Build Your 2012 Brewer Bench in December 2011

[Warning Track Power]

Given that there still appear to be holes to fill on the Brewers bench, I want to know how you guys propose to fill them. I don't believe we are done bringing in players to fill these bench roles, meaning I still think we are going to see some veteran Kotsay-ish types brought in to plug some final holes on the bench. Given Braun's suspension, we are likely going to have to find another OF because I don't see the Brewers 1. Going with Gomez and Nyjer in CF and LF full time and 2. Playing two rookies full time in Gamel at 1B and Gindl/Schafer in LF. Additionally, since we don't have a backup SS, it appears we are going to have to bring in one of those from FA as well. So build your bench Brewers fans. Mine looks something liek this:

Bench (Already on Roster)
C: George Kottaras (I think he's back. I am not sold yet that Maldonado is more than a better defending Wil Nieves, despite last season's offensive statistics)
1B/2B/3B: Taylor Green. DM seems content to give him a shot, especially after reading Green is going to get time at 1B. I like.
OF: Carlos Gomez. No problem here. Perfect fit for this team in a platoon role in CF with Nyjer.

That leaves two positions to be filled, SS and another OF. I would like to see the following two signings:
SS: Ryan Theriot. He won't be too expensive and can play both middle IF positions. He's not going to set the world on fire, but he won't be playing much with Weeks, Gonzalez and Green ahead of him. Mainly provides depth in the event Green doesn't hit ala Brad Nelson.
OF: Hideki Matsui/Kosuke Fukudome. I know it seems like I am cornering the market on former Cubs but we need a capable player to play LF without Braun and a LH stick as a 4th OF once Braun returns. These two guys fit the bill in my opinion. I like the D Fukudome brings and I like the power Matsui still could bring as a PH.

Without knowing the financials or what we can realistically afford, a bench of the following looks pretty good to me in 2012:

C: Kottaras
IF: Green, Theriot
OF: Gomez, Matsui

[greeg35]

I'd be OK with:

Kottaras

Green/Farris

Gomez/Schafer

[Bnowell4evr]

C Kottaras

IF Green

IF Punto

OF Gomez

OF Andruw Jones or Jonny Gomes

[madrx]

I like the outside of the box thinking of the original post, despite the heavy former Cubs choices. The potential in house options are almost all left handed bats, which could allow for easy pitching choices for the opponents (Kottaras, Green, Gindl, Schaefer). I would prefer to have a right handed bench bat besides Gomez. A player such as Punto who can cover multiple positions and is a switch hitter would be great if he is affordable. Fukudome is an interesting option, but with his age and inconsistency it would have to be a low price deal. Willie Harris might be a Hairston like option who could fill both infield and outfield spots in a pinch.

[PrinceEatMeat]

Seeing as Gomez and Morgan have CF covered, I'd like to see our 5th OF just be a guy who can cover the corners and also possibly be a platoon option at 1B with Gamel. Xavier Nady would fit that bill perfectly. Then our platoon guy can be anyone who plays SS. I would think Doug wants to save money now, so Farris is an in house option. Green should get the other IF spot. Kottaras and Morgan/Gomez are givens.

[yoshii8]

OF-Gomez

OF/1b- Luke Scott

SS/3b-Edgar Renteria- I think it's going to be important to get Gonzalez plenty of rest, and I think Renteria should play against most LHP's.

1b/3b/2b-Taylor Green

C-Kottaras

[Turnbowsaves24]

C-Kottaras

OF-Gomez

1B/3B-Eric Chavez

SS/2B- Orlando Cabrera

OF/1B Luke Scott

[TooLiveBrew]

C - Maldonado

1B/2B/3B - Green

SS/2B - Farris (?)... gulp, Yuni?

OF Gomez

OF/1B Brad Hawpe/Luke Scott

 

Schafer at Nashville as the next OF in line. But the Brewers might have to go with him if the budget's already maxed out.

[yoshii8]

Another guy I like as a MI/3b reserve would be Miguel Tejada, he was terrible last season, but pretty good in 09' and 10', w/ limited ab's he might be a soild addition.

[dadofandrew]

Seeing as Gomez and Morgan have CF covered, I'd like to see our 5th OF just be a guy who can cover the corners and also possibly be a platoon option at 1B with Gamel. Xavier Nady would fit that bill perfectly. Then our platoon guy can be anyone who plays SS. I would think Doug wants to save money now, so Farris is an in house option. Green should get the other IF spot. Kottaras and Morgan/Gomez are givens.

Farris has barely ever played SS, and wasn't very good there. He could sneak into the other spot if they want to let Green get 500 PA's, but he won't be the backup SS.

 

Good call on a RH 1B/OF option. Many of the lists do not have a single platoon mate for Mat, and have a lefty backing him up. That seems unlikely.

[The Truth]

Xavier Nady fits in terms of being a rhb who can play corner OF & 1B, but his stats have been pretty horrid lately. A .646 OPS in 2011, a .660 OPS in 2010, and in 2009 he was injured for almost the entire season. He will be 33 years old in 2012 and unless he's coming in at league minimum, he represents very little value. Even his splits the last few years (just a .702 OPS vs lhp in '11, .649 vs lhp in 2010) represents nothing special at all...

[Hotdog]

The Cardinals bench this year was awesome. Granted they added some players throughout the year, but they have a quality mix of bats and gloves. Young homegrown talent and veterans. The Brewers homegrown talent for the bench lacks a SS and right-handed bat. I believe and hope Carlos Gomez sees alot more playing time this year. Better defense, more speed, and if he's playing against righties he's hitting 260+ and getting on base.

 

Green is the only lock. Beyond that, how much more payroll gets eaten up by the arbitration eligibles will determine the Brewers bench. Green, Kottaras, Shafer, Gomez, and Farris would be a disaster!!!

[JohnBriggs12]

Has Josh Wilson signed anywhere? I have this sinking feeling he will be brought back as a cheap backup infielder. I also get the feeling Melvin will wait until February and bring in a veteran OF on a minor league deal

 

I

[PrinceEatMeat]

Xavier Nady fits in terms of being a rhb who can play corner OF & 1B, but his stats have been pretty horrid lately. A .646 OPS in 2011, a .660 OPS in 2010, and in 2009 he was injured for almost the entire season. He will be 33 years old in 2012 and unless he's coming in at league minimum, he represents very little value. Even his splits the last few years (just a .702 OPS vs lhp in '11, .649 vs lhp in 2010) represents nothing special at all...

Yeah, I agree. I was just throwing it out there. I just think the RH 1B/OF is a good option. There's other guys out there. Not sure if any of them have signed but Gomes, Burrell, DeRosa, Michaels, Conor Jackson, maybe Ryan Ludwick. Not sure if any of them would be cheap enough for Doug to consider, but we'll see. I think a RH bat as an insurance platoon mate for Gamel is a good idea.

[jmeks23]

The Brewers main problem is budget, and even though bench guys typically don't cost much, they still might not be able to stretch it out on 3-4 different guys. Once arbitration is over (particularly for K-Rod) we'll have a better understanding of the budget.

 

I wouldn't put a guy like Punto and Gomes/Nady out of the question though.

 

 

C Kottaras

IF Green

IF Punto

OF Gomez

1B/OF Gomes/Nady

 

 

That could potentially work, though Punto at SS scares me.

[MNBrew]

Punto is excellent at SS. The problem is that he just signed with Boston:

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors...to-sign-nick-punto-.html

 

C - Kottaras

IF - Green & ____ (experienced Hairston/Punto type who can cover the middle IF well)

OF - Gomez & _____ (I like Schafer & Gindl plenty but wonder if a vet will be brought in such as Nady)

[Hate those Rodents]

Ishikawa is fine as our backup first baseman and as a backup outfielder. Again, please just use Morgan in left and Gomez in center while Braun is out. Ishikawa can play some corner outfield too.

 

Sign Jack Wilson as a backup infielder. He's cheap and good on defense. Mist importantly, he will be almost strictly a backup shortstop and defensive replacement since he won't hit nearly well enough for RRR to think about playing him at second or third over Green.

[jmeks23]

The problem with Ishikawa as the back-up is he's also left-handed. Kind of pointless to have Mat Gamel's main backup be LH. In the OF, it matters less but they already have others that could backup the OF that are LH (Schafer, possibly even Gindl).

[TooLiveBrew]

I think Ish was signed as depth & nothing more. Nashville needed an everday 1B now that Gamel's up with the Brewers, and in case of a Gamel injury you have Ishikawa just a plane ride away.

[mrpackersfan1]

Has Josh Wilson signed anywhere? I have this sinking feeling he will be brought back as a cheap backup infielder. I also get the feeling Melvin will wait until February and bring in a veteran OF on a minor league deal

 

I

Braves got him

[PrinceEatMeat]

Has Josh Wilson signed anywhere? I have this sinking feeling he will be brought back as a cheap backup infielder. I also get the feeling Melvin will wait until February and bring in a veteran OF on a minor league deal

 

I

There's really nothing wrong with waiting it out. We have limited money available to fill out the bench, so why not wait and get some guys cheap? Doesn't mean they will be bad players. I don't have a problem with Melvin waiting to grab a few guys later on. He just doesn't have the money to spend on the top bench guys out there right now. Their prices will drop though if no one signs them.

[nate82]

I wish there was a Bill Hall type of a fa who can play all over the place. The only player who I can think of that fits that bill would be Joe Inglett.

C: Kottaras

IF: Green, Inglett

OF: Gomez, Fukudome

[dadofandrew]

I said it before it before, but I'll repeat it, it's amazing that so many people put two infielders on the bench with neither having any experience at SS.

[PrinceEatMeat]

I wish there was a Bill Hall type of a fa who can play all over the place. The only player who I can think of that fits that bill would be Joe Inglett.

C: Kottaras

IF: Green, Inglett

OF: Gomez, Fukudome

There is one. Bill Hall.

[colbyjack]

I think Caleb Gindl deserves a chance to win a reserve role out of camp. He may be better at AAA getting regular ABs, but the same could be said for Taylor Green. I agree with the overall sentiment that the bench will likely have to be extremely cost effective, while also pointing to the Cardinals knack for developing young players while they assume reserve roles early in their careers.

 

C Kottaras

IF Green + someone that can play SS as Al pointed out, who knows who that player may be, but I don't think it's someone already mentioned in this thread

OF Gomez, Gindl

 

That also provides at least 3 LH bats off the bench for a predominantly RH lineup. I would have both Ramirez and Green bring a 1B glove to camp to get enough reps at the position just in case.