All-Star Shortstop at the Trade Deadline?

[The Truth]

Wondering if there is anyone who would fit this bill to keep an eye out for in July? An All-Star caliber SS (or close to All-Star level) who would be a 3 month rental (or maybe even someone signed through 2012) playing for a team not in the race...

 

Perhaps like a JJ Hardy if Hardy rebounds to career year status. Anyone else you can think of?

 

I think they are going to start the season with Betancourt, but will trade for an "oh *wow*" SS at the trade deadline if they could. The Brewers are going for it this season...

[strawbossisevil]

Rafael Furcal might be a possibility if the Dodgers fall out of the hunt by July. I don't think JJ Hardy will be back, according to Haurdicourt, that bridge has been burned.

[GAME05]

i'm really crossing my fingers that we can get by with Betancourt and Counsel. at this point, i have no interest in depleting the rest of the farm system to trade for a SS.

[Funketown]

i'm really crossing my fingers that we can get by with Betancourt and Counsel. at this point, i have no interest in depleting the rest of the farm system to trade for a SS.

Well, they'll either have to sacrifice prospects or take on a big salary. In Furcal's case, they'd have to take on the pro-rated portion of $12M, so I don't think the Dodgers would expect much in return. Marco Scutaro and JJ Hardy are another couple of options that might not cost much in terms of prospects.

[Warning Track Power]

Rafael Furcal might be a possibility if the Dodgers fall out of the hunt by July. I don't think JJ Hardy will be back, according to Haurdicourt, that bridge has been burned.

In spite of what Haudricourt has said and emailed to me on the subject, money talks. If the Brewers were to trade for JJ at midseason and offered him a deal after this season paying him handsomely, I bet that bridge could be rebuilt. Even if the Brewers simply tried to sign him as a FA after next season, I'd imagine bygones could be bygones.

 

 

[RockCoCougars]

If I'm Hardy, I would never come back to Milwaukee by choice after how things went down in August of 2009.

[The Truth]

Furcal is a good example of the type of player I was wondering about. I used Hardy as an example if he's having a career year. Personally, I think Hardy's best is behind him, though I wish him the best... (he'd still be an upgrade over Betancourt or "Bet on Errors" as my kid calls him)

 

Anyone else out there besides Furcal? Again I'm looking for All-Star caliber talent, the type of trade that makes the fans say "oh my God!"

 

I suppose, depending on how well Gomez plays, a CF at the trade deadline might be a possibility

[endaround]

How about just signing a decent SS now? It would be just as valuable, won't cost any prospects and likely even cost less in salary.

[The Truth]

How about just signing a decent SS now? It would be just as valuable, won't cost any prospects and likely even cost less in salary.

For the record, I'd be all for that. I just don't think Melvin will do that, so I am focusing on the Trade Deadline. Mark A & Melvin have a track record now showing that they will trade for players at the deadline to upgrade the roster, and I most certainly think that with this pitching staff that we'll at the least be "in contention" at the deadline this season, even if not all the pieces fall into place...

 

[splitterpfj]

OK, there's a lot to consider here...for one thing, with so many players already gone...who would the Brewers give up to acquire a shortstop?

 

I suspect his current team will try to extend him, rather than trade him...but if circumstances are right in July...Jose Reyes is a free agent at season's end.

[jerichoholicninja]

Stephen Drew? Wasn't Arizona trying to trade him most of last season?

[PeaveyFury]

If I'm Hardy, I would never come back to Milwaukee by choice after how things went down in August of 2009.

 

If Hardy's offense continues to be way down from his peak a few years ago and he continues to be plagued by injuries, he may not have the luxury of being able to rule out playing for any team in the coming years....

