late in games in place of Gamel.

 

I agree for the most part. I think Gamel should be at 3B the rest of the year. There's zero need to platoon him at all. He hits lefties pretty well.

 

The only real question IMO if Weeks is out a long time is if they're willing to move Hall to 2B. And if they are who gets called up. I'd imagine it'll be The Hurricane for now and they'll see how things shake out the next two weeks.

[brewers4eric]

Counsell is a nice fill in for a couple of games a week, but I don't think he is the long term solution that we need. Hall played a couple of games at second last year and he looked like he was lost. Iribarren will get quite a bit of scrutiny and will need to produce if he does receive a promotion. My feeling is that the Brewers will be looking outside of the organization for a replacement.

[brwrsfan]

Casey McGehee can also play 2b, and did so in the spring solely for this situation. If Weeks is out for only 2-3 weeks, I would bet that McGehee will get some starts against the lefties. It's not an ideal situation, but I'd much rather keep Counsell fresh and not let him hit against a lefty if possible (I can't believe I just wrote that).