REALISTIC players I would target

[madtowndrunkard]

C - anyone who can hold a runner on 1st.

plan B: stick with what we have.

OF - Jose Guillen

plan B: Baldelli, Patterson, Stewart, Rowand, Lofton


SP - Maddux

plan B: R. Wolf, Schilling, OR stick w/ what we have

RP - Cordero and Otsuka

plan B: Riske, Dotel, Lidge, Linebrink (we need two good RP's)

Bench: K. Lofton, M. Loretta

Plan B: M Lamb, S Casey ....(I know there is no room for Casey but I'd love to find a bat off the bench that can get on base and be clutch in tough situations.- plus his leadership skills)

[splitterpfj]

Otsuka still can't throw, and despite no visual evidence of structural damage, he may be headed for Tommy John surgery.

[JohnBriggs12]

Patterson? As in Corey Can't take a walk?

 

His biggest accomplishment on the diamond was making Doug Davis rich.

[madtowndrunkard]

Well obviously if Otsuka's health is still an issue then focus on someone else. Hence my plan B.

[madtowndrunkard]

I should have put Patterson under the plan B of my Bench option. Obviously I wouldn't want him as our starting OF. But with his ability to run, play defense, and get on the occasional hot streak I think he'd improve our bench.

[MNBrew]

I particularly like the Lofton & Loretta thoughts. I'd take Cirillo back, too, and send Counsell to anyone for a big box of bratwursts (Johnsonville, please).

 

Starting IF: Braun, Hardy, Weeks, Fielder

IF reserves: Loretta, Cirillo, Dillon

 

Starting OF: Lofton, Hall, Hart

OF reserves: Gross, Gwynn, Dillon

 

Whether it'd be Lofton, Rowand, or whomever else, the new starting OF (presumably in LF) needs to have a good OBP and preferably BA within that, plus ideally strike out less than he walks (although any non-windmill approach would do fine).

 

We know the defense needs to improve, and for that Counsell is actually quite useful. Maybe he's a good leader, too. But the guy can't hit a lick and that drives me nuts.

 

Targets for the bullpen? I haven't given that side much thought yet. I'd guess, though, that any new personnel there are more likely to arrive via trade than as FAs.

[dadofandrew]

Neither Loretta nor Cirillo can play SS in anything other than an emergency. Counsell is a good defensive SS. You don't open a season without a backup SS.

[twobrewers]

That also leaves us with 12 pitchers instead of 13.

 

I think Doug is really going to be looking at versitile players to limit the number of bats on our 25 man roster to ensure that we keep a 13 person staff. I think Dillon's success as a back-up 2B, 3B, 1B and OF will really be critical to our success.

 

We can't afford to have our bullpen worn out by the end of the year again. Carrying 13 pitchers could really help down the stretch. (Plus 2 or 3 pitchers are likely to be "blow up" pitchers like Turnbow who might only give you 5 pitches)

[MNBrew]

Neither Loretta nor Cirillo can play SS in anything other than an emergency. Counsell is a good defensive SS. You don't open a season without a backup SS.

Al, I'm normally with you. On Cirillo at SS, I agree. But I did some serious digging earlier this fall on Loretta and he not only played but also started at SS significantly more than any other position for Houston this year. He was their starting SS and was quite respectable. He has a good glove. What I'm guessing he lacks, if anything, would probably be range.

Loretta's not a Gold Glover. But he's hardly a dud, either. He's also not going to hurt your team on offense or on defense by being your starting SS. That's been his track record for his entire career. And I'd bet he'd trump Counsell's BA by a good 50 points and his OPS by nearly 100. Throughout the 2nd half of the season, Counsell was hitting so crappy that he couldn't hit the side of a barn if he were standing inside of one.

 

I'll take Mark Loretta any day of the week and twice on Sundays as a solid backup IF and every-day starter on a partial season basis. I think the biggest key would be convincing him to sign here for a bench role to begin with.

[MNBrew]

That also leaves us with 12 pitchers instead of 13.

 

I think Doug is really going to be looking at versitile players to limit the number of bats on our 25 man roster to ensure that we keep a 13 person staff. I think Dillon's success as a back-up 2B, 3B, 1B and OF will really be critical to our success.

