Too Many OFs - possible destinations

[aracko]

Toronto - I dont know if they trust reed johnson. Even if they did, Jenkins would make a perfect platoon partner with Johnson. I know melvin said he couldnt platoon Jenks - but for a chance at a title I think he would have to consider it.

 

Oakland - They could really use Brady Clark or Gabe Gross I think. They can use an OF that can play all 3 positions. I think gross and clark can do that.

 

 

Minnesota - they DEFINATLY need an of yet. They are looking at Rondell White to play LF. If I Am not mistaken Kubel had a pretty serious leg injury this offseason.

 

Colorado - I think Gabe Gross would turn into a monster at Coors.

 

Washington - they seriously need OFs but I dont think they know it - judged by their willingness to move Ryan Church. Chad Cordero is available and would make one heck of an 8th inning guy. (Co Co Co ) I really dont think Wash has any intentions of winning this year though.

 

San Diego - looks to me like they still really need a LF. It also appears that they need a power hitting RH bat.

 

 

 

Anyone else see any possible destinations for one of our OF? Melvin made it pretty clear in his chat that either Jenks or Mench haev to go. He also said more or less that the CF job is Bill Halls. Brady Clark doesnt have the pop or arm to play either of the corner spot on the OF - so I think he is on his way out. I really think Mench will be back. Lets not forget that Jenks was virtually out of the Brewers plans at the end of last year. The damage is done, I do not think he will be back - reasonable salary or not - 7 million dollars to a team like the Brewers is still a ton of money. I cant see the Brewers choosing Jenks over Mench - but thats just one mans opinion. And if Jenks ISNT going to platoon like Melvin said - then I think we are taking a MAJOR step back by bringing him back in. If no platoon - I do not want Jenkins back.

[JohnBriggs12]

San Diego has a clear need.

 

But Melvin is going to have to stop limiting himself to wanting starting pitching in return.

 

As I see it, the Brewers bullpen still needs help and the Padres have some bullpen depth to deal although their asking price for Linebrink has been quite high in the past.

[rousieboy]

Mench and Hendrickson (he is a MN boy) for Crain (Canadian I think...) would be good enough for me...

[trwi7]

Quote:

---

Mench and Hendrickson (he is a MN boy) for Crain (Canadian I think...) would be good enough for me...

---

 

Good enough for me too. Oh and Crain is from Toronto.http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[dadofandrew]

Gross makes minimum, he's not going anywhere.

[bretsky07]

Has SD found a 2B yet? If not, what could we get for Graffy and Mench? A moderate prospect?

[aracko]

I thought they signed Marcus Giles but I must have been dreaming.

[trwi7]

Quote:

---

I thought they signed Marcus Giles but I must have been dreaming.

---

 

Giles isn't a free agent. If we could trae Graffy and Mench to them and get something good back I'd do it.

[aracko]

Were they in trade discussions for Marcus Giles at one point and very close to pulling the trigger? I cant possibly be making this up.

[billyhallfan]

Quote:

---

Mench and Hendrickson (he is a MN boy) for Crain (Canadian I think...) would be good enough for me...

---

 

I would love to get Crain, but I don't think the Twins would ever do that without Melvin throwing in Sarfate or Gwyyn instead of Hendrickson. (I don't think anyone wants him.)

[TooLiveBrew]

From Rotoworld:

Quote:

---

While A's GM Billy Beane said this week that he plans on going with Dan Johnson at first base, he is on the lookout for another outfielder to replace Jay Payton.

---

I wonder...

 

Might the cost-conscious Beane be interested in either one of our men?

 

I would not want to get into offering too many prospects (preferably none), so my target becomes Esteban Loaiza. He's owed:

 

2007 - $6 mil

2008 - $7 mil

2009 - $7.5 mil (w/$375,000 buyout)

 

Jenkins is my idea, because he is only guaranteed his $7 mil for 2007. The A's would then be free to pursue any number of the great FA class of 2007. Throw in a pitcher if you must, but this is a strong deal.

 

Loaiza pitched for Washington in 2005, and posted a 3.77 ERA in the NL. He went 12-10 for a team led by Jose Guillen's 76 RBI. Nick Johnson & Vinny Castilla were the only other players with > 60 RBI. Loaiza has only pitched in the NL with Pitt. (when he broke into MLB - 1995-98 ) otherwise. He's going to offer at least 150 IP in 2007, is affordable, and has a cheap buyout after 2009.

