SS Upgrade: Realistically What Do You Expect?

[Warning Track Power]

We're about 2 weeks away from the trade deadline and we have exhausted the names of the players who may or may not be available for the Brewers to acquire. Reyes, Hardy, Furcal, Bartlett, Ryan....and on and on and on. Now that we are pushing up against the deadline, I am curious as to what you guys all believe is going to happen realistically.

Option A - Given it is an all in season, are you expecting DM to make a big splash ala Reyes or Hardy?

Option B - Are you expecting a high risk, high reward type deal which would bring in an injury prone Furcal?

Option C - Do you think DM will worry more about shoring up the D and bringing in a Ryan or Jack Wilson?

Option D - Or does DM go the change of scenery route and hope a Jason Bartlett revives his TB or Minnesota days?

In my opinion, the most realistic scenario I see playing out for the Brewers before the deadline is Option B or D. While I would absolutely prefer to get JJ back, I think that the most likely scenario that will play out for the Brewers will either be Furcal or Bartlett. Furcal could bring everything that a JJ would bring, and maybe more, if he stays healthy. It's a big if but one that likely won't cost to much to gamble on propsect-wise. Realistically, we could always fall back on YuBet if he were to get hurt (a terrible option I know). Additionally, Furcal will likely cost significantly less than JJ.

Similarly, Bartlett who is having a very down year will likely not be too expensive for the Brewers to acquire. Plus he is under contract for 2012. He brings more speed to the lineup, which RR will love, and would likely cost us a minor league bat as the Padres are always looking for hitting in Petco. I am a little surprised by his dWAR over his career being -0.9 but I think we would gladly welcome his abilities givent he alternatives and the cost to acquire them.

So there it is. I expect Furcal, a high risk high reward player, or Bartlett, a change of scenery type player, to be playing SS for the Crew in August. What are your realistic expectations?

[yoyomayoma]

DM is talking like it will be A or B but I think D is the likeliest with C being a close second. Unless Furcal can prove to stay healthy for a couple of weeks, he's a big risk. Bartlett seems to be worth a risk and won't cost much.

[Bnowell4evr]

I lump SS and 3B together into one problem and between those two spots they need to find an answer at the 5th spot in the lineup. You can accomplish that with a 1-2 hitter who drops Rickie down to 5th or by going big on someone like A-Ram.. Logic says A-Ram is highly unlikely so I'm gonna say either Jamey Carroll or Rafael Furcal is the SS we trade for.

[Brewin]

I really don't see Option A as a realistic option. The Mets are going to ask for the moon for Reyes (or more likely keep & sign him to an extension). Accordingly, if Reyes is not dealt, Hardy will likely become too expensive.

 

I see Brendan Ryan as a very likely candidate - excellent glove, below average offensive player. Current Year OPS 612/Current year WAR 1.6 (surprised it was that high).

 

I would also not be surprised to see DM go after Clint Barmes who is having a decent year yet shouldn't cost much to acquire from Houston

 

 

 

[Raw Biz]

I think B, C, and D are all realistic options. We could take a risk on Furcal and hope he stays healthy. If Melvin calls up Green to replace McGehee's dreadful offense in the 6 hole, then I could see getting a defensive guy like Ryan. And I could also easily see Bartlett coming back as an offensive guy (using that term very loosely) if he will be keeping McGehee up.

[FoxyFoxes]

I expect they trade for Furcal in the next week to ten days and drop Josh Wilson or Betancourt (probably Wilson). Then maybe drop the other one for Taylor if Casey keeps struggling . Although I feel like you need 3 shortstops if 2 of them are Counsell/Furcal.

[JohnBriggs12]

Furcal is a name but his numbers are awful. Jamey Carroll makes more sense. I like Ryan easily over Wilson, who is worse than Yuni offensively. Carroll would be my choice as more the anti-Yuni, with good on base skills. I know he's despised on here, but Yuni is going to get his hits (I'm not so sure about Casey though), and you don't drive in runs from 2nd with walks, so you can't just throw anyone out there and think it's going to make that big of a difference. So I'd stay away from the bottom guys. Bartlett's an interesting name but defensively he's no better than Betancourt and he's not worth $7 million he's owed after this season.

 

The focus needs to be as much or more on 3B where I think there's a better chance of truly upgrading, either with Green, or with a Wilson Betemit or Greg Dobbs who won't cost a ton. Not only would it take a slumping McGehee out of the lineup, it would add a lefthanded bat to the lineup.

 

While I think the Brewers like Green, I just don't think they want to throw a raw rookie like that into the starting lineup of a team in the middle of a pennant race.

[Cdiddy34]

C. i don't care if he hits .210 they need to have a good IF up the middle.. or ANYWHERE on that defense. if he hits .220 then sweet, he's near yuni territory on offense too. i'd love ryan, he doesn't get a ton of hits but he's unreal with the glove, plays hard, runs the bases and can do little things to help the offense.

[Warning Track Power]

I also forgot to mention that there is:

Option E...We don't make a move at all at SS. Man I hope that isn't a realistic possibility at all but you never know.

[JohnBriggs12]

I also forgot to mention that there is:

 

Option E...We don't make a move at all at SS. Man I hope that isn't a realistic possibility at all but you never know.

