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

[MickeyDavis]

I'll take Roberts at $10 million ($7 million this season), switch hitting leadoff batter, solid in the field. If Weeks comes back 100% great, you can never have too much talent. Make another deal next season. But the wrist thing is worrysome.

 

Absolutely can't go the whole season with Counsel/Ibby et. al. And Durham and any other scrub that can be picked up isn't the answer either.

 

This team has too much promise to have a big hole at second the remainder of the season.

[TheCrew]

Would the D-Backs want to deal Felipe Lopez?

 

I don't see Roberts as a realistic option - would cost us a ton in prospects and $10 mil a year isn't cheap in this economy, plus I think the O's really aren't interested in moving him.

[bjkrautk]

Suddenly I'm going to be watching Gamel's defense at third much more closely tonight, as that could make Hall an option at 2b.

I also see that Escobar is going to be playing more at 2b in case of further injuries; that .676 OPS (in only 153 ABs, granted) isn't raising my confidence level in him as an everyday player, however.

 

I think Rickie needs less tape on the end of his bat, and more tape on his wrists!

[TheCrew07]

As far as a replacement, it's my sincere hope they don't burn prospects in a reactionary move to acquire another 2B, especially since we'll only need him for a season.

 

After thinking about this since I read the news, I think what makes the most sense offensively and defensively is some mix of Gamel being the primary 3B and Hall being the primary 2B. Unfortunately this really hurts for interleague play, as Gamel would have put us on an even level with the AL clubs, now we're down a power bat to DH.

 

If they are going to call someone up I prefer it to be Irribarren, he's earned a look.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I don't want the Brewers trading farm system talent for a solid guy like Roberts because Rickie Weeks is out for 1 year. It sounds like a good idea to some because we're in mourning. It's a bad idea. The best thing right now is give Gamel chances to play and let Counsell/Hall platoon. There's still more than enough firepower in the offense to win games. I don't want the Brewers to make a big trade because of this. It's too much to give up.

[brewcitynick]

does anyone know what exactly the injury is yet?

[bubblegum tate]

I'm heartbroken - this is exactly what crossed my mind when they announced Rickie had left the game yesterday. However, I think our lineup can survive without bringing in a big gun (i.e. Roberts). I like the idea of moving CounsHall back to 2nd, where offensive expectations are lower. Our organizational depth really can't absorb more trades for big name talent right now, anyway.

[MickeyDavis]

Roberts isn't a one year rental though. He's a 4+ year "rental". Then you're set at both second base and leadoff. I agree it's a reactionary move and one I'm sure Doug won't make. And I also agree to let's wait and see how Gamel does. If he can play every day then we do have the Hall option at second.

 

But we don't have a leadoff batter on this team right now no matter who plays second or third.

[EdgarDiazRocks]

Deal for EY Junior

 

Man am I busted up over this.

[PrinceEatMeat]

We'll have to deal with Counsell leading off against righties, and possibly Hart or Kendall against lefties.

[Invader3K]

Why can't Hall be moved to 2B and play a sort of platoon with Counsell? Gamel should be tried as the regular 3B. Replacing Weeks' offensive production is paramount right now. I just can't see Melvin making some blockbuster trade for Roberts or someone at this point.

[clancyphile]

The only "good" news with this is that JJ takes the #2 spot in the order.

[Gobias Industries]

Catalanotto had to go to extended ST, and he had basically a full spring with Texas. Durham hasn't had an AB since last September, so I'm assuming he's probably AT LEAST several weeks away from being able to face major league pitching. Also, Durham had trouble getting through a full 9 late in the year. He's a whole different kind of "injury prone".

 

As others have said, Roberts signed a 4 year extension over the winter. How does that make sense for either team?

[Yeti73]

What about Grudzelanek? Milwaukee guy, decent average and a free agent. Granted he is old and recovering from injury, but seems like a decent option. We can wait until after the draft and make the decision so as not to lose a pick. Plus that gives us a few weeks to look at the Hall/Casey/Gamel/Hurricane options.