 

He keeps his BBs down - his career high 71 (2004) would make Doug Davis blush. This offseason has proved how whimsical my ideas can be, but here's another one

[fleehaw]

Not a bad idea, and if it didn't cost too much...

 

However, I question whether the A's will be looking to deal any pitching with the loss of Zito. Also, keep in mind he's been pitching in extreme pitching parks (WAS & OAK) and putting up so-so numbers.

[rousieboy]

I would love to get Crain, but I don't think the Twins would ever do that without Melvin throwing in Sarfate or Gwyyn instead of Hendrickson. (I don't think anyone wants him.)

 

No one but no one wanted Krynzel, but he found his way to AZ...this is a way to throw a player in and gain a spot on the 40 man without really throwing a man in at all.

 

Essentially the deal is Mench for Crain...but it looks better for GM Ryan if he gets a hometown arm that is suited for the AL anyway and needs a change of scenery like I need cilantro.

[TooLiveBrew]

Some new thoughts on our OF quandry, as the non-tender deadline quickly approaches....

 

Although Melvin has reported the most interest focusing on Mench, I believe Jenkins's ability to mash RHP (since the vast majority of MLB pitchers are RHP), coupled with his stellar defensive skills, give him the edge on Mench. I'd love to retain Gross & Gwynn (speed & D), and could handle keeping Clark for 2007.

 

IMO, both Jenks & Mench have to go. Of the two, I guess least objectionable to keep around would be Jenks, for the same reasons mentioned above.

 

That being said, I target starting pitching; I think any BF.net-er will agree that's #1 priority right now. Cleveland could use a RHP-killing LH bat like Jenkins, and could reasonably part with either Jake Westbrook or Paul Byrd. Westbrook would take more than just one player, while Byrd could probably be had for a straight-up deal.

 

LHP prospect Jeremy Sowers made good on his promise in 2007, going 7-4 in 14 Starts (88 1/3 IP), with an ERA of 3.57 & ERA + of 125. This gives the Tribe a surplus of starters, similar to our OF situation.

 

This from The Tribe Source, an Indians blog (tribesource.blogspot.com)

Quote:

---

If the Tribe wins the Mulder sweepstakes, it would most likely signal a deal will be made for one of the starting pitchers at some point in the season. Most likely to be dealt would be Jake Westbrook, whose agent has already said that he plans to test the free agent market after the 2007 season...Jake's full value would probably be utilized if he were to be dealt by the end of spring training. That way, a team would get a full season's service out of him instead of just a couple months that they'd get if they waited until the trade deadline. And obviously, the lesser the amount of time a team could get use out of him, the lesser the talent you can expect to get in return for him.

---

The Brewers are in an ok spot here, in that this is an area where we can afford to have a guy walk in FA after 2007. Westbrook would be great to add to our rotation, and if or when he tests the FA market, we have talent from within to promote.

 

This is another move in the 'as many good baseball players as possible' line of thinking. I'm off to research other teams with pitching to burn and a need in the OF.......

[TooLiveBrew]

I still see the Phillies as viable trade partners -- Lieber for Jenks makes too much sense, perhaps. From the Phillies' website, via Rotoworld:

Quote:

---

The Phillies will continue to seek an upgrade in right field

---

That was from Dec. 8th, and, seeing as how they haven't added a RFer yet, it's reasonable to assume that still holds true.

 

I've been looking for a few hours now, and the teams I keep coming back to are the Phils, the A's, and Indians. Seeing as how the ChiSox have already dealt Garcia, their likelihood of trading is significantly reduced.

 

Perhaps now that certain SPs have gone/will go non-tendered, the focus of a trade of our OFs can focus on bullpen help. Particularly that of the LHP variety -- I'd love to see Mench/Jenkins out for a relatively inexpensive LH reliever.

[Weirdos19]

Oakland stands out to me.

 

They have been rumored in deals all over the place. Harden, Haren, or Blanton for the right price.

 

I, personally feel that a deal could be struck.

 

Jenkins, TGJ, for Dan Haren, who is arby eligible- numbers better than DD at a lesser price for at least a couple of years.

 

To get either of the other two, the price may be too high. Both are cheap and young, and we've have to give up young pitching to get either, IMO.

