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

[TooLiveBrew]

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.

Well it's obvious from his play merely in MLB last season that the whole 'he hasn't played SS much' argument is moot. Dude is a big-league SS, period.

 

And I feel fine about Bianchi as the backup MIF, along with having Green available to cover at 2B.

[DHonks]

SRB, given what Upton got in free agency, I'd try shopping Carlos to see what he can bring back in a trade. It could be worth it since there's a high probability of him having an awful year and we have adequate replacements for CF.

[sheetskout]

Well it's obvious from his play merely in MLB last season that the whole 'he hasn't played SS much' argument is moot. Dude is a big-league SS, period.

 

Most scouts and baseball insiders would disagree with this. In fact, most would state it's more probable that Segura moves to 2B once Weeks is gone.

 

It's definitely not moot. I'm glad you're excited about his play in the limited action we saw him in last season, but Segura never profiled as a good-fielding shortstop and at best right now he's roughly average. That's at age 22 before any sort of skills decline in his late 20's.

[Warning Track Power]

Well it's obvious from his play merely in MLB last season that the whole 'he hasn't played SS much' argument is moot. Dude is a big-league SS, period.

 

Most scouts and baseball insiders would disagree with this. In fact, most would state it's more probable that Segura moves to 2B once Weeks is gone.

 

It's definitely not moot. I'm glad you're excited about his play in the limited action we saw him in last season, but Segura never profiled as a good-fielding shortstop and at best right now he's roughly average. That's at age 22 before any sort of skills decline in his late 20's.

 

Ugh this just got me thinking about Weeks and his salary being dangled in conjunction with the thought of Segura moving to 2B. Not to derail the Hamilton topic but I hope the Brewers think of Segura as a SS because I could very easily see the Dodgers offering Dee Gordon and a pitching prospect (Lee?) for Weeks, especially if they sign Greinke, and the Brewers putting Gordon at SS and Segura at 2B. The Dodgers are weak at 2B and 3B and Weeks would fit that 2B hole well.

[nate82]

 

 

 

 

Ugh this just got me thinking about Weeks and his salary being dangled in conjunction with the thought of Segura moving to 2B. Not to derail the Hamilton topic but I hope the Brewers think of Segura as a SS because I could very easily see the Dodgers offering Dee Gordon and a pitching prospect (Lee?) for Weeks, especially if they sign Greinke, and the Brewers putting Gordon at SS and Segura at 2B. The Dodgers are weak at 2B and 3B and Weeks would fit that 2B hole well.

 

That may not be a bad option. The Brewers could flip Gordon to the Dbacks for Upton and then flip Upton to the Rangers for Olt and more prospects. It would leave a hole at 2B but I am sure the Brewers could find someone to plug that hole until Scooter or someone else would be ready. Prince is someone who could fill that hole temporarly or even Farris.

[brewcrewdue80]

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?

 

Now this is the idea I've always had mind. Trade away Hart if Hamilton can/will play 1b for you. Before Aoki it was trade Hart and if Hamilton would take Hart's OF position.

 

The whole Gomez/Aoki/Schafer trio is more than capable at a value to not warrant a better hitter of Hamilton at 20+mil/year.

 

Ive stated from the start when people began with the trade deadline rumors of getting Hamilton that he just doesn't fit through 2013. After he may but why waste 20+mil this season on a player who doesn't fit your team?

 

And then there's the whole if the club is more in the 80 to say 95Mil team payroll, how do you justify putting 20+ of it in to one seriously questionable player the likes of Hamilton?

[TooLiveBrew]

Well it's obvious from his play merely in MLB last season that the whole 'he hasn't played SS much' argument is moot. Dude is a big-league SS, period.

 

Most scouts and baseball insiders would disagree with this. In fact, most would state it's more probable that Segura moves to 2B once Weeks is gone.

 

It's definitely not moot. I'm glad you're excited about his play in the limited action we saw him in last season, but Segura never profiled as a good-fielding shortstop and at best right now he's roughly average. That's at age 22 before any sort of skills decline in his late 20's.

Please check your PMs ... didn't want to derail a Josh Hamilton thread any further

[sheetskout]

If the Dodgers offered me Gordon and Lee for Weeks I would smile, kindly accept, and never look back. And I like Rickie.

[splitterpfj]

It sounds like Josh is really having trouble getting anyone to move past three years.

 

Texas is after Upton, and the Phillies are after Bourn...I have a feeling this is not what Mr Hamilton expected at this point.

[SRB]

Sounds like Seattle are the frontrunners if Texas doesn't bring him back (likely dependent on where Greinke decides to go): http://blogs.seattletimes.com/mariners/2012/12/06/mariners-said-to-be-still-very-much-in-the-running-for-josh-hamilton/

[brwrsfan]

It sounds like they are in it - which we knew. I don't take that to mean they are frontrunners though. The longer this goes, the more teams that fill OF needs or spend money elsewhere, maybe the chances increase that he actually makes it here. I'd put that at about 1% though. Just don't see it happening, even though I would personally love it.

