Looking at the salaries we lose on ESPN.com

[Hate those Rodents]

Boy, we sure will be losing a lot of money. Granted, some of it will cost to replace if we don't resign guys. But I see Jenkins/Mench saving us 11 million to go with Gabe Gross next year, for which we might get the same production. If I am Doug, I go with Gabe for half a year and see how he does.

Then, Cordero and Linebrink, which we all know must be replaced if not resigned, but that's technically more money we'd save as of now.

Damian Miller and Graffy combined save us about six million if we can replace them more cheaply.

I am sure Doug has a plan, and I can't wait to see what it is.

[RyDogg66]

The plan should have a lot to do with arbitration raises, Suppan's raise, filling in LF and the back of the bullpen.

[AJAY]

Don't forget we save a few million when Corey Koskie's contract comes off the books.

[BuckyTuba]

suppan adds 1M
turnbow adds .9M
hall adds 1.3M
sheets adds 1M

arbitration for:
wise
shouse
bush
capuano
estrada
hardy
mench
vargas

i think we'll have difficulty bringing all of them back. i'm definitely worried about another patchwork bullpen.

[trwi7]

Yeah it may look like we're losing a lot but players will be in arby who were making the minimum and other players who have contracts will get raises so it's not as much as you think.

[Oldcity]

I don't think they'll offer Mench arbitration, and I think at least one of Capuano/Vargas will be gone as well.

[Patrick425]

If I am Doug, I go with Gabe for half a year and see how he does.

I hope he doesn't do that. The Brewers need to get beyond the "rebuilding" mentality. They have arrived. Despite their recent woes, they are now contenders and need to start acting like it. If they have a hole in the outfield it needs to be filled with a FA that's proven he can get the job done, not a prospect like Gross or Gwynn. I think Gwynn is a great guy and will always give 110%, but I'm not as high on his abilities as others on this board. Unless you are talking about prospects with credentials like Gallardo, Braun, Fielder, etc., you have to go with proven talent at this point.

[Invader3K]

I know I continually harp on this, but they need a proven "big bopper" type in the outfield. Gabe Gross isn't that guy.

[Brian the Automator]

Gross is by no means an every day left-fielder. And I'm about as pro-Gross as they get.

 

I'd like to see if the Brewers could somehow coax the Angels into giving up Juan Rivera.

[JohnBriggs12]

I think they'll have a hard time finding a guy who can put up an .862 OPS for under the $9 million commitment and no players dealt it would cost to keep Jenkins.

[Invader3K]

Ah, I don't mind Jenkins as much as some people, but they need someone who can be counted on to drive in 30+ homers a year and a bunch of RBIs. Someone like Adam Dunn would be perfect.

[Brian the Automator]

I think they'll have a hard time finding a guy who can put up an .862 OPS for under the $9 million commitment and no players dealt it would cost to keep Jenkins.

The problem with that statement is that he's being used in a platoon, so you'd have to include he $ amount it takes to get Mench under contract. Jenkins alone isn't an .862 OPS outfielder.

[JohnBriggs12]

"Jenkins alone isn't an .862 OPS outfielder".

 

No, going into this year he was a career .849 OPS outfielder playing against both lefties and righties. Not much difference. They could find a guy to replace Mench's production vs. lefties for a lot cheaper than they could find a guy to replace Jenkins'. Righthanded platoon guys play no more than 1/3 of the time if handled in a strict platoon.

 

Jenkins has shown to be the much more productive of the Menchkins platoon. Yes, his salary next year is steep, but it's a one year commitment in a year where they can easily fit it in their budget. Name me a guy out there who could be had as a free agent for one year that could match his production?

 

Adam Dunn? Dunn is going to command a Richie Sexson type deal. That would require a commitment that extends into the period when paying Fielder and the rest of the young guys is the priority. That's if the Reds don't pick up his $13 million option for 2008. If they did, then the Brewers would have to trade players to get Dunn who would cost the total of Jenkins and Mench.

[endaround]

Dunn is yet to be a free agent. Cincy will pick up his option at least, and likely trade him to a team who'll give him a huge extension. So not noyl will you pay a lot for a player who'll likely see a huge decline in 2 years, you'll be giving up talent as well.

 

And the Brewers really don't need another defensive hole. 5 are enough, thank you.

 

As to paltoon mates for Jenkins? Dillon is already here. And eh could actually be a better 4th Ofer over can't hit righties Mench.

[JohnBriggs12]

endaround is right. Dillon could well be the guy to platoon at a major league minimum, allowing them to spend money where it's really needed, on the bullpen.

[bklynbrewcrew]

I would definitely like to see Dillon get a shot at Mench's job. Paying Mench 3 mil a year is a complete waste of money.

