1b/OF log jam as an offensive strategy

[timpep]

The only problem I see with all of this, as Bork stated above, CC is going to give Perez plenty of starts in the outfield.

 

I mean, if Braun plays 123 games that almost assumes a trip to the DL right? During that trip Perez will be the backup 1b and the 4th OF, during that time he'll probably get 2 or 3 starts a week.

 

Even if nobody misses time and things work out "perfectly" a roster construction plan that ends up giving guys like Santana, Yelich, Braun and Cain less at bats that Villar and potentially around the same number as Perez just seems ... poorly thought out.

 

-Why would CC give starts to Perez in the OF? If he does this over the four he has on our roster, he should be fired on the spot and I'm not kidding. He may end up playing out there based on in-game substitutions or seasons injuries but if there are no injuries out there, there is no reason for him to be out there. He is an emergency OF on this team. That's it. Period.

 

-Braun, even if no DL, can sit out 1 every 4-5 games. It would help him in the long run of the season.

 

-Are you expecting Villar to start all 162 games? Because I don't think anyone is. Villar (if playing well) will probably log about 130 games this season due to certain matchups as we have Perez and Sogard on this roster as well. Perez and Sogard will also help relieve Shaw and Arica, keeping those guys involved this season.

 

Perez I will get starts in the outfield because when Braun is at first(or taking his 40 off days) he's the 4th outfielder.. I'm sure you will be calling for the firing of CC because Perez will get starts as the 4th OF.

 

Also, 40 off days for Braun with no dl stint would be 3 games on 1 game off. That seems pretty extreme but I don't know.

 

And as you said nobody expects Villar to play 162 games. I'm sorry you thought I implied he would. But even at 130, that's the same range of games as some are projecting our OFs to get.

[Boomer5]

Perez will get OF starts because we apparently will only have a 4 man bench so our best 25 players won't actually be on the roster when minor injuries occur.

[pacopete4]

I am really confused as to why, with a roster of Braun, Santana, Yelich, Cain that there would be any discussion about anyone, let alone Perez, getting any starts out there. Makes zero sense. You don't need a 5th outfielder when you have those four. That is part of the reason as to why the 4-man bench could actually work.

[liveforoctober]

The more I think about this the more I think Braun is the odd man out here. If Santana hits like he did last year, he is going to play everyday. The move to first for Braun is working out about as I expected which means only a few AB's there. That means probably both Broxton and Phillips to AAA and Aguilar sticks.

 

I think this is the team transitioning Braun to the next phase of his career without being overly public/obvious about it.

 

Christian Yelich pending ... a healthy Ryan Braun is the best hitter in this lineup and it isn't really close.

 

If he is healthy he is playing. Thames will be the odd man out if all 5 are available.

[82brewcrew82]

The more I think about this the more I think Braun is the odd man out here. If Santana hits like he did last year, he is going to play everyday. The move to first for Braun is working out about as I expected which means only a few AB's there. That means probably both Broxton and Phillips to AAA and Aguilar sticks.

 

I think this is the team transitioning Braun to the next phase of his career without being overly public/obvious about it.

 

Christian Yelich pending ... a healthy Ryan Braun is the best hitter in this lineup and it isn't really close.

 

If he is healthy he is playing. Thames will be the odd man out if all 5 are available.

That assumes Braun is going to see significant time at first. That doesn't seem likely at this point.

[MVP2110]

I still think we trade Broxton near the end of spring. Send Phillips to AAA. Aguilar sticks til we need a 5th starter and then we attempt to sneak him through to the minors(which probably won't work)

[pacopete4]

The more I think about this the more I think Braun is the odd man out here. If Santana hits like he did last year, he is going to play everyday. The move to first for Braun is working out about as I expected which means only a few AB's there. That means probably both Broxton and Phillips to AAA and Aguilar sticks.

 

I think this is the team transitioning Braun to the next phase of his career without being overly public/obvious about it.

 

Christian Yelich pending ... a healthy Ryan Braun is the best hitter in this lineup and it isn't really close.

 

If he is healthy he is playing. Thames will be the odd man out if all 5 are available.

That assumes Braun is going to see significant time at first. That doesn't seem likely at this point.

According to the manager about 50 games. So depends what you mean by significant.

[bork]

I am really confused as to why, with a roster of Braun, Santana, Yelich, Cain that there would be any discussion about anyone, let alone Perez, getting any starts out there. Makes zero sense. You don't need a 5th outfielder when you have those four. That is part of the reason as to why the 4-man bench could actually work.

 

Because last year Franklin, Nieuwenhuis, Perez, Sogard, Thames, and Villar made 21% of the team's OF starts. Counsel will want to give Perez starts, and you can bet some of those will be in the OF.

[pacopete4]

I am really confused as to why, with a roster of Braun, Santana, Yelich, Cain that there would be any discussion about anyone, let alone Perez, getting any starts out there. Makes zero sense. You don't need a 5th outfielder when you have those four. That is part of the reason as to why the 4-man bench could actually work.

