Luis Gonzalez insterested in brewers (merged with Gonzalez to Brewers?)

[patrickgpe]

i'd take him over the backups we have now, assuming he will sign a 1 year incentive laden deal

link

[LS Brewer]

Hardicourt does some nice work exploring Luis Gonzalez' interest in joining the Brewers' outfield. LINK. I don't know whether Gonzalez would be an asset given his defensive question marks. Plus, he's a bit older. I wonder if he's really an upgrade over Mr. Dillon.

[twobrewers]

In related news, Luis Gonzalez wants a job. Any job.

 

Ignoring the fact that I want a 3B instead of a LF - and I still wouldn't touch Gonzalez with a 10 foot pole. Dillon would likely put up similar numbers as an outfielder, and play defense just as well.

 

If we go get a LF out of the free agent market - it has to be Lofton. Anything else doesn't make sense.

[Baldkin]

So, an older, slower, worse armed version of Geoff Jenkins wants to play with the Brewers?

 

No thanks...

 

He only had a .816 OPS vs righties over the last 3 years, and vs lefties he's been even worse (.777)

 

I can't imagine Gabe Gross not equaling that production (and yes, Gross would be better defensively)

[derflotr]

Gabe Gross and Kenny Lofton are both better options for LF.

[homer]

I think Lofton is a much better move. He's 40 but he can still hit and at least get the ball to the infield from the outfield fence. I think my 6 year old niece has a better arm than Gonzo.

[JohnBriggs12]

As anything more than the primary LH pinch hitter, DH in AL parks, and fallback if Gross fell on his face being a regular, I wouldn't be interested.

 

In that role, he'd make their bench considerably stronger.

 

But there's still time and other guys worth pursuing ahead of him. Besides, signing a FA like Gonzalez, or Lofton, does nothing to clear up the problem of 8 starting pitchers, with arguably the bottom 3 in talent and potential being all arbitration eligible.

 

Now say you did sign Gonzalez, you could then include Gross with a pitcher as part of a deal to get a guy you really want in your lineup like a Teahen for instance but still Gonzo would be a bench guy.

[colbyjack]

I'm to the point now where I'm convinced that the Brewers will be significantly better just by moving Braun off of third base that I'd much rather see a 3B of almost any kind targeted. Joe Crede and Pedro Feliz may not be the most ideal options given their lack of on-base skills, but the infield defense would be dramatically improved.

 

Bringing in a guy with decent on-base skills but with zero arm to play left field forcing Braun to stay at third base doesn't do a lot to improve the 2008 Brewers.

[TooLiveBrew]

I'm to the point now where I'm convinced that the Brewers will be significantly better just by moving Braun off of third base that I'd much rather see a 3B of almost any kind targeted. Joe Crede and Pedro Feliz may not be the most ideal options given their lack of on-base skills, but the infield defense would be dramatically improved.

Agreed. I've gotten over my reservations in that we aren't likely to find a high-OBP, good leather-man for the hot corner... unless the Rolen talks heat up again (which sounds unlikely). The impact of finding an average to above-average solution for 3B, so Braun's offense can be maximized in LF, should not be understated.

[Milltownhooker]

I agree TooLive, but who do you go with Feliz or Crede appear to be the best options.

 

Feliz won't cost any talent & would be a flexibile bench player if they can find a better option at 3rd.

The main question is how much will he cost?

Crede could be gotten for an excess starter, but can you wait tell spring training to prove his health.

 

Grabbing Feliz & trading excess SP for prospects seems to be the better option.

[trwi7]

Agreed. I've gotten over my reservations in that we aren't likely to find a high-OBP, good leather-man for the hot corner

 

Morgan Ensberg is still a free agent. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[MNBrew]

Rolen's a much better player than those other 3B guys and Gonzalez IF he's healthy. Not that he's now any easier to acquire. But I'd give up Capuano AND Hall to get him. The salary difference is only about $3M. Hall is pretty solid and I really hope he rebounds. But Rolen has proven over time that he is often a flat-out dominant player offensively and a stud defensively WHEN he's healthy. At 33 (in April) he's no spring chicken but he's not ancient, either. And he shouldn't be in total decline yet, either, unless the injuries prove insurmountable.

