3B options, Latest: Ensberg discussion

[JohnBriggs12]

And That,

 

You're the guy into defensive metrics. Why don't you look them up yourself before you blast me? His RF in his last full season was 3.24. I don't know how that is calculated but it's higher than Rolen's last 4 seasons.

 

Are you familiar with John Dewan of Baseball Info Solutions? He's on Chicago radio once a week and I've often heard him rave about Crede's defensive ability as shown in his many stats.

 

BTW, if fielding percentages are meaningless, then we can ignore Ryan Braun being the first guy in a long time to have a percentage under .900 as it doesn't tell the whole story?

[gregmag]

Well, traditionally, the guy who makes the point is responsible for supporting the point -- he doesn't get to demand that his audience do the work of persuading itself that he's right. Also, if you think Toby's request for support was "blasting," you need to play better video games.

 

Greg.

[chinabob99]

Hey, guys and gals, I've got to take some time to get my stories done for the JS for tomorrow, so it'll be a while before I can do another detailed blog. I promise one later tonight. But, in the meantime, here are two tidbits:

Forget the Sheets to Seattle rumors. Doug Melvin told me the Mariners haven't even asked about him.

Don't look for the Brewers to go after Joe Crede. Melvin said there are real concerns about the back surgery he had, plus he's a free agent after next year and you don't want to give up much for a player who is both coming off major surgery and is a FA after the season.

I'll have more stuff later. Thanks for your patience.

This is Haudricourt latest from the comments section of the "Rolen trade is dead" post. So forget about Crede apparently.

[And That]

JohnBriggs12,

 

My point is that you might want to look up the relevant statistics if you want to make an objective argument. I'm not trying to convince anyone Crede is good defensively. Range Factor is probably better than fielding percentage, but still not great. RF is sort of dependent on the type of pitching staff. I don't listen to talk radio (especially Chicago talk radio, as I live in Minneapolis) and haven't heard of John Dewan. Which stats does he use for Crede?

 

As for Braun, I never said fielding percentage is meaningless, just not the best tool for judging defense. You can ignore his errors if you want, but that's probably not wise. Take a gander at his fielding runs above replacement value, or his RZR on hardballtimes.com for more evidence of his poor defense.

[brew4you]

With Miggy Cabrera apparently going to Detroit, how about going after Brandon Inge? I think he is only making $6+ million for the next couple of years.

[strawbossisevil]

A couple possible ideas not mentioned:

Mike Lamb

Corey Koskie

Akinori Iwamura

[danzig6767]

If Blaylock didn't come at to a high cost, i would have a hard time being against getting him. He mashes righties and if he struggled vs lefties, Dillon is here to platoon when lefties are on the mound, similar to when we had the Koskie/Cirillo platoon that was very productive. My guess is a Blalock/Dillon platoon would put up very good numbers at the plate and provide much better defense at third than Braun would. Why is everyone so against that possibility?

[TooLiveBrew]

At this point, I just don't want Doug & Co. to go out & scramble to get a player. While a sense of urgency is important, there's really no rush. A strong option will become available at a later date, and we just need to be patient.

[dadofandrew]

Blalock has a tough time hitting away from TEX, though most guys hit better at home, obviously, so this might balance out a bit.

 

I brought up Inge over at Ramblings, brew4you, so smart minds think alike.http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

Crede has always been labeled a very good defender, in fact was called that just today, probably at MLBTR.

[Fear The Chorizo]

I live in Chicago, and saw Crede play almost every day ( when he was healthy )...he should have won the gold glove the year they won the world series(2005), and would have won it had he not gotten injured in 2006. The problem is that he's only got 1 year before free agency, he's a Boras player, and there are no guarantees that his back is fully healed.

 

IMO, he wouldn't be a good fit for the Brewers - he probably could be acquired for not too much with his injury history and the fact that Josh Fields is not the Sox starting 3B, but I don't think he can be relied on to stay healthy for a full season.

[pogokat]

dude doesn't get on base...

 

this team neds base runners...not .250/.300/.450 guys...

 

if that's all we wwant, why not bring back branyan...he wasn't bad with the glove

[AJAY]

I am not sure if this was posted already, but the Sporting News website has the following blurb . . .

 

The Brewers have been shopping for a third baseman at the winter meetings. They kicked the tires on St. Louis' Scott Rolen but appear to have zeroed in on the White Sox's Joe Crede, according to several major league executives.

[trwi7]

I am not sure if this was posted already, but the Sporting News website has the following blurb . . .

 

The Brewers have been shopping for a third baseman at the winter meetings. They kicked the tires on St. Louis' Scott Rolen but appear to have zeroed in on the White Sox's Joe Crede, according to several major league executives.

 

Oh dear one of my worst fears.

[MJLiverock]

I posted it elsewhere but why Inge? He is a strikeout machine with a .304 OBP. Not really the professional hitter with a good OBP that has been mentioned. If the post above is right he makes $6MM for that weak of stick. I think the Brewers have enough below average players making mid single digit millions. Just think they could have $13MM a year tied up in Kendall, Counsell and Inge.

[dadofandrew]

Inge is almost an exact MLB average 3B, .326/.426. For some reason, he never hit as a C, but has done fine at 3B. Crede is pretty similar actually, just less at the plate and a tad better in the field.

