Rickie Weeks

[Warning Track Power]

Starting a platoon of Bianchi/Scooter is arguably the worst 2B combo in the NL. At least there remains the potential of upside in Weeks/Scooter.

 

Bianchi and Scooter together in 2013: .278/.312/.381, 7 HR, 46 RBI

 

While certainly serviceable, I don't think anyone expects Bianchi to hit better, while most expect Scooter to hit worse. If we were to simply expect a moderate drop in production from Scooter, we might be looking at a .260/.295/.360 slash for our 2B. Weeks, even at his worst, can match the OBP & SLG against both LHP & RHP.

 

The Brewers shouldn't be running Weeks out of town for a Scooter/Bianchi platoon or Scooter and whoever is currently in our system. While I really like Scooter a ton, it is apparent that he needs a platoon partner. In 2014, that platoon partner should be Weeks and the Brewers should worry about finding a cheaper RH alternative for 2B in 2015.

[gregmag]

I don't get some of the statements here that people are "defending" Weeks, or some of the outright anger directed at him. Those sentiments are fine, I guess, but they don't have anything to do with figuring out what's going to win games.

 

If the Brewers are serious about contending -- I'm not sure they should be, but I think they are -- then they shouldn't go into the season with Scooter as their only option at 2b. If it turns out that Scooter's power surge last year is sustainable, they'll be fine. But if last year's MLB numbers were a bit of a fluke, then he could be a liability. I haven't been high on Scooter's chances over the years. What he did last year certainly increased my enthusiasm. But I can't -- yet -- ignore the prior evidence suggesting that he isn't a MLB starter.

 

I hate the idea of evaluating players based on spring training, but it may be viable and necessary with Weeks this year. If he has really lost it, that should be visible in ST, not from numbers but from simple observation of his bat and feet. If I were running the Brewers to contend, and if Weeks showed signs of life in ST, I'd probably run him out there the first month with Scooter at AAA. If Weeks looks like last year's model, I'd probably get rid of him however I could.

 

Whatever else happens, the Brewers need to have somebody else around who can play 2b and hit a baseball. Can Green still play there?

[JohnBriggs12]

The Brewer record in 2013 with Weeks starting at 2B: 35-57 (.380)

 

The Brewer record in 2013 with Gennett/Bianchi starting at 2B: 35-30 (.538)

 

It's not "apparent" Gennett needs a platoon partner. He did just fine hitting .324 overall with no platoon. Again it's not like this team is lacking in RH bats in their everyday lineup with or without Gennett. Gennett will only become a better hitter vs. LHP by facing them and in a lineup full of quality RH bats, the Brewers can afford that luxury.

 

As for Bianchi, he's capable of hitting better. We're talking about a guy who has put up career AAA numbers of .307/.361/.390 and who was a career .286 hitter in the minors. Playing sparingly is tough.

 

The term "running Weeks out of town" is a misnomer. Weeks' poor play will lead to his losing his spot. Nobody's running him out of town.

[TURBO]

Not so fast for those who think Weeks is going to be starting out on the bench... RRR has spoken.

 

 

 

 

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke expects Rickie Weeks (hamstring) to be "full-go" when he reports to spring training this week.

 

Weeks' 2013 season ended in mid-August when he underwent surgery to repair a torn left hamstring. Roenicke says Weeks is "doing really well," though, and ready to battle for the second base job. Scooter Gennett is seen as the favorite to start over Weeks at the keystone.

 

Source: Brewers.mlb.com

[JohnBriggs12]

Not so fast for those who think Weeks is going to be starting out on the bench... RRR has spoken.

 

 

 

 

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke expects Rickie Weeks (hamstring) to be "full-go" when he reports to spring training this week.

 

Weeks' 2013 season ended in mid-August when he underwent surgery to repair a torn left hamstring. Roenicke says Weeks is "doing really well," though, and ready to battle for the second base job. Scooter Gennett is seen as the favorite to start over Weeks at the keystone.

 

Source: Brewers.mlb.com

 

A. He "expects". He hasn't actually seen him.

 

B. That's the company line as the objective remains trading him. What is he going to say? "Weeks was really disappointing last year and his job is hanging by a thread. We'd really like to find a team that would take him and some of his bloated contract"?

