Outfield Possibilities

[sbrylski]

Gwynn for Willingham? They have a big time need in CF. Sign me up.

 

As for defense, I think you could consider him about an average defender. His RZR was .836 last season, which was just slightly below the average of all qualified LFers - .845. (Just presenting data, not making an absolute claim.)

[igor67]

I was just taking a look at Oakland's ZIPS projection for next year, and they have a ton of LF/1B/DH types that can hit again. While their middle IF is pretty weak considering Crosby can't stay on the field. I wonder if a Hall for Swisher swap would intrigue Beane to start a discussion. Swisher is definitely the better hitter, but Hall has the position advantage. Maybe including some other kind of prospect or something, but Swisher sure fits the high OBP LF mold. And I have no problem with Swisher in RF and Hart in CF either down the road.

[trwi7]

I was just taking a look at Oakland's ZIPS projection for next year, and they have a ton of LF/1B/DH types that can hit again. While their middle IF is pretty weak considering Crosby can't stay on the field. I wonder if a Hall for Swisher swap would intrigue Beane to start a discussion. Swisher is definitely the better hitter, but Hall has the position advantage. Maybe including some other kind of prospect or something, but Swisher sure fits the high OBP LF mold. And I have no problem with Swisher in RF and Hart in CF either down the road.

 

Just out of curiosity where do you get ZIPS from for next year? I've been looking and can't find anything on it.

[TooLiveBrew]

Nick Swisher -- He could likely be had for pitching - but the question is, "How much?"

 

2007: .262/.381/.455/.836 ... ISO = .193, BABIP = .308, LD% = 17.5, HR/FB% = 11.6

 

--His ISO, LD%, & HR/FB% were all pretty significantly the lowest to date in his MLB career in 2007.

--His LD% was ~ 19.3% in both '05 & '06; his ISO was .210 ('05) & .239 ('06).

--His BB/K rate has improved in each year since 2005. Including 2005-07, he's seen 4.17 pitches/plate appearance.

--Iirc, he plays pretty solid D, too. His RZRs (multiple positions) from 2007 seem to indicate this - except at 1B - yikes! How are you worse there (by a ton), and not the OF?!

 

Anyway, here's his contract info:

2008: $3.5 mil.

2009: $5.3 mil.

2010: $6.75 mil.

2011: $9 mil.

2012: $10.25 mil. club option ($1 mil. buyout)

 

2007 will be his age-27 season. He seems to fit the bill, but may well also fall under the 'Team isn't interested in trading him' category.

 

EDIT: Whoops - I honestly didn't even notice that he'd been brought up just two posts above mine. Sorry, igor! Take this as an augmentation to your already stellar suggestion!

[JohnBriggs12]

Matt Stairs has filed for free agency.

 

Yes, he'll be 40 next year but he's shown no sign of losing bat speed and he sure fits that term "professional hitter" that Melvin threw out there.

[sbrylski]

TLB, I'd love Swisher, but he's like the Corey Hart of the A's. I really don't think he's going anywhere without a return that we'd be unwilling to pay.

[TooLiveBrew]

Yea, unfortunately I think you're likely correct, Sbryl. What's funny is that this got me thinking last night about a mega-swap (potentially) with Oakland. Now, I'm generally one of the last folks that'd bring up this name in a trade suggestion, but...

 

Sheets + Gwynn + Vargas

 

for

 

Haren + Swisher

 

I honestly don't even know if that's a fair deal, but perhaps we could swing some RP help, too? Thoughts?

 

EDIT: Throw Cappy or Bush in place of Vargas if it makes more sense

[dadofandrew]

I swear Stairs signed an extension with TOR, but i guess not. He's a very good platoon guy, but not athletic or other things Doug has mentioned. He won't be the top choice.

[aracko]

Carlos Quenton - Diamondbacks would be a nice fit on this young team. I think once he builds confidence his OBP will be off the charts. I also think he would be pretty aquirable right now.

[JohnBriggs12]

Carlos Quenton?

 

He might have been a nice pickup back in say 2003. But an unproven right handed free swinger isn't exactly what this team is looking for. In fact, it's pretty much the opposite of what I'd be looking for. He certainly wouldn't even be better than 50-50 to make the team much less start in LF. Heck, I'd bet LaPorta is a better hitter right now.