 

We can't afford to have our bullpen worn out by the end of the year again. Carrying 13 pitchers could really help down the stretch. (Plus 2 or 3 pitchers are likely to be "blow up" pitchers like Turnbow who might only give you 5 pitches)

While it's become the trend, I still think 12 pitchers instead of 11 is crazy. 13 is stupid, and all the more so if you having starting pitchers that are at all worth their salt.

 

[MadtownTim]

OF - Jose Guillen - Glad there's a plan B, because he's gotten caught up in the Florida HGH/steriod/etc sting according to ESPN Radio reports (11/6)

plan B: Baldelli, Patterson, Stewart, Rowand, Lofton

 

SP - Maddux - Re-signing with San Diego as per ESPN Radio (11/6)

 

plan B: R. Wolf, Schilling (re-signing with Boston - ESPN Radio 11/6), OR stick w/ what we have.

 

Updated with today's stories as per ESPN Radio reports this morning.

[dadofandrew]

6 relievers divided by 486 innings (162x3) comes out to 81 innings a piece, a heavy load for all but a dozen arms in the game. The bullpen would be blown out by June unless your staff averages 7 frames a start, which I doubt if any team has done for 5 years.

[RussBuss]

I'd look at Milton Bradley. I know he's hurt, but because of that and his perceived attitude, he should be able to be had for peanuts with an incentive-laden deal. He has the kind of OBP and defense that should fit well in the 2 spot/LF. Yes, it will be a big question mark as to how he will respond after the injury, but if it doesn't work out, he'll be easy to cut. It could very well be a low risk/high reward situation.

[Hart Of Milwaukee]

Mark Lorretta does not want to sit on our bench. I will repeat that, Mark Lorretta will not come to Milwaukee to sit on our bench!

[Chio151]

I'd look at Milton Bradley and then turn around and run.

[RussBuss]

I'd look at Milton Bradley and then turn around and run.

 

So you wouldn't want someone who can give you over .350 OBP in front of Braun and Fielder? He might have a blow up on the field, but everything I have ever heard/read about him indicates he is a good guy in the clubhouse.

[Brian the Automator]

I'd be down with Milton Bradley, for sure. Injuries are always a concern with him, but I think the "Milton being Milton" days are behind him. If he's available at a discount solely because of his reputation, I'd snap him up.

[dadofandrew]

Loretta went to HOU last year to sit on the bench, and play for Garner. He did not play much until Everett got hurt, and then only proved he was not an everyday SS range wise. Mark is getting up in years, he'd probably much rather win a title than get 600 PA's. He has a history with the Brewers, so he's probably more likely to play there than many other teams.

 

If the Crew targets Lo (and he sure is a professional hitter), they probably have a decent shot at him.

[MNBrew]

Mark Loretta being on the Brewers in '08 would make the Crew a better team. I think he'd be a very viable target and realistically affordable.

[aracko]

Could Chris Capuano bring us Cameron Maybin ni return? Maybin would be our LF for the next 15 years potentially.

 

Reggie Sanders is a guy I have ALWAYS wanted to see in a Crew uniform. I guess I am a fan so this would make it a homer acquisition. But I think his veteran bat and solid defense make him a perfect player on this squad.

 

Craig Monroe?

 

Are the Angels Happy with Garrett Anderson? If they are going to go after AROD you would think that they would want to slice SOME salary.

[Robideaux]

Could Chris Capuano bring us Cameron Maybin ni return? Maybin would be our LF for the next 15 years potentially.

Would Nate Robertson been enough to get Ryan Braun at the beggining of last season? I think it's comparable.

 

I absolutely love Maybin, and would be blown away if the Brewers somehow stole him off the Tigers. I think he might be the next great player, but I don't think Detroit would even consider any trade offer that doesn't begin with YoGa or Braun (or similar value).

[aracko]

When you put it that way I guess I agree that Cappy wouldnt be enough but there is also a significant difference. The Tigers are a larger market team and are on the cusp of the World Series every year. If they think that Cappy is the arm that will get them there, well then they might be more willing to make that trade.

 

 

All that said - its pure fantasy. I share similar feelings on Maybin - Perhaps even stronger because Id even be open to giving them Big Ben for Maybin and Rodney.