 

C. Notice the addition that Gennett is seen as the favorite.

 

As for the notion that Weeks is the only viable option in case Gennett struggles, I will again throw out the name of Jeff Keppinger. Keppinger was bad last year for White Sox and is overpaid through 2015. He's really out of a position and the Sox would eat a substantial portion of his deal to rid themselves of him. Heck they may just cut him. As bad as he was in 2013, Keppinger is a .318 lifetime hitter vs. LHP and has thrived in the NL Central.

[TURBO]

C. Notice the addition that Gennett is seen as the favorite.

 

 

That isn't according to RRR though, that is according to the article...

 

I may be mistaken, but I swear RRR already announced that Scooter was going to be our starter at 2B for the 2014 season a while back.

[logan82]

The Brewer record in 2013 with Weeks starting at 2B: 35-57 (.380)

 

The Brewer record in 2013 with Gennett/Bianchi starting at 2B: 35-30 (.538)

By that logic we should have made Braun a bench player after his rookie season.

[Warning Track Power]

The Brewer record in 2013 with Weeks starting at 2B: 35-57 (.380)

 

The Brewer record in 2013 with Gennett/Bianchi starting at 2B: 35-30 (.538)

 

It's not "apparent" Gennett needs a platoon partner. He did just fine hitting .324 overall with no platoon. Again it's not like this team is lacking in RH bats in their everyday lineup with or without Gennett. Gennett will only become a better hitter vs. LHP by facing them and in a lineup full of quality RH bats, the Brewers can afford that luxury.

 

As for Bianchi, he's capable of hitting better. We're talking about a guy who has put up career AAA numbers of .307/.361/.390 and who was a career .286 hitter in the minors. Playing sparingly is tough.

 

The term "running Weeks out of town" is a misnomer. Weeks' poor play will lead to his losing his spot. Nobody's running him out of town.

Really? Scooter splits in 2013 against LHP: 41 PA, 39 AB, 6 H, 0 BB, 0XBH .154/.175/.154.

 

41 PA isn't a ton, but it does show an issue that should be prepared for.

 

And your argument that he will get better against LHP has no basis. Why will Scooter get better against LHP with more ABs but Juan Francisco won't? What evidence supports your statement?

 

Sure, Bianchi is capable but it has never translated on the field. Weeks is capable and has put up solid numbers in reality, yet you want to overlook them and argue for Bianchi. Bianchi's ceiling on O is Weeks floor.

 

JB, you are the conductor of the train that is trying to deliver Weeks to another destination.

[Outlander]

I wasn't a big fan of his when he was starting but isn't Cody Ransom still out there? He could always hit lefties so could platoon with Gennett if they somehow got rid of Weeks and would be a better option off the bench than Bianchi even if Weeks stuck around.

[Mr Southpaw]

Bianchi is not that bad. He has barely played ath the MLB level. Give him a break. It is not like he has filed with multiple other clubs and is in his late 30's.

[Warning Track Power]

@Southpaw: I don't think anyone hates Bianchi. I very much like him as the utility guy. I think where people like me are getting frustrated is the fact that people seem to want to eat Weeks deal and outright release him when his production at worst has yet to be even approached by Bianchi. Cutting or trading Weeks to make room for Bianchi to be part of the RH platoon is a terrible decision.

[JohnBriggs12]

@Southpaw: I don't think anyone hates Bianchi. I very much like him as the utility guy. I think where people like me are getting frustrated is the fact that people seem to want to eat Weeks deal and outright release him when his production at worst has yet to be even approached by Bianchi. Cutting or trading Weeks to make room for Bianchi to be part of the RH platoon is a terrible decision.

 

Since Weeks appeared in the All Star Game 2 1/2 seasons ago, he's posted numbers of .221/.322/.382. That's in nearly 1,200 PA. Gennett did fine overall with no platoon partner. With such a RH dominated lineup, there's no real need to rest Gennett against every lefty. Bianchi is a decent utility player. A manager is going to want to give his utility guy some starts to keep him sharp. It makes sense that some of those will be against lefties at 2B.

 

Cutting Weeks makes room for Caleb Gindl. Gindl as a lefty bat has more value, occasionally subbing for Davis in LF and getting another much needed lefty bat in the lineup occasionally than having Weeks on the bench 75% of the time and being the 8th best RH bat against lefty pitching the other 25%. Gindl also give Roenicke the flexibility to use Schafer as a late inning defensive replacement for Davis or Gindl, whoever started in LF. With only 4 OF on the roster, Roenicke's hands are tied in that regard.