[Invader3K]

Rolen isn't worth both Hall and Capuano. That would be a bad move.

[Oldcity]

Gonzalez would be one of the few people the Brewers could sign that would actually make the Brewers team defense worse.

[MoneyballMan]

Rolen isn't worth both Hall and Capuano. That would be a bad move.

Agree completely!

[DrWood]

I'd rather they added gonzales than added no one. there are better options, but he does still have some ability.

[brosto1]

Gonzalez would hurt this team, whether he hits righties or not. He will not hit enough to outweigh his brutal defense. I watch as many Dodgers' games as possible and Gonzalez looked like an old horse that needed to be "put down" when he was in the outfield. It would also mean Braun stays at third which I do not want to see anymore. if Braun stays at third I would hope it would be becauce of a LF that was brought in that could get on base and play defense well, not play dead well like Gonzalez.

[Tbadder]

I wouldn't want Gonzalez for any reason.

 

At 3rd I'd rate them:

 

Rolen

Ensberg

A minor league 3rd basemen blocked by an outsatanding major leaguer

Crede

Feliz

[StrangeBreww]

the latest from mlbrumors:

 

http://www.mlb-rumors.blogspot.com/

 

Brewers Considering Gonzalez, Lofton: The Brewers plan to meet next week about bringing in another outfielder, perhaps Luis Gonzalez. Gonzalez has expressed his desire to play with the Brewers and he might be willing to accept and incentive-laden contract. Lofton has been as consistent as ever over the past five years, despite aging. He might be a better pick up than Gonzalez because he has more speed, and draws more interest at the trade deadline than Gonzalez because of his success in the second half of the season and in the playoffs.

[MNBrew]

Rolen isn't worth both Hall and Capuano. That would be a bad move.

IF Rolen's healthy AND IF Capuano never gets back on track, the Brewers would be hands-down winners in that deal.

Of course, those are big ifs.

 

[MNBrew]

the latest from mlbrumors:

 

http://www.mlb-rumors.blogspot.com/

 

Brewers Considering Gonzalez, Lofton: The Brewers plan to meet next week about bringing in another outfielder, perhaps Luis Gonzalez. Gonzalez has expressed his desire to play with the Brewers. . . .

This is basically rooted in Haudricourt's blog that started this whole discussion. I believe TH said they were meeting next week to decide whether or not to make any further efforts to land a 3B or OF. While Gonzalez's name may come up, I did not get the impression they were meeting to entertain the idea of Gonzalez.

Seems to be a case of one blog slightly re-wording what TH wrote in his blog, consequently giving a slightly different impression.

[derflotr]

Rolen isn't worth both Hall and Capuano. That would be a bad move.

IF Rolen's healthy AND IF Capuano never gets back on track, the Brewers would be hands-down winners in that deal.

Of course, those are big ifs.

 

I don't get it, that still means there's a hole in the outfield, right? You give up a solid everyday player and a 4th/5th starter for a solid (health?) everyday player? The Brewers aren't trying to DUMP starters here, if they're going to deal them they're going to want a good return.

 

I don't see that trade solving anything.

 

[logan82]

I would rather stick with Gross over Gonzales. That's without taking money into account. I don't think Gonzo is a big enough step up offensivley to make up for the defensive downgrade he would be from Gross. To be honest I would rather stand pat than sign one of the free agent outfielders available.

[TheBrewer]

I hope they do something. I gotta believe something will happen by Opening Day either trade or FA. If they keep what they have now, their about even with where they were at last year in talent.. you can say joe black and john doe will improve but nothings for certain, they need to get a good player to get them over that hump of where they were at last year.

[TooLiveBrew]

I think what we're seeing now is the options coming more into focus. Imo it's pretty clear that we can find a nice OBP guy for LF if we have to do so. I think it's also clear that guys like Cappy, Bush, and Vargas all carry value much higher than a month or two ago. If there's a move to be made for 3B (*please say there will be*), it can officially start taking place now. You can't do much better than Cappy/Bush/Vargas for SP right now without giving up a bunch.