Yuni is capable of 70 games of .270/.300/.380. He hit .260/.295/.421 in the 2nd half last year. They could do worse. Don't judge him entirely on what you've seen so far. Remember too, he's now had a half season in a new league, and he should benefit from having seen guys the 2nd and 3rd time around. Betancourt hit .314/.321/.431 in interleague play and did a number on the Twins staff that he was very familiar with.

[Hate those Rodents]

Sadly, each game we play that we choose to play without calling up Green lessens the chance he's brought up. And I just don't see us adding a 3B AND a SS. I think we add one of Furcal/Carroll at SS. McGehee better figure it out at third because I don't think we are going to do anything at that particular position this season.

[jmeks23]

I also doubt they acquire both a SS and 3B, unless it's a package deal. However, Rosenthal among others have reported the Brewers being interested in both, and Melvin seemed like he was looking around for both as well.

 

At the end of the day, we have internal options at 3B. If they make a trade it needs to be for a SS.

 

Though there are some package options available at this point Ramirez and Barney, Reynolds and Hardy, Headley and Bartlett.

[JohnBriggs12]

I also doubt they acquire both a SS and 3B, unless it's a package deal. However, Rosenthal among others have reported the Brewers being interested in both, and Melvin seemed like he was looking around for both as well.

 

At the end of the day, we have internal options at 3B. If they make a trade it needs to be for a SS.

 

Though there are some package options available at this point Ramirez and Barney, Reynolds and Hardy, Headley and Bartlett.

Barney? One, he plays 2B and two, he's the 2nd to last guy the Cubs would deal.

[Hate those Rodents]

It'll be SS only. I'd be very disappointed if it's not SS only actually.

[brewmann04]

Carroll or keppinger type

[danzig6767]

I also forgot to mention that there is:

 

Option E...We don't make a move at all at SS. Man I hope that isn't a realistic possibility at all but you never know.

Yuni is capable of 70 games of .270/.300/.380. He hit .260/.295/.421 in the 2nd half last year. They could do worse. Don't judge him entirely on what you've seen so far. Remember too, he's now had a half season in a new league, and he should benefit from having seen guys the 2nd and 3rd time around. Betancourt hit .314/.321/.431 in interleague play and did a number on the Twins staff that he was very familiar with.

Why should seeing pitchers a second time matter to Yuni?

 

It's not like he's a savvy hitter with a good baseball IQ to where he can learn things from previous at bats. All he does is step into the box and hack at almost any pitch a pitcher throws him. He doesn't strikeout a lot though, so he'll have stretches where more or less balls find holes, but it won't change that he's an absolutely atrocious hitter and always will be. Mix in his statue like range, it would be hard for Melvin to acquire someone who is worse.

[The Truth]

There is injury risk not only with Furcal but with Hardy & Reyes too

 

I would prefer someone like Barmes

 

I think it'll be Furcal

[The Truth]

And I expect them to also trade for a 3B, especially if Casey goes zero for the Rockies series

[Kricket755]

I also doubt they acquire both a SS and 3B, unless it's a package deal. However, Rosenthal among others have reported the Brewers being interested in both, and Melvin seemed like he was looking around for both as well.

 

At the end of the day, we have internal options at 3B. If they make a trade it needs to be for a SS.

 

Though there are some package options available at this point Ramirez and Barney, Reynolds and Hardy, Headley and Bartlett.

Barney? One, he plays 2B and two, he's the 2nd to last guy the Cubs would deal.

Barney played SS all throughout his minor league career, and is generally regarded as a pretty decent defensive SS. They moved him for Starlin.

 

[TheCrew]

A is not happening at this point - out best option was with the Mets and eating all of K-Rod's contract as a bargaining chip.

 

B is where my money is, I have a feeling it will be Furcal in a similar type deal to K-Rod's - i.e. eating money, not giving up much in prospects.

 

C/D would be fallbacks if Furcal's asking price is too high.

 

Bigger question, what about 3b?

[TheCrew]

I'd also be interested in Mike Aviles - he can play SS and 3rd - having a down year at the plate but the guy can rake.

[Bnowell4evr]

A is not happening at this point - out best option was with the Mets and eating all of K-Rod's contract as a bargaining chip.

 

B is where my money is, I have a feeling it will be Furcal in a similar type deal to K-Rod's - i.e. eating money, not giving up much in prospects.

 

C/D would be fallbacks if Furcal's asking price is too high.

 

Bigger question, what about 3b?

My money is on one of Jamey Carroll, Wilson Betemit, Greg Dobbs or Aaron Miles. None of them project as a Type B FA so they could be had for little.

[BKsToolbox]

What's everyone's opinion of Jimmy Rollins as a free agent? I feel like defensively he could still hack it, he would fit in with the locker room, and he wouldn't be too expensive.

[TheCrew]

Rollins is on the downside of his career and I think he'll come with a pretty hefty price tag - they shouldn't have a problem finding a decent SS on the market this offseason if needed.

[RockCoCougars]

I see that the number 7 is still available for Hardy. Unfortunately, it looks like in Baltimorethe two sides are making progress on an extension for 3 years in the $21-$25 million range. I'd do that deal in a heartbeat, and I'd give the O's a couple of Power 50 top 10 arms for the privilege. Probably a pipe dream at this point though

 

I guess that I don't see guys like Bartlett as much of an upgrade over Yuni. I have a feeling it's going to end up being Furcal if he can stay in one piece.