2B/3B Options

[MNBrew]

^^ The whole reason you get him is for his bat. Anything he gives you -- or doesn't give away -- on defense is a plus.

[Oxy]

I like Murphy, but more in Thames' role rather than the 2b/Utility role. If we can jettison Thames and pick up another infielder in addition to Murphy that would be ideal.

[clancyphile]

^^ The whole reason you get him is for his bat. Anything he gives you -- or doesn't give away -- on defense is a plus.

 

This.

 

When a .300 hitter who has routinely hit 30+ doubles, rarely strikes out, and averaged 15 homers, and won't cost any compensation is available, you say YES!

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Hard no on Murphy.

 

Care to elaborate? His bat is seemingly what this lineup is currently missing. Defense may be an issue, but I'll chalk up his bad defense last year to coming off an injury. He showed last year that while his bat may not be what it was during his prime run with the Nationals, he's still very dangerous. He also hasn't had drastic splits vs RHP and LHP up until last year, so hopefully last year was an an outlier.

 

Personally I'd prefer LeMahieu or Marwin Gonzalez, but it is quite possible that those two are either too expensive or are seeking too long of a contract. That leaves the Brewers choosing from guys like Murphy and Dozier.

[TURBO]

Robert Murray of The Athletic reports that the Brewers have expressed interest in Daniel Murphy.

 

Murray also confirms that the club is interested in re-signing Mike Moustakas, which has been reportedly previously. General manager David Stearns said Monday that the team is planning on Travis Shaw being their second baseman next season, but obviously the signing of Murphy or Moustakas would change that.

 

Source: The AthleticDec 10 - 9:30 PM

 

 

If they intend to have Shaw at 2B next season, how does signing Moose change that? Wouldn't that be the opposite, and if they signed Moose, Shaw WOULD be playing 2B...

[Fear The Chorizo]

I like Murphy, but more in Thames' role rather than the 2b/Utility role. If we can jettison Thames and pick up another infielder in addition to Murphy that would be ideal.

 

Murphy would fit perfectly into Thames' role when Hiura comes up - he'd be the LH 1b option / backup 2B / pH. That's why the may be looking to sign him for two seasons.

[Fear The Chorizo]

I like Murphy, but more in Thames' role rather than the 2b/Utility role. If we can jettison Thames and pick up another infielder in addition to Murphy that would be ideal.

 

Murphy would fit perfectly into Thames' role when Hiura comes up - he'd be the LH 1b option / backup 2B / pH. That's why they may be looking to sign him for two seasons.

[brewerfan82]

Robert Murray of The Athletic reports that the Brewers have expressed interest in Daniel Murphy.

 

Murray also confirms that the club is interested in re-signing Mike Moustakas, which has been reportedly previously. General manager David Stearns said Monday that the team is planning on Travis Shaw being their second baseman next season, but obviously the signing of Murphy or Moustakas would change that.

 

Source: The AthleticDec 10 - 9:30 PM

 

 

If they intend to have Shaw at 2B next season, how does signing Moose change that? Wouldn't that be the opposite, and if they signed Moose, Shaw WOULD be playing 2B...

I think Haudricourt may have caused a "Shaw at 2nd" snafu:

 

[KeithStone53151]

Yes MrAllen is correct, he came back 10 minutes later and corrected this tweet...saying multipel times that Shaw would be moving back to 3b.

[Oxy]

I like Murphy, but more in Thames' role rather than the 2b/Utility role. If we can jettison Thames and pick up another infielder in addition to Murphy that would be ideal.

 

Murphy would fit perfectly into Thames' role when Hiura comes up - he'd be the LH 1b option / backup 2B / pH. That's why the may be looking to sign him for two seasons.

 

It would just be tough to roster both him and Thames this year. Two lefties who are very limited defensively--and while Murphy traditionally hits lefties okay I'm guessing that won't be the case anymore in the twilight of his career (as evidenced by his numbers last year). Throw in Aguilar and Braun and Santana from the right side and that's a lot of very limited players. Too many for my liking.

[Lathund]

Hard no on Murphy.

 

Care to elaborate? His bat is seemingly what this lineup is currently missing. Defense may be an issue, but I'll chalk up his bad defense last year to coming off an injury.

 

He's always been a poor defender at 2B. 2018 was just extra bad. It may still be that his bat and the financial side of things makes him the best option still, but he's definitely a poor defender.

[pacopete4]

I don't think Murphy is the worst option we could do but his age and terrible defense scare me away from him a bit.

[tmwiese55]

I think he'd fit great assuming we could move Thames and his salary. Presumably the same ballpark yearly cost or a bit more but a much better hitter and positional flex to cover a lot of 2B for this year while being insurance for Jesus. Way more roster flexibility. If you still have Thames though it makes it tough on the roster though.

[long ball]

Stearns just reiterated on mlb network radio that 2nd base is the one spot on the roster they feel they definitely need to resolve this off season.

 

So even if Hiura starting at 2b is in sight, it feels like they will make some type of acquisition for an infielder.

 

With all of the options at 2b, they should probably just be patient. Someone is going to end up signing a 1 yr $4mm deal.

[tmwiese55]

Good points by long ball, there are so many options that there probably isn't much harm in waiting it out. Murphy would fit in the scenario I said, but that's a hurdle to find someone to take Thames salary. Moreover, it's probably more ideal to find someone who can also play 3B more than 1B. Buuuut, Murphy is the exact type of hitter they need.

[JohnBriggs12]

Stearns just reiterated on mlb network radio that 2nd base is the one spot on the roster they feel they definitely need to resolve this off season.

