Will Middlebrooks Signs, MLB Camp Invite (Latest at Post #95: assigned to AAA; could've opted out)

[ewitkows]

Got non tendered by the Padres. He's had 1 good year and been below average since. Wouldn't mind picking him up to see if he can bounce back. Maybe he does and you have a legit 3b for 3 years till he hits FA or you flip him for more assets

[MrTPlush]

There is no reason to pick up Middlebrooks. He had a few hundred ok at-bats and has been a complete dumpster fire since. I'd give him a minor league deal at best and even that is probably a giant waste of time.

[bill hAll Star]

He's been on track to be a AAAA player his entire career, starting from A ball. He had a nice stint to start with the Red Sox (as stated above), therefore he got a ton of attention.

[reillymcshane]

No on Middlebrooks. Below average defender, can't hit for average, doesn't walk much, a modicum of power. He simply is a bad player, and I don't want anyone being tempted to think he's anything more than that and giving him playing time.

 

He's had his chances (several of them) and failed. Time to give others a try.

[BrewBalls]

At this point I would prefer a platoon of Perez and Villar over adding a AAAA player like Middlebrooks.

[MNBrew]

No on Middlebrooks. Below average defender, can't hit for average, doesn't walk much, a modicum of power. He simply is a bad player, and I don't want anyone being tempted to think he's anything more than that and giving him playing time.

 

He's had his chances (several of them) and failed. Time to give others a try.

Sounds like you're describing a bad-fielding infield version of Logan Schafer. We've moved on from the OF version and we don't need an IF version in his place.

[brewcrewdue80]

Man, the turn of events in the opinion of the guy. I think he was the most sought after 3b in here in 2014. I didn't like him as an option back then. But in this instance, I'd consider letting him attempt to win a 3b job. He's not going to be the Starting 3b for the Brewers for the next 5 years as is nobody else on the current roster. At least of 3b he'd be one of the options where he's playing his usual position and not a 2b/SS/Utility playing 3b. This is a Non Playoff team in 2016. Give him the chance to make the Opening day roster. He's 27. He hasn't been given a full-time shot or remained healthy enough to consider a length of playing a given full time shot. Of all the guys the team has assembled thus far to play 3b potentially, Middlebrooks has the most Power in his bat. When the team is staring at the possibility of Segura as your best 3b option, maybe Villar. I'd rather see Middlebrooks get a chance and keep the Middle infielders where they belong.

[And That]

Garin Cecchini was just DFA'd by the Red Sox. Two and a half years younger than Middlebrooks and not that far removed from being a well regarded prospect.

 

Or maybe Boston third base prospects are just overrated in general.

[markedman5]

[Mass Haas]

Tweet - Middlebrooks a Brewer (Minor League Deal with a Big League Camp Invite)

 

Tweet - Ironic combo mention here

[And That]

Hope we trade for Brock Holt to complete the trifecta.

[DuWayne Steurer]

I feel like I'm supposed to be excited about this. But I'm really not.

[3and2Fastball]

Certainly worth taking a flyer on. Whatever happened with Middlebrooks? He was such a highly regarded prospect.

[Invader3K]

I feel like I'm supposed to be excited about this. But I'm really not.

 

It's an MiLB deal, so it's not like this is a big risk. Moves like this are what the Brewers should be doing right now, especially with 3B being such a huge question mark right now.

[BrewCrewForever]

More excited for Cecchini to be honest. But doesn't hurt to give Middlebrooks a shot in spring. Just see what sticks.

[pacopete4]

I'm excited that we are giving guys like Middlebrooks and Cecchini an opportunity to be those guys who blossom later in their careers. It is a solid move at a position we have really no one at. What do we have to lose? Either way, it does provide a fun chance to track these guys as they try to make their impact on this team.

[trwi7]

Certainly worth taking a flyer on. Whatever happened with Middlebrooks? He was such a highly regarded prospect.

 

He has the plate discipline of Yuni and pitcher's exploited it.

[And That]

There's nothing to hate about this because the Brewers are risking nothing, but I would be shocked to see Middlebrooks turn into a solid regular at this point.

[bill hAll Star]

Certainly worth taking a flyer on. Whatever happened with Middlebrooks? He was such a highly regarded prospect.

 

He has the plate discipline of Yuni and pitcher's exploited it.

 

Also, while it seemed that he had a lot of talent in the minors at a certain point, he wasn't THAT highly regarded of a prospect. He did well when he came up for Boston, hence the explosion.

 

I think he was overrated, but we can afford to make about 50 no-risk moves right now, so I'll take it.

[brewmann04]

No issue kicking the tires on this Player.

[RobertR]

My biggest fear with this type of signing is if he has a hot spring and the Brewers release a player with some potential only to watch Middlebrooks turn back into a pumpkin once the season starts. That's the downside to just throwing things against the wall to see what sticks.

[StearnsFTW]

He sucks but whatever. Can't hurt.

[CheezWizHed]

At this stage of the roster, its more probable that we are keeping the best pumpkin and not releasing anything of significance.

[JohnBriggs12]

Where are all these guys going to play? There's only so many spring training games and it's not like results in Arizona mean anything anyway. Stearns is really scraping the bottom of the barrel for names. Not a good sign.

[Outlander]

I guess he could be part of some platoon with Cecchini. Quite frankly though I would rather see Perez at third against lefties if they go with Cecchini against righties or even Walsh. I don't see much upside with Middlebrooks.