[Robideaux]

I'm not sure its entirely accurate to call Quentin a "free swinger." Between an almost Weeksian propensity to get hit by pitches and a fairly decent walk rate, he gets on-base at a pretty good clip. Granted, he wasn't very good last year. But he has a career OBP of .427 in over 1300 minor league at bats. The most strike outs he ever amassed in a season was 80 in almost 600 plate appearances between AAA and the majors in 2006.

 

I'm not sure how the PCL or his other minor league stops trend in terms of the offense vs. pitching dichotomy, but his hitting (with the notable exception of last year's 81 games for the Diamondbacks) has been solid--high average, decent pop, and a high on-base%.) His career minor league OPS is 953. As a 23 year old rookie in 2006, he put up a solid 872 OPS in 57 games for the D-Backs. That's better than Corey Hart did at age 24 in his first extended major league action.

 

I'm not saying that Quentin is as good as Hart necessarily or that he is the answer for the Brewers this season as a corner OF, but there is a chance, given his track record, that he could turn out to be a pretty special player. If he could be had at a reasonable price given the logjam in Arizona's outfield combined with his less than stellar 2007 season, I think it could be a move that could look very smart in coming years.

[aracko]

I gotta disagree with you Briggs. Never had an OBP under .420 in the minor leagues. Last year was a horrible year for the kid as he was really hurting the entire season. Most people before last season thought that Quentin would outperform Connor Jackson. I really believe that this guy is a middle of the order hitter possibly as soon as next year and no later than 2009. He is an outstanding athlete.

 

If Quentin is available and we do not consider him (he would probably have to play RF) I think we are making a mistake.

[aracko]

Also - any word on if the Yanks are going to pick up Abreu option?

 

I dont really want to see the Crew blow 13-15 million on the guy but its not my money.

[trwi7]

Yea, unfortunately I think you're likely correct, Sbryl. What's funny is that this got me thinking last night about a mega-swap (potentially) with Oakland. Now, I'm generally one of the last folks that'd bring up this name in a trade suggestion, but...

 

Sheets + Gwynn + Vargas

 

for

 

Haren + Swisher

 

I honestly don't even know if that's a fair deal, but perhaps we could swing some RP help, too? Thoughts?

 

EDIT: Throw Cappy or Bush in place of Vargas if it makes more sense

 

I don't think there's any way Oakland considers that. Haren and Sheets have basically the same value when you consider Sheets' contract situation and injury history and then they take on a 5 ERA pitcher in the NL set to make more money than he's worth and a 4th outfielder who has shown that he'll probably never be a starter for one of their best hitters.

[TooLiveBrew]

I'm not sure how the PCL or his other minor league stops trend in terms of the offense vs. pitching dichotomy, but his hitting (with the notable exception of last year's 81 games for the Diamondbacks) has been solid--high average, decent pop, and a high on-base%.)

The PCL tends to play as a hitter's league, iirc.

 

I don't think there's any way Oakland considers that. Haren and Sheets have basically the same value when you consider Sheets' contract situation and injury history...

That's a solid point trw. I weighed the thought of contract(s), but unbelievably enough, didn't even consider injuries. Oof.

[billyhallfan]

Yea, unfortunately I think you're likely correct, Sbryl. What's funny is that this got me thinking last night about a mega-swap (potentially) with Oakland. Now, I'm generally one of the last folks that'd bring up this name in a trade suggestion, but...

 

Sheets + Gwynn + Vargas

 

for

 

Haren + Swisher

 

I honestly don't even know if that's a fair deal, but perhaps we could swing some RP help, too? Thoughts?

 

EDIT: Throw Cappy or Bush in place of Vargas if it makes more sense

 

Take Sheets out, put someone else there, maybe Bush, and take Haren out and put in Street. The A's are probably willing to deal Street, and then the Brewers could let Cordero walk.

[TooLiveBrew]

Why would the A's want to deal a top-notch RP who's still under arbitration control? I want to know what makes you think they'd "probably [be] willing" to deal him, not meant as confrontational. I agree with you that he'd be an awesome player to acquire, but his price tag would likely be hefty.

[MNBrew]

Tying up two loose ends from earlier in the thread (and probably also referenced elsewhere on this site),

 

1. Matt Stairs signed his two-year deal with Toronto today.

2. The Yankees picked up Bobby Abreu's option today.

[billyhallfan]

tlb,

 

I heard or read somewhere during the season that he wasn't getting along with some teamates and wasn't getting along with Geren.

 

obviously they wouldn't give him away, but he would be attainable.

[TooLiveBrew]

thanks, bhf, hadn't heard that. I'm with you that his cost would be quite a bit.