 

So even if Hiura starting at 2b is in sight, it feels like they will make some type of acquisition for an infielder.

 

With all of the options at 2b, they should probably just be patient. Someone is going to end up signing a 1 yr $4mm deal.

 

Counsell said the very same thing yesterday regarding 2B. Yes they could wait and get "someone" but the last two years Murphy was healthy, he posted OPS's of .928 and .985. Those aren't just "someone" type numbers. Even assuming age has started to hinder his performance, an .800+ OPS seems very likely.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Stearns just reiterated on mlb network radio that 2nd base is the one spot on the roster they feel they definitely need to resolve this off season.

 

So even if Hiura starting at 2b is in sight, it feels like they will make some type of acquisition for an infielder.

 

With all of the options at 2b, they should probably just be patient. Someone is going to end up signing a 1 yr $4mm deal.

 

Counsell said the very same thing yesterday regarding 2B. Yes they could wait and get "someone" but the last two years Murphy was healthy, he posted OPS's of .928 and .985. Those aren't just "someone" type numbers. Even assuming age has started to hinder his performance, an .800+ OPS seems very likely.

 

I agree. This team is a World Series contender. I think we're past the point of signing guys to be placeholders. If they make a 2B move, it's going to be for a guy they feel can be the man there for the bulk of the 2019 season. If Hiura hits his way into consideration for a call-up sometime in 2019, great! But at least the pressure won't be as great to get him up as it would if they planned on something like a Saladino/Perez platoon there.

[PDCBalla]

Has anyone thought that the Brewers may not be looking to move Keston because they have an inclination that the DH may be coming to the NL rather soon (ie next couple years)?

[SoCalBrewfan]

Yeah, I imagine that Stearns is looking for value in the 2b market, and I think his track record suggests that he's going to value defense as well as positional flexibility. It does seem likely that they'll wait a bit to see which chips fall where and then swoop in on a budget option, maybe a dark horse like Descalso or whichever of Dozier, Lowrie, LeMahieu, Cabrera is left without a chair when the music stops. Murphy could fit as a part time 1b/2b as noted but I agree that the numbers are not kind to his defense at second, and I'd be a bit surprised to see them go that way. Marwin Gonzalez is a guy I could see them liking, but he seems likely to get three or four years and I think we're probably not up for that.

 

I have also wondered whether they'd take Kipnis and his contract in a deal for a Cleveland pitcher to reduce the prospect cost required.

[MNBrew]

Hiura was recovering from a torn UCL when they drafted him which limited his ability to play D. He's no Gold Glover, but he's not a bad defensive 2B.

 

I think people have been confusing the two, taking the initial "he can't play D right now" from when they drafted him to mean he's a lousy 2B who would be better off as a DH because that narrative has continued ever since he entered the organization.

[RollieTime]

I’m not a big fan of Murphy, but his offensive upside is appealing. He wouldn’t command a lengthy contract either. If they were to sign Murphy, I think he will play some first and second base depending on matchups

 

I can see Murphy working out well for us. He hits lefties well and we wouldn’t need to put him in a platoon, which is big that we can count on him playing everyday unless he gets injured.

 

1. Cain CF

2. Murphy 2B

3. Yelich RF

4. Aguilar 1B

5. Shaw 3B

6. Braun LF

7. Pina C

8. Arcia SS

 

Maybe it’s just me, but there is something awkward about that lineup. It looks to be missing a reliable right handed bat in the top half of the order. Murphy is a solid option for us, but I think there would be additional moves to the roster construction.

[tdcarney22]

Hard no on Murphy.

 

Care to elaborate? His bat is seemingly what this lineup is currently missing. Defense may be an issue, but I'll chalk up his bad defense last year to coming off an injury.

 

He's always been a poor defender at 2B. 2018 was just extra bad. It may still be that his bat and the financial side of things makes him the best option still, but he's definitely a poor defender.

 

I think we're all forgetting who took the majority of our AB's at 2B last year.....Eric friggin Sogard, Brad Miller, Tyler Salidno, Hernan Perez. Perez was okay. Sogard batted under .100 in his time here, Brad Miller was awful, and Salidino wasn't much better.

 

We've got a chance to add a guy who is a career .299 hitter! Injuries or not, the man can hit the ball, you don't forget how to hit just because you got hurt. Imagine what this team would have looked like with a .270avg out of the 2B hole last year rather than like a .230?

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

 

We've got a chance to add a guy who is a career .299 hitter! Injuries or not, the man can hit the ball, you don't forget how to hit just because you got hurt. Imagine what this team would have looked like with a .270avg out of the 2B hole last year rather than like a .230?

 

Add in the fact that a lumbering 6'4" 3B took most of the reps at 2B during the stretch run, and it would appear that the team is willing to sacrifice defense at that position to get another potent bat in the lineup. Arcia is such a strong defender at SS that I imagine they'd be willing to compromise a bit at 2B.

[mattyo]

 

I think we're all forgetting who took the majority of our AB's at 2B last year.....Eric friggin Sogard, Brad Miller, Tyler Salidno, Hernan Perez. Perez was okay. Sogard batted under .100 in his time here, Brad Miller was awful, and Salidino wasn't much better.

 

We've got a chance to add a guy who is a career .299 hitter! Injuries or not, the man can hit the ball, you don't forget how to hit just because you got hurt. Imagine what this team would have looked like with a .270avg out of the 2B hole last year rather than like a .230?

 

Agreed. We were ONE GAME away from the World Series. Adding a (hopefully) healthy Murphy could help put us over the edge. He can be THAT good when he is healthy.

[brooks_quichenick]

Hard no on Murphy.