Speaking of Josh Hamilton (somebody had to) [Latest… Melvin: We have the connection with Narron but not with US Bank… post 230]

[jerichoholicninja]

I think most people are worried more about his injuries and decline in production than his substance abuse.

[sheetskout]

I think most people are worried more about his injuries and decline in production than his substance abuse.

 

 

If there are people out there worried about Hamilton's "decline in production" I'm going to question if they even know how baseball is played.

 

Josh Hamilton 2012

AB: 562

HR: 43

RBI: 128

BB: 60

OPS: .930

[torts]

Josh Hamilton 2011

AB: 487

HR: 25

RBI: 94

BB: 39

OPS: .882

 

Josh Hamilton 2010

AB:518

HR:32

RBI:100

BB:43

OPS:1.044

 

Josh Hamilton 2009

AB:336

HR:10

RBI:54

BB:24

OPS:.741

 

Josh Hamilton 2008

AB:624

HR:32

RBI:130

BB:64

OPS:.901

[torts]

at least put it into perspective if you're trying to prove something with his stats from this last season...

[jerichoholicninja]

I think most people are worried more about his injuries and decline in production than his substance abuse.

 

 

If there are people out there worried about Hamilton's "decline in production" I'm going to question if they even know how baseball is played.

 

Josh Hamilton 2012

AB: 562

HR: 43

RBI: 128

BB: 60

OPS: .930

 

I meant decline as in throughout the contract. Between the injuries and substance abuse his body is going to beak down much quicker than other players.

[SRB]

Between the injuries and substance abuse his body is going to beak down much quicker than other players.

Yeah, he might have a career as short as Paul Molitor's.

[Ennder]

The .200 point drop in OPS in the 2nd half of last year is a bit worrisome as well since Texas is a big time hitters park in the 2nd half. There are certainly reasons to worry about this particular 30+ year old player as a long term investment. They are all risky but Hamilton stands out more than most.

[TooLiveBrew]

His performance drop wasn't really in the second half, it was the middle third (June .754 OPS, July .607). August OPS of .943 & September of .873. He was ridiculously on fire in his first two months; I don't think it's fair to use that as the bar he should've hit to all season.

[brewcrewdue80]

Moving Rami to fit in Hamilton would be incredibly foolish. Rami put up about equal numbers offensively and played plus defense at a position where we have very little depth, compared to Hamilton playing poor defense at a spot where we have lots of other options. I know some people still haven't come around to thinking Ramirez' contract was a good idea, but give me him at 2/26 + the option over Hamilton at 5/100 any day.

 

I'm going to guess this was in response to my post of signing Hamilton by shipping Ramirez. I'm not a fan of Hamilton on the Brewers under circumstances of whos on team, what team needs, fitting Hamilton somewhere with the payroll obligations. I suggested that for me the only plausible way I can think of is for the team to ship either a Weeks,Hart,Ramirez/ and or Gomez even. There's a lot of payroll tied in to those first three for this season, add Braun, and Gallardo and there's just no room to put a 20- 20+Mil contract. It's different by losing an 11-13mil/yr contract with a cheap option to replace that contract but between all of them. the only place remotely looking to be filled to me is 3b. There's no 2b currently and going in to the season with Gamel for 1b doesn't seem like a better option than Green at 3b.

 

I've found it funny that media consistently link Hamilton to the Brewers. He doesn't belong in Milwaukee with being a Small Market organization. I don't understand how they keep dreaming he does. It's one thing if Hamilton is a 1-2 option of signing but 3? 4? 5?!years How does Milwaukee afford that?

Now, Hamilton signs a 1year deal this year somewhere else. Come ask this question with Gomez/Hart/Rami contracts all potentially gone. At least then linking Hamilton would actually seem slightly feasible.

[endaround]

No there is tons of room to add $20-25 million next year. Its after that things get dicey.

[SRB]

I'm not advocating trading A-Ram and signing Hamilton, but if you could get a return for A-Ram based on his outstanding 2012 and could sign Hamilton on a relatively team friendly deal (the only way the Brewers would be landing him), you would probably be selling high on Ramirez and buying low on Hamilton. Not necessarily horrible if the prospects/numbers involved were right. But I'm skeptical that they would line up to make the move worth it (and I don't think the Brewers are that interested in Hamilton in the first place).

