corey hart

[mancl]

Let's say the Brewers brain trust wants Hart at lst but he balks. What could he bring in a trade?

[PrinceEatMeat]

I would have to think that Hart's value is fairly high right now. He's coming off two pretty good seasons in a row. It all depends on where our needs lie if/when we decide to trade him, but I think he could net us some pitching help or possibly a younger buy-low candidate in the OF from a team that wants to win now. I know the Braves have kicked around trading Heyward, so we could offer Hart + others for Heyward.

[Invader3K]

I really doubt Hart would "balk" at playing 1B. It's getting obvious he is slowing down on defense, and he was actually drafted as a 1B, so it's not unfamiliar territory to him.

[reillymcshane]

Hunt at the Journal Sentinel said in a column that Hart didn't want to play 1B. Here's the line:

 

But as poorly as the Brewers were defensively against the Cardinals in

the last two games of the NLDS, they cannot afford another liability in

the infield. Whether it's Mat Gamel, whom they sent to Nashville to

learn how to play first base, or Corey Hart, who doesn't want to play

the position again, or somebody outside the organization, a minimum of

an average defensive player is mandatory.

 

He didn't elaborate further.

 

http://www.jsonline.com/s...addressed-132030053.html

[PrinceEatMeat]

Until I hear Hart quoted saying he doesn't wanna play 1B, I still think it's a distinct possibility.

[yoshii8]

Lance Allen(I think) was on a Madison morning radio show, and he said he specifically asked Corey Hart about moving to first recently, and he said he would be ok with it. Apparantly Hart said he was also asked after last season, in case Fielder was traded, so the Brewers have definitely thought about it.

[markedman5]

Melvin says not going to happen

[reillymcshane]

Lance Allen(I think) was on a Madison morning radio show, and he said he specifically asked Corey Hart about moving to first recently, and he said he would be ok with it. Apparantly Hart said he was also asked after last season, in case Fielder was traded, so the Brewers have definitely thought about it.

well, if hart is okay with it, great. i like the team to have the flexibility. as someone said, i guess until we hear it from Corey, there's a chance he's open to it.

 

maybe hart doesn't want to be a 1B when he comes up as a FA. A free agent OF is more valuable than a FA 1B.

[monty57]

I wouldn't have a problem trading Hart, but other than a potential need for salary relief, I don't see them trading Hart this offseason. They have Gindl and Schafer, but I don't see them starting another rookie (to go along with Gamel/Green). I guess that if they could net a stud young SS, they could put Gamel in RF and sign a 1B. If there's a RF out there in the FA market, then I'd guess the trading partner would simply sign that RF instead of giving up their SS. Plus, our offense would be decimated losing Prince and Hart.

 

After next year, when Gamel and Green (hopefully) have a season under their belt and we have more certainty with them, I could see Gindl/Schafer getting their opportunity in 2013, making Hart a good trade chip at a time we may need to do a bit of a rebuild, as we'll be losing some pitching (potentially a lot of pitching).

 

But, to the point of the thread, if we decided to trade Hart, I think he would have a good amount of value. After losing his way a couple of years ago, he has had two strong seasons and is under contract for two seasons at a reasonable (especially when compared to the comparable Jason Werth) price.

[Hate those Rodents]

I don't mind Cuddyer for 3/20 if we can trade Hart...

[MNBrew]

I don't mind Cuddyer for 3/20 if we can trade Hart...

Having watched Cuddyer tons since his Twins career began, I think he'd be an upgrade over Hart. Different skill set, still with some faults (of course), but quite worth that kind of investment.

 

If Hart were the same Hart of 4-5 years ago, I wouldn't say so. But since then, Hart's gone from a doubles-hitting machine w/ good HR power and excellent speed to a better OBP but lesser defense, lesser speed, less run production (in that his RBI totals in the 5-hole were rather poor when he got moved to the leadoff spot), & more Ks. The OBP's an improvement but the hot streaks seem to be less meaningful (in terms of "carrying the team") and the dropoff in speed kills him both on the bases & in the field, ultimately making him less of an overall threat.

