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

[PrinceEatMeat]

Really, what I would love to see happen is Gomez actually coming around and reaching his potential this year. Even if he could hit .270 with a good OBP, I think that would make a huge difference for our team.

[Hate those Rodents]

I wouldn't mind adding Scotty Po if he can still handle CF somewhat decently. Also, if Felipe Lopez could handle a bench role, I liked him when he was here. I don't think I'd really add to the pitching staff outside of trying to resign Cappy. The loser of Cappy/Narveson should be able to help our bullpen quite a bit.

[igor67]

I don't even need a good OBP from Gomez, get up to a .320, so it's not a complete blackhole and let the glove play. With as much power as we are likely to have at the top, of the order we can't really just give outs away in the 7 and 8 spots.

[Invader3K]

A .320 OBP from Gomez would be outstanding at this point.

[StearnsFTW]

I wouldn't mind adding Scotty Po if he can still handle CF somewhat decently.

I don't think he can handle left, let alone center. He's always been a pretty terrible outfielder.

A .320 OBP from Gomez would be outstanding at this point.

That would be outstanding. A .700 OPS out of Carlos with his excellent defense would be a huuuuuuge boost out of him. I remain highly skeptical however.

 

My biggest concern is that if the roster stays where it is right now (which I hope to high heaven it doesn't), our bench is going to be terrible. Counsell, Dickerson, Boggs, backup catcher is abysmal.

 

Gamel needs to stick just so there can be some threat of offense off of the bench. I really wish Hinske had signed, but Mat needs to be in the big leagues this year. Service time be damned.

 

[paulmolitor4]

I wouldn't mind adding Scotty Po if he can still handle CF somewhat decently.

I don't think he can handle left, let alone center. He's always been a pretty terrible outfielder.

I forget what a bad fielder Podsednik is... you would think with his speed he should be better, but he's not.

[logan82]

I wouldn't mind adding Scotty Po if he can still handle CF somewhat decently.

I don't think he can handle left, let alone center. He's always been a pretty terrible outfielder.

I forget what a bad fielder Podsednik is... you would think with his speed he should be better, but he's not.

You could say the same thing about Braun and Hart. Add in Podsednik just to claim you have the fastest outfield with the worst defense.

 

[JohnBriggs12]

Isn't Mitch Stetter still on the roster?

Do you honestly trust a guy coming off a year where he posted a 6.86 ERA at AAA?

 

I'd rather have a veteran like a Will Ohman.

[CheezWizHed]

Do you honestly trust a guy coming off a year where he posted a 6.86 ERA at AAA?

 

Ken Macha ruined him. So I'm sure he will be find now...

[paulmolitor4]

Isn't Mitch Stetter still on the roster?

Do you honestly trust a guy coming off a year where he posted a 6.86 ERA at AAA?

 

I'd rather have a veteran like a Will Ohman.

I would say we shouldn't "trust" him to contribute, but we can be hopeful that he might rebound. I have the same hope for Mark Difelice coming off his injury. I think with the bullpen you get as many arms as you can get to compete for spots and see how things play out.

 

[Invader3K]

I was just saying Stetter might be an option.

 

I don't think I want Melvin signing any veteran relievers going forward at this point. We've just been burned by too many of them.

[paulmolitor4]

I was just saying Stetter might be an option.

 

I don't think I want Melvin signing any veteran relievers going forward at this point. We've just been burned by too many of them.

If I were Melvin I would just focus on cheap options with decent upside. You know the old saying about throwing a bunch of "stuff" at the wall and seeing what sticks.

 

 

[yoshii8]

First guy for me would be Willie Harris, I think we would fill the 5th outfield/utility spot very well. I like that fact that he can play all 3 outfield positions, and 2B, and besides last year he has been a very solid player for the Nationals. He also had decent power and speed.

 

I also wouldn't mind seeing the Brewers take a chance on Lastings Milledge to compete for the 5th OF spot, he has a lot of talent and can play 3 OF spots. I don't think it would take much to sign him, and hopefully he would play w/ a chip on his shoulder.

 

Second would be to find another veteran reliever. I'd love for the Brewers to get Takashi Saito or Jon Rauch if possible, but if it would cost too much a bounce back candidate like Alfreco Aceves or Manny Delcarmen would be a nice addition.

[Invader3K]

paulmolitor4, you're probably right. I think that is the way he will go. I hope he re-signs Capuano as rotation insurance, but obviously with the plan to start him out of the pen. Then maybe sign a couple cheap "scrap heap" types that he usually has a knack to pick up. We have to remember that the bullpen was a real strength last year once Axford was given a chance and Loe and Braddock were brought up. Also Parra was very good as a reliever once he was demoted from the starting rotation. Plus, if you factor in the improved rotation taking some of the workload off the relievers, and I'm really not too worried about the bullpen right now.