[PrinceEatMeat]

With the scarcity of good 3B in this league right now, I think it would be a bad idea to trade Ramirez. That being said, there would be a huge market for him for the same reason. Either way, I'd rather just hold onto him and pass on Hamilton. Have never had any interest in signing Hamilton to begin with, especially if it means trading Ramirez.

[umphrey]

Ken Rosenthal:

 

#Rangers most aggressive team on Hamilton, according to source. Would ease sting of losing Napoli. #Brewers on periphery with Hamilton.

[bthurley19]

Still a little smoke coming from the national press.

 

[TooLiveBrew]

Haha! "#USBank" was a nice touch

[Warning Track Power]

Let's say we did sign Hamilton...Is that the best #3-#4 in baseball? Not looking at the contracts or anything else, just purely based on on-field performance. Is Cabrera-Fielder better? Gonzalez-Kemp? I'd have a hard time taking anyone over Braun-Hamilton.

[Menotti80]

Tom H just tweeted the Brewers are basically out of the running for Hamilton because he looks to be getting fair market value

[jerichoholicninja]

Let's say we did sign Hamilton...Is that the best #3-#4 in baseball? Not looking at the contracts or anything else, just purely based on on-field performance. Is Cabrera-Fielder better? Gonzalez-Kemp? I'd have a hard time taking anyone over Braun-Hamilton.

 

It's the best 3-4-5 with Ramirez. I would say with Hart and if Rickie gets back to his career norms it may be the best hitting lineup in baseball.

[sheetskout]

Take it or leave it, but Baseball Nation's Ken Neadly reporting that the Brewers are still involved in Hamilton talks. I still don't see it.

 

http://mlb.sbnation.com/2012/12/3/3725032/josh-hamilton-rumors-red-sox-brewers

[SRB]

What if they sign Hamilton, move him to 1B to counteract injuries/diminishing defense, and trade Hart? At the very least could probably get some very nice bullpen help in a trade for Hart (maybe even a young lower-tier SP if you add a couple prospects?).

 

Still not sure Hamilton's salary would fit from 2014 onwards, but at least for 2013, you would be upgrading quite a bit for roughly $10 million in added salary. Would probably be getting a lot more added value than you could get on the free agency market otherwise.

 

One of the reasons targeting Hamilton makes no sense to me, aside from the lack of money, is that Gomez/Aoki are two of the most cost efficient players on the team. Why displace one or the other?

[DHonks]

With Weeks and Hart having contracts that are up in the next year or two, I'm not sure why there isn't money for Hamilton. Just cause our payroll is $80 million next year doesn't mean it can't be $90+ million in 2014.

[sheetskout]

Factor in arbitration. Axford, Estrada, Narvesson (he'll see an increase based on service time too) will see raises as will Gomez in his last year. Gomez will see a bigger increase obviously based on performance. That's without addressing the issue at SS, signing at least one more serviceable reliever, and another starting pitcher. Not to mention bench-depth if any. Meanwhile the front office stated that they want to take down the payroll from a record opening day $98 million down to around 80. I bet if we're lucky, we see $85 million.

 

There isn't enough money for Hamilton at what he's asking. And right now I'm wondering if there's enough money to address the needs on this team at the level we've come to expect in the last few years. I hope I'm wrong.

[TooLiveBrew]

What issue at SS are you referring to?

[sheetskout]

What issue at SS are you referring to?

 

The issue of leaving SS solely to a converted second-baseman with 45 games of MLB experience who's actually the senior there as Bianchi has 33 games. (And whether or not to re-sign Alex Gonzalez)

 

I realize Segura is the starter, but this could go downhill really quickly and I'm sure it's on Melvin's mind. At least I hope so.

[SRB]

With Weeks and Hart having contracts that are up in the next year or two, I'm not sure why there isn't money for Hamilton. Just cause our payroll is $80 million next year doesn't mean it can't be $90+ million in 2014.

If payroll goes up there would be room. My calculation of 2013 and 2014 payroll (adding up salaries from Cots, with projected arbitration awards included) has it at around $70 right now for 2013 -- so probably $10 million to spend if the target is $80 -- and at around $74 million committed for 2014. But that includes the loss of Hart and Gomez to free agency.