[And That]

From Cot's, here are the SS's who are FA's at the end of 2011 (as of right now, anyway... guys with asterisks have an option):

 

Shortstops

Jason Bartlett TB

Yuniesky Betancourt KC *

Rafael Furcal LAD

J.J. Hardy BAL

John McDonald TOR

Augie Ojeda ARZ

Jose Reyes NYM

Ramon Santiago DET

Marco Scutaro BOS *

Jack Wilson SEA

 

Furcal is the best of the bunch, but if Detroit falls out of contention, the Brewers could do worse than Ramon Santiago.

[DHonks]

what's weird for me is that Betancourt and Escobar are the same offensively, only Betancourt has more power. Who knows if Escy will ever be much better than he currently is.

 

Drew is not and has not been available. I'd love his stats, potential improvement, and leadership.

[RockCoCougars]

If I'm Hardy, I would never come back to Milwaukee by choice after how things went down in August of 2009.

 

If Hardy's offense continues to be way down from his peak a few years ago and he continues to be plagued by injuries, he may not have the luxury of being able to rule out playing for any team in the coming years....

I agree on the injuries, but if Hardy can stay healthy and continue to play solid defense- even if he hits as he has the past 2 years, he's an above average MLB shortstop who will not have any problems finding a job. Look at the list of available shortstops....no wonder Hardy was resistant to move to third.

[brewtank34]

From that list, the only one that makes me interested is Jose Reyes. He would be our lead off hitter that we are coveting and a decent SS. Not going to happen though. Not when we need to extend Weeks, Greinke/Marcum. I like the Stephen Drew idea as well.

[monty57]

I thought Jimmy Rollins was a FA after the season as well. Not that the Phillies will be out of contention.

[PrinceEatMeat]

I thought Jimmy Rollins was a FA after the season as well. Not that the Phillies will be out of contention.

Reyes, Rollins, Bartlett, and Infante are all free agents after this season. Possibly Scutaro as well. Gonzalez, Furcal, and a few other veterans will also be out there. I think Melvin will just wait until the offseason and grab one of these guys.

[nate82]

You know the Mets are going to want to unload Reyes at the deadline. But I am willing to bet they will be looking for at least one or two good prospects though that would depend on how much of Reyes contract they are willing to eat. I like Furcal the best as a trade option he brings about the same offensive skill sets that Reyes brings and their defense is about the same. Furcal will cost less in both prospects and in terms of money. If the Dodgers are out of it I would really love to see Melvin go after Furcal. You could then move Weeks down to the #2 spot and have Furcal lead off. Same if Reyes becomes available.

[endaround]

Why are the Mets going to unload Reyes? Furcal, sure he's old and the Dodgers are in limbo. But Reyes is good, under 30 and the Mets have tons of money to pay him.

[nate82]

Why are the Mets going to unload Reyes? Furcal, sure he's old and the Dodgers are in limbo. But Reyes is good, under 30 and the Mets have tons of money to pay him.

I just don't see the Mets keeping Reyes. He is going to be a free agent and would you pay Reyes Crawford type of money to play SS? Yes the Mets have tons of money to pay him that doesn't mean they will pay him. I don't really see the Mets competing this year and I am not sure the Mets are going to resign Reyes next year to a huge extension. It would make sense for the Mets to unload Reyes and pick up some better and younger players.

[igor67]

With such an obvious hole I'm still a big believer in fixing it right away, instead of waiting for the deadline. I kind of like the Furcal idea if you can somehow make the salary work. Nice OBP solid defender still. WAR has him a good 3 wins better than Betancourt. That's huge for us.

[logan82]

3 wins would be a drastic increase in our playoff odds. To the point where I might consider us the favorites to win the division instead of merely contenders.

[Invader3K]

Well, the biggest issue with Furcal would be his salary. I really can't see the Brewers taking on a $10 million+ salary at this point. The payroll already has to be in the mid-80's, right?

[igor67]

Maybe you could get something close enough with say Hawkins and Betancourt (plus prospects) for Furcal and a cheaper reliever? It's hard not to like the idea of that OBP near the top of the order. Having the CF platoon and Lucroy battle out for the 7th and 8th spots in the line-up gives a really nicely balanced team.