Melvin interview

[markedman5]

Homer interviewed DM on his show today.

 

Here is the link for those interested.

 

http://www.espnmilwaukee.com/audio/

[splitterpfj]

Has, and will continue to talk to Cordero's agent, but "When players reach free agency, they usually want to file." Catching situation "will be looked at." A decision on Jenkins' option "will be made next week." Infield "will not be touched", nor will Hart in RF, hopes that Hall bounces back. Has 8 starting pitchers, that is the most likely spot from which to trade.

 

Lots of good discussion, and that.

[logan82]

Sounds like the only reason they would pick up Jenkin's contract is if they were going to trade him.

[dadofandrew]

Recap at Ramblings.

 

http://albethke.blogspot.com/2007/10/doug-melvin-was-on-milwaukee-radio-show.html

[AJAY]

I agree with Doug Melvin that the bullpen was overworked, but I don't think it explains everything. I think this bullpen was bad regardless of how deep the starters went. I hope he is not counting on starters going deeper to fix the bullpen problems. We need to upgrade anyway.

[logan82]

He sounded like he was relying on Villanueva and Gallardo being long relievers all year instead of being forced into the rotation. If that had been the case I think we might have been alright.

[BREWCREW5]

The best part is at the end where it says there will not be a gross/dillon platoon. People may argue with me, but world series teams dont have gross/dillon platoons. Yes, they will be nice on the bench, but leave it at that.

[jjfanec]

World series teams can easily have a Gross/Dillion platoon and be ok. Although I am not sold on Dillion, I feel Gross is a solid guy for this team. I may be in the minority here but I think he is a better option then spending big money on someone else or trading away good prospects or chips that could be used for relief pitching. I would like to find a right handed bat to platoon with Gross, but I feel good about that platoon.

[logan82]

The only reason a Gross/Dillon platoon doesn't bother me is I think it is just a stopgap measure until LaPorta is ready.

[splitterpfj]

Doug flat out said he'd be willing to look outside the organization for a LF with good OBP, athleticism and lower Ks, also that the free agent crop was weak unless you wanted a CF, AND THAT starting pitching was his best spot to deal from - get yourselves over to the trade rumors forum and show me some maybes!

 

There doesn't seem to be much mystery, a trade for a LF is very likely, he wants to keep Cordero, but may not be able to, he's still tinkering with the catcher position, and he's going to deal at least one SP.

 

We should have some fun debating this winter.

[BREWCREW5]

The only reason a Gross/Dillon platoon doesn't bother me is I think it is just a stopgap measure until LaPorta is ready.

 

In 2008, I certainly hope the crew has no "stopgap" type of players. They should be competing for a world series ring. Amen if LaPorta can bump one of our outfielders out of his position because he is so good.

[logan82]

The thing is you really don't want to bring in a guy for LF when we should have one ready by the middle of 2009 at the latest. My guess is that Melvin will try and pursue a CF and move Hall to LF. OF platoons are not common, but they do happen on WS teams.

[MNBrew]

The only reason a Gross/Dillon platoon doesn't bother me is I think it is just a stopgap measure until LaPorta is ready.

Championship-contending teams don't have ham-and-egger stopgaps at prime-production spots in the lineup & in the field.

Yes, that applies to Craig Counsell, too.

[sbrylski]

Athleticism = Defense

 

The more I think about him, the more I think Kearns would fit wonderfully. Say what you will about defensive metrics, but find me one that doesn't love this guy in a corner.

[logan82]

Championship-contending teams don't have ham-and-egger stopgaps at prime-production spots in the lineup & in the field.

Championship teams will have a weak spot in the lineup. Usually it is a middle infielder, but in our case our infield is a strength, offensivley. This allows a weak player to be in what would normally be considered a premium offensive position such as a corner outfield spot. We are looking for a guy with a good OBP, but if we don't find one we already have the top 5-6 spots in the order filled depending on Hall. I would prefer we find a good CF who can get on base, but if we don't I would prefer a strengthened pen and a low cost corner OF to spending a ton on a free agent who will only have a spot on the team for a year.

[twobrewers]

The only reason a Gross/Dillon platoon doesn't bother me is I think it is just a stopgap measure until LaPorta is ready.