 

If Weeks could play 3B and 1B, in addition to 2B, then he'd spare them the need to keep Francisco or Overbay as reserves assuming Reynolds gets penciled in at 1B. But Weeks plays one position. That's why if he's not good enough to start, they are hoping to trade him but ultimately might be better off cutting them if they can't.

[jerichoholicninja]

Since Weeks appeared in the All Star Game 2 1/2 seasons ago, he's posted numbers of .221/.322/.382. That's in nearly 1,200 PA. Gennett did fine overall with no platoon partner.

 

...in 230 PA.

 

Almost irrelevant when comparing the two.

[TURBO]

Gennett was pretty good in 230 plate appearances, Weeks has been horrible in his last 1200.

 

If picking one of the two, which would you pick?

 

It is valid to say Gennett hasn't had enough plate appearances to say he deserves the full time job, BUT, it is also valid to say weeks has sucked for a long time and he doesn't deserve the job either...

 

Which brings me to my original question:

 

Based on Gennett's 230 total plate appearances, and Weeks' last 1200, who would you rather see as out starter?

 

I think it's an easy decision.

[jerichoholicninja]

Based on Gennett's 230 total plate appearances, and Weeks' last 1200, who would you rather see as out starter?

 

I think it's an easy decision.

 

Both, platoon them. That's the obvious choice and the stats back it up.

[logan82]

Based on Gennett's 230 total plate appearances, and Weeks' last 1200, who would you rather see as out starter?

 

I think it's an easy decision.

 

Yup, neither.

[TheCrew07]

The problem here is that due roster limitations a team can really only afford to platoon a single position, the rest of the backups have to be flexible enough to play multiple situations. If you have some interchangeable pieces like in the OF for example you can have multiple platoons, but in this case we are talking about trying to platoon both 1B and 2B. Platooning the entire right side of the IF with players who can't play another position severely limits RR's options any particular day. Many posters here already don't like the guy, but how can he make intelligent moves like double switches without the position players available to make that change?

 

The only way platooning 2B makes sense from a roster construction standpoint is if one of the scrub 1B wins the job outright and isn't a platoon candidate. There just aren't enough spots on the 25 man roster to have 2 backups (platoon partners) who only play 1 position, unless you want to run a bit shorthanded all year in the bullpen. If that's the case, then the organization better seriously reconsider having defined roles where each guy pitches 1 inning regardless of what's happening and move to a more flexible bullpen format. It would be time to run a guy multiple innings if you can and then give him the next day off, so the relievers are getting the proper amount of rest but there is still the maximum number of bodies possible available for each game. Otherwise RR will run into situations multiple times throughout the season where the same 3-4 relievers have all pitched 4 days in a row. It's not like we have a rotation full guys who regularly go 7-8 innings and can give the bullpen a break.

 

Last year's IP/Start (in decimal):

Lohse - 6.02

Peralta -5.73

Gallardo - 5.83

Estrada - 6.10 (21 starts)

Garza - 6.47 (24 starts)

Thornburg - MLB 6.14 (7 starts), MiLB 5.44 (22 starts)

Nelson - MiLB 5.73 (28 starts)

 

This situation isn't just as easy how to get the most production out of 1 position, it's about getting the most production out of the entire team. If the pitching doesn't hold up then does 2B really matter? Personally I'm going to set my pitching up first and then do the best I can with the position players. You can tolerate substandard production from multiple positions if the pitching is good enough... but if Braun or Ramirez are out for an extended time again then none of the rest of this really matters.

[reillymcshane]

How we deal with Gennett vs LHP should be less of a concern than how to maximize value from Weeks (even if max value is not much). The Gennett "problem" is easy... theutility guy can get some starts, and Gennett getting a a few PAs vs LHP isn't that big an issue.

 

Purely from that standpoint, do we get more "value" by cutting Weeks and having someone else on the team, or by letting him be a RH batter off the bench / platoon partner at 2B? If we had a great alternative, I think we'd cut him. However, the other options are players like Gindl and Green, so there is no one forcing Weeks off the 25-man. If Melvin can find someone to trade for Weeks and take some/all of the salary off his hands, I'm sure he would. If not, we're probably just better off letting him be a RH bat off the bench, and RH part of the platoon. Hopefully, he'll do well enough in that role that someone who needs a 2B will trade for him a few months into the season.