[jackailius]

On MLBtraderumor it sounds like the Mariners are looking at a 3 yr deal at 20 to 25 mil a yr... If you are someone who said no before when it was $25mil per over 6 or 7 year what do you think about doing a 4 yr deal at 85 to 90 mil? Does it change your thoughts? Think of some of the possibilities. I know it puts us tight on the budget for a couple years but if we could flip Aoki or Gomez (who we will more than likely lose after 2013) for either a cf prospect or say a pitcher would you then think about it? This could also put us in a spot to offer Hart an extension (albiet a team friendly extension (add 3yrs at $10m/yr) and trade Gamel either before the season starts or after he shows he is somewhat healthy in spring training. It will be tight and some of the other positions we will be relying on youth but I think with the additional run support a lot of the pithcing staff would be better off as we at somepoint want to be able to rely on them.

Just curious if the possible drop in Hamiltons price and the rediculous prices asked/realized by starting pitching is making anyone else start thinking on this?

[Eye Black]

Just curious if the possible drop in Hamiltons price and the rediculous prices asked/realized by starting pitching is making anyone else start thinking on this?

If Hamilton were willing to accept a 3 year deal he would have plenty of offers to consider. I think he will end up somewhere in-between the reported 7 years sought and 3 years being offered. I still believe Hamilton will get a 5 yr/$115mil type deal.

[DHonks]

To respond to what others have said...I would move Aoki and Gomez in a heartbeat to create room because there's a chance their value will never be higher and because they are very cost-effective. Other teams are generally trying to dump salary. We could probably get some pretty good players in return for them.

[NotTheFakeDrugBust]

If the Brewers signed Hamilton you would have to include them on the list of teams looking to dump salary.

[DHonks]

Not necessarily. We wouldn't be far over budget if we dealt Aoki and Gomez. Plus the added ticket sales and expected division championship would bring attendance back over 3 million

[KCBrewerfan34]

If its only going to take 3 years to sign Hamilton the Brew have to get involved (if they aren't already). This will go down as a HUGE opportunity missed if they pass on this guy.

 

I would put our team (bullpen probs fixed) right at the top or near the top with this guy in the lineup. They could trade Gomez to clear some salary if they need to.

 

Doug and Mark, time to step up!!!

[sheetskout]

I just don't see how the money is there even with clearing Gomez (would clear about 6 million adjusted for his estimated arby ruling). This all kind of hinges on whether you think the probability is good that Attanasio pushes the payroll past ninety-million dollars for 2013. And from what's been released in the media it looks like they prefer to have it around 80 million.

 

We know we need a reliever regardless and I'd certainly feel more comfortable with Alex Gonzalez back. With another starter at the prices they are getting they will probably have to push to 85 million.

 

There's just too much competition and payroll restrictions to make me believe in this. And for the record, signing the other needs is smarter than bringing in Hamilton who may get us some more offense we might not need.

[TURBO]

If we don't improve our bullpen, we will need all the offense we can get...just sayin'.

[jackailius]

very true it would push the budget above the $80M range but would be under $90. I would feel comfortable putting the Segura/Bianchi tandem out there at SS. I would also hope to get a low cost lefty reliever out of the Gomez trade. I would also be comfortable putting out the young pitching rotation that we more or less ended the season with. I think by mid season we will have Naverson back in there as well as some of the boys that were in AA start to show what they can do and could help eat some of the late season innings/provide some insurance for injury and fatigue. I also believe you could look at a reclemation on a minor league contract that could start the season in the bigs to give the young guns some more time in the minors. I'm just thinking for the money i would rather do hamilton on a $20/$20/$25/$25 than say Dempster/Loshe/Jackson $10/10/10 to 15/15/15/15.

 

It would be great to say lets get a "good" starter for $2-$8m on a one year contract that you can rely on to pitch all year long, is a good clubhouse presence to steer the young guns in the right direction who is preferably left handed, wants to play in Milwaukee and could be a solid rock for the one year we need them. Call me crazy but outside of liriano i just don't see anyone that is going to fill that role and i think it will be suprising what Liriano ends up getting once the chips start falling. He may be had for that price range and if so i think the crew will be in the mix but i believe we aren't the only team in that boat.

[PrinceEatMeat]

Sounds like Greinke is close to a deal with the Dodgers. That likely means Hamilton back to the Rangers, which makes me a happy man.

[jerichoholicninja]

Sounds like Greinke is close to a deal with the Dodgers. That likely means Hamilton back to the Rangers, which makes me a happy man.

 

I'm confused why everyone keeps saying this? Is the logic that the money they would have used on Greinke they are going to give to Hamilton?

[PrinceEatMeat]

Sounds like Greinke is close to a deal with the Dodgers. That likely means Hamilton back to the Rangers, which makes me a happy man.

 

I'm confused why everyone keeps saying this? Is the logic that the money they would have used on Greinke they are going to give to Hamilton?

 

Yes. It was widely speculated that it was one or the other for the Rangers. Now Greinke's gone, so it's Hamilton.

[Invader3K]

Sounds like Hamilton to Angels is just about a done deal. Reportedly five years.