Twenty-two guys, four spots - Who's on your roster?

by KLSnow on Feb 11, 2009 3:00 PM CST Comment 74 comments

So, with Braden Looper in the fold, we know most, if not all of the following:

Barring a trade, Jason Kendall, Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks, J.J. Hardy, Bill Hall, Ryan Braun, Mike Cameron and Corey Hart will all be on the opening day roster, likely in starting roles.
Ditto for Yovani Gallardo, Manny Parra, Dave Bush, Braden Looper and Jeff Suppan.
In the bullpen, Trevor Hoffman, Seth McClung, Carlos Villanueva and David Riske are virtually guaranteed spots. One more will almost certainly belong to a lefty, either Mitch Stetter or R.J. Swindle.
Craig Counsell, Mike Lamb and Mike Rivera are all back and very likely to be on the opening day roster in bench roles.

Given all of those assumptions, 21 of the 25 opening day roster spots are already decided. So what's left?

In the bullpen, two or three spots remain for all of the following players:

Todd Coffey. He still hasn't allowed a run as a Brewer and signed a major league contract to avoid arbitration. He's out of options.
Jorge Julio. Signed to a major league contract, making just under $1 million plus incentives.
Either Mitch Stetter or R.J. Swindle - whichever doesn't win the LOOGY job listed above. Throwing left-handed increases both pitchers' value, but Stetter posted a 3.20 ERA as a Brewer last season and Swindle posted a 1.98 ERA in AAA last season, so both guys already have some value.
Eduardo Morlan. Rule 5 pick has to be offered back to the Rays if he doesn't make the roster.
Mark DiFelice. 1.50 ERA in his last 14 outings as a Brewer (18 innings). Could be sent back to Nashville to work as a starter, but the Nashville rotation may already be full with Narveson, Gulin, Narron, Wright, and eventually Capuano.
Tim Dillard. Likely to be returned to AAA just because he has options remaining.
Joe Bateman, Luis Pena, Ramiro Mendoza, Omar Aguilar, Chris Narveson, Lindsay Gulin, Sam Narron and Chase Wright. Thanks for coming, guys. The eight of you and two or three of the guys above will likely pitch most of the innings for a nice staff in Nashville.

The Brewers could opt to go with a 13 man pitching staff and keep three of those guys, but then they'd have just one bench spot left. Instead, they'll likely keep 12 pitchers and pick two position players from the following list:

Tony Gwynn, Jr. Out of options, Gwynn either has to make the opening day roster or be exposed to waivers. However, he'll have to prove he's better than his .248/.300/.298 career MLB line and .243/.286/.286 major league equivalent from 2008, or he won't have much value. Also, his defense doesn't project well enough to help his chances: CHONE has him 11 runs below average in center.
Chris Duffy. Likely Gwynn's primary competition for the backup center field spot, Duffy's offensive numbers aren't earth-shattering (.269/.328/.361 in his major league career), but he's a plus defender (UZR/150 has him 6.2 runs above average in center).
Jason Bourgeois. Will likely have to win a spot as an outfielder, with Counsell and Lamb both occupying backup infield spots. Bourgeois hit .342/.404/.429 in Mexico this winter, but FanGraphs' 3 projections all have his 2009 OBP under .343.
Hernan Iribarren. Likely hurt by playing the exact same set of defensive positions as Bourgeois. Hernan also had a nice winter, hitting .306/.388/.451 in Venezuela and detonating two indisputables. Projections are similar, if not a little worse, than Bourgeois'. Likely a long shot to make the roster in the first place, he's hurt even more by having an identical player in camp with him.
Trot Nixon. If the Brewers go with 13 pitchers, Nixon and all the others below this point are already eliminated, as the last bench spot would have to go to someone who can play center. As a story, Nixon is very similar to Gabe Kapler at this point last year, but Kapler was three years younger.
Brad Nelson. He'll have to prove he can play a corner outfield spot to have much value, as Mike Lamb and Craig Counsell already have the infield covered. Likely has a higher long-term upside than Nixon if he's not a defensive liability, which he very well may be.
Casey McGehee. The Brewers insist they're eager to see what he can do, but unless he unseats Mike Lamb to platoon with Bill Hall, it's hard to imagine him making the roster. He has caught a little in the minors (including 17 games in 2008), so he could provide some value as a third catcher, but has never played the outfield, so if Lamb and Counsell are in, he's likely out.
Mat Gamel, Alcides Escobar and Angel Salome. Unless the opportunity for one of them to play full time arises, all three are likely ticketed for Nashville, where they can continue to develop their skills.
Scott Thorman, Vinny Rottino and all of the extra catchers invited to camp. Again, thanks for coming, guys. Enjoy the improved post-game food while you can.