 

Because last year Franklin, Nieuwenhuis, Perez, Sogard, Thames, and Villar made 21% of the team's OF starts. Counsel will want to give Perez starts, and you can bet some of those will be in the OF.

 

Right. But that’s before Cain and Yelich were added. Apples to oranges.

[82brewcrew82]

According to the manager about 50 games. So depends what you mean by significant.

I'd consider 50 significant but I haven't heard or seen CC commit to 50 games.

[markedman5]

If Santana isn't traded then Thames is going to be the odd man out not Braun.

 

Braun is going to play.....and hit in the middle if the lineup......this idea that he is going to be some 4th outfielder and play once or twice a week is a fantasy......and really a silly one.

[82brewcrew82]

If Santana isn't traded then Thames is going to be the odd man out not Braun.

 

Braun is going to play.....and hit in the middle if the lineup......this idea that he is going to be some 4th outfielder and play once or twice a week is a fantasy......and really a silly one.

That is predicated on a historically bad infielder being able to learn how to play an adequate first base in six weeks. If that doesn't happen then either Santana or Braun are losing PA's.

[markedman5]

Braun will be fine there.......CC has already said they think his play at first has been better then they expected.

[superfly]

I am really confused as to why, with a roster of Braun, Santana, Yelich, Cain that there would be any discussion about anyone, let alone Perez, getting any starts out there. Makes zero sense. You don't need a 5th outfielder when you have those four. That is part of the reason as to why the 4-man bench could actually work.

 

Because last year Franklin, Nieuwenhuis, Perez, Sogard, Thames, and Villar made 21% of the team's OF starts. Counsel will want to give Perez starts, and you can bet some of those will be in the OF.

 

Then he should be fired. Perez is a medicore below average baseball player and we have SIGNIFICANT resources vested in the OF.

[SandyTolan]

Braun will be fine there.......CC has already said they think his play at first has been better then they expected.

 

I drove over from LA to Maryvale a few days ago, and the biggest and most pleasant surprise was how smooth and comfortable Braun looked at 1B - despite what he says. A back-handed stab here; a pick in the dirt there. My friend, a huge baseball (ugh, Yankees) fan, was also adamant about how good Braunie looked there.

 

So honestly I don't think that needs to be an issue. I could see him starting 60 games or more at 1B.

[82brewcrew82]

Braun will be fine there.......CC has already said they think his play at first has been better then they expected.

 

I drove over from LA to Maryvale a few days ago, and the biggest and most pleasant surprise was how smooth and comfortable Braun looked at 1B - despite what he says. A back-handed stab here; a pick in the dirt there. My friend, a huge baseball (ugh, Yankees) fan, was also adamant about how good Braunie looked there.

 

So honestly I don't think that needs to be an issue. I could see him starting 60 games or more at 1B.

Cool, that sounds really good. I know a week ago Braun was pretty adamant that the wasn't even remotely comfortable there but a first hand report goes a long way. I guess in a couple of weeks it'll be obvious one way or the other.

[jerichoholicninja]

If Santana isn't traded then Thames is going to be the odd man out not Braun.

 

Braun is going to play.....and hit in the middle if the lineup......this idea that he is going to be some 4th outfielder and play once or twice a week is a fantasy......and really a silly one.

 

No one is saying he'll be a 4th outfielder and play once or twice a week. At worst, he'll be one of 4 outfielders and play 5 games a week minimum at some position.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Braun will be fine there.......CC has already said they think his play at first has been better then they expected.

 

I drove over from LA to Maryvale a few days ago, and the biggest and most pleasant surprise was how smooth and comfortable Braun looked at 1B - despite what he says. A back-handed stab here; a pick in the dirt there. My friend, a huge baseball (ugh, Yankees) fan, was also adamant about how good Braunie looked there.

 

So honestly I don't think that needs to be an issue. I could see him starting 60 games or more at 1B.

 

That's great, thanks so much for the 1st hand account. I by no means think that Braun is going to suddenly be a 150-game starter at 1B, but if he can pick it up to the point where he isn't a major liability there, that really helps this odd roster's flexibility. Thames is a nice player, but he isn't exactly super durable, so having Braun as 1B to Thames' 1A is nice.

 

I get the feeling from Braun's quotes that he isn't entirely enthusiastic about learning a new position at this point in his career, but I think he realizes that his lack of durability has put the team in a bind. Having Braun's bat in the lineup as much as possible is still a very good thing for this team, though.

[pacopete4]

If Santana isn't traded then Thames is going to be the odd man out not Braun.

 

Braun is going to play.....and hit in the middle if the lineup......this idea that he is going to be some 4th outfielder and play once or twice a week is a fantasy......and really a silly one.

 

No one is saying he'll be a 4th outfielder and play once or twice a week. At worst, he'll be one of 4 outfielders and play 5 games a week minimum at some position.

 

Eh, you may want to walk that first sentence back a bit. I think there are plenty here and in Brewers nation that are happily saying that. And I think so of it has nothing to do with his play. But that last piece is just my opinion.

[homer]

If Santana isn't traded then Thames is going to be the odd man out not Braun.