 

I'm not totally disenchanted with Hart -- b/c I honestly do feel he fits several needs on the team, just not as thoroughly or as broadly as he once did -- but I'd still gladly take Cuddyer.

[paul253]

I think if you are willing to take pitching prospect in return for Hart you could get something good for him. I prefer they trade him because he's coming off of two pretty good years and has two years left on his contract so he won't be a rental. Atlanta has a ton of pitching prospects. I'd approach them and see if I couldn't swing a deal for one of them.

[Raw Biz]

I think Atlanta is the perfect trading partner. Ideally, I would try to get Minor/Beachy or one of their other pitching prospects for Hart. Then I'd either trade Wolf for a glove-first SS with decent OBP and sign a guy like Cuddyer or trade Wolf for a RF/1B (if 1B move Gamel to RF) and sign Barmes.

[DHonks]

I've read speculation on mlbtraderumors that Boston could be a great fit for Hart...do they mean LF?

[markedman5]

Why would Atlanta trade one of their good young pitchers for Hart when they could just sign Cuddyer(for less momey) and keep them both?

[Raw Biz]

Why would Atlanta trade one of their good young pitchers for Hart when they could just sign Cuddyer(for less momey) and keep them both?

Because they've been interested in Hart in the past and maybe they prefer him. Also, maybe Cuddyer resigns or goes somewhere else.

[nate82]

I've read speculation on mlbtraderumors that Boston could be a great fit for Hart...do they mean LF?

LF or RF I don't think it really matters in Boston. They could always move Crawford over to RF if they wanted to which he should be playing anyways never really understood why they had Crawford in LF to begin with other than his arm isn't all that great that is probably the reason why Crawford is in LF instead of RF. Boston would be a good match up trade wise to trade with as they need an OF to replace Drew I just don't see a match prospect wise as all of the good prospects that I like from the Red Sox are in A ball. Doubront is really the only player I would want from Boston but he is obviously not enough for Hart. The only other player that you could put on the major league roster would be Anderson but he has faded rather fast I am not sure what to think about him. The only other player who is also at A ball is Ranaudo that I like from the Red Sox.

I'm also not sold on Iglesias while his defense is nice I don't think he will hit enough even as a SS. The only player who played above AA that I really like from the Red Sox for a trade for Hart would be Will Middlebrooks. He is a good to average defensive 3B I am not sure he is ready yet but he does have a very nice swing as a hitter. If Hart were to be traded to the Red Sox he would be my first option and if the Red Sox said no to that. I would want at least Bogaerts, Britton, and Anderson for Hart.

[yoshii8]

I think Hart is undervalued by a lot of Brewers fan's. He is coming off consecutive .866 and .865 OPS seasons, and I believe is getting more consistent at the plate the older he gets. Besides a few memorable bad plays, I think his defense was a lot better this season.

 

A player like him is a lot harder to replace than people are giving him credit for. I hope the Brewers focus more on SS/3B/1b/bullpen, and leave the outfield alone. I thought Braun, Morgan/Gomez, Hart was one of the better outfields in baseball.

[sbrylski]

FWIW...

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/graphs/1945_690_OF_aseason_full_8_20110928.png

[monkeyman343434]

Wishful thinking here, but I wouldn't mind flipping Hart to the Red Sox for a decent package of prospects and then do the following:

 

Deal Marcum to the Marlins for Logan Morrison (maybe another player added from each side - but the two of them being the main pieces)

This gives the Brewers a SP pecking order of Greinke/Gallardo/Wolf/Narveson/Estrada/Fiers/Peralta heading into 2012.

 

Put Morrison at 1b, Green at 3b, and Gamel in RF.

