Ryan Freel, Josh Hamilton

[brewers255]

Would any of you guys want Freel or Hamilton?

 

ESPN's Jayson Stark says the Reds are aggressively shopping Ryan Freel and will entertain offers for Josh Hamilton.

 

rotoworld.com

[Brian the Automator]

Sure, I'd want Hamilton. At what cost?

[1e Corbeau]

Considering his specific history, the single year of success at the MLB level, and the price Cincinnati paid for him, I wouldn't pay the "full price" for a pre-arby 992 OPS OFer who I wouldn't bat against LHPs.

 

I'm probably low-balling, but I'd give up any currently trade-eligible positional prospect not named Salome or Vargas/Cappy. I'd be willing to combine a prospect and back-end started, depending on who the prospect would be.

 

I'm probably not as motivated as others might be, as I'd want an everyday OF and that 588 OPS against LHP just doesn't make me jump for joy. Or think it substantially solves any of the Brewers' off-season goals.

[Tbadder]

How about Cappy and Hall? Not enough I fear.

[fondybrewfan]

I think Cappy and Hall would be to much for Hamilton

[DrWood]

Hamilton was untouchable a month or two ago...

I'd rather acquire Dunn or Griffey from the Reds, assuming the reds took appropriate payment for a one-year rental.

[dadofandrew]

I like Freel as a utility player, but I assume he'll get paid as a starter.

[brewers255]

I would love to have Hamilton.

[trwi7]

I like Freel as a utility player, but I assume he'll get paid as a starter.

 

He's actually making $3 million in 2008 and $4 million in 2009. Considering his versatility that's not bad. Heck, we're paying Counsell $2.8 million and Freel is much better than he is.

[crewcrazy]

Whoops, didn't see this thread when I posted mine. Sorry.

 

I wouldn't mind Freel as a supersub type, relieving whoever needs a day off in the outfield or coming in as a defensive replacement. Like it was mentioned earlier in this thread, he'd sure be a better investment than Counsell, and he gets on base at a pretty good rate (excluding the injury-shortened '07). It'd be a classic buy-low move by DM.

[brettac1]

Heck, we're paying Counsell $2.8 million and Freel is much better than he is.

 

You're selling Counsell short here. The guy plays a pretty excellent SS, which Freel doesn't do.

[Postseason2006]

Yeah, how about Counsell's error that helped the Brewers not make the playoffs to end the year. No more scrubs on this team that Dougie and Yoster like. This is why we didn't make the playoffs so we could stick guys in that can't hit.

[brettac1]

I don't really remember that error, and it's not as if one play, or one game, were the reason the Brewers missed the playoffs. It's pretty silly to look at it that way. The guy is a good defensive utility player, which is basically why he was brought in. And Freel was brutal with the bat last year, himself. Barely better than Counsell, and when you throw in that Counsell is the backup SS, it pretty much doesn't make a lot of sense to replace him with Freel, who doesn't.

[dadofandrew]

Not replace Brett, there are open spots available. He'd be an expensive utility guy, but with so many inexpensive starters, it'd be doable. He'd be a solid backup at all 3 OF spots and 2B/3B. I just would not want to give up much, and overpay.

[DuWayne Steurer]

When Freel was a starter from 04 through 06, the lowest OBP he carried was .363. Obviously last year (.308) was not pretty, but if you feel like there's a reasonable chance that Freel can rebound (he will be 32 on opening day), then he's a great option as a utility guy/pinch hitter.

[Never Outhustled]

The Brewers don't need a super utility type, they already have Hall. He lost the right to request to only play 1 position with the poor offensive season he had last year. Hall should be the starting LF, and get rotated in at 3B, SS, and 2B.

[twobrewers]

The Brewers don't need a super utility type, they already have Hall.

I think the roles have been fairly well established. Hall is our CF. Dillon is our super-sub. Dillon will likely back up 3B, 2B, and 1B with a few possible outfield starts.

 

And he will cost a lot less than Freel.

[Never Outhustled]

I think the roles have been fairly well established. Hall is our CF.

In Septemeber, Hall started just 13 games in CF, Hart started 15 games in CF. Considering hart is a better defensive CF than hall, he should continue to start there.

[danzig6767]

Hart did look to me to have more potential defensively as a CF compared to Hall. If the team is hell bent on keeping Hall in the outfield, i personally would rather see Hart in CF and Hall in either RF/LF.

[twobrewers]

Hart did look to me to have more potential defensively as a CF compared to Hall. If the team is hell bent on keeping Hall in the outfield, i personally would rather see Hart in CF and Hall in either RF/LF.

Fair enough. My point really wasn't regarding CF. (Personally, I agree. I think Hart was one of the best CF in the National League)

 

My point was that Freel has no real value to the Brewers as Dillon is much cheaper. And Dillon is also capable of putting up good numbers. (And Freel just doesn't produce enough for me to want him in the OF)

[brettac1]

Dillon is our super-sub. Dillon will likely back up 3B, 2B, and 1B with a few possible outfield starts.

 

If that's the case, sign me up for Freel. I'm just not a huge fan of banking on Dillon to produce.

 

Don't get me wrong, either, I like Freel, I just took offense to the idea that Counsell is signed to a bad contract. Freel can play CF, which I don't think Dillon can do. I'm all for adding as much versatility and flexibility to the roster as possible.

[twobrewers]

Freel can play CF, which I don't think Dillon can do.

But Hart can play CF. And Dillon can play LF. So I think that is pretty moot.

[DHonks]

I'd love Hamilton in the OF. Solid defense, good OBP, lots of power, showed signs of hitting lefties even.

[brettac1]

But Hart can play CF. And Dillon can play LF. So I think that is pretty moot.

 

I guess my point is, that if Hall were to get injured for a long period of time, I'd prefer to have Freel in CF and Hart in RF as opposed to Hart in CF and Dillion in RF/LF, because I just don't think Joe Dillon is that good. He certainly shouldn't be penciled in as the top reserve at this point, in my opinion.

[splitterpfj]

In addition to Hamilton and Freel, the Reds are talking to teams about Edwin Encarnacion - the Reds are trying to add a starting pitcher.

 

Hamilton could fit as a good OBP, lefty hitting outfielder, Encarnacion is obviously a third baseman.

 

Does anyone see either as a good option for the Brewers?