Melvin 12/07 pre-Gagne/Torres retirement talk WSSP interview

[dpapo]

Didn't notice this mentioned anywhere, but Melvin did an interview with WSSP on Friday after the Torres trade, but before the Torres retirement talk. Listening to it after the Gagne signing, he did sound a bit coy about his bullpen plans. Mentioned they might add another arm or two. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

---Didn't sound too optimistic about the Rolen deal occuring, at least the way I heard it. Basically saying it was up to St. Louis now to get back to them.

---Open to trading Bill Hall. Will talk to teams about any player if it will make them better. But, then went on to talk about how teams might have a need for right hand hitting and we might have a need left hand hitting...

---Thinks Cappy can come back and talked him up, but then went on to mention how Cappy has "value".

--- Said No. 1 need is to get a left handed bat. Mentioned they have Gross/Gwynn, but.. Then was asked if he was comfortable with 3rd base. Said it depends, if they kept Ryan there they are still all right handed. Ideally would like to find a left hand hitting 3rd baseman, but it's hard enough finding 3rd baseman.

Talked about a few other things as well, but I'll leave an audio link to the interview.

 

http://wssp.radiotown.com/audio/garycliff/120707%20gnc%20with%20doug%20melvin.mp3

[PeaveyFury]

Ideally would like to find a left hand hitting 3rd baseman

 

It certainly sounds like the organization is convinced that Braun needs to be moved from 3B this offseason, and it seems very unlikely that it won't happen.

[Fatter than Joey]

Melvin is at the Badger game

[dpapo]

They may not be able to find a 3rd baseman, but to just further the 3rd base talk. I thought it was odd that he said keeping Braun at 3rd will mean having an all right handed lineup, other than Fielder. What about a left hand hitting outfielder. I think moving Braun from 3rd base is the plan and he will only remain at 3rd base if they can't find a 3rd baseman to replace him.

[sbrylski]

I suppose its very possible Melvin has found a LHB LFer he wants to trade for, so of course he's making the rounds telling everyone he's looking for a 3B. That would sound like him.

[Cracked Bat Collector]

ANDRE ETHIER

[theavrock]

Andre Ethier plus Adam LaRoche makes way too much sense. I just can't see them moving BH back to 3rd. I say trade Hall, Cappy and a prospect for Ethier and LaRoche. Heck I would even throw in Vargas if they want him. LaRoche immediately makes our infield better, Braun, Hart and Ethier in the OF gets me very happy.

[And That]

If Melvin is obsessed with getting a lefty hitting third baseman, his options are Chipper Jones, Chone Figgins, Nick Punto and Alex Gordon. Erm...

 

I don't think Melvin is obsessed, or even thinking about, a lefty hitting third baseman.

[dadofandrew]

Mark Teahen as well.

 

Doug was speaking in a perfect world scenario. Looks like it's likely we'll see a LH hitter acquired though. If not, they will have "settled".

[trwi7]

If Melvin is obsessed with getting a lefty hitting third baseman, his options are Chipper Jones, Chone Figgins, Nick Punto and Alex Gordon. Erm...

 

I don't think Melvin is obsessed, or even thinking about, a lefty hitting third baseman.

 

Hank Blalock. You know he loves dealing with Texas, and that.

[sbrylski]

If Melvin is obsessed with getting a lefty hitting third baseman, his options are Chipper Jones, Chone Figgins, Nick Punto and Alex Gordon. Erm...

 

I don't think Melvin is obsessed, or even thinking about, a lefty hitting third baseman.

Hank Blalock. You know he loves dealing with Texas, and that.

His away splits are ugh-lee.

[TheCouga23]

Eric Munson used to play third base.

[trwi7]

His away splits are ugh-lee.

 

I know I'm just saying he's another option. I've said before that if we did trade for him he'd probably be a left handed version of Mench.

[dadofandrew]

TEX's park has been neutral the past 2 years, and his splits are still ugly. Maybe they would even out some, but he's an odd case.

[LouisEly]

His away splits are ugh-lee.

 

But 80% of all pitchers are right handed, so I'll take his OPS vs. righties 80% of the time.

