Possible padres deal

[brewmann04]

after reading the article on Brewerscom i am getting the itch that Clark and Little ben going to SD.

[apereira2222]

Is there any way we could get major league talent for those two? I would think the Padres taking on Clark's contract would be enough.

[Shawnwi76]

Im sure they would give up 3TO with Kouzmanoff off to a decent start this spring.

[sbrylski]

I am drooling over Branyan at this point.

 

Would the Padres need Clark? They have Jose Cruz as their 4th outfielder, and it looks to be a competition between young'uns Jack Cust and Paul McAnulty for their 5th outfielder spot. Both are very poor defenders and would be better fits backing up Gonzalez at 1B, but they've put up solid numbers at AAA already. Conclusion: maybe.

[DocLuna7]

It seems like the Pads could use Clark, as their younger guys have played more corner outfield, and their available starter in CF is Termel Sledge. I remember reading one quote (sorry, don't have a link) out of Padres camp which said that it was almost universally decided by the Pads brass that Sledge is not starting CF material.

[chadomac]

who's little ben?

[BillScottCanRake]

Little Ben is Ben Hendrickson (while Big Ben is Ben Sheets).

[JET15]

Branyan can certainly can hit for power and draw walks. His D isn't great (-3 last year), but it's better than Braun's at this point (-12). I like it if they can pull it off.

[JohnBriggs12]

The Brewers don't want Branyan back. Take that to the bank.

 

Besides,Hendrickson is worth no more than a low level minor leaguer at this point.

 

The fact that they are scouting Clark doesn't mean they are willing to trade for him at anything near his full salary either.

 

Why is Melvin saying publically, "Oh with Nix and Gross hurt, we really don't have a surplus right now" Right Doug. He's saying that to convince other teams that they will keep Clark regardless when it's very possible they could end up eating his contract entirely. Face it, unless they deal another outfielder, Clark has virtually no role other than occasionally pinch hitting. I doubt he'd be the first option even in CF if Hall was injured significantly.

 

Is there really any difference eating his $3.8 million or keeping him around in a role that might result in less than 100 AB's?

 

The Padres probably figure he'll be available cheaply at some point so are looking at him.

[sbrylski]

The Brewers don't want Branyan back. Take that to the bank.

 

I understand Branyan doesn't exactly fit the mold of batter they are looking for, but it'd be hard for anyone to say he wouldn't upgrade a Graffy/Counsell timeshare, even with his alleged flaws. Whether or not we could get him is definitely questionable, but I covet him, and it would be a mistake for Melvin to turn down Branyan if he didn't have any other options to upgrade a position using our outfield depth, IMO.

[Invader3K]

I really thought the Brewers would be above acquiring a Russel Branyan-type at this point, but I'd do a Branyan for Clark/Hendrickson trade in a second, given that Corey Koskie looks like he won't be coming back.

[Ennder]

A lot of people really don't like Branyan on this board, the same people who wouldn't want us to sign Dunn because BB's don't matter and K's do apparently.

 

I dont' think Branyan can be a full time player though, he's too injury prone to count on so not sure I'd want to trade for him.

[endaround]

The problem is that Branyan makes $2 million or so and if they have to eat any of Clark's salary, you're talking about $4 million for a 3B for about 2 months. Not sure the Brewers will do that.

[davego]

While I was not the biggest Russell fan in his first stint, he certainly would fill a need. That said, I'd be suprised to see him come back unless DM et al are in reality going to get the Council contract. I understand that he will be on the roster, but by adding 3TO, then Craig will simply never play. That might be a good thing but certainly an expensive thing.

[brettac1]

I would love it, but I don't see it happening. I think Alderson likes Branyan, otherwise I don't think he would have been so quick to bring him back. If Branyan were to be playing well, he would buy them time for Braun, if he needs it.

[rluzinski]

Is there really any difference eating his $3.8 million or keeping him around in a role that might result in less than 100 AB's?

 

Whether you like him or not, he still has value. Melvin isn't in the habit of releasing players with value.

 

As for Branyan, he'd still split time with graffy and probably would only start half a season anyway. The way Yost pouted about being forced to play him, I don't see him coming back, however.

[Nader Raider Tim]

Do we really want to get rid of Brady Clark though. I will be first to admit that in a perfect world a Geoff Jenkins/Kevin Mench split in LF would be perfect for the Brewers. With comments that both players have made I would doubt that would be a feasable option. I would think that one would want to rid themselves of part of that chaos.

 

So what do you want?

 

Geoff Jenkins and Mench platooning and crying.

 

or

 

Geoff Jenkins and Brady Clark platooning (not a true platoon 80/20 ish to try and apease Jenkins who for the most part has been a class act in his time in Milwaukee

 

or

 

Mench and Gross platooning (65/35 to try and apease mench)

 

Personally I am begininng to like the Geoff Jenkins and Brady clark timeshare. If Jenkins would start to whine about playing time again Gross would be on the roster to take over for him.

 

Brady Clark may be overpriced but I would like to see him stick around because he seems to be one of the few outfielders that dosen't seem to expect playing time, he seems to accepted his role and realized that the only way he will get increased playing time is through on-the-field production.

[Invader3K]

I frankly don't care which of the outfielders they trade (assuming it's one or a combination of Mench/Jenkins/Clark). This logjam situation needs to be fixed to allow more flexibility in the bullpen.

[JohnBriggs12]

"Geoff Jenkins and Brady Clark platoon"

 

You thought Jenkins was upset over the possibility of platooning with Mench?

 

I'd rather have Jenkins vs. lefties than start Clark at a corner outfield spot.

 

Clark has value? Where? He's the 6th outfielder and he makes nearly $4 million. 6th outfielders have less value than 3rd catchers. If Hall goes down, Gwynn and Nix are probably better options so in effect, he's probably the 7th or 8th outfielder.

 

Melvin made a mistake signing Clark to a two year deal. It's one thing to make a mistake, but it's another to not admit it, take the loss, and move on.

[rluzinski]

He might not have $4 mil value but he's also not worth $0, as you are suggesting. And you are looking at the value he currently has on the Brewers (6th OFer), whereas I'm talking about what value he has on the open market. Melvin knows Clark's value to other teams is greater than $0 and will do everything he can to get a fair market return. He shouldn't and won't just release him.

[dadofandrew]

I don't think there's much doubt Clark has some value, most teams would love him as a reserve OF, and he'd likely upgrade a few in CF. Are we still at the point where $3.8M is overpaid? I mean, Counsell and Graffy are both making about $3M. The payroll is still only about $60M.

 

I don't think Mark A minds at all, or if he does, he sure hasn't said. If Mench is dealt, I don't know if we'll see a straight platoon, but Clark playing versus LHP in LF will likely be the majority of his playing time, in a starting role at least.

[endaround]

Counsell and Graffy could be starters in a pinch and be about average. Clark wouldn't be. And he's paid more. Clark is about a $1.5-2 million player getting paid $3.8 million.

[dadofandrew]

End, what's $1.8M between friends?

[rpmeehan]

What about shipping Clark and Hendrickson to the Marlins? They are sorely lacking in CF, and while they passed on some more credible CF options via trade this winter, they could probably use Clark as part of a CF platoon should we be willing to eat up most of his salary. Are there any mid-tier Marlins prospects available? Or maybe they have a young bullpen arm available...talented, but unproven?