If the Brewers do tinker with the Roster at the Deadline

[brewmann04]

I was wondering what might Doug Melvin be looking for at the deadline. I would think maybe another veteran bullpen arm and a Hitter with some pop off the bench.

[JohnBriggs12]

The bullpen seems pretty well stocked assuming the return of Saito and Braddock. Another starter should Narveson falter seems feasible though I think they'd look at either Estrada or Mitre first.

 

The supply of bench "hitters with some pop" is pretty limited. Thome is a possibility. Beyond that, you're looking at names like Mark Teahen and it's stretching the definition of having pop to include him. The Sox would have to virtually pick up most of his remaining contract too though he can play third and give you a chance of giving McGehee a day off here and there. Maybe a guy like Luke Scott could be had down the road or a RH bat like Cantu, though he's struggled in San Diego.

[Invader3K]

I kind of like the Jim Thome idea.

[nate82]

Beltran is a player to watch for bench depth but I expect the Yankees to pick him up and have him DH. Ludwick and Francoeur are also possibilities.

For relief you have Capps, Coffey, and Byrdak as possibilities. For starters you have Marquis and Jackson as possibilities and I believe Buehrle has a no trade clause I can't remember if he does or does not at this time.

Ludwick would be a good pick up and either Capps or Coffey would be great pickups also though I don't see the bullpen being that much of a problem. I would rather pick up Rodriguez but his demands are ludicrous.

[Hate those Rodents]

I really think our bullpen is going to be ok. Not sure I'd add anyone. I'm fine going to war with who we have. I'd like to upgrade at SS though and have Gamel up at the end to give us a good bat off the bench. That's about it though.

[Baldkin]

I kind of like the Jim Thome idea.

I really like it if we get him before interleague play....

[DatHoser]

I kind of like the Jim Thome idea.

I really like it if we get him before interleague play....

Agreed on Thome. Picture this: late September and you are a game out in the division. You need a good veteran bat off the bench for the stretch run. The Brewers don't have that right now.

[yoshii8]

I have a feeling that Melvin considers Mark Kotsay his Jim Thome. However, I'd love to see some pop off the bench, maybe a guy like Josh Willingham if the A's are out of the race. I do also love Jim Thome.

[RockCoCougars]

Judging from the past, I think we will definitely see a vet bullpen arm brought in by Melvin. I agree that a power bench bat is needed.

[Warning Track Power]

It's gotta be an SS and a bench bat. He hasn't killed us yet, but YuBet is a black hole. We need to find the Nyjer Morgan of SS. JJ comes to save us. Imagine how good the lineup becomes when 6-7-8 becomes Lucroy-Hardy-Morgan. As a plus to a JJ deal, Betancourt becomes a RH power bat off the bench for the remainder of the season, killing three birds with one stone:

1. Finding a legit SS.

2. Getting YuBet out of the everyday lineup

3. Getting Josh Wilson to Triple AAA where he should be.

 

A power bat off the bench would be the other target. I like the idea of Thome as well, but I find it hard to believe Minnesota will deal him based on how poorly their season is going. His quest for 600 HRs (593 now) will likely be a big seller throughout the summer. I think a target could be Hideki Matsui from Oakland or Kosuke Fukudome from Chicago becuase God knows they will be out of it come June 1....oh wait.

 

The only problem with Matsui or Fukudome is they are both OF and there really is no spot for an additional OF. Ideally, we would find a corner IF type power hitter.

[nate82]

Judging from the past, I think we will definitely see a vet bullpen arm brought in by Melvin. I agree that a power bench bat is needed.

Except the Brewers will have Saito coming back so the veteran bullpen arm will already be there. Coffey does make some sense to bring back though.

I think Melvin is going to get Furcal and take on his whole salary and give up Farris and another player for Furcal. I believe it will be close to what Melvin gave up to get Durham in 08 it will just be a little bit more than that.

[Yeti73]

Man, Furcal's contract is a little absurd. He is getting $12 this year, only Jeter and Tulo get more at the position. He gets more than 2X what Hardy gets.

[JohnBriggs12]

I have a feeling that Melvin considers Mark Kotsay his Jim Thome. However, I'd love to see some pop off the bench, maybe a guy like Josh Willingham if the A's are out of the race. I do also love Jim Thome.

