3B options, Latest: Ensberg discussion

[dpapo]

If the Rolen does indeed fall through, Haudricourt just put up a story on his blog about how the Brewers have been considering a number of options at 3rd base, with Rolen being the top one.

 

"Lest folks think the Brewers have focused exclusively on St. Louis third baseman Scott Rolen at the winter meetings, I want to point out that they've considered many third base options.

The reason the Brewers have looked at several third baseman is not because they are determined to move Ryan Braun from that position to left field. Rather, the available leftfield types have been so unimpressive, the Brewers were prompted to look at third basemen as well.

Those who have been considered include Joe Crede of the Chicago White Sox, Hank Blalock of the Texas Rangers and San Francisco free agent Pedro Feliz. the Brewers also have talked about young Los Angeles third baseman Andy LaRoche, who falls into the prospect category rather than an established third baseman.

The Brewers even have talked about Baltimore shortstop Miguel Tejada as a third-base possibility. But Tejada has $32 million over two years remaining on his contract and the Orioles want a lot in return in a trade, so don't look for that to happen.

Crede and Blalock both are coming off surgery. Crede played in only 47 games with the White Sox because of back surgery, and Blalock missed all but 58 games because of shoulder surgery (and elbow issues later).

Thus, the Brewers have health concerns about those players as well as Rolen, who had surgery on his non-throwing shoulder in September.

Feliz is intriguing because he has some pop (20 homers, 28 doubles in 2007) and is a solid fielder (.973 fielding percentage in '07, with 11 errors in 143 games at third). But he also is a low on-base percentage guy -- .288 for his career -- which is exactly the opposite of the kind of player the Brewers want to add to their lineup.

Rolen, on the other hand, has a .372 career on-base percentage, with a .507 slugging percentage. He also would be a bigger influence in the clubhouse than Feliz, something that's important to the Brewers with so many young players on the club."

 

http://blogs.jsonline.com/brewers/archive/2007/12/04/brewers-have-looked-at-many-third-basemen.aspx

[trwi7]

If Rolen falls through then I try like hell to get LaRoche. If that doesn't pan out then move Hall to 3rd and then go after an outfielder.

[TooLiveBrew]

Ick. I don't want to see any part of Crede, Blalock, or (especially) Feliz. Ugh.

[Chio151]

Ick. I don't want to see any part of Crede, Blalock, or (especially) Feliz. Ugh.

 

Agreed...

 

It's Rolen or bust in my mind.

[RobertR]

IMO, it's Rolen, LaRoche, maybe Teahen, and then "why bother?". OK, Miguel Cabrera is worth asking about as well, but he doesn't seem to be on Melvin's radar, probably because he'd have to give up Gallardo.

 

Robert

[Fear The Chorizo]

Sheets

Hall

Gwynn

for

 

LaRoche

Kemp

Ethier

Broxton

 

Move Hart to center, and you got

 

fielder

weeks

hardy

laroche

 

braun

hart

kemp, with ethier as the 4th OF

 

While highly unlikely to happen, especially with Broxton and Kemp's names being mentioned as trade bait for Bedard, that lineup would force baseball america to adopt the brewers as their favorite team, ever!

 

Since the Brewers are probably giving up too much in this trade, just ask the Dodgers to include Kershaw or Billingsley and we're all set!

[sbrylski]

Rolen or LaRoche, that's all I'd want. I'd be okay with Blalock, if that really is the best 3B/LF they can aquire. No to Crede or Feliz, they just don't ever get on base. Its doubtful either of those last two better than Dillon/Gross in LF and Braun at 3B.

 

This is the first I've heard of Melvin wanting to move Braun off 3B.

[TURBO]

Ick. I don't want to see any part of Crede, Blalock, or (especially) Feliz. Ugh.

 

what he said!

[twobrewers]

I'd be okay with Blalock, if that really is the best 3B/LF they can aquire.

Blalock is very good defensively. He had two good years batting against LH pitching. (2004 and 2007) So he might not need to be platooned. He would add a LH bat to our lineup. If he does need to be platooned - Dillon could play for him.

 

My thinking is...

Defensively

Blalock & Dillon Platoon > > Braun

Offensively

Blalock & Dillon Platoon > Gross

 

I wouldn't be willing to pay much for Blalock however. They can have Gwynn. I wouldn't rush however, Rolen still needs to be traded somewhere.

[tony2sweet]

Has anybody mentioned Troy Glaus from the Jay's.

[colbyjack]

There is an internal option that remains that we have been talking about for more than a year, which involves moving Hall back to third base since so many people still believe he is a better infielder than outfielder.

 

But I agree with most everyone's thoughts above. Gimme Rolen or LaRoche or stick with what you have. If that's the case, I still like Lofton quite a bit as a one, maybe two, year patch in LF.

 

Crede and Feliz suck. Blalock is a slightly better option, but clearly not ideal and probably not worth the trouble.

