left field

[mancl]

There are a couple of internal options assuming Braun has to sit. Move Gamel to left, Mc Gee to lst, Gindl or Morgan in left. What options are there if the Brewers want to acquire someone from outside of the organization?

[RWeeksFan23]

Ryan Ludwick or Josh Willingham

[MNBrew]

Willingham's drawing good, steady interest as a FA. There's no way he'd consider Milwaukee when any job he could have wouldn't last beyond 2 months if at all.

 

Trade K-Rod, non-tender Loe & Parra, and suddenly there are many options. But I just can't see outside temp help for LF.

[Baldkin]

Green, Gamel, Ramirez.

Those 3 will be playing, a lot the first 50 games. I could very well see Gamel getting some time in LF.

[TooLiveBrew]

Iirc, Gamel has never played LF & has played like one game in RF. I don't see how he's a viable option for LF. My guess is the Brewers go with either Plush (w. Gomez in CF fulltime) or Schafer.

[TheCrew]

Mike Cameron reunion?

[Nader Raider Tim]

A few other seemingly cheap options JD Drew, Hideki Matsui, Endy Chavez, Scott Hairston, Juan Pierre, Rajai Davis (trade). Obviously those names don't blow you out of the water but it would give the Brewers a veteran to make Gindl, or Schafer earn playing time. Drew and Matsui can get hot and be a real nice bat. Chavez and Hairston are just 4th outfielders who I like and would be league minimum guys who I think should outplay that. Pierre and Davis may be the only potential "everyday" players or the bunch and would give the Brewers a crazy stacked speed lineup.

 

I don't see the Brewers starting 2 young players, Gamel and Gindl on opening day. I definitely think that if Brauns suspension is upheld the Brewers with start LFer not currently in their organization.

[Bnowell4evr]

I'd go after Andruw Jones to play LF while Braun is out then when he returns you can platoon Jones and Gamel together. You just have to be creative and move Hart to 1B on days we play LHP.

[Bernman23]

Iirc, Gamel has never played LF & has played like one game in RF. I don't see how he's a viable option for LF. My guess is the Brewers go with either Plush (w. Gomez in CF fulltime) or Schafer.

You don't recall correctly. He's played 3 games in the majors at left field.

 

I think he's also gotten some innings here and there in the minors and ST but I can't be sure of that.

 

There hasn't been much of a need until now to employ him in left field because the organization was rock steady at the position.

 

I think he's a viable option to solve the leftfield issues if a better alternative emerges at 1B.

[jerichoholicninja]

What about Green in left? Gamel's future is at first, might as well play him there.

[Hate those Rodents]

It wouldn't be a bad idea to let Gomez start everyday in CF and have Morgan in LF as a platoon. Let defense and pitching try and win us most of the games the first half of the season. So, if we do this, let's just find a right-handed platoon mate based on what we currently have on the roster.

[Warning Track Power]

I would like Scott Hairston as the 4th OF, however that means we would only have one LH OF on the team in Nyjer Morgan when Braun returns. LF - Braun CF - Morgan RF - Hart Bench - Gomez, Hairston. Because of this I think it is more likely we target a LH OF to fill in while Braun is out.

 

I for one would be very happy if we signed Hideki Matsui or Kosuke Fukudome to play LF while Braun is out. For 50 starts, i think that wouldn't be the worst thing in the world and each would provide a little pop off the bench after Braun's return. I think I would lean more toward Matsui but either would be ok by me.

[TooLiveBrew]

You don't recall correctly. He's played 3 games in the majors at left field.

 

Honestly I'd expect myself to remember Gamel playing the OF in the big leagues. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/frown.gif

 

 

I think he's also gotten some innings here and there in the minors and ST but I can't be sure of that.

 

Now this is what I was aware of, him getting reps in non-MLB action.

[reillymcshane]

I'd trot out Hart in RF, then two of Morgan, Gomez and Gindl or Schafer (who ever makes the team) - depending on the pitcher. You then add a right handed hitting OF to the team - doesn't have to be anyone great - but someone who may be let go or sent down once Braun returns.