 

Braun is going to play.....and hit in the middle if the lineup......this idea that he is going to be some 4th outfielder and play once or twice a week is a fantasy......and really a silly one.

 

No one is saying he'll be a 4th outfielder and play once or twice a week. At worst, he'll be one of 4 outfielders and play 5 games a week minimum at some position.

 

yeah I don't know where this Braun as 4th outfielder talk is coming from. Like you said he's one of 4 vying for playing time out there. Good for him he learned another position.

[DuWayne Steurer]

Braun will be fine there.......CC has already said they think his play at first has been better then they expected.

 

I would absolutely expect the manager to say something along those lines. "He's doing fine there, better than we hoped/expected, yada yada yada".

 

The real telling thing to me is that Braun states he's not comfortable there, and I really don't like the fact that he says the bending and whatnot is not comfortable on his back. This just really leads into a couple (or more) 10 - 15 day stays on the DL, when he pulls or twists something, because we're shoe-horning him into a position he's not physically able to play.

[pacopete4]

Maybe all the bending will do good for his back. Get his butt in some yoga classes and get him a bit more flexible. Standing stiff as a board out in LF sure hasn't done the trick.

[markedman5]

The more I think about this the more I think Braun is the odd man out here. If Santana hits like he did last year, he is going to play everyday. The move to first for Braun is working out about as I expected which means only a few AB's there. That means probably both Broxton and Phillips to AAA and Aguilar sticks.

 

I think this is the team transitioning Braun to the next phase of his career without being overly public/obvious about it.

 

 

This is what I was referring to.......this poster suggests that Santana will play every day.....and that Braun can't play first......so that basically leaves him as a 4th outfielder because we know Cain and Yelich are playing.

[82brewcrew82]

The more I think about this the more I think Braun is the odd man out here. If Santana hits like he did last year, he is going to play everyday. The move to first for Braun is working out about as I expected which means only a few AB's there. That means probably both Broxton and Phillips to AAA and Aguilar sticks.

 

I think this is the team transitioning Braun to the next phase of his career without being overly public/obvious about it.

 

 

This is what I was referring to.......this poster suggests that Santana will play every day.....and that Braun can't play first......so that basically leaves him as a 4th outfielder because we know Cain and Yelich are playing.

CC has specifically stated that Braun will be limted to LF and 1B. If Braun Can't Play first (and that doesn't seem to be going all that well), then he has to play left. Are they then going to move that GG LF that they paid a ton for to RF on a permanent basis where said GG LF's defensive value is significantly reduced? It's not like Braun is a significant defensive upgrade over Santana, Santana is younger and he out hit Braun last year. Braun is getting older, looks to be declining and is prone to nagging injuries. They were trying to trade the guy just to get rid of his salary after all.

 

On most teams I don't think Braun is a 4th ourfielder in the traditional sense. He isn't a back up outfielder. However, this team has three other guys that would start on just about every other team in the league. You think it's silly that Braun sits more, I think it's silly to suggest a 25 year old that had an OPS+ of 126 last year isn't going to play. So yeah, on THIS TEAM I think Bruan is the fourth OF. I DO NOT think he is what would normally be considered a traditional 4th OF. He is obviously more talented than that.

[pacopete4]

The more I think about this the more I think Braun is the odd man out here. If Santana hits like he did last year, he is going to play everyday. The move to first for Braun is working out about as I expected which means only a few AB's there. That means probably both Broxton and Phillips to AAA and Aguilar sticks.

 

I think this is the team transitioning Braun to the next phase of his career without being overly public/obvious about it.

 

 

This is what I was referring to.......this poster suggests that Santana will play every day.....and that Braun can't play first......so that basically leaves him as a 4th outfielder because we know Cain and Yelich are playing.

CC has specifically stated that Braun will be limted to LF and 1B. If Braun Can't Play first (and that doesn't seem to be going all that well), then he has to play left. Are they then going to move that GG LF that they paid a ton for to RF on a permanent basis where said GG LF's defensive value is significantly reduced? It's not like Braun is a significant defensive upgrade over Santana, Santana is younger and he out hit Braun last year. Braun is getting older, looks to be declining and is prone to nagging injuries. They were trying to trade the guy just to get rid of his salary after all.

 

On most teams I don't think Braun is a 4th ourfielder in the traditional sense. He isn't a back up outfielder. However, this team has three other guys that would start on just about every other team in the league. You think it's silly that Braun sits more, I think it's silly to suggest a 25 year old that had an OPS+ of 126 last year isn't going to play. So yeah, on THIS TEAM I think Bruan is the fourth OF. I DO NOT think he is what would normally be considered a traditional 4th OF. He is obviously more talented than that.

Maybe you’re not paying attention much but here is an updated statement:

per Adam McCalvy:

Another new(ish) position on deck for Ryan Braun, who expects to see some time in right field before the end of camp. He played two seasons there in 2014-15. All about versatility as the Brewers try to find ABs for all of their outfielders.

Also, you keep saying things aren’t going well at 1B because of some things said two weeks ago. Yet Braun continues to get a lot of time at 1B AND there are reports that they are looking at 50-60 games from him there.