Catalanotto now in play?

[derflotr]

If there is really a better option at 3B that is affordable and more logical than a guy like Catalanotto, who pretty much fits the requirements specified by DM (left-handed, good OBP guy - you know, Gabe Gross), then I'm all for it. Of course the kid was awful last year defensively, but we've all watched the games - he's made plays that shows he's got potential to be an adequate 3B. There's no reason to throw him in the outfield if it isn't necessary.

 

This Catalanotto thing is just another option in the OF that the 3B position hasn't shown this offseason. Outside of Rolen and Blalock I haven't really heard of any other 3B they've got their eye on. And those two situations are looking pretty bleak.

[And That]

If there is really a better option at 3B that is affordable and more logical than a guy like Catalanotto,

Yes, anyone that can play third base and has an OBP in the .340-.350 range.

[Fatter than Joey]

There's no reason to throw him in the outfield if it isn't necessary.

 

It's necessary.

[derflotr]

There's no reason to throw him in the outfield if it isn't necessary.

 

It's necessary.

You conviced me.

 

[Fatter than Joey]

You conviced me.

 

It's been a pleasure working with you.

[And That]

There's no reason to throw him in the outfield if it isn't necessary.

 

It's necessary.

You conviced me.

 

If you have seen any of Braun's defensive metrics, you would be convinced. Not to mention watching him play third base was heartbreaking.

Who said he wasn't going to be a 3B when he was drafted? Me! Me!

[TooLiveBrew]

Quite a few scouts did, too. He was horrible in 2007 defensively, and even if he improves more than he likely will (read: little), he's still negating over half of the delicious offensive value he provides.

 

Why do you want to devalue his stellar hitting? That makes no sense. Play to his strength, which isn't being at 3B - we have a division to win in 2008, and can't afford to let arguably our best hitter cancel himself out by refusing to understand that LF is where defense has the least impact - and where you want a fielder as poor as Braun if you have that chance.

[And That]

we can't afford to let arguably our best hitter cancel himself out by refusing to understand that LF is where defense has the least impact - and where you want a fielder as poor as Braun if you have that chance.

Perhaps Ryan could play RF. He has a good arm, so it is possible, though only if we trade Billy Hall. But we might as well stick him at catcher if we relegate him back to third.

 

[derflotr]

If there is really a better option at 3B that is affordable and more logical than a guy like Catalanotto,

Yes, anyone that can play third base and has an OBP in the .340-.350 range.

I'm genuinely interested in who you believe the Brewers should pursue at 3B. I'm not "challenging" you or anything, I just want to know.

And the only reason I brought up Braun possibly dropping off offensively is because of what we saw with Hall. Obviously they aren't the same person but Hall did have problems with the position switch.

 

[Katuluu]

Who said he wasn't going to be a 3B when he was drafted? Me! Me!

What about that hitch in his swing?

[And That]

I'm genuinely interested in who you believe the Brewers should pursue at 3B. I'm not "challenging" you or anything, I just want to know.

Scott Rolen. We could/should have gone after Tad Iguchi. Blalock/Dillon. Morgan Ensberg. Should have Teahen. Etc. It's really your choice.

What about that hitch in his swing?

 

He still has the hitch, though it's less pronounced. Ask colbyjack if you are interested, "katuluu".

[danzig6767]

If Catalanotto isn't much of a defender in left, the goal here is to trade a starting pitcher for an .800 OPS guy that does nothing to improve the defense and likely only makes it worse when factoring the defensive drop off from Jenkins to Catalanotto?

 

Catalanotto does seem like he'd be a nice two hole bat, but a lineup of

 

Prince 1st

Weeks 2nd

Braun 3rd

Hardy SS

Catalanotto LF

Hall CF

Hart RF

Kendall C

 

That looks to me to likely be one of if not the worst defensive team in baseball. I'm sure the pitchers will like the good run support and at the same time dread the likely horrible defense that would be behind them. Get ready for lots of games swearing at the TV as bad defense keeps alive innings that should be over.

[colbyjack]

I've been following this very closely and I don't recall one quote where Melvin said anything about "preferring" a 3B. I did read where he was somewhat frustrated that he couldn't find the OF bat he was looking for so he expanded his search to include the "possibility" of adding a 3B, and moving Braun to LF.

 

I'm not talking about what Melvin has said, word-for-word, I'm talking about the direction he has taken this offseason. We have talked about every single available player, and if Melvin does indeed prefer a left-handed bat, OF is the way to go, as I don't buy that he couldn't find a good OF bat. From Kenny Lofton (who would be the easiest fix and a better option than Catalonotto IMO) to Randy Winn, Ryan Church, Cliff Floyd...etc. Several of these guys are outfielders you have brought up in addition to Cat.

 

What's readily available from the 3B crop? Crede? Feliz? Inge? Ensberg? Rolen was for a little while there and Blalock seems to be a little ambitious. Iguchi isn't (nor will he be, at least not next year now) a 3B.

 

When I said what I did about it being clear that Melvin was after a 3B it has to do with what is out there vs. what he has said vs. what the Brewers have. The defensive stats are out there and they all point to Ryan Braun being equally bad defensively, historically, just as good as he was offensively, historically, as plenty of others have already mentioned, and I'm sure Doug Melvin is well aware of these numbers.

 

The interest in Iguchi alone may be proof enough that Melvin intends to address 3B first.