I don't think he does. Thome is purely a guy you use when a long ball is needed. Matt Stairs(though he may be done finally) has extended his career well beyond what could be expected being just such a threat. Giambi is another one. Everyones favorite on here, Branyan falls into that category too, though he's not my favorite. Those are guys with no defensive value at all. But in a pennant race, they can win you a game or two with one swing.

 

Kotsay provides some defensive flexibility and generally a quality AB. I don't think a Thome would replace him on the roster either. Rather they'd go back to one utility infielder.

 

Willingham makes quite a lot to just add as a pinch hitter. Like Kubel, he'd make sense only if Braun or Hart went down for an extended period.

 

Bottom line though is this team seems more committed to speed as a weapon from it's complimentary players. Having both Morgan and Gomez gives them quite a weapon.

[PrinceEatMeat]

I'd trade for Furcal and roll out this lineup.

 

Weeks

Furcal

Braun

Fielder

Hart

McGehee

Lucroy

Pitcher

Morgan

 

That is a pretty sweet lineup right there. Then we have a bench of Kotsay, Gomez, Betancourt, Counsell, and Nieves, which isn't horrible. Would like to add a power bat to the mix, but Yuni on the bench would at least give us some power. I think once Saito comes back, we should be ok in the bullpen too. A pen of Axford, Saito, Loe, Hawkins, Braddock, Estrada, Mitre would be pretty good.

[RockCoCougars]

Except the Brewers will have Saito coming back so the veteran bullpen arm will already be there. Coffey does make some sense to bring back though.

I think Melvin is going to get Furcal and take on his whole salary and give up Farris and another player for Furcal. I believe it will be close to what Melvin gave up to get Durham in 08 it will just be a little bit more than that.

Based on the Brewers luck with these things in the past, I'll have to see Saito pitch at the major league level again this year before I believe it.

[pingman]

forget SS & CF because there are bigger holes to fill.....the BULLPEN

 

to build on Johnny Briggs thread about finding a southpaw for the pen, I say ditto that times- two....

 

Look at the teams & stars that are threats in the playoffs & find a way to nullify their advantages:

 

* Reds & Phillies.....MUST stop those lefthanded bats in the late innings.....Bruce, Votto, Howard, Utley & Rollins (make him bat from the right).... need three lefthanded arms in the pen for the playoffs

 

* "band box" ballparks (Miller Park, Reds & Phillies).....need a sinkerball (2-seam fastball) bullpen specialist who can induce double plays & keep the ball in the yard

 

* the offense & bench look relatively good, just need to get Hart raking & then all will be fine

[Mr Southpaw]

Trade for Omar Vizquel (10 Gold Gloves and hits .280 part time,switch hitter) cut Josh Wilson

Bring up Mat Gamel (big bat off the bench, 1b during interleague, sub for Casey 10-12 games) cut Mark Kotsey

Bring up George Kottaras (start him 20-25 times against righties and to keep Lucroy fresher) cut Wil Nieves

 

Lineups

 

Against Lefties

 

2b Weeks

rf Hart

lf Braun

1b Fielder

3b McGehee

c Lucroy

ss Bentacourt/Vizquel

cf Gomez/Morgan

Pitcher

 

Against Righties

 

2b Weeks

cf Morgan

lf Braun

1b Fielder

3b McGehee/Gamel (not often)

rf Hart

c Lucroy/Kottaras

ss Vizquel/Counsell

Pitcher

 

Interleague

 

2b Weeks

 

cf Morgan

 

lf Braun

dh Fielder

 

3b McGehee

 

rf Hart

1b Gamel

c Lucroy/Kottaras

 

ss Vizquel/Counsell

 

If we use our bench better (let them start once in a while) we will have more power off the bench.

[danzig6767]

I have a feeling that Melvin considers Mark Kotsay his Jim Thome. However, I'd love to see some pop off the bench, maybe a guy like Josh Willingham if the A's are out of the race. I do also love Jim Thome.

I don't think he does. Thome is purely a guy you use when a long ball is needed. Matt Stairs(though he may be done finally) has extended his career well beyond what could be expected being just such a threat. Giambi is another one. Everyones favorite on here, Branyan falls into that category too, though he's not my favorite. Those are guys with no defensive value at all. But in a pennant race, they can win you a game or two with one swing.