[homer]

Jenkins has shown to be the much more productive of the Menchkins platoon.

That's mostly because Ned continues to bat Mench against righties. Mench against lefites is really good - .305/.338/.519

But you're right that a right handed side of a platoon doesn't come up too often - getting a cheaper replacement is a good move.

[Invader3K]

I've been impressed with Dillon so far, and wouldn't mind seeing him get a shot at regular playing time, even before the end of this year. That way they can evaluate if he would be worth keeping on the 25 man roster for next year.

 

I wasn't specifically saying the Brewers should go get Dunn. I know his defense is bad. I would just like a player with similar offensive numbers (yes, I know he Ks a lot, but only the best of the best hit a lot of homers without striking out a lot, and we simply aren't getting someone like that). I guess I would rather see the Brewers spend some of the cash surplus they should have in the off-season to acquire a bat to shore up the offense. We've kind of seen how hit or miss spending money on pitching can be, and I'm not sure of any pitchers that will be available this off-season worth pursuing.

[Ennder]

I think whatever moves we make its very important to bring in good defensive players. This teams defense is why its not sitting on a 5+ game lead right now, its one of the worst in baseball. Bring in a legit CF, play Hall in LF vs lefties and have him be the super sub against righties.

[Invader3K]

Not much more could make me happier than Hall not playing CF anymore. I just don't think he's ever going to turn into an ideal CF. I'd move him to LF, or (and I know this won't happen) 2B next year (assuming Weeks would get traded or put into a utility role).

[Brian the Automator]

"Jenkins alone isn't an .862 OPS outfielder".

 

No, going into this year he was a career .849 OPS outfielder playing against both lefties and righties. Not much difference. They could find a guy to replace Mench's production vs. lefties for a lot cheaper than they could find a guy to replace Jenkins'. Righthanded platoon guys play no more than 1/3 of the time if handled in a strict platoon.

 

Jenkins has shown to be the much more productive of the Menchkins platoon. Yes, his salary next year is steep, but it's a one year commitment in a year where they can easily fit it in their budget. Name me a guy out there who could be had as a free agent for one year that could match his production?

The problem here is that you're using the career numbers of a 33-year old to bolster your comparison. I agree with you that Jenkins has been the most productive portion of the platoon, but that comes as no surprise, because more pitchers are right-handed than left-handed.

Why does it need to be a free agent that they acquire?

 

[Invader3K]

I'm open to trade ideas at this point. I just don't know who would be realistically available. Make a trade with Colorado for Matt Holliday, in exchange for pitching help, perhaps?

[Brian the Automator]

I'm open to trade ideas at this point. I just don't know who would be realistically available. Make a trade with Colorado for Matt Holliday, in exchange for pitching help, perhaps?

I'd love to have Holliday, but he's one of those guys whose inflated Coors numbers jacks up his trade value. He'd be a solid upgrade, but it would take a LOT of ammo to pry him loose.

 

[GenoSeligPrieb]

This happens every time Jenkins goes on one of his hot streaks. Talk about extending his contract is resurrected, his role expanded, his age, salary and other flaws are temporarily ignored. It's April all over again, except of course this time, Capuano, Weeks, SoupCan, Hall, Hardy, Villanueva, CoCoCo and Sheets aren't contributing along with Geoff, and we're losing all the time.

 

Jenkins USED TO be an .849 OPS guy against both RHP's and LHPs, but not anymore. And as Brian correctly reminds us, you can't isolate Jenkins alone, without allowing for the salary of his platoon partner, because Geoff's gonna need one badly. That brings our LF allocation over $11,000,000. I'm fairly certain we can get an everyday LF who can produce as well if not better, without taking up 2 roster spots, for less than $11 million.

 

"As to paltoon mates for Jenkins? Dillon is already here. And eh could actually be a better 4th Ofer over can't hit righties Mench."

 

.....

 

" endaround is right. Dillon could well be the guy to platoon at a major league minimum..."

 

 

So, after 11 at bats, you guys are ready to start planning for the future, with a regular role in LF for 32-year-old AAAA legend Joe Dillon? C'mon, Endaround, the dude has 11 at bats as a Brewer, and 4 career games in LF here and as a Marlin! And JB, you agree? Wow.

 

Just look at Dillon's line:

 

.636/.636/.818

 

A 1.454 OPS! That tells enough of the story for me! Joe Dillon is 1.2 winshares better than Vladimir Guerrero, and his park-adjusted WARP is better than Miguel Cabrera's! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/laugh.gif

 

Just funnin' ya. Nothing personal. I just couldn't resist... http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif