Will the Brewers add anyone to their Roster?

[brewmann04]

I was curious with the Brewers Budget higher than expected are the Brewers done adding anyone to their Spring training roster.

Thanks

[brwrsfan]

Other than minor league deals, I really don't see them adding anyone. Or I guess maybe for league minimum. Maybe someone like Todd Coffey for example.

 

Aside from the money, we really don't have any roster space at this point either. Pretty much every spot seems set, other than perhaps some depth in the minors.

[PKBadger]

Our backup infielders right now would likely consist of Brooks Conrad and Cesar Izturis. I wouldn't mind a FA signing (Keppinger, Theriot) to replace one of those men, but doubt we have the money or inclination.

[PrinceEatMeat]

Our backup infielders right now would likely consist of Brooks Conrad and Cesar Izturis. I wouldn't mind a FA signing (Keppinger, Theriot) to replace one of those men, but doubt we have the money or inclination.

Keppinger just signed with the Rays. Doubt we'll be in on Theriot, which in my opinion is a good thing. I don't see any signings happening other than a few more minor league deals with invites to spring training.

[reillymcshane]

A's just designated Adrian Cardenas:

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors...enas-for-assignment.html

 

He hit .314 at AAA last year (.374 OBP). Played OF, 3B, 2B, SS - not sure if he's good at any of them. He's a former #1 pick by philadelphia, and was twice in Baseball America's top 100 prospects (2008 and 09).

 

Not a lot of pop, but good average - a .303 lifetime in the minors. Takes walks. Doesn't strikeout a lot. He bats lefthanded - which is probably a negative for us at this point.

 

Seems like a nice guy to have in your system. I'm curiious about his defense.

[monty57]

We have five OF: Braun, Hart, Gomez, Morgan & Aoki - if Braun is suspended, I doubt we'll add a vet for 50 games. We'd likely just use Schafer or Gindl

We are set at IF: Gamel, Weeks, Gonzalez, Ramirez, Lucroy backed up by Kottaras, Izturis and either Conrad or Green

We are set in the rotation: Gallardo, Greinke, Marcum, Wolf, Narveson

 

The only possible addition I can see would be in the bullpen, but we have enough arms that I doubt we even add someone here. If we do, it won't be anyone expensive.

[Raw Biz]

A's just designated Adrian Cardenas:

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors...enas-for-assignment.html

 

He hit .314 at AAA last year (.374 OBP). Played OF, 3B, 2B, SS - not sure if he's good at any of them. He's a former #1 pick by philadelphia, and was twice in Baseball America's top 100 prospects (2008 and 09).

 

Not a lot of pop, but good average - a .303 lifetime in the minors. Takes walks. Doesn't strikeout a lot. He bats lefthanded - which is probably a negative for us at this point.

 

Seems like a nice guy to have in your system. I'm curiious about his defense.

My thoughts exactly after reading about him. He's only 24 but has put up a 775-800 OPS just about every year in the minors as UTIL guy. That seems like a good guy to have, at least for depth. Although looking at his fielding stats, his fielding percentage isn't that great (I know it's not a great stat) but most his problems seemed to come at 3B.

[Bnowell4evr]

Just going by our roster and whats left in FA there's only a few things we can actually improve upon.

- Our rotation by signing someone like Roy Oswalt or Edwin Jackson

- 6th or 7th inning reliever which there seems to be an abundance of left on the market.

- Another lefty in the pen to battle Manny Parra, Zach Braddock and Juan Perez

- RH bat that can play 1B or even better if they could also play in the OF.

I'm willing to bet we sign a reliever since there's too much value left and if Braun gets suspended I could see Melvin signing someone like Xavier Nady, Conor Jackson or Marcus Thames if they're still available. The 1B/OF bat would be on minor league deal for the vet minimum so it wouldn't hurt too much to DFA them when Braun returns. Or maybe Melvin could get creative and trade Morgan if Aoki is outplaying him.

[patrickgpe]

they need another reliever: The brewers don't really have a decent lefty reliever Braddock can't get his act together. If you compare the 11 pen to the current one, I think it is significantly worse.

[dadofandrew]

Wheeler signed a min or league deal today, so I expect Doug to sign someone similar to a minor league contract with a late March opt-out, for bullpen depth. The top seven are very good, and there's at least a dozen candidates. That said, if 2 of the top 7 go down, that's trouble.

[RockCoCougars]

Unless they flash some cash, it will be tough for the Brewers to get any starter to come to camp as a NRI, with seemingly all 5 spots locked in. I'd expect a reliever or two and hopefully (for the 50th time) a veteran power bat. I don't want Kottaras to be the only guy with some semblance of power on the bench once again.

[Warning Track Power]

Just going by our roster and whats left in FA there's only a few things we can actually improve upon.

- Our rotation by signing someone like Roy Oswalt or Edwin Jackson

- 6th or 7th inning reliever which there seems to be an abundance of left on the market.

- Another lefty in the pen to battle Manny Parra, Zach Braddock and Juan Perez

- RH bat that can play 1B or even better if they could also play in the OF.

I'm willing to bet we sign a reliever since there's too much value left and if Braun gets suspended I could see Melvin signing someone like Xavier Nady, Conor Jackson or Marcus Thames if they're still available. The 1B/OF bat would be on minor league deal for the vet minimum so it wouldn't hurt too much to DFA them when Braun returns. Or maybe Melvin could get creative and trade Morgan if Aoki is outplaying him.

Why haven't we picked this guy up yet? Seems to be a good RH balance for Gamel when we face a Kerhsaw-type. Also a guy with a little pop from the RH side of the plate for the bench and someone who could help fill the gap in LF if Braun is suspended. Seems like his injuries over the past few years might make him a bit of a reclamation project but the kind of diamond in the rough guy that DM usually picks up. I would be happy if we added Jackson.

[RockCoCougars]

I see that Austin Kearns was snapped up on the cheap for a NRI yesterday. This is the sort of guy that they should be tossing a NRI to. Someone who could play first as well as the OF would be a bonus.

[MNBrew]

The Oswalt idea is a darkhorse type at best, but I'd still love to see him end up a Brewer. Increasing the overall talent quotient cannot be a negative, plus it creates much greater rotation depth and presumably would bump Narveson to the 'pen 'til there's an injury, which seems more likely this year given the relative lack of them in the rotation last year. . . . Part of me also wouldn't be surprised if an Oswalt deal occurs as half of a 2-part deal that frees enough salary elsewhere. (Okay, just slap me because I'm sure I'm way too heavy on the dreaming here. But it's fun to think about nonetheless.)

 

He's no power hitter, but the Aoki move I think takes the place of any potential Kotsay/Edmonds/Kapler NRI type of addition for the OF.

 

Coffey or someone like him for the 'pen wouldn't be bad, but everyone's after bullpen help.

[Nader Raider Tim]

Obviously I would love the Brewers to add Roy Oswalt, hopefully he would take an incentive laden deal. A base of $5 Million or so with another $4 million in Innings pitched bonus'.

 

On the more realistic end I am still hopeful the Brewers can sign Casey Kotchman. Gamel is probably going to be pretty good but I would love for the Brewers to find someone to push him for playing time.

 

NRI's would love to see a bullpen arm and a corner outfielder. Both are area's where the Brewers have a bit of a need so it might be reasonable to assume the Brewers could get a nice upside player. I'm dissapointed that they couldn't sign Dan Wheeler. Hopefully Rich Harden has to end up taking a NRI.

 

Reid Brignac is someone I have a bit of a man crush on. I think he could be a very nice buy low addition this offseason.

[sveumrules]

Just saw Theriot signed with the Giants today and while he's really no great shakes it makes me think about our backup middle IF and between Rickie's injury history and Gonzalez's oldness it sure would be nice if we could pull something better than Cesar Izturis there.

[brettac1]

I think they wanted someone who can play a good SS on the bench, rather than Theriot.

[TooLiveBrew]

Yeah, if Rickie goes down again I'd guess it'll be Green getting most of the reps at 2B.

[Bnowell4evr]

Just going by our roster and whats left in FA there's only a few things we can actually improve upon.

- Our rotation by signing someone like Roy Oswalt or Edwin Jackson

- 6th or 7th inning reliever which there seems to be an abundance of left on the market.

- Another lefty in the pen to battle Manny Parra, Zach Braddock and Juan Perez

- RH bat that can play 1B or even better if they could also play in the OF.

I'm willing to bet we sign a reliever since there's too much value left and if Braun gets suspended I could see Melvin signing someone like Xavier Nady, Conor Jackson or Marcus Thames if they're still available. The 1B/OF bat would be on minor league deal for the vet minimum so it wouldn't hurt too much to DFA them when Braun returns. Or maybe Melvin could get creative and trade Morgan if Aoki is outplaying him.

Why haven't we picked this guy up yet? Seems to be a good RH balance for Gamel when we face a Kerhsaw-type. Also a guy with a little pop from the RH side of the plate for the bench and someone who could help fill the gap in LF if Braun is suspended. Seems like his injuries over the past few years might make him a bit of a reclamation project but the kind of diamond in the rough guy that DM usually picks up. I would be happy if we added Jackson.

After reading this article I'm wondering the same thing.

“I’m a realist,â€

[JohnBriggs12]

I have to believe they've talked about guys like Nady, Burrell, and Thames, but they are waiting on Braun's situation. Those guys would look at it as an opportunity to impress other teams too if the Brewers released them when Braun returns.

[brettac1]

I think Pat Burrell is all but retired.

[TooLiveBrew]

You look for outfielders who are left-handed, a first baseman who is young and spots you’ll get an opportunity to get some at-bats.

 

“I’m just searching for the right opportunity. Free agency is not fun these days. Obviously at the end of the day you have to be a realist.

 

Doug, I hope you've already heated up the phone lines. At this point, Jackson doesn't sound like he's expecting too much money.

[Bnowell4evr]

Russ Canzler is another cheap RH bat that can play 1B and OF to consider. I wonder if Melvin is interested?

[PKBadger]

I think they wanted someone who can play a good SS on the bench, rather than Theriot.

This makes no sense to me. You already have a good fielding SS as an everyday starter in Gonzalez. That should mean that you can err towards offense with your bench guy.

[brettac1]

I'm fine with not having to see any bad SS play all year. Maybe the front office thought that way, too. I think Theriot is mostly awful, so I'd prefer to have a guy like Izturis anyhow.