Alternatives for shortstop?

[Schlitz001]

Yuniesky Betancourt is the Brewers shortstop right now. He seems to be

equal to, if not a downgrade from Escobar offensively and a definite

downgrade defensively. It would seem to me to be worthwhile to look

elsewhere for a starting shortstop and maybe designate Yuni as the

backup, but the options out there are admittedly thin. The only

internal option right now seems to be Luiz Cruz, but he isn't much of an

upgrade over Betancourt. There are several free agents left out there:

 

Orlando Cabrera (type B)

Edgar Renteria

Jerry Hariston Jr.

 

Hairston played a fair amount of SS last year and is the youngest of the

group at 34. The other option is to trade for a starter. There aren't

a lot of teams with the ability to give up a shortstop and replace him

internally. Seattle now has Brendon Ryan and Jack Wilson. Houston has

Bill Hall and Clint Barmes. Ian Desmond was rumored to be available,

but would require trading some young pitching. Michael Young is also out

there, but his contract is insane. Scutaro is probably the best

available option and could maybe be packaged with Cameron.

 

Or should we

just resign Counsell and let him and Betancourt play SS? I personally

think signing someone like Renteria is the way to go.

[MillerParkSouth]

i'd love to get Orlando Cabrera if he comes cheap. If you're Doug Melvin, you can't go and make a couple of really bold trades and plan on Betancourt being your everyday SS.

[RockCoCougars]

If this was the NBA, Betancourt would be placed on injured reserve, never to be seen again. However since he is basically the only option at short, I would guess that he's the opening day starter. Honestly, he can't be much worse than Escobar was last season- especially offensively. I can't see the Brewers paying $6 million to a guy to sit on the bench, and I can't see them throwing money at Renteria or even Counsell at this point for a slight upgrade. Maybe Cruz will come in to spring training on fire and do his best 1992 Pat Listach impression next season.

[derflotr]

Isn't Luis Cruz excellent defensively? Because that's all I'm concerned with, I don't really care if he's a black hole at the plate.

[Paulus88]

Honestly, he can't be much worse than Escobar was last season- especially offensively.

As someone who watched him with the Mariners he is much worse than Escobar. He gives away at bats like it's his job (worse than Gomez). He decides to swing at pitches before they're even released with predictable results.

His defensive stats are horrible but don't really give justice to how awful and lazy a defender he is. He is, without a doubt, the worst baseball player I have ever watched. If he is starting for the Brewers than their pitching upgrade is mitigated by terrible defense at the most important position.

Escobar had a rough year but is light years better than Betancourt now and in the future.

[KCBrewerfan34]

Realistically what are our options? He's under contract for $6 million for next year, he's not going to be our utility guy. I'm guessing his contract is next to untradable, we better get used to him Yeez!!!!

[greeg35]

Nah, we'll pay him $4mil this year and use the Royals money to pay his $2mil buyout next year. One year is still too many though.

[GoudaBrew]

Who gave Yuni a contract extension in the first place? Yeesh

[trwi7]

Bavasi did.

 

I would go after Renteria or Nick Punto. Punto is basically Escobar of 2010. Sign Counsell and you have really good defense at SS next year.

[RockCoCougars]

I think Counsell is the best option. As recently as about 14 hours ago, I would have said no, but it makes sense now. Hopefully, he doesn't gouge the Brewers too much.

[PeaveyFury]

Assuming Renteria is healthy, he's my choice. I'd be thrilled if they could bring him in with Counsell as the backup.

[GoudaBrew]

The more I look at Punto, the more I like. He's a switch hitter and looks like he plays good defense. Has a good career walk rate too.

[greeg35]

I'm truly hoping this is a case of the Royals requiring Betancourt to be a part of the trade. If not, it probably means we want him there to play shortstop. I'd be OK with Punto or Renteria as Triw7 mentions. I'm also thinking counsell needs to be signed either way. How much payroll do we have left to sign someone else?

[sbrylski]

Nick Punto would make a lot of sense. Switch hitter, can play all around the diamond.

 

Heck, could give him a two year contract, bring Counsell back on a one year deal, cut Betancourt, and have Luis Cruz as depth in Triple-A. Bang, done.

[NievesNoNO]

Nick Punto would make a lot of sense. Switch hitter, can play all around the diamond.

 

Heck, could give him a two year contract, bring Counsell back on a one year deal, cut Betancourt, and have Luis Cruz as depth in Triple-A. Bang, done.

Good call, I agree. Betancourt should not be an option.

 

[And That]

Punto would be a dramatic upgrade over Betancourt. Would fully endorse that move.

[tyguy20204]

In what world is Punto a dramatic upgrade over Betancourt? Betancourt had a better season than him last year, by far.

Edit: Looked up some stats, I was wrong. But I would hardly call it a dramatic upgrade. Minor upgrade, sure.

[And That]

Betancourt shouldn't be allowed to play defense. He's almost in the neighborhood of Ryan Braun at 3B bad. His only skill is the ability to hit for occasional power.

 

Punto, OTOH, is one of the better defensive players in the league and also, unlike Betancourt, can take a walk.

[Funketown]

Here's the current FA SS list:

 

Orlando Cabrera (36) - Type B, not offered arb

Craig Counsell (40)

Bobby Crosby (31)

Cristian Guzman (33)

Jerry Hairston Jr. (35)

Julio Lugo (35)

Augie Ojeda (36)

Nick Punto (33)

Edgar Renteria (34)

 

Cross off Crosby, he's no better than Yuniesky. Cross off Lugo as well. Ojeda is no better than Betancourt. Realistically, any of the following would probably be better than Yuniesky:

 

Orlando Cabrera

Craig Counsell

Cristian Guzman

Jerry Hairson Jr.

Nick Punto

Edgar Renteria

 

Anybody have estimates as to what it'll take to bring these guys in? I wouldn't mind Nick Punto...I just have no clue what the market for these guys looks like this year.

[dadofandrew]

Yuni looks to be about 8 runs better than Punto on offense, based on Bill James' projection, and probably about -20 on D. About a single win over 162. Since they're already paying Yuni, and his SLG, his only real positive, might well be helped by Miller Park, I wouldn't be in much of a hurry to make a move. However, some sort of upgrade might well be expected by the end of July, especially if a solid OBP guy is available.

 

If Counsell returns, and he plays SS a couple times a week, versus tough RHP's, it might well bump Yuni's numbers up enough to make it less than 10 runs, or a single win. Punto is a very appealing option if Counsell chooses to go elsewhere or retires.

[sbrylski]

Since they're already paying Yuni, and his SLG, his only real positive, might well be helped by Miller Park, I wouldn't be in much of a hurry to make a move.

 

Betancourt's salary is a sunk cost, it should have zero effect on the decision to bring in another SS.

[Bnowell4evr]

Im all for Punto.

 

Switch hitter excellent defender who can take a walk? Sign me up.

[endaround]

1 win is a huge upgrade. Its amazing how you need to be contrary for no discernible reason.

[TooLiveBrew]

If we had to take YunE off their hands to secure Greinke, that's just fine by me.

[Funketown]

Betancourt's salary being a sunk cost was already mentioned. I view this as a time that the club could easily improve by 1 win for under $2MM. Punto is probably at least a win better than Yunie over a season and could perhaps be had for 2/$5MM.