Robb Quinlan

[JohnBriggs12]

I still think the Brewers need to address their lack of RH bench bats. Other than one 28 year old guy in Heether that's never appeared in a major league game, they have no viable candidates.

 

It appears they have to get this bat cheaply too. Robb Quinlan has been a very serviceable bench bat for quite a while with some limited power and ability to at least fill in at 4 positions. He earned $1.1 million last year, and doesn't figure to get too much more than that in FA.

[dadofandrew]

Quinlan can neither play OF nor hit RHP, and can't play 2B/SS even for a couple days. I don't see a fit.

[JohnBriggs12]

Quinlan can neither play OF nor hit RHP, and can't play 2B/SS even for a couple days. I don't see a fit.

His job would be to PH late in games vs. lefty relievers. Who would you rather have up there late in a game against a lefty specialist? The bench we have right now is Gerut, Counsell, Iribarren, and Heether. Three are lefthanded hitters, and one has never faced major league pitching. Where in my post did I mention defensive prowess or that he could play middle infield or that they need another middle infielder? I said he could "fill in" at 4 positions (RF, LF, 3B, 1B). He's played 60 career games in LF and 23 in RF (without an error). I know he's not accomplished as an outfielder but a lot of guys that see time out there aren't. That doesn't mean he couldn't fill in there for a game or an inning here and there. He also can play 3B and 1B and could DH against lefthanders in AL parks. But his value is his experienced major league bat off the bench.

[yoshii8]

I'd rather have Heether get a spot than Quinlan, he has been terrible the last 3 seasons.

[dadofandrew]

If Gamel was the 3B, I could see a fit. As is, Q is worthless versus 75% of the pitchers in MLB. Heether can't be much worse. I expect them to add another bat at some point, I've mentioned Reed Johnson as a potential fit.

[prophet]

I expect them to add another bat at some point, I've mentioned Reed Johnson as a potential fit.

i was actually thinking the exact same thing when i started reading this post. i've been a fan of reed johnson since he was with the Jays. I hated him when he was a Cub, but that's more of a case of who he was playing for, and robbing Prince last year. Plus, he always seemed like he could play all three OF spots. That would be a good fit.

[TooLiveBrew]

Per Joel Sherman, the Yankees look like they're pursuing Reed Johnson. I have a hard time seeing them going with a platoon for LF (my guess is it'd have to be Gardner/Johnson) when they could probably bring in a decent LF at a decent price, whether via trade or FA. However, Cashman has been insistent that the Yanks won't make another big signing. I'm not expecting them to ink Holliday or Bay, but I'd genuinely be surprised to see them settle with Gardner/Johnson in LF -- even with the emphasis that the defense would be strong.

[Baldkin]

I'd be shocked if they don't bring back Johnny Damon at the very least.

[TooLiveBrew]

The language being used by Cashman & Co. is that that's a done deal, though (as in, he's not coming back). Might just as well be a negotiating tactic, though. Damon & Boras are out there after a contract that doesn't exist, so he might wind up back in the Bronx when all is said & done. I think he's the perfect fit for that roster at this point, too. Wouldn't be surprised to see him wind up signing for the 2/$15M-ish the Yankees offered him, but that bridge might just be burned.

[Funketown]

I don't see the point of Quinlan. In the past three years, he has been absolutely horrendous at the plate, posting OPS's of .652, .637, and .614, despite facing more lefties than righties. The only thing that Quinlan has proved is that he is incapable of handling major league pitching.

 

Chone projects Heether at .247/.341/.384/.725. Chone projects Quinlan at .251/.302/.372/.674.

 

I guess I just don't see the upside.

[dadofandrew]

He's basically Bill Hall without the ability to play lots of positions. Heether, or a veteran minor league FA, can do the same thing for the minimum.