 

If he continues to stink, then we can cut him and eat his salary a month into the season just as easily as we could cut him now, but by that point we may have a better idea for how best to use his spot on the roster. I hate having two 2B-only guys, and I have no illusions that we will get anything of value from Weeks, but we still need to try to maximize any value that's there.

 

You make a really good point here, Monty. Let's assume that Reynolds is the 1B, and one of Francisco/Overbay/Green are kept as well. You need Bianchi (or someone like him) to back up SS. To keep Weeks, you need to drop the 5th OF - likely Gindl since Schafer can handle all the OF positions really well. That's the question. What provides more value - Weeks hitting against lefties in a platoon at 2B (and some pinch hitting, etc.), or the extra left handed bat of Gindl.

 

You could, of course, keep Gindl over Schafer - but the question becomes Shafer's bat (and exceptional defense) over Weeks' platoon position.

 

Keeping Weeks does give you the luxury of showcasing him a bit in case you want to try and trade him. And it protects you in case Scooter bombs or gets hurt.

 

I don't know the answer. But it's a good question. I've been in the 'get rid of Rickie' boat (assuming Scooter looks okay). But I'm not so sure as I think about it a little more.

[Eye Black]

TheCrew brings up an interesting point. Innings per start is something I hope the Brewers can increase this year. If they don't I think they will need to stick with an additional arm in the bullpen. The Brewers averaged just 5.7 innings per start last year, only 4 teams were worse (Astros, Blue Jays, Rockies, Twins). The league average was 5.9, but teams at the top (Tigers, Reds) averaged 6.3 and 6.2. That may not sound like a dramatic difference, but over the course of a season it is an additional 80 innings pitched by starters, more innings than any Brewers non-starter pitched total last year. What is even more striking is the Reds starters averaged 6.2 IP/GS on an average of 95 pitches per start. That is far more efficient than the Brewers 5.7 IP/GS on an average of 92 pitches per start.

[SoupTown]

I think there are many scenarios (just one line scenarios) that completely change the makeup

 

1) does Weeks shine in Spring Training

2) do we really want to keep Wang

3) is Gorzellany going to miss the first couple of seeks

4) will any infielder be hurt

5) will Herrera (because he can play outfield and shortstop) challenge Bianchi

6) can the Brewers flip Juan Fran to a team needing a DH

7) will Reynolds simply be THE first baseman

 

I am almost temped to 'hope for'

 

Reynolds IS the first baseman.

Herrera beats Bianchi for the 25th man spot

Weeks and Scooter do platoon at first and bat lead off

Keeping Wang is a top priority (so I hope Gorzy spends the first fortnight on the DL)

Juan Fran is released / traded and GREEN obtains his spot.

 

I really appears the two or three spots are the most interesting this year. The last bullpen guy (Wang). The 25th man who can play SS and outfield. The 24th man (Green or Juan Fran) that is a left hand first/third baseman.

[HiAndTight]

I think there are many scenarios (just one line scenarios) that completely change the makeup

 

1) does Weeks shine in Spring Training

2) do we really want to keep Wang

3) is Gorzellany going to miss the first couple of seeks

4) will any infielder be hurt

5) will Herrera (because he can play outfield and shortstop) challenge Bianchi

6) can the Brewers flip Juan Fran to a team needing a DH

7) will Reynolds simply be THE first baseman

 

I am almost temped to 'hope for'

 

Reynolds IS the first baseman.

Herrera beats Bianchi for the 25th man spot

Weeks and Scooter do platoon at first and bat lead off

Keeping Wang is a top priority (so I hope Gorzy spends the first fortnight on the DL)

Juan Fran is released / traded and GREEN obtains his spot.

 

I really appears the two or three spots are the most interesting this year. The last bullpen guy (Wang). The 25th man who can play SS and outfield. The 24th man (Green or Juan Fran) that is a left hand first/third baseman.

 

 

I haven't heard a whole lot from Melvin but from the few snippets I've heard, it sounds like they really like Wang. And if anyone can go from Rookie ball to the big leagues, it would seem to be a player who has experience in another professional league, and who has a plus change up to go with a good fastball. Still obviously a long shot.

