Shortstops available

[brettac1]

That play is crazy.

[RockCoCougars]

Yep. Marginal difference defensively. I don't think Yuni has moved that many steps total to field a ball and make a throw this year.

Yuni just made a nice play, but that was TWIB material. Who was running to first though, Eric Munson? Even I could have gotten out of the box quck enough to at least been on the screen when the 1B caught the ball.

[brettac1]

I'm just amazed by the arm strength it takes to make that throw, and then to have it be dead on the money like that. Even Prince could catch that ball without moving.

[TooLiveBrew]

Just wanted to say that I saw a scout for the Blue Jays at tonight's Timber Rattlers game. He could definitely have been there to scout the Twins' Beloit affiliate, as the Twins are obviously a team that needs to make a trade or two. However, that's just no fun for a Brewers message board. Let the wild, unsubstantiated rumors about John McDonald or Yunel Escobar begin!

 

Not sure dealing for McDonald would make a ton of sense, since he's in his age-36 season & his career high for PAs is around 350. Yunel Escobar is definitely a trade target I could get excited about, though (both guys are solid defenders). Not sure why Toronto would be looking to move Escobar, though... that part of my wildly dreamt-up scenario doesn't make much sense either. Like I said, the team Toronto was scouting could easily have been the Snappers, but I can dream that this is a prelude to returning the name Escobar to the organization to man SS.

[PKBadger]

There's no better way to show off somebody's SS skills than to show a highlight of them playing 2B.

 

Edit: Nice play, though! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Invader3K]

OK, I know I'll get lambasted for this, but MLB Trade Rumors has a new article up about the Astros potentially selling off some pieces. It's all just speculation at this point, but what about:

 

Bill Hall? Yes, he's batting terribly right now; but it would cost basically nothing to get him, and his defense would be a huge upgrade over Betancourt.

[yoshii8]

If the Astros are selling, I'd love to see the Brewers get Jeff Keppinger to take Almonte's spot. I think the Brewers desperately need a guy like Keppinger off the bench that can play every infield position, and is a very solid hitter, especially against lefties. He kind of reminds me of a Mark Loretta type player.

[Hsee2006]

Would the Brewers be better if we traded Fielder to the Mets for Reyes straight up? This would allow Reyes to play short and lead off, Rickie to bat second followed by Braun, Hart, Gamel. Don't know if it would generate more runs but would vastly improve the infield defense.

[endaround]

No it wouldn't. Reyes' defense is a large question since his injury.

[RockCoCougars]

I'd be a little interested in bringing Hall back, but I don't see it happening. His defense would probably be a slight upgrade, but I really don't want to see him up there striking out every 3 something plate appearances. One thing I like about Betancourt is that he hardly ever strikes out- without hitting a ton of weak grounders either.

[crewcuts]

Looking at the names being thrown out there, we better hope Betancourt doesn't get injured! Guys like Keppinger and Furcal have upsides but Furcal is always an injury waiting to happen and Keppinger is at best a good sub. The rest are no improvement over Betancourt. Where did Cruz get traded to? I missed that....

[GormanHarvey]

He refused his assignment with the Brewers and instead signed a minor league deal with the Rangers

[Robideaux]

I still want Everth Cabrera from San Diego (though I know it isn't going to happen). He's young, cheap, and blocked.

[Hate those Rodents]

I long for the days of Calex Crabbe.

[HiAndTight]

No it wouldn't. Reyes' defense is a large question since his injury.

So you're saying a Gamel/Reyes SS/1B combination wouldn't provide a much improved defense over a Betancourt/Prince combo?

 

 

Not sure if there's any world in which I can buy that.....

[Oxy]

So most of the trade talk around here has been pretty unrealistic IMO, looking at guys who are better than average MLB players or outright stars (Reyes, Furcal, maybe Hardy). While I hope it happens, I don't see us having the prospects or the cash to be able to get Reyes this year, who is really the only good starting player to be on the trading block.

 

Some other more realistic names have been thrown out there as well, like Izturis, Jack Wilson. These guys probably wouldn't be much of an upgrade over Betancourt. However, I'm fine with that. This team needs another infielder and this team needs defense. I have looked over the rosters of the rest of the league and compiled a list of the back-up SS or utility IF who might be able to shore up our bench and defense. However, I am wholly unfamiliar with most of them, especially the American Leaguers. For that reason I am going to list them here and hope that the vast knowledge of BF.netters can pick out some names who could bring some good defense and versatility to the Brewers bench, while at least showing one skill at the plate (power, average, plate discipline/approach). Also, it must be realistic for the Brewers to be able to trade for them by giving up low/mid level prospects or bullpen arms, the two trading chips that Milwaukee might be able to spare in a mid-season swap. I'm no prospect guru, so some of these guys may be young and untradable as they hold quite a bit of value. I'd like to know that too.

