Brewers plans for 2011 and after

[sheetskout]

I think there's little doubt the Brewers will make an offer to Prince consistent to his worth to the Brewers. The problem is that he's worth more to

a larger market team, even after the player compensation. If the Brewers want to pay Prince what he's worth to the Red Sox, I think that's a terrible

strategy.

Why? Who else are the Brewers going to be spending that money on?

A nice looking starting pitcher named Yovani Gallardo. I love Prince. But if it's between Gallardo and Prince I say Fielder walks. First base is the easiest position to replace production with. Ace starters are gold.

[clancyphile]

The way I see it, much depends on how fast some players move.

 

In the system, the Brewers have several good offensive bats: Gamel and Lawrie are the big ones, Taylor Green's OBP skills are underrated, Ange Salome can hit, Lurcoy's also flashing pop and OBP skills. Cain and Schafer are BOTH flashing potential in the OF.

 

So, looking at 2011, what does it look like?

c: Lucroy/Salome

1b: Fielder/Gamel

2b: Weeks/Lawrie

ss: Escobar

3b: Gamel/McGehee/Green/Lawrie

lf: Braun

cf: Gomez/Cain/Schaefer

rf: Hart/Gamel/Lawrie

 

Braun is in LF for the foreseeable future.

 

For good or for ill, the Brewers have committed to Escobar at short.

 

As for the rest... are there bad options?

 

Catcher: A Lucroy/Salome platoon would hold the position down for 5-6 years. Lucroy is a bit more durable, and has better OBP skills and more consistent defense. Salome has the more dynamic bat.

 

First Base: Fielder could hold it down through 2015. But if the price isn't right, are the brewers up the creek? Gamel did struggle in `09, but if he is a left-handed hitting version of Ryan Braun, the calculus changes. Another Braun is close enough to Fielder that having Gamel would free resources for elsewhere.

 

Second Base: Is Weeks healthy? If he is, he can be a very good player at second. If he isn't, Brett Lawrie will be the man there. Unless Lawrie has to play elsewhere, then it could be Taylor Green or Casey McGehee.

 

Third Base: The most variables, but there are options. If Weeks is healthy, Brett Lawrie could be there. If Gamel has to take over for Fielder at first or play the OF, then it could be Taylor Green's spot. Or Casey McGehee nails it down against all comers.

 

Center Field: Carlos Gomez could nail it down. Or be a placeholder for Logan Schaefer or Lorenzo Cain. Or Corey Hart moves from center.

 

Right Field: Does Hart put it together? Does Gamel move there? Or Angel Salome? Will it be Cain? Schaefer? Again - lots of options.

 

There are a lot of options just in the starting eight.

 

EDIT: Think about this with regards to Gamel: At age 22, he posted a .933 OPS at Huntsville. Braun at age 22 posted a .956 OPS at Huntsville.