That is why I would be shocked if they brough in a FA outfielder. Unless it an old player on a 1 or 2 year deal. (Lofton)

 

I think the likely scenario is that they will trade for a player with a year or two remaining on his contract. (Similar to Mench) That way, if and when LaPorta is ready - we won't have a long-term committment to someone else.

 

Did Melvin mention anything about Mench and his option? I would assume that if Gross isn't going to be a starter as part of a platoon, then we wouldn't need to spend all of that money on Mench.

 

Lastly, did he talk about extending any of the kids?

[davemakovec]

I think that unless Carlos Villanueva's arm literally comes apart in Spring Training, he absolutely has to have a starting rotation spot. I don't know what more he has to prove. Give the young guys a shot - it's what got you this far.

[recte44]

LaPorta could be in the mix by mid-season if he continues on this path.

[RobertR]

The only reason a Gross/Dillon platoon doesn't bother me is I think it is just a stopgap measure until LaPorta is ready.

Championship-contending teams don't have ham-and-egger stopgaps at prime-production spots in the lineup & in the field.

 

So Taguchi and Juan Encarnacion of the 2006 Cardinals have stopped by to say hello. There's also a long list of unlikely heroes of the post-season.

 

Robert

[clancyphile]

The best part is at the end where it says there will not be a gross/dillon platoon. People may argue with me, but world series teams dont have gross/dillon platoons. Yes, they will be nice on the bench, but leave it at that.

It could be that Gabe Gross gets a corner OF spot to himself. He'd be a good option - even if he would be the "weakness", although how many "weak" lineup spots could still get you 20 homers, 35+ doubles, a bunch of walks, and very good defense (particualrly a good throwing arm)?

[theavrock]

I am one of Gabe's biggest supporters on here and have been for a long time but this is Gross's three year career average against LHP .093 .250 .163

 

There is just no way he should be starting against LHP. While a platoon isnt always ideal. It does happen and with the players we have (at MLB and in the farm system) just makes way too much sense.

[endaround]

That three year sample is 51 PAs against LH relief specialists for the most part. Gross in 2005 in AAA hit .277/.364/.436 against LHP in 106 PAs. Not earth shattering but keep in mind he wasn't hitting for much power at all (vs RHP .310/.393/.449). There's a decent argument that he was miscast as a platoon player.

[jjfanec]

Could Doug be looking outside the organization for the right-handed part of the platoon. Just because he said he would look outside the organization for answers doesnt me a guy like Gross wont be at least part of the solution.

[dadofandrew]

Kaz Matsui is not exactly anything to write home about either. Didn't the Yankees have Luis Sojo starting when they won a title? Few teams have 8 above average players in the field. Claiming you need that pretty much dismisses thoughts as poorly thought out.

[SoCalBrewfan]

Championship-contending teams don't have ham-and-egger stopgaps at prime-production spots in the lineup & in the field.

 

Really? Who, for example, was the starting left fielder for the 2005 NL champs? (Burke led the field with 78 games, and a sub-700 OPS.)

The 05 AL champs had former Brewer hero Pods, whose OPS was a glittering 700. Seems like you had to have a lousy LF situation to win a pennant that year.

 

Robert already brought up the Cards, but their opponents in the 06 series had less-than-impressive names at the prime production positions of LF and 1b. In left they got decent but not great production from a Monroe / Thames rotation. Their nominal starter at 1b was Chris Shelton, who impressed the team so much that they brought in Sean Casey at the deadline. Last year Shelton spent the year in AAA. The other recent pennant-winning Cardinals (2004) had rotations in both outfield corners, though RF stabilized with the addition of Larry Walker. Nobody started more than 43 games in LF for that team.

 

The 2003 pennant-winning Yankees, with near-infinite resources and the expectations of a perennial contender, had such an awesome 3b that Aaron Boone seemed like a solution at the deadline. (They probably don't regret that move, though.) Their right field solution was three parts Raul Mondesi (well after his expiration date), one part Karim Garcia (a sub-million dollar guy they got at midseason for cash), one part miscellaneous scrap.

 

Though neither is really a 'production spot', 2b and CF have been ongoing issues for the 2007 Rockies...the Red Sox, for all their depth, have a very expensive black hole at shortstop.