 

The right handed batter can be a rookie, can be a vet - anyone who knows that after 50 games, there's a good chance they are gone. A guy like Mike Cameron might work. He'll know that if he does well, and the rookie (Gindl or Schafer) doesn't, he can stay on for the rest of the season. But that's a risk. Ultimately, I'd like an OF of Braun (LF), Morgan/Gomez (CF), Hart (RF) and Gindl or Schafer as the final guy - a lefthander who can start occasionally for Hart or Braun - even fill in at CF as needed.

[CheezWizHed]

If Gindl or Schafer make the team out of ST, you can simply send them down to AAA once Braun comes back.

[JohnBriggs12]

If Gindl or Schafer make the team out of ST, you can simply send them down to AAA once Braun comes back.

This is a team that just spent $36 million so they don't have to rely on a rookie coming off of a .337/.413/.583 year at AAA to play 3B. In my opinion that will prove to be a mistake but it is what it is. What it shows is this team isn't ready to go with youth. Right or wrong, the thinking is they can minimize the loss of Fielder enough to still contend even if that means postponing the inevitable rebuilding process that should be starting.

 

So I look to see them pick up a veteran FA like a Raul Ibanez or deal for a guy like Bobby Abreu with the Angels picking up a good chunk of salary.

[fondybrewfan]

I wouldn't have any problem with Gomez, Schaefer, and Morgan rotating between CF and LF for 2 months while also mixing Gindl in there at LF as well. Given that Melvin indicated he is already over budget; it seems pretty likely that the short term substitute would be an internal option. I doubt Gamel would be used out there; but I guess you never know.

[captkirk16]

Great point JohnBriggs, the Brewers have to score 6 runs to win when their ace is on the mound. I think Greinke never was right from his injury last year and if he can't get his ERA down, this team will struggle w/o Prince and Braun. There is no one they can get to replace those numbers. Melvin has two choices, go with the "G" men, or trade them to get experience.

[CheezWizHed]

This is a team that just spent $36 million so they don't have to rely on a rookie coming off of a .337/.413/.583 year at AAA to play 3B. In my opinion that will prove to be a mistake but it is what it is.

 

I'm a big Green fan, but I think relying on both Green and Gamel to make the jump to the MLB level is a mistake also. I think its a good idea to let Green play part time and Gamel mostly full time. If Gamel flops and Green is hitting, then Ramirez can move over to 1B.

 

But my point on Gindl/Schafer was referencing someone saying we needed a OFer for 2 months, then cut him. I was pointing out another option.

[YoungGeezy]

Easy, Plush to Left, Gomez CF, Hart RF. Schaefer is 4th OF Sign a vet OF like we do every year. Problem Solved.

 

It's a 2 month possible issue, we don't need to sign a starting OF like Ludwick. We don't need to move someone off their current position for two months. All we have to do is break up our CF platoon. Offensively....maybe not the most sexy. Defensively, I think this mixed with Gonzo at SS will save some runs.

[TooLiveBrew]

Yeah, having Plush & Gomez out there to cover >2/3 of the outfield will definitely save a lot of runs.

[Teatoe993]

Maybe we could just go with Plush and Gomez in the Outfield alone and add another dude to the infield.

[CheezWizHed]

I'd feel better if we handled left and center with a three-way platoon that included a right handed LFer (i.e. better batter than Gomez). That way, Plush still doesn't play against lefties. And Gomez isn't playing everyday either (at least spell him against tougher RHSPs).

[Nader Raider Tim]

I'll say this the player that I really really want is Ryan Doumit. The Twins pulled down a great signing getting him to sign for that little that quickly. Doumit would give the Brewers exactly what they need right now. A guy who could be a Left Fielder for 50 games and then he would be insurance for Gamel at 1st Base.

[PilprinBuddha]

How about guys like Ankiel, Ibanez or Kubel? Would they all be too pricey as Vet OF guys?