[derflotr]

I'm genuinely interested in who you believe the Brewers should pursue at 3B. I'm not "challenging" you or anything, I just want to know.

Scott Rolen. We could/should have gone after Tad Iguchi. Blalock/Dillon. Morgan Ensberg. Should have Teahen. Etc. It's really your choice.

What about that hitch in his swing?

 

He still has the hitch, though it's less pronounced. Ask colbyjack if you are interested, "katuluu".

Honestly, Ensberg is the only one on that list that intrigues me. Obviously Rolen/Blalock do too, but we all know that already.

If Teahen's available, maybe, though his defense at 3B is (was, I guess) pretty mediocre as far as errors go. Iguchi's never played a game at 3B.

 

Ensberg's coming off a pretty awful season. Eh...

[And That]

Honestly, Ensberg is the only one on that list that intrigues me. Obviously Rolen/Blalock do too, but we all know that already.If Teahen's available, maybe, though his defense at 3B is (was, I guess) pretty mediocre as far as errors go. Iguchi's never played a game at 3B.

 

Ensberg's coming off a pretty awful season. Eh...

So basically all those guys are remarkably better than Braun at third, and most, if not all, have a chance to put up a .340-.350+ OBP?

 

[Katuluu]

How many times do we have to go over the scouting reports that clearly state Teahan is an outstanding defensive third baseman?

[colbyjack]

How many times do we have to go over the scouting reports that clearly state Teahan is an outstanding defensive third baseman?

 

The errors clearly are making too big of an impression on people's minds, as Kat has fought this battle before pointing out how Teahen had really good defensive metrics playing the hot corner. Teahen pretty much embodies the one player the Brewers would love to acquire (left-handed bat, good strike-zone judgement, relatively high BA, good D' at 3B,

 

To give Toby some props, the hitch is still in Braun's swing, not as dramatic, but even then, Braun is such an amazing offensive player that he can get away with certain mechanical flaws that few others can.

[Katuluu]

So you are saying he has caught up to AA pitching?

[derflotr]

How many times do we have to go over the scouting reports that clearly state Teahan is an outstanding defensive third baseman?

Give me a break, I'm trying to come up with a response as quick as I can, I look at the errors and I draw a quick assumption. If Teahen is that good then why has his name not come up at all from Doug? Is it because they have no reason to move him, perhaps? Why would they want some of our subpar starters and god knows who for who is supposedly an extremely bright young player?

 

Please, for my sake, can you point me to these scouting reports? I'm interested now.

 

[And That]

So you are saying he has caught up to AA pitching?

I stated when he was drafted his first test would be at AA. I never said anything beyond that. Basically, I made a really decent, if conservative, assessment on Braun when he was drafted. WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

[colbyjack]

If Teahen is that good then why has his name not come up at all from Doug?

 

Melvin only responds to names that are presented to him from the members of the media (Haudricourt), he doesn't willingly throw out names that he's looking into. Trade rumors in general are just that, rumors, as the deals that actually happen usually aren't reported before the fact like sites like mlbtraderumors.com would lead you to believe.

 

If you want to learn if Melvin may be looking into Teahen, may I suggest emailing Haudricourt or responding to one of his blogs?

[Katuluu]

Give me a break, I'm trying to come up with a response as quick as I can, I look at the errors and I draw a quick assumption.

My comment wasn't directed at you. More of a general "Here we go again" kind of statement. Sorry if it came across any other way. We had a pretty lengthy discussion earlier in the off season about Teahan, and devoted an entire thread to him. Comments from scouts all the wayup to Billy Beane were linked that all claimed he was an outstanding defensive player, and most questions were about his bat. I'll try and find it for you before I go tonight.

 

As for why Melvin hasn't brought him up, he seems like the player they would most likely be after, and Melvin always seems to play his cards pretty close to the vest. Perhaps all this posturing about Rolen and Taguchi and so forth was merely a way to try and get a more reasonable offer from KC for Teahan. They certainly don't have to trade him, and I would think they would want a decent return for him. But really, I have no idea.

[derflotr]

If Teahen is that good then why has his name not come up at all from Doug?

 

Melvin only responds to names that are presented to him from the members of the media (Haudricourt), he doesn't willingly throw out names that he's looking into. Trade rumors in general are just that, rumors, as the deals that actually happen usually aren't reported before the fact like sites like mlbtraderumors.com would lead you to believe.

 

If you want to learn if Melvin may be looking into Teahen, may I suggest emailing Haudricourt or responding to one of his blogs?

I realize that he doesn't just tell us who he's looking for, when I said "from Doug" I more or less just meant from a source, though I know that me pointing this out is useless.

 

I read Haudricourt's blogs as consistently as I can and I have not seen Teahen's name anywhere. I honestly have not heard Teahen's name once in any rumors before I entered this thread. I have not thought of him at all because I never and still have no reason to believe that he's available.

 

And Katuluu, I'm a newbie, what more can you expect, right?

[And That]

I read Haudricourt's blogs as consistently as I can and I have not seen Teahen's name anywhere.

How often did you see Kapler's name or Mota's name?

 

[derflotr]

I read Haudricourt's blogs as consistently as I can and I have not seen Teahen's name anywhere.

How often did you see Kapler's name or Mota's name?

 

Hey, I'm not ruling out the possibility that Teahan's on the radar, I just personally can't see the Royals wanting to trade him anywhere. Especially seeing the pieces that we'd be willing to offer.