What FA's Could/Should Be Targeted to Round Out the Roster?

[paulmolitor4]

Now that the Brewers have acquired Greinke, who are some FA's that could be reasonably targeted to round out the roster and make a run to win it all this year?

 

Here are a few that I came up with:

 

Nick Punto - Betancourt's defense is somewhat questionable. It would be nice to have a player that you know can give you solid defense at SS (also 2B and 3B if needed). He's not much offensively, but does provide the benefit of being a switch-hitter.

 

Scott Podsednik - Not real high on giving Dickerson much playing time. Could give Podsednik a shot to compete for the starting CF job (or platoon with Gomez), and if he hits as well as he did the last two seasons he would be an option to lead off with Weeks batting in a power position (such as 5th).

 

Scot Shields - Now that the rotation is rounding out, it might be a good idea to pick up another solid reliever. We all know you can never have enough of those. Might be worth a shot to see if Shields has anything left in the tank. He struggled the last two seasons recovering from a knee injury, but was reported to still be throwing in the low 90's with good stuff (has just struggled to regain control). Roenicke would know better than anyone in the Brewers' organization if it was worth bringing him in.

[ilikewisco]

I would have to say I would take: O Cab, Renteria, any guy named Izturis, and probably a Lopez before I would talk to Punto (I would be happier with a Cruz than Punto).

 

Point being, Punto is not very good.

[paulmolitor4]

I guess I don't understand why so many people hate on Punto. He's a very good defensive player, and would give the Brewers at least as much offense as Escobar did. I also like Izturis (although not a FA), but I think Cabrera and Renteria may not have much left in their tanks. And Lopez would probably be just as bad defensively as Betancourt. Cruz will be nice player to have in AAA if the Brewers have an injury.

 

Here's a comparison on the above mentioned SS options:

 

Punto - .615 OPS, 3.8 UZR, 1.4 WAR

Izturis - .545 OPS, 5.1 UZR, -0.3 WAR

Cabrera - .657 OPS, 3.7 UZR, 1.3 WAR

Renteria - .707 OPS, 2.5 UZR, 1.3 WAR

Lopez - .656 OPS, -5.2 UZR, no WAR listed at SS

Betancourt - .692 OPS, -9.5 UZR, 0.6 WAR

[joepepsi]

I think if you sign Punto, then you didn't need Counsell. If Punto is getting 400-450 PA, then you're no better off than just playing Yuniesky. None of the other guys are really any better options at this point in their careers. If you want a defense solution at ss, then you have Counsell.

[RockCoCougars]

My Twins fans friends rag on Punto all the time like he's Chad Moeller or something. I'll pass.

[paulmolitor4]

I think if you sign Punto, then you didn't need Counsell. If Punto is getting 400-450 PA, then you're no better off than just playing Yuniesky. None of the other guys are really any better options at this point in their careers. If you want a defense solution at ss, then you have Counsell.

Actually I would prefer to bring Counsell back, dump Betancourt, and sign Punto. At this point in Counsell's career, Punto is probably a little better defensively, but he can still give you average to slightly above average defense at short. Punto also hits lefties better and Counsell hits righties better. For some reason though I think Melvin is okay with going with Betancourt. I believe he compared him to Hardy defensively in the aftermath of trade. I think most people would say Betancourt's a far cry from Hardy defensively though.

 

 

[paulmolitor4]

My Twins fans friends rag on Punto all the time like he's Chad Moeller or something. I'll pass.

I would guess they would rag on Counsell if they had him then too (very similar player). Fan opinions aren't generally the best gauge of a player's value when building a roster. I remember many on here saying the Giants couldn't win the World Series because they didn't have enough offense.

 

 

[RockCoCougars]

I would guess they would rag on Counsell if they had him then too (very similar player).

As I do http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

That said, considering my happiness over the Greinke deal and the question marks at short, I'm willing to give the hometown guy Rudy one more run for a ring.

[paulmolitor4]

I would think the Brewers picking up Greinke would motivate Counsell to re-sign. I really just don't want an everyday SS that is going to give away runs defensively.

