If...(out of the box)

[yoyomayoma]

If Ryan Braun is better off in LF than 3B defensively

and

If Weeks is better off in CF than 2B defensively

and

If Hall's talent is better utilized in the infield

and

If we're not having much luck finding a big corner OF bat

then...

 

Is Mark Loretta someone we should talk to? Probably wouldn't cost too much. Still solid offensively and defensively. Look at the lineup:

 

Weeks CF

Loretta 2B

Hall 3B

Fielder 1B

Braun LF

Hart RF

Hardy SS

Miller/Rivera C

P

 

Next year could be rough defensively in the OF. But if we're better off in the future with those two in their new positions, should we think about it? This would give us about 7-8 mil to spend on relief help and/or a bottom end starter. Thoughts?

[Hammer]

If this scenario was to happen (not that I'm an advocate) why not promise the spot to Graffy? He seems like a better option...

[yoyomayoma]

Graffy could definitely be an option. Someone with a high on base percentage towards the top of the order that plays decent defense but won't cost us too much. Graffy fits the description as well as Loretta does.

[MNBrew]

I like Graffanino, but he's not the hitter Loretta is. Defense should be about a wash.

[giffted1]

I'd personally love to see that scenario happen. It looks like a pretty good lineup. A guy with a career .363 obp would look nice in our 2 hole. Loretta is still my favorite player though, so I'm probably a little biased.

[colbyjack]

I really like that scenario yoyo. I don't think the Brewers mix up their team that much, but it certainly is one of the more appealing scenarios that I've seen.

 

I don't think Braun is in the opening day lineup, but you could easily swap him out in LF with someone else.

[JohnBriggs12]

That lineup is a little too righthanded in my opinion.

[giffted1]

Quote:

---

That lineup is a little too righthanded in my opinion.

---

 

The thing is that only Hardy and Miller have really bad splits against righties. We'd still have Koskie, Gross, and Jenkins to plug in there as well.

[Weirdos19]

How about Hall in CF, Weeks at second, and Koskie at third?

 

We can do that without spending cash on a second baseman.

 

 

IMO, Braun needs to be in AAA this year. A September call up is fine with me.

 

 

We need to spend money on a power stick or a sub 4.00era pitcher.

[AJAY]

I know a lot of the stats people aren't enamored with Loretta's OPS, but I still believe that the Brewers need more "professional hitters" in the lineup.

 

I would be open to seeing Loretta return if the situation fit.

[TooLiveBrew]

I don't know if I'm the only one that noticed this (I doubt it), but Graffy had at least a couple heated run-ins with Fielder last year (as in on-field btw innings). I don't know whether or not that plays a role in determining G's fate, but feel like it's interesting.

 

I admit bias too, though. Loretta is a class act, and is the better hitter, for sure. He has proven his durability over the past 4 years, missing time only in 2005 (104 gms). I'd love this chance, certainly over Graffanino.

[thumperden]

I like both the proposed scenarios.

 

TooLive, where did you see/hear about the Graffy vs. Fielder run-ins and can you elaborate?

[mark Lorretta for presiden]

Obviously I would love to have him on the team. I agree with AJAY that we need more proffesional 300. hitters, because if were not gonna bring in that protopical clean-up guy were gonna need people who can find ways on and know how to move runners over. I say sign him and move him back to third and bat him in the #2 hole. I know he doesn't have the strongest arm, but neither does Koskie.

[TooLiveBrew]

A good friend of mine went to a game at Miller in the 2d half last year. This guy is as fair as it gets, and he called me after the game bewildered. It arose from an inf pop-up, and had something to do with whose ball it was -- 2B's or 1B's, and I guess Graffy was not happy with Fielder, be it what was said or who caught the ball.

 

The reason I posted this was to see if anyone else caught this. From what I have been told, it was yelling in his face, severly aggravated. I'm not voting to evaluate TG completely on this one incident, but my bud told me the mini-rift flared up again later in the game, but not as blatantly as the first time.

 

I don't see it as the end-all on Graffy, but if he can't get along with our franchise player, maybe he won't want to be here

[cancer47]

Which is one reason I'd like to have Graffy on this team, as Doug Melvin does, too (reportedly). Prince was a rookie, maybe wasn't listening to anybody regarding whose ball it was, and Tony G let him know. A little fire like that, on a team of "nice" guys, has to be a positive attribute. Tony G's been around the block a couple of times, and I'd think he'd be a positive influence.

 

Which is not to say that Mark L. wouldn't be, too, especially his .300 BA.

[TooLiveBrew]

I agree, cancer, that fire isn't a bad thing, and I'm definitely not advocating letting G walk, in this hypothetical situation. My personal preference, based entirely on Loretta being the better hitter, and Milwaukee favorite, would be Mark L. Just threw the confrontation out there to see if anyone else had seen/heard.

 

(But there may also be a reason - other than juorneyman status - that he's played for 6 teams in 9 seasons)