 

I'd give up ZJ in either deal. Either Blanton or Harden are young enough that, if they stay healthy, could be here as long as ZJ would be.

[trwi7]

I would LOVE to get Haren. I'd give Jenkins, Jackson and probably more to get him.

[vacin8r]

If we deal only one of mench/jenkins, Id much prefer it be Jenkins. for one, wed save more money(unless wed get a better player by eating some of his salary), and two, mench is the better guy to team up with gross to have a solid LF. It seems the search for a big bat to play left or center(with hall getting the other spot) is just about dead, so that platoon is about the best we have to hope for. Id also trade clark. how bout clark and brad nelson to colorado for ramon ramirez, and jenkins and turnbow to philly for lieber and geoff geary. we get a 5th starter, really upgrade the pen, and still have a solid OF with hart, hall, and umm Gavin Menchengross(a good german name for a town like milwaukee).

-Don

edit: crap forgot rockies got taveras, well clark and a mid-level prospect for a different solid reliever.

[TooLiveBrew]

Weirdos - I think the notion of TGJ & Jenks for Haren is laughable, not to be a jerk. Out of the three you mention, he is arguably the best -- Harden has had some injury troubles in the past two years (I believe), and Haren has bettered Blanton in IPs, ERA, & ERA+ in the past two seasons. I know you add the possibility of ZachJack to the deal to get it done, but I'm unqualifiably uncomfortable with that (probably only bc ZJ's our best lefty prospect remaining)

 

I agree with you that they're open to deal, but I don't think targeting one of their young guys is the right way to go at this point for the Crew. The asking price for any of the aforementioned pitchers will be steep. That's why I pinpointed Loaiza initially. Granted, he is what he is, not overwhelming, but that's exactly what makes him a good candidate.

 

The Brewers have rotation spots 1-3 accounted for in 2007, and Vargas fills one of the two back-end spots. Adding Loaiza to fill that other spot works great, IMO. There will be plenty of teams making offers for Harden, Haren, & Blanton. I'd love the Brewers to swoop in and snag Loaiza for a lower cost, player-wise.

 

I don't want to be a jerk here -- I'd love for the Crew to be able to land one of those young guys. I just don't think giving up a guy like ZachJack is wise in the long run. Now that Eveland is gone, ZJ's arguably our last big LHP prospect. I guess if we actually got one of those young SPs, I could forget over time, but right now (for the long & short terms), I think the rest of our pitching prospects should be kept in-house.

[TooLiveBrew]

Quote:

---

Gavin Menchengross

---

http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/roll.gif http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/roll.gif http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/roll.gif

 

That's possibly the funniest platoon name ever - and, it would double as a super-hot porn name

[laserbomb]

With the total coma Melvin's put us into, maybe it'd pass the time to a move by guessing who'll be the first OF traded, who will all be traded, what the order will be (less important) and which teams might be involved.

 

I'll guess Jenkins first, then Clark. As much I'd like to see a return on him, I'll say Mench stays. Hall, Mench, Hart, Gross, Nix in the OF, Anderson and Gwynn to AAA, it sounds really disappointing but I guess there's only so much wheeling and dealing to be done in a few months. I'd probably rather see Clark stay than Mench, and really rather see all three gone for decent returns, but this is my guess.

 

I don't like to guess teams as much, but I'll throw Toronto and Texas out there, the odds are pretty good based on the past. Texas first, then Toronto and Oakland, hopefully some combination of three teams.

[Ennder]

I really don't see Nix being on the team. We have a lot of 'depth' in the OF but its mostly 4th OF type depth. The real problem is having Gross and Jenkins both on the roster. They both should be starting vs righties and sitting vs lefties, there is 1 OF spot for them and really only 1 roster spot for them. I don't see how you trade Gross making minimum so I hope they find someone to take Jenkins.

[endaround]

Easy you put Gross in center, Jenkins in RF and Hall at 3B and trade Koskie to the Twins.

[bsglorydays]

Toronto - I dont know if they trust reed johnson. Even if they did, Jenkins would make a perfect platoon partner with Johnson.

 

I don't see a fit with Toronto. Reed Johnson hits both lefties and righties well. Plus, he's probably a better defender than Jenkins at this point - he has more range and arguably has a better arm, IMO.

[aracko]

Quote:

---

Easy you put Gross in center, Jenkins in RF and Hall at 3B and trade Koskie to the Twins.

---

 

That would work for me.