So, assuming everyone stays healthy, four of the 22 players listed above can make the opening day roster. Who do you want, and why? Also, if you were building this roster, would you keep 12 pitchers or 13? Discuss.

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Oh you know who I'm rooting for

I just sit back and root for the taser

by Hyatt on Feb 11, 2009 3:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I almost think they go 13 pitchers, just because I think Coffey, DiFelice, and Swindle are more valuable than a guy like Gwynn or Brad Nelson.

I think they go those three and Duffy.

by warwick5s on Feb 11, 2009 3:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I think Duffy too! good D

Coffey, Stetter, and Julio round out the roster… go with 13 pitchers won’t likely get long outsings from Parra and Yovani… need to keep them fresh all year

Designate Gwynn, but he gets picked up as he is out of options, and no big deal, people will hopefully stop talking about him

The designated hitter rule is like letting someone else take Wilt Chamberlain's free throws.

by Kyguy922 on Feb 11, 2009 3:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Coffey

I could’ve sworn he gave up a run sometime in December.

Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.

by TheJay on Feb 11, 2009 4:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

In December?

I’m confused.

Eric Gagne DL time: May 23-June 29 Brewers record in that span: 20-9

by NoahJ on Feb 11, 2009 4:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Todd Coffey. He still hasn’t allowed a run as a Brewer

by HRF on Feb 11, 2009 4:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I would have to guess Duffy, Nelson, Difelice and Coffey are the final four. Obviously it depends on what happens in ST, though.

Eric Gagne DL time: May 23-June 29 Brewers record in that span: 20-9

by NoahJ on Feb 11, 2009 4:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

My prediction

Coffey, Julio, Duffy, Bourgeois

Bourgeois would provide a RH option on the bench during the games that Hall starts (in addition to Rivera, of course).

by oconnobe on Feb 11, 2009 4:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

(in addition to Rivera, of course)

Who is this mythical “Rivera” I keep hearing about?

by HRF on Feb 11, 2009 4:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This… is more difficult to pick than I’d have liked it to have been.

I think they’ll run with Coffey and Julio until one of them pitches themselves into a DFA.

For the bench… Duffy, yes. And that Nelson will be given every opportunity to be the 25th man.

by HRF on Feb 11, 2009 4:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Can I not have Lamb?

Coffey+Julio+Swindle
Nelson+Duffy.
If Lamb takes a bench spot away from someone with value, I will boycott his product (lamb) for a month.
In parts of Australia, that is basically a hunger strike.

by Braun Holio on Feb 11, 2009 5:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

That's an awful lot of AB's for Counsell

Since he’d be the only backup at second, short and third.

He’s not the worst pitcher ever, just the worst good pitcher.

by KLSnow on Feb 11, 2009 7:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah... maybe Bourgeois instead of Nelson.

No matter how hard I try I can’t squeeze Nelson in.
Oh well.

Lamb seems to have nothing in his favour apart from being a veteran.

by Braun Holio on Feb 11, 2009 8:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yessir

To this:

Lamb seems to have nothing in his favour apart from being a veteran.

Also, ditto for me on Nelson, unless The Mustache proves Tom H. totally wrong (not that this hasn’t been done ad nauseum in the past, but whatever) and uses Fielder’s nicely locked-in contract as trade-dangle.

by Charlie Marlow on Feb 11, 2009 8:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The more I look at Nelson

The more I see Greg Dobbs.
Useful PH at bats.
Spot starts at a corner OF or 1B.
Some power, decent OBP.

The Phillies got away with carrying Dobbs last year as they had such a stable pen. I don’t know if we will have that luxury as yet.

by Braun Holio on Feb 11, 2009 9:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I can see where you're going

but Dobbs’ 772 MLB ABs vs. Nelson’s 7 say its harder to draw a direct parallel.

Although, who’s to say that Nelson wouldn’t be a similar type of player given the chance?

by Charlie Marlow on Feb 11, 2009 9:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

are you a Brewer fan from England?