[monty57]

The problem here is that due roster limitations a team can really only afford to platoon a single position, the rest of the backups have to be flexible enough to play multiple situations. If you have some interchangeable pieces like in the OF for example you can have multiple platoons, but in this case we are talking about trying to platoon both 1B and 2B. Platooning the entire right side of the IF with players who can't play another position severely limits RR's options any particular day.

 

While I agree with you, I wonder if Melvin considers Reynolds and Francisco to be viable options at 3B. I cringe at the thought of Ramirez going down and the Brewers putting Reynolds at 3B and Francisco at 1B on a daily basis.

[Warning Track Power]

While I agree with you, I wonder if Melvin considers Reynolds and Francisco to be viable options at 3B. I cringe at the thought of Ramirez going down and the Brewers putting Reynolds at 3B and Francisco at 1B on a daily basis.

This is one of the reasons why I would absolutely be out there engaging other clubs on trades if that deal could net you a potential long term solution at 3B. If Stephen Drew re-signs in Boston, is Will Middlebrooks available? Nick Franklin and Brad Miller are apparently available in Seattle...can either of them play 3B? Is Nick Delmonico a legitimate long term solution at 3B after Aramis leaves?

 

To me, even if the deal had to include Aramis, I would be willing to get younger at the position as I feel he is close to breaking down for good. While not necessarily punting on 2014, an Aramis deal that would net us a potential long term solution at 3B is the kind of forward thinking I would like the Brewers FO to consider.

[HiAndTight]

While I agree with you, I wonder if Melvin considers Reynolds and Francisco to be viable options at 3B. I cringe at the thought of Ramirez going down and the Brewers putting Reynolds at 3B and Francisco at 1B on a daily basis.

This is one of the reasons why I would absolutely be out there engaging other clubs on trades if that deal could net you a potential long term solution at 3B. If Stephen Drew re-signs in Boston, is Will Middlebrooks available? Nick Franklin and Brad Miller are apparently available in Seattle...can either of them play 3B? Is Nick Delmonico a legitimate long term solution at 3B after Aramis leaves?

 

To me, even if the deal had to include Aramis, I would be willing to get younger at the position as I feel he is close to breaking down for good. While not necessarily punting on 2014, an Aramis deal that would net us a potential long term solution at 3B is the kind of forward thinking I would like the Brewers FO to consider.

 

 

I'm not disagreeing with you, but if the Brewers were engaged in that type of forward thinking, do you think they'd have signed Lohse and Garza the last two years?

 

They're hoping to get 2012 Aramis Ramirez, and none of the options you've suggested have a very good chance to put up that type of season.

 

I think 2012 was Aram's career year and he's likely to be a decent, 2.5 WAR type player this year, but the Brewers are obviously counting on him being more.

[brewcrewdue80]

While I agree with you, I wonder if Melvin considers Reynolds and Francisco to be viable options at 3B. I cringe at the thought of Ramirez going down and the Brewers putting Reynolds at 3B and Francisco at 1B on a daily basis.

This is one of the reasons why I would absolutely be out there engaging other clubs on trades if that deal could net you a potential long term solution at 3B. If Stephen Drew re-signs in Boston, is Will Middlebrooks available? Nick Franklin and Brad Miller are apparently available in Seattle...can either of them play 3B? Is Nick Delmonico a legitimate long term solution at 3B after Aramis leaves?

 

To me, even if the deal had to include Aramis, I would be willing to get younger at the position as I feel he is close to breaking down for good. While not necessarily punting on 2014, an Aramis deal that would net us a potential long term solution at 3B is the kind of forward thinking I would like the Brewers FO to consider.

 

I think I seen a piece on MLBTR about Seattle likely to trade an infielder before the season begins, probably Ackley, Miller, or Franklin, which probably depends on the overall offer and who wins their spot on the team. The problem is those guys are 2b/SS/3b options who would still leave us with Gennett and Weeks. Unless the team makes the trade for one of the three and dump Weeks altogether and run out Gennett or the winner of the three. You at least have a 2b/SS/ maybe 3b option then. And who are you giving up in return? It kinda reads like Seattle wants a dependable #3 veteran which to me would read Lohse first. Now, I'd be willing to part with Lohse for a 2b/SS like Franklin but the fan base will question the push forward to compete this year without Lohse. (this may require Smith or Thornburg standing out in Spring Training to be a #5)

And in Seattle's front if they wanted a #3 starter why not sign Garza? Considering Lohse is about the same amount of money. Maybe 2years vs. 4 though gets it done.