 

I realize his 3 year splits vs lefties for OPS is .614, but I'll take him 80% of the time at 3rd and when they face a LHP then Braun can play 3rd.

[trwi7]

His away splits are ugh-lee.

 

But 80% of all pitchers are right handed, so I'll take his OPS vs. righties 80% of the time.

 

I realize his 3 year splits vs lefties for OPS is .614, but I'll take him 80% of the time at 3rd and when they face a LHP then Braun can play 3rd.

 

Either Braun is going to stay at 3B or move to the outfield. They're not going to move him around.

[Big Reed]

eric chavez bats left and throws right and plays third base. I thought his fielding skills were on par with Rolen's. oakland could probably use a starting pitcher as they will probably trade harang for a position player.

 

it seems odd that Chavez' name is not mentioned more as being available or desired by brewers fans. i see the name Blalock a lot. but Chavez would be ideal.

[trwi7]

eric chavez bats left and throws right and plays third base. I thought his fielding skills were on par with Rolen's. oakland could probably use a starting pitcher as they will probably trade harang for a position player.

 

it seems odd that Chavez' name is not mentioned more as being available or desired by brewers fans. i see the name Blalock a lot. but Chavez would be ideal.

 

I think you mean Haren as Harang plays for Cincinnati. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

Again I'm totally fine with Chavez, Rolen or even Ensberg if he's non-tendered but I really don't think the Brewers should restrict their search for a left handed bat only. If a guy hits well from both sides I don't really care if he bats right or left handed.

[sbrylski]

Side note: I don't think Haren is going anywhere anymore. They looked like they were fishing out a rebuild, but with rumors of their interest in Bonds, I think they're back looking to compete and would have to really be bowled over for Haren.

[trwi7]

Side note: I don't think Haren is going anywhere anymore. They looked like they were fishing out a rebuild, but with rumors of their interest in Bonds, I think they're back looking to compete and would have to really be bowled over for Haren.

 

Yeah and they should really get a haul if they trade him. A team friendly contract for 3 more years? I'd take him over Santana all things considered and I'm sure a bunch of other teams would too.

[dadofandrew]

Chavez has as many injury issues as Rolen. Since he'd never get anywhere near market value, Beane is unlikely to deal him, because that's not what Billy does.

[Riebes24]

Andre Ethier plus Adam LaRoche makes way too much sense. I just can't see them moving BH back to 3rd. I say trade Hall, Cappy and a prospect for Ethier and LaRoche. Heck I would even throw in Vargas if they want him. LaRoche immediately makes our infield better, Braun, Hart and Ethier in the OF gets me very happy.

It makes way too much sense because it's way too lopsided of a deal. I've seen this thrown out there a lot, and I think it's way off. I would like to add Eithier for Capuano, and I think that's realistic, but I'm not sure I'd give up Hall for him. Secondly, the Dodgers are not looking to trade Laroche. Quite frankly, that would be like the Brewers shopping Braun 2 years ago for an average albeit versitile, established major-leaguer. There's absolutely no reason to do this unless he has major back problems and they want to dump him now while he's still a prospect. Now Laroche isn't in Braun's category either as a hitter or overall prospect status, but he's not far off.

Simply put, there's not a chance the Dodgers would trade Laroche for this package. By all accounts, Laroche has a very realistic chance of becoming a .300 hitter with 30 HR power in a couple years. His OBP throughout the minors was tremendous. He's hit over .300 at every level since high A. He doesn't strike out much. I don't know too much about his defense but statistically he looks average. It would have to be more like Cappy, Hall, Parra, and one of Escobar/Gamel/Irabarren for Eithier, Laroche, and a RP prospect, which I would not do. If we wanted to take on Pierre's contract, we would have a lot more leverage, but there's no way we get involved in that mess.

[aracko]

I am not suggesting it because I dont think he is the answer but is Corey Koskie back and healthy?

[theavrock]

The Dodgers for whatever reasone have soured on LaRoche some. I am not sure if its the back issues or if its the rookie/vet split thats been happening in the clubhouse. I would think that Cappy, Hall and Matt Gamel or Escobar would net the two of them.