 

This would save about $16 million in salary for next year (about $60 as a total 25 man payroll at this point) which would allow the Crew to really go after Reyes if they wanted and still have some room to go after one or two higher priced ($3-$5/year set up men) as well as having a very RH/LH balanced lineup. Lucroy/Morrison/Weeks/Green/SS/Braun/Morgan-Gomez/Gamel

[NievesNoNO]

I think Hart is undervalued by a lot of Brewers fan's. He is coming off consecutive .866 and .865 OPS seasons, and I believe is getting more consistent at the plate the older he gets. Besides a few memorable bad plays, I think his defense was a lot better this season.

 

A player like him is a lot harder to replace than people are giving him credit for. I hope the Brewers focus more on SS/3B/1b/bullpen, and leave the outfield alone. I thought Braun, Morgan/Gomez, Hart was one of the better outfields in baseball.

Agreed. He's not great on defense but he's not a complete butcher either. I'd keep him in the outfield unless Gamel proves he's not an adequate major league hitter through spring and the first couple months next year. At this point, they simply have to give Gamel a legit shot. I'd say you could look into trading Gamel, but considering his prospect status has basically been burned up I don't think you'd get much for him until he proves he can hit... in which case it wouldn't make much sense to get rid of him.

 

I don't think anyone outside of Yo and Braun are untouchable so if you're blown away by an offer say by the Braves for a young pitcher then maybe you deal him but I wouldn't be actively shopping him I guess. I just don't see a lot of scenarios were trading Hart improves the team now or in the near future. You have to kind of be realistic in regards to what you are looking for in return and what you hope the retuning player can do. If you look to move him for a pitcher the pitcher will not likely be a high end type guy and they really don't need another #3 type. If you move him for another position player to fill a hole at ss or 3rd you may improve there but then have to replace Hart. If you look to move him for a package of prospects you're basically saying you're in slight rebuild mode. While that's not bad if you have an adequate plan to replace him, what's the upside of those players? If the upside of the main piece coming back is Corey Hart then you haven't really accomplished much.

 

That's alot of rambling to basically say I wouldn't trade him unless the Braves offer me Teheran or something along those lines.

[nate82]

I wonder if a Hart for Youkilis trade would be something the Red Sox would do. The Brewers could then move Youkilis to 1B and then trade Gamel for a SS. For the OF the Brewers could go with Fukudome or DeJesus in RF with a RH platoon FA.

[Hotdog]

Hart for Youkilis is crazy. Red Sox would be nuts!!!!!!!

[MNBrew]

I wonder if a Hart for Youkilis trade would be something the Red Sox would do. The Brewers could then move Youkilis to 1B and then trade Gamel for a SS. For the OF the Brewers could go with Fukudome or DeJesus in RF with a RH platoon FA.

You keep throwing out Fukudome as a potential Brewers in various offseason/2012 threads. I don't get the fixation, esp. not at the $8M/yr. for 3 years I've seen you mention in a couple other threads. He kept playing himself out of starting roles for the Cubs -- who were lousy over much of his time there, thus plenty of opportunities for about anyone to succeed -- in spite of multiple chances to live up to the potential based on his stellar Japanese career.

 

Yours kinda reminds me of my excitement when the Brewers got Paul Householder in a trade. He never lived up to his Cincinnati-prospect hype, but I was convinced based on that hype, a handful of solid games, and perhaps the best throw from LF to the plate I've witnessed in person that he'd be the real deal. Well, he was really just mediocre at best, and I'm convinced Fukudome's never going to be anything close to what the media hype made him out to be when he came over from Japan. He's really proven to be a role player at most, and we already have a pretty good one in RF in Hart. . . . Not that I'm convinced Hart's the best guy for RF in the long run, but I see him as being a whole lot more reliable than Fukudome.

[DHonks]

MNBrew, Fukudome was very good with the Cubs. He's good defensively and good with OBP. He was only a flop in the eyes of Cubs fans.