 

If those Dodgers rumors are true, a LaRoche/Broxton deal may be an intriguing one for Ben Sheets.

[twobrewers]

If those Dodgers rumors are true, a LaRoche/Broxton deal may be an intriguing one for Ben Sheets.

It sounds like those rumors are true for Eric Bedard.

 

Glaus = PED.

[TooLiveBrew]

No one's mentioned Glaus's name in some time, good call.

 

95+% MLB = PEDs

[JJHardy7]

This is the first I've heard of Melvin wanting to move Braun off 3B.

Maybe I'm missing something, but the blog seems to say...

 

The reason the Brewers have looked at several third baseman is not because they are determined to move Ryan Braun from that position to left field. Rather, the available leftfield types have been so unimpressive, the Brewers were prompted to look at third basemen as well.

[TooLiveBrew]

I'm really beginning to wonder if there won't be a surprising deal this offseason involving Sheets & whatever potential 'answer' the braintrust decides upon for 3B/LF. If a #2 type SP is included, the deal could potentially really help.

 

I wouldn't want to lose Sheets, but if he could be had for (example) Haren + Swisher, I'm all for that kind of thing.

[sbrylski]

This is the first I've heard of Melvin wanting to move Braun off 3B.

Maybe I'm missing something, but the blog seems to say...

 

The reason the Brewers have looked at several third baseman is not because they are determined to move Ryan Braun from that position to left field. Rather, the available leftfield types have been so unimpressive, the Brewers were prompted to look at third basemen as well.

My bad, I read it wrong.

[brettac1]

Glaus = PED.

 

I'm more concerned about his no-trade. I like Glaus a lot, but I don't think he has any interest in playing in Milwaukee. When he was an FA he didn't even visit.

[hp2444]

Joe Crede = Wes Helms

 

 

Please do not let this happen. I would rather watch Ryan Braun throw over Prince's head 71 times before watching Crede play 3rd base.

[JohnBriggs12]

Joe Crede = Wes Helms????

 

Are you kidding. Do you have Crede mixed up with someone else? Crede's a Gold Glove caliber third baseman with a sparkling .968 Fielding percentage. That's better than Rolen and way better than Helms and .001 worse than perennial AL gold glover, Eric Chavez.

[And That]

Fielding percentage is not a very good way to judge fielders. Errors are incredibly subjective. Not saying he's not the caliber of 3B you describe, but you need much stronger evidence than that JohnBriggs12.

[yoshii8]

How high are the Dodgers on Laroche? I was looking at his ML stats, and he seems like he will be a very good player. Would Capuano and Escobar get it done?

[colbyjack]

Crede does have a very good reputation as one of the better defensive third basemen in the game, but he's a lousy hitter. He doesn't hit for a high average, he doesn't walk much (he doesn't strike out much either to his credit), and he hasn't been especially healthy during his career.

 

I might rather have Brandon Inge, who reportedly is now available since the Tigers acquired Cabrera. Inge is solid defensively and takes a ton of pitches, but he's a pretty lousy overall hitter as well (yet has proven to be more durable).

 

If Melvin isn't interested in Feliz (thankfully), hopefully that means he won't be duped by a guy like Crede either.

 

If the Cardinals turn to the Dodgers to deal Rolen, you would think they would be asking for LaRoche in return. I still don't know why the Dodgers wouldn't just stick with LaRoche, but I realize Coletti is looking proven big-leaguers.

[yoshii8]

I have to say I was very impressed watching Crede in the 05' playoffs, and in 06', and he looked like he was finally starting to figure it out, but after looking at his career OBP and numbers after he came back last year I'm not to positive on him. Although I'd rather have him than Feliz.

[JohnBriggs12]

And That,

 

I live in Chicago. I read the Chicago newspapers. I see the White Sox a lot. Crede's always had the reputation as an outstanding fielder. Where are you guys getting info to the contrary?

 

You say you need more evidence. What do you want me to do link a highlight reel? Did you watch the 2005 World Series? Dye got the MVP but a lot of Sox fans thought Crede should have gotten it. He was flawless in the field.

 

You don't fake a .968 career fielding percentage.

 

As for his bat, in 2006 he had a year comparable to Bill Hall. He was considered a super prospect when he came up but struggled.some against ML pitching but he improved year to year. He doesn't walk a lot but guess what? Part of that is that for most of his career he batted 7th or 8th in the order where working the count isn't as high a priority. That probably accounted for his average not being all that high. He's very tough to strike out too. I'd say he's slightly above average offensively at third base. We're not talking about David Bell here.

[And That]

JohnBriggs12,

 

I'm not saying you're wrong. I just want proof beyond the flimsy fielding percentage arguments. There are a number of decent defensive metrics out there, but you have not chosen one of them. Newspapers and "highlight reels" are also highly subjective. You're not telling me you want me to base my opinion of Joe Crede's defense from a couple World Series games that happened 2+ years ago, are you?

 

Evidence!