 

Kotsay provides some defensive flexibility and generally a quality AB. I don't think a Thome would replace him on the roster either. Rather they'd go back to one utility infielder.

 

Willingham makes quite a lot to just add as a pinch hitter. Like Kubel, he'd make sense only if Braun or Hart went down for an extended period.

 

Bottom line though is this team seems more committed to speed as a weapon from it's complimentary players. Having both Morgan and Gomez gives them quite a weapon.

Other than Kotsay's ability to draw some walks, i don't see the positives in him that you do at the plate. He's hitting .240 with a Jason Kendall slugging percentage. With Morgan back, we really have no reason for him to play in the field anymore.

 

As for speed being something the team prefers from the complimentary players, only one of Morgan/Gomez who will be on the bench most days has good speed. Guys like Wilson, Counsell, and Kotsay aren't slow, but they certainly aren't fast either.

 

Doug really needs to add a bench bat with at least some pop. I understand that in general bench hitters won't be anything special since they are on the bench for a reason, but it's pretty amazing how weak hitting this group of bench guys are that Melvin has put together. Another GM would almost have to try hard to put together a weaker hitting bench.

[patrickgpe]

i agree on thome you could get him rather cheap and he would be a decent bat off of the bench. I'd like another arm in the pen, sort of like the brewers picking up linebrink in 07

[StearnsFTW]

I have a feeling that Melvin considers Mark Kotsay his Jim Thome. However, I'd love to see some pop off the bench, maybe a guy like Josh Willingham if the A's are out of the race. I do also love Jim Thome.

I don't think he does. Thome is purely a guy you use when a long ball is needed. Matt Stairs(though he may be done finally) has extended his career well beyond what could be expected being just such a threat. Giambi is another one. Everyones favorite on here, Branyan falls into that category too, though he's not my favorite. Those are guys with no defensive value at all. But in a pennant race, they can win you a game or two with one swing.

 

Kotsay provides some defensive flexibility and generally a quality AB. I don't think a Thome would replace him on the roster either. Rather they'd go back to one utility infielder.

 

Willingham makes quite a lot to just add as a pinch hitter. Like Kubel, he'd make sense only if Braun or Hart went down for an extended period.

 

Bottom line though is this team seems more committed to speed as a weapon from it's complimentary players. Having both Morgan and Gomez gives them quite a weapon.

Or in the situation when you need someone to get on base. Thome would be a great additon.

[Baldkin]

i agree on thome you could get him rather cheap and he would be a decent bat off of the bench. I'd like another arm in the pen, sort of like the brewers picking up linebrink in 07

Braddock and Saito.... Braddock and Saito.... Braddock and Saito.... keep saying it... and the baseball gods will make it happen....

[endaround]

Braddock and Saito and Kinzler and Stetter and Parra

 

The Brewers have plenty of arms getting healthy that give options. Especially since its not like they pen has been covering a huge amount of innings.

[RockCoCougars]

I'd be willing to bet that Melvin will go after a Gregg type reliever at the deadline if the team is in playoff contention. Loe hasn't exactly been lights out this year as the primary set up guy, and he's been overused, Hawkins has a history of pitching poorly in pressure situations, and I think that it's a crap shoot whether Saito even pitches again this year.

[danzig6767]

I'd be willing to bet that Melvin will go after a Gregg type reliever at the deadline if the team is in playoff contention. Loe hasn't exactly been lights out this year as the primary set up guy, and he's been overused, Hawkins has a history of pitching poorly in pressure situations, and I think that it's a crap shoot whether Saito even pitches again this year.

Braddock and Saito are the big wildcards for me. If both can return and be effective, are pen could end up being a strength. As for Hawkins, it's hard to know whether he should be trusted in high leverage situations since Roenicke rarely uses him at all. I don't buy though that he has a history of pitching poorly in pressure situations. Hawkins has spent the last decade pitching largely as a closer and setup guy, with plenty of success over that decade.

[yoshii8]

It looks like Hideki Matsui is or will be soon available from the A's, since he is hitting so poorly. There are also rumors that Jorge Posada may be getting released. He might be a nice pickup, if he would be ok w/ taking Nieves's role as the backup C.

 

I highly doubt we pick up either guy, but I think they would greatly improve our bench, while bringing a whole new level of veteran championship experience.