2B Replacement: What can we realistically expect?

[Cracked Bat Collector]

I say we start Yovani @ 2b.

[NYChez]

Recent retirees*:

Ray Durham

Mark Grudzielanek

David Eckstein

Cristian Guzman

Luis Castillo

Ronnie Belliard

Brendan Harris

Kaz Matsui

Khalil Greene

* or guys buried in the minors

[KCBrewerfan34]

I'm just going to ask the question. Can McGehee play 2b? Trade for Ramirez and move Casey to 2B (if he can play it).

[TooLiveBrew]

McGehee can hardly play 3B & is slower than most catchers. Do you need anyone to answer the question further? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[markedman5]

Ramirez has said he will not approve any trade .

 

Not happening

[Warning Track Power]

Not saying that I wanted Rickie to get hurt or anything but his injury may be a blessing in disguise for those of us that have been clamoring for an upgrade to SS/3B. With Rickie's absence, Counsell's abyssmal season continuing, Wilson and Yuni being Wilson and Yuni, it only amplifies the lack of quality players we have on the IF. Farris is not being looked at as a starter at 2B, so our internal solution is Wilson/Counsell platoon? I doubt MA will allow DM to stand pat when we are in 1st so late in the season.

 

This situation screams for the Brewers to acquire someone now to play 2B. Who will that be? The list includes Adam Kennedy, Clint Barmes & Jamey Carroll off the top of my head. Now let's say they acquire Kennedy or Carroll. Carroll has been discussed ad nauseum. Kennedy is 35, but doesn't seem like he has slowed given the last four years his WAR is 1.4, 1.2, 1.0, 1.4. He starts at 2B while Rickie recovers. Rickie comes back and all of a sudden we have a Counsell replacement moving forward. Similarly, with Barmes. We acquire him and he starts at 2B while Rickie recovers. Rickie comes back and all of a sudden we have a Yuni replacement at SS. DFA Yuni, Wilson or Counsell.

 

I hate that it took Rickie's injury to drive home the lack of quality on our bench but if this does not amplify that our bench is terrible, we will be watching StL in the playoffs come October.

[RockCoCougars]

Now that Weeks is out- Barmes is obviously the best option, followed by Wigginton (not sure if you'd move McGehee to 2nd or put Wigginton there). I wouldn't argue with adding Furcal either- he's starting to heat up.

[endaround]

Wigginton is not the answer to anything.

[RockCoCougars]

Wigginton is not the answer to anything.

I don't think there is anyone out there who would be the 'answer'. When Weeks comes back, depending on what happens with McGehee, Wigginton could take over third or if nothing else, he would be a nice bat off the bench which is currently full of singles hitters. I know people hate on him for his defense, but Carroll is mediocre defensively as well.

[PrinceEatMeat]

Bill Hall just got DFA'd. Let's hope we don't pick him up.

[jmeks23]

I know we've been in on Barmes as well, but all I'm seeing today is Jamey Carroll from those more privy to the knowledge. I just really worry Doug overpays for Carroll then doesn't feel it necessary to trade for a SS.

[RockCoCougars]

I thought the talks for Carroll broke down because they couldn't come to an agreement on prospects. I sure hope that Melvin doesn't cave and give them way to much for him. I don't understand why he covets Carroll so much anyway. The only other team that I've read having interest in him is Cleveland....hopefully they step up to the plate and get him.

[Funketown]

I know we've been in on Barmes as well, but all I'm seeing today is Jamey Carroll from those more privy to the knowledge. I just really worry Doug overpays for Carroll then doesn't feel it necessary to trade for a SS.

I would imagine that if Melvin trades for Carroll he'd start at 2B for 3-6 weeks and then move over to SS. At this point, I'd be thrilled if the club is able to acquire Carroll without having to overpay. The deadline is only ~72 hours away, and unless Melvin already has something in the works, that's not a ton of time to get deals done. Carroll is a mediocre player, but mediocre is a whole lot better than terrible.

[Warning Track Power]

I know we've been in on Barmes as well, but all I'm seeing today is Jamey Carroll from those more privy to the knowledge. I just really worry Doug overpays for Carroll then doesn't feel it necessary to trade for a SS.