 

Scouting reports please, on:

 

Josh Wilson, ARI

Robert Andino, BAL

Roman Santiago, DET

Ozzie Martinez, FLA

Tommy Manzella, HOU

Trevor Plouffe, MIN

Eduardo Nunez, NYY

Chin Lung-Hu, NYM

Alberto Gonzalez, SD

Andres Blanco, TEX

 

Some other more well-known veteran names that may have already been mentioned:

 

Brendan Ryan, SEA

Adam Everett, CLE

Ronny Cedeno, PIT

Marco Scutaro, BOS

 

Any possibilites from this group? Anybody that I've missed?

[Yeti73]

Scutaro makes far too much sense. Above average glove, decent OBP. With Iglesias getting a taste, Lowrie playing everyday, Scutaro could be available for the right price. I have a feeling that they wont' be asking for much if we took is contract. He's no all star, but he's been pretty good for a few years and is a serious upgrade. Why not make the deal right after he comes off the DL.

[RockCoCougars]

I don't see Furcal being a pipe dream at all. If the Dodgers continue to tank (and the Brewers stop tanking), I could see the Dodgers willing to move Furcal if he doesn't fit into their payroll/plans for the future. Don't they have like 8 'prospect' shortstops over there? The issue is that I'm sure they'd want a few good young players, but still likely much less than the Mets would want for Reyes. You might be able to get Hardy back from Baltimore for a song though.

[nate82]

Scutaro makes far too much sense. Above average glove, decent OBP. With Iglesias getting a taste, Lowrie playing everyday, Scutaro could be available for the right price. I have a feeling that they wont' be asking for much if we took is contract. He's no all star, but he's been pretty good for a few years and is a serious upgrade. Why not make the deal right after he comes off the DL.

The Red Sox are going to be looking for bullpen help more specifically a left handed specialist. I don't see Melvin trading Stetter or Braddock for Scuatro which I believe the Red Sox would want Braddock if he is healthy to be the lefty in their bullpen which would be way overpaying for Scutaro.

I believe Furcal or Izturis/Hardy are more real possibilities as the Brewers match up well with what the Dodgers or Orioles would be looking to get in return. Furcal will cost a good prospect while Hardy/Izturis will cost a lot less maybe an A level player someone like Dykstra. But that all depends on how well Hardy plays he could cost about the same as Furcal if he is healthy and playing really well though I have my doubts Hardy can stay healthy for very long.

[And That]

There were rumors over the offseason that Stephen Drew was available from the Diamondbacks. They might have to fall pretty far out of it to trade him, but he's relatively solid at the plate and on defense. He's only signed thru 2012, with a mutual option for 2013, but I have no idea what Arizona would want for him.

[Warning Track Power]

There were rumors over the offseason that Stephen Drew was available from the Diamondbacks. They might have to fall pretty far out of it to trade him, but he's relatively solid at the plate and on defense. He's only signed thru 2012, with a mutual option for 2013, but I have no idea what Arizona would want for him.

I think Stephen Drew would cost almost as much as Jose Reyes. That guy is a legit stud who would fit perfectly in the #2 spot in our order.

 

Everyone knows I am a JJ guy. In reality though, he's the likely target (assuming the fences can be mended) because he will likely be the cheapest player in terms of prospects to acquire.

 

 

[kilgore37]

What about Jamey Carroll? He's got no power but gets on at a .375 clip and a .315 BA. He's 37 and in the last year of his contract so maybe we can get him for a AAA reliever or something. his wrar the last couple of years were 2.8,1.7 and 2.1.

[PrinceEatMeat]

What about Jamey Carroll? He's got no power but gets on at a .375 clip and a .315 BA. He's 37 and in the last year of his contract so maybe we can get him for a AAA reliever or something. his wrar the last couple of years were 2.8,1.7 and 2.1.

Yeah, I'd take him over Betancourt. There's a lot of vets better than Betancourt that we could get for next to nothing.

[logan82]

Here is a breakdown of SS.

[Mr Southpaw]

Omar Vizquel CWS

 

Is he too old? He would not cost anything.