[colbyjack]

I mentioned Inge as well at the top of this page, citing that I would probably prefer him to Crede, but not really by much. He does take a ton of pitches, but that hasn't led to a whole lot of offense with a sub-.700 OPS this past year.

 

As for Crede, now I can't find it, but someone provided a quote from Melvin stating that he was not interested in him given his medical history (back).

 

If Crede were acquired, I think it would be rather telling about Melvin's intent to acquire a third baseman as opposed to an OF since his value lies more in his glove than his bat (for the record, I don't really buy that the available 3B crop is more appealing than the available OF crop, as we've already discussed every single player that is, and probably isn't, available). For that I would be somewhat impressed, since it would indicate that Melvin does indeed value defense and does indeed recognize that Braun needs to move to LF (even though he should have arranged that at this time last year).

[Milltownhooker]

from rotoworld ---White Sox GM Ken Williams said Joe Crede's surgically repaired back had been examined recently, a development that's usually done as a prelude to a trade.

[tabojc03]

-- The Brewers met with Rocky Hall, the agent for free agent infielder Tadahito Iguchi.

 

according to the Nashvilleconfidential blog on MLB.....interesting option, since the Phillies wanted him to play 3rd base, but I guess no one wants him to play 2nd base....Overall batting isn't good atleast not as good as he was hyped in Chicago....might be a cheap option since things are falling apart for a 3B/LF.....

[sbrylski]

So tough to wade through all the conflicting reports. I think Melvin is smart enough not to go for Joe Crede. I'd actually prefer Feliz to Crede, if we are going to go all glove little bat. Feliz is far better than anyone with the glove, won't cost anything in a trade, and has no injury history.

[Milltownhooker]

I doubt Crede costs anything but a low tier prospect, still I'd rather go after Andy LaRoche

[bando1234]

Looks like the Dodgers are the front runner for Rolen, maybe this means a possible Sheets for Broxton & La Roche trade. Probally not but you never know. Does anyone know anything on Wilson Betemit. I know he is fairly young, k's a lot(almost Branyaneske), has some power. Dont know much else.

[Dmiles23]

None of these names make sense to me. Melvin has said he wants to add another high OBP guy... so why is he looking at Crede? .305 career OBP. Feliz? .288. Inge? .304. None of those guys make sense for what Melvin has said he's looking for. I went team to team and was looking at 3B that are blocked. A couple of these guys I don't really know anything about, and have smallish sample sizes... and for that matter don't really have any idea if they'd be available for a trade... but thought I'd throw some names out to see what some of you more knowledgeable people think.

 

First, Maicer Izturis from Anaheim. He's 27 years old and can play anywhere in the infield. He hit .289(avg)/.349(obp)/.405(slg) last year. He is also a switch hitter. It appears as though he will be a back-up at all 3 IF positions this year.

 

Second, Esteban German from Kansas City. He's going to be 30 next season and can also play anywhere on the infield. He hit .264/.351/.376 last year. He bats right handed and looks to be a reserve this year.

 

Third, Ryan Raburn from Detroit. He's going to be 26 next year and can play 2nd, 3rd, and the OF. He hit .304/.340/.507 last year. He bats righty, and again will be a reserve for Detroit.

 

Lastly, and I know his name was mentioned earlier and I think shot down by many, but Ryan Freel from Cincinnati. He's going to be 32 next season and can play 2nd, 3rd, and OF. He had a down, injury plagued year last year, but has a career or .270/.358/.378. I think I heard before that the Reds have made him available. He may have health concerns, I'm not sure.

 

I know these aren't the sexy choices, but they are possibilities I thought I'd throw out there. Like I said, I don't really know much about a couple of these guys, but they meet what Melvin is looking for. I'd really love for the Brewers to get their hands on Andy LaRoche, but that may cost a lot. Any opinions? Or am I stupid for suggesting these guys?

[tigerbrew]

-- The Brewers met with Rocky Hall, the agent for free agent infielder Tadahito Iguchi.

 

according to the Nashvilleconfidential blog on MLB.....interesting option, since the Phillies wanted him to play 3rd base, but I guess no one wants him to play 2nd base....Overall batting isn't good atleast not as good as he was hyped in Chicago....might be a cheap option since things are falling apart for a 3B/LF.....

If Tadahito Iguchi is willing to play 3B, he's a pretty decent and inexpensive option. I also think that Iguchi will be better defensively at 3B than our inhouse option Bill Hall.

 

If there are no better options available, I wouldn't mind the Brewers signing Iguchi for 2 years to play 3B.

[TooLiveBrew]

Betemit K's a lot like Russ without the BBs. His D looks to be about average.

 

One guy you have to check out - and forgive me as I'm not current on his health - is Ensberg. He draws BBs like it's nothing, and plays a passable 3B, iirc.

 

It seems like Raburn would have to be available now, and I liked what I saw from a quick look at him. He reminds me of Hart in that he's progressed slowly but steadily (to be fair to Corey, not slow like bad slow). I'd fully expect Raburn to draw north of 50 BBs, and hit 20+ HR.

[ILuvDaBush]

Well if the Cubs are going to get Teahan, we could make a play for A-Ram. But seriously, if the A's are rebuilding, they have to make Chavez available, considering his salary. Otherwise, Ryan Freel would be wuite the nice band-aid for our lineup, though I fear what Ned would do with so many options.