I would imagine that if Melvin trades for Carroll he'd start at 2B for 3-6 weeks and then move over to SS. At this point, I'd be thrilled if the club is able to acquire Carroll without having to overpay. The deadline is only ~72 hours away, and unless Melvin already has something in the works, that's not a ton of time to get deals done. Carroll is a mediocre player, but mediocre is a whole lot better than terrible.

I just can't get behind Jamey Carroll unless someone else is acquired to play SS. If Carroll plays 2B until Weeks gets back, ok; I can handle that. Furcal/Barmes at SS and Carroll at 2B. Carroll becomes the super utility when Rickie comes back. What I can't handle is Carroll being looked at as the solution for SS. It is such short term thinking as well as buying high on a 37 year old player.

[The Truth]

Carroll has a much better OBP than the other possible replacements being discussed

[yoshii8]

What about Aaron Hill or Chone Figgins? I'm not sure if Hill is available, but I'm sure Seattle is dying to get rid of Figgins after his atrocious 2 seasons there. I'm sure Roenicke is very familiar w/ him.

[RockCoCougars]

Carroll has a much better OBP than the other possible replacements being discussed

Yes, but his slugging percentage is pretty bad- lower than his OBP. Remember, it takes 4 walks to score a run (or 3 singles... maybe 4 if Prince/McGehee get the first).

[Warning Track Power]

What about Aaron Hill or Chone Figgins? I'm not sure if Hill is available, but I'm sure Seattle is dying to get rid of Figgins after his atrocious 2 seasons there. I'm sure Roenicke is very familiar w/ him.

This is an outside the box idea that actually makes some sense to me. If the Mariners would include Brendan Ryan + $$, I would take on Figgins. So would RR I'd imagine. Figgins is owed $17MM over the next two years. I would take him if the M's paid say $10MM, gave us Ryan and we didn't have to include top flight prospects.

 

His 2011 has been bad but he's only a season removed from a .259/.340 AVG/OBP slash. That would play for us this season at 2B until Rickie returns and he could fill the utility role for the next two seasons. I am definitely intrigued.

 

Figgins + $10MM + Ryan for ....? What's fair?

 

[DHonks]

yes, but we have plenty of team power. We do not have plenty of runners on base.

 

Don't forget that statheads say that OPS is flawed because it undervalues OBP and that OBP is actually more like 1.5 times more valuable than SLG

[RockCoCougars]

yes, but we have plenty of team power. We do not have plenty of runners on base.

 

Don't forget that statheads say that OPS is flawed because it undervalues OBP and that OBP is actually more like 1.5 times more valuable than SLG

With Weeks gone, there are really only 3 legitimate power guys in the lineup: Prince, Braun, Hart. I wouldn't call any of the other guys power hitters. This doesn't even take into account the fact that the bench has very little power either.

[The Truth]

Is this purely a smokescreen? Trying to drive down the asking price before the deadline? We're going to try to "mix & match with what we have" at 2B? I have to seriously doubt that

 

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/126348613.html

[jmeks23]

I don't know, it sounds like a typical thing a GM would say. However, if it's true and Melvin stands pat after the meager acquisition of Felipe Lopez (who has been DFA'd like 5 times in the last couple years) then that is really a pathetic mistake. The Brewers truly need an upgrade at SS and on the bench, and until Weeks is back, that bench upgrade has to be able to play 2B well.

 

I'm still hopeful for Carroll and Barmes, but after the Lopez deal, my hope is fleeting. Though I heard we're doing background checks on Furcal's health. But with that I heard the Dodgers will not give up both Furcal and Carroll.

 

Who knows, I just hope Melvin is smart enough to realize Lopez sucks.

[DHonks]

i feel good about calling this move!!! (selfish pat on back)

[ilikewisco]

Could Infante be an option? He's a free agent after this year, having a real down year, and can play all over the field. I don't think he could handle short routinely but he could get us by until Weeks is back, can play some center, I believe switch hits, and could play some for Yuni and Casey once Weeks is back. I wouldn't think it would take much to get him. And I don't know how well he plays center or short anymore, but maybe he could turn around his season with a stronger lineup around him.

[DHonks]

seriously, we have plenty of iffy-to-crappy infielders to throw at the problem. We can probably throw enough players at the problem that we'll be fine. I like the offensive potential of Felipe Lopez.