[TheCrew]

Felipe Lopez is on a 1 year deal with the D'Backs for 3.5 million - I can't imagine them wanting much with the way their season is going. Switch hitter too......

[jjkoestler]

I am so bummed out right now. I don't think a trade is necessary. I have a huge man crush on Brian Roberts, but I don't think we need another middle infielder. Is Gamel ready for this? This is a lot of pressure for a rookie. Should we ease him in, or throw him in the deep end and hope he can swim?

[Invader3K]

I am so bummed out right now. I don't think a trade is necessary. I have a huge man crush on Brian Roberts, but I don't think we need another middle infielder. Is Gamel ready for this? This is a lot of pressure for a rookie. Should we ease him in, or throw him in the deep end and hope he can swim?

 

Throw him in the deep end and hope he can swim, and hope Hall remembers how to play 2B pretty well.

[MickeyDavis]

I think it would be better for Gamel to just play every day and take some fielding lumps rather than play sporadically. He isn't Braun cocky but I think he'll do fine.

[brewtank34]

Is Gamel able to lead off? With a bat like his, he's probably best suited for a lower in the line-up, but if he's everything a hitter that people are claiming he is, I would think he could do what Rickie was doing...plus he's got the added protection from Hardy, Braun and Fielder.

 

Pretty Rickie's what they call him!

 

Best Wishes 2-3. Speedy recover. This year is for Rickie!

Let's go Crew!

[naivin]

I am somewhat intrigued by the Grudzielanek idea. He was having pretty solid year last year when he got hurt. Frankly, he has been consistent the last several years. Would he be a viable 1 or 2 hitter? My main concern is how they effectively fill the lead off spot, because i just don't see that guy on the roster right now.

[steve267268]

Nothing drastic, folks. Let's handle this in house if at all possible. Rickie will be back.

[Invader3K]

Not to be overly negative, but does this kind of kill any realistic chances of Weeks becoming the player many here were predicting and hoping he would? This is his second serious wrist injury.

[TheCrew07]

We didn't have a true lead off hitter prior to Weeks getting injured. Just because he was the best alternative doesn't mean that he isn't miscast in a lead off role.

 

Melvin isn't a wheeler and dealer like that, we'd have 2 long term options for 2B, and one would have to go. Everyone would know that he had to move one which would weaken his position for a subsequent trade. He'd never get the same value out of the 2nd move as he had to put into the 1st.

 

Roberts has been a popular target around here along with Peavy, but since Roberts just resigned I highly doubt he'd be on the block. In the context of the club as a whole, it doesn't make sense to get Roberts for 4, have Weeks for 2 more, and Lawrie will be ready prior to Roberts' contract being up.

 

Then there's the financial side, the team is already in the neighborhood of being maxed out payroll wise, acquiring Roberts would likely push the team into the red as I don't see the Brewers getting Baltimore to eat any of his salary. It would eliminate any chance of resigning Hardy and while we'll lose Cam's 10 mil off the books, we don't have a ready replacement at this time, all of the Arby players will get raises, Prince will get a raise, etc.

 

Finally he has an escalating no trade clause in his contract. 8 teams in '10, 12 in '11, full no trade in '12 and '13.

[Never Outhustled]

If Gamel can defend at a tollerable level, than we are a pretty similar team to what we were a week ago. Gamel should be similar to Weeks offensively, could be somewhat similar defensively, and we still have a Counsel/Hall platoon. We get worse defensively at 3B, but better at 2B. We finally have some balance in the starting line-up. We still don't have a big lefty bat off the bench.

 

We could be right back where we started, and thats pretty good. I feel better. Its all on Gamel's defense. I sure hope JJHardy7 is right about his progress.

[paul253]

Why not give Irabarran a shot? He's hitting over .300 in Nashville. Granted he's only got 8 walks, but he also only has 17 k's in 119 at bats, so he puts the ball in play. You don't have to make him the every day 2nd basemen, but why not see what he can do? I guess though.....making Gamel the every day third basemen and moving the Hall/Counsell platoon to 2nd base wouldn't be terrible. Even though the defense at third base takes a huge drop, the defense at second base improves a bit.