[TooLiveBrew]

Counsell re-signed, but it was done before the Greinke deal was finished.

[Invader3K]

Counsell re-signed, but it was done before the Greinke deal was finished.

Obviously that's what made Greinke accept the trade to Milwaukee.

[PrinceEatMeat]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/112196079.html

 

Melvin's interview makes it sound like no one will be added.

[Invader3K]

From his radio interview just now, it sounds like he might look for "depth" type moves the rest of the off-season, i.e. looking at additional backups, etc. He mentioned protecting against being caught shorthanded by injuries. Didn't sound like he'd look at other starting shortstops or CFs or anything like that.

[JohnBriggs12]

Betancourt's $4 million salary assures him of a job.

[TooLiveBrew]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/112196079.html

 

Melvin's interview makes it sound like no one will be added.

He said no more major moves. If you sign someone like Orlando Cabrera, is that classified as "major"?

[JohnBriggs12]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/112196079.html

 

Melvin's interview makes it sound like no one will be added.

He said no more major moves. If you sign someone like Orlando Cabrera, is that classified as "major"?

If you're already paying another SS $4 million it is.

 

If I'm the Brewers, I'm looking to add a veteran loogy. Braddock is not an everyday guy or exclusively a specialist and Parra has trouble with lefthanded bats.

[Invader3K]

Isn't Mitch Stetter still on the roster?

[SoCal Brew Crew Fan]

Biggest area will probably be scrap heap relievers on minor league contracts. DM has been able to uncover a few gems over the years...he'll need to again this year.

 

Agree with Briggs as well...we'd all love to see a replacement for Betancourt, but it's probably him with 60 starts or so from Counsell. They will likely view it as he's too expensive not to give a shot to.

[Invader3K]

I still hope Luis Cruz is given a shot in Spring Training, though I know he has plenty of detractors.

[paulmolitor4]

I still hope Luis Cruz is given a shot in Spring Training, though I know he has plenty of detractors.

Isn't Cruz tearing up the Mexican Winter League? Not sure how much that means though.

 

 

[Invader3K]

He really is. I thought he looked pretty good defensively when he was up with the Brewers this past season as well. I don't see why he shouldn't at least get a shot.

[PrinceEatMeat]

I just see the competition being Betancourt, Counsell, and Cruz at SS. Counsell won't be viewed as the everyday guy though I guess, so I guess it might really be Betancourt and Cruz for one spot. I'm pretty sure we'd just eat Betancourt's contract if he comes out in ST and sucks, or Cruz out plays him by a lot. That could happen, but I see it being Betancourt and Counsell at SS this year, and Cruz as insurance.

[PrinceEatMeat]

I could see Melvin going after an OF possibly, because we have 5 currently in Braun, Hart, Gomez, Dickerson, and Boggs. I would think he'd at least bring in some competition for that 5th OF spot. I really don't see him adding any IFs though. I think the last spot will come down to Cruz and Gamel, with Gamel likely keeping the spot. Maybe a few guys who will compete for bullpen spots will also be added. The only locks I see for the pen are Axford, Braddock, Hawkins, Loe, and Parra. That leaves 2 more spots between guys like Egan, Kintzler, and McClendon. He might want to look at bringing in a few veterans on minor league deals to compete with those guys.

[The Truth]

I think we could use more relief pitching to replace Coffey & Jeffress

 

Personally I'd like to see a SS signed but I don't think it is going to happen

 

Wouldn't mind a 5th outfielder being signed as I am not at all confident in Boggs. I'm fine with Dickerson and his .759 career OPS (granted only in 400+ AB's). Gamel might be the 5th outfielder supersub guy

 

Mostly I think we need more pitching, you can never have too much pitching, and specifically we need more bullpen help

[dadofandrew]

Doug will bring in an arm or two, to be certain. Maybe on minor league deals, maybe on 1y/$1.5M deals once the multi-year guys work themselves out. Most of the minor league vets (McClendon, Kintzler) have options. Having them at AAA can only be a positive, as injuries/ineffectiveness will happen.