[PrinceEatMeat]

I think people are forgetting Manny Parra as the other lefty option in the pen. He looked good there at the end of last year, and I think he'll have a job there again this season. With Braddock and Parra, we'll have 2 lefties, neither of whom is a true loggy. I think we can get by with that, or just use one or the other as a loggy in certain situations. I don't see the need to bring anyone else in at this point. Especially if Cappy if also re-signed.

[Mr Southpaw]

Yoshii,

 

I like the idea if Willie Harris, bats left, can play center, has a little pop. Harris or Scottie Po would be good, low cost additions. Sign one of those guys and resign Cappy and we are ready for spring training.

[Invader3K]

Going off the Johnny Damon thread, I'm more convinced that the real position of need is shortstop. It doesn't sound like Betancourt is really going to cut it. I like Counsell, but it's one of those situations where you don't want him starting 50% of the time. I don't think there are a ton of free agency options for decent shortstops, though. It might be a situation where Melvin should explore trading for someone if he doesn't have to give up much.

[PrinceEatMeat]

Going off the Johnny Damon thread, I'm more convinced that the real position of need is shortstop. It doesn't sound like Betancourt is really going to cut it. I like Counsell, but it's one of those situations where you don't want him starting 50% of the time. I don't think there are a ton of free agency options for decent shortstops, though. It might be a situation where Melvin should explore trading for someone if he doesn't have to give up much.

I agree with you completely. I think we can get by with Gomez and Dickerson in CF pretty easily. I have a huge problem with Betancourt at SS. He's basically the same free-swinger that Escobar is, and he doesn't walk or get on base. Counsell can start some, but he won't be able to play enough to make up for Betancourt being terrible. He's also awful in the field. SS is where we need a plus defender, and Betancourt isn't gonna cut it.

[Funketown]

^Agreed. If Gomez hits even as poorly as he did last year but is exceptional in the field, and Dickerson is a capable back-up for 50-60 games, the club could very well get nearly average production from center.

[StearnsFTW]

I don't think he can handle left, let alone center. He's always been a pretty terrible outfielder.

I forget what a bad fielder Podsednik is... you would think with his speed he should be better, but he's not.

You could say the same thing about Braun and Hart. Add in Podsednik just to claim you have the fastest outfield with the worst defense.

Yep. All the more reason Podsednik is a terrible idea. The Cardinals' outfield would be significantly better than that, even with Holliday and Berkman butchering it up out there.

[Bnowell4evr]

Finishing up with something like this would end a perfect offseason:

* Jim Edmonds for our LH PH with pop

* 1 of Capuano/Washburn/Francis/Millwood for our 5th/6th SP

* 1 of Punto/Renteria/Cabrera to be our starting SS

 

[PrinceEatMeat]

Finishing up with something like this would end a perfect offseason:

* Jim Edmonds for our LH PH with pop

* 1 of Capuano/Washburn/Francis/Millwood for our 5th/6th SP

* 1 of Punto/Renteria/Cabrera to be our starting SS

* Please no. Also, won't happen.

* Capuano is the likely signing for that spot

* None of those guys will be signed even though I agree that one should.

 

[MNBrew]

Would love to see these moves to round out the roster:

 

• Chris Capuano -- Need a legit starter who can also pitch decently in relief 'til needed in the rotation.

• Scott Podsednik -- Need some experienced OF depth. Dickerson & Boggs each have less than a full season's worth of PAs, & Gomez is Gomez. (Edmonds = a solid Plan B if his legs aren't still falling off)

 

Other comments:

 

• Unless lightning strikes, Betancourt is assured of being the starting SS and I can give you $4M reasons why he's not going away.

• Punto would make sense (great D, shaky O, decent speed). But with Counsell back, the Brewers still need a reserve corner IF with at least some pop (Gamel?), not a 2nd reserve middle IF.

• I like Mark DiFelice a lot, but after a year off due to injury, I'd be hugely surprised if he's on the 25-man rather than in AAA to start the year.

[PeaveyFury]

Betancourt is assured of being the starting SS and I can give you $4M reasons why he's not going away.

 

Technically, the Brewers are only on the hook for $1 million for Betancourt this year, if the early reports of the cash being exchanged now is true.

[MNBrew]

Unless I missed something, wasn't this the money situation? Or is there something else?

 

Betancourt:

$4M salary in '11, $2M buyout for '12 ($6M salary for '12)

 

money:

$2M from KC in Greinke deal, presumably to pay for the buyout

$1M from Seattle to KC, & therefore to us (right?)