The designated hitter rule is like letting someone else take Wilt Chamberlain's free throws.

by Kyguy922 on Feb 11, 2009 9:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Are you referring to my correct spelling of the word favour?

Close, but we speak the Queens English in Australia as well.

by Braun Holio on Feb 11, 2009 9:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Aha!

I’ll help you out, so you don’t have to re-post anything:

by Charlie Marlow on Feb 11, 2009 9:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I beg to differ

I’ve been to Australia, and I got from Melbourne to Sydney on the back of a kangaroo.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Feb 11, 2009 9:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ah the great bus strike of '05

by Braun Holio on Feb 11, 2009 9:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

ha

actually, I was there in 96 or 97 … back before buses had become established down under.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Feb 11, 2009 9:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Excellent.

Also, noone I have ever met drinks Fosters.

by Braun Holio on Feb 11, 2009 9:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

is that how the queen....

spells “no one”? :)

by marty22 on Feb 11, 2009 9:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If she is writing comments on a blog

Whilst pretending to work

by Braun Holio on Feb 11, 2009 9:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The part that doesn't happen

is the people just sitting around on the steps, right?

He’s not the worst pitcher ever, just the worst good pitcher.

by KLSnow on Feb 12, 2009 10:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Coffey/Julio

I’d be surprised if both of them are on the team.

One reason is that they are similar pitchers, especially compared to the grab bag of styles represented by the rest of the bullpen options … plus they are similar to McClung when he’s throwing out of the pen.

Also, they are both signed for more than the minimum, and neither is particularly attractive to other teams. The “smart” teams (Rays, A’s, Red Sox) tend to sign one fringey guy to a guaranteed MLB contract, possibly because the extra $$ makes it easier to pass them through waivers. It’s probably worth the extra money to have the added flexibility with better-than-replacement bullpen arms.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Feb 11, 2009 5:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

True...

I hope Coffey gets the job out of those two.
Coffey+Swindle+Morlan…

by Braun Holio on Feb 11, 2009 5:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd adjust it

Stetter, Morlan, Duffy, Bourgeois

Yes, I have to keep my Pre-Spring Training Mancrush Jason Bourgeois. They can always option him and bring up another position player if he can’t hack it. But I personally like his field versatility, as another option at 2B and the OF. He’s played a number of games at SS, though it was long enough ago that he’ll likely not see time there. Oh, and he had an OPS+ of 152 last season in the majors.

I’m not a fan of the Ned Yostish 13 man pitching staff, and I think they’ll probably try to go with 12. I think they’re going to try and keep Morlan on the roster until he proves he’s either junk or a great pickup. In which case the front office either a) pats one another on the back or, b) shrugs and brings Coffey/Julio up.

by Charlie Marlow on Feb 11, 2009 8:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I've assumed Stetter already is in the pen.

Fringey guys like Bourgeois need all the advocates they can find so kudos for being his biggest!

by Braun Holio on Feb 11, 2009 8:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Roger, roger

and I’m sure Bourgeois will promptly prove me wrong in ST and/or ‘stache and co. will ’go in another direction’ for the bench.

by Charlie Marlow on Feb 11, 2009 8:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If Bourgeois hits his Marcel projection

.770 OPS he is really valuable as a backup IF. So, I hope you are right.

by Braun Holio on Feb 11, 2009 9:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

unfortunately

marcel is of least value when it comes to guys with very little MLB playing time. (Marcel doesn’t use minor league data, so it is more or less assuming Bourgeouis will be average, because it doesn’t know any better.)

CHONE, which is as accurate as anything else out there (and does use minor league numbers), projects him for .697. Still way better than Counsell, but that’s an easy bar to clear.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Feb 11, 2009 9:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Easy like...

by Charlie Marlow on Feb 11, 2009 9:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah.

I took the most generous projection as a thought about his potential upside.
.697 for a backup infielder is still useful enough. I can’t find any decent defensive data for him so I guess he is a big ?

Unlike lamb where the mediocre bat and poor glove can be assumed.

by Braun Holio on Feb 11, 2009 9:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

OK, I'm done posting pictures for the night.

by Charlie Marlow on Feb 11, 2009 9:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

All it does is

take the 3 plate appearances and add about 1000 league average plate appearances, as Jeff so eloquently explained.

Scored three times and detonated an indisputable in four visits to the batting box.

by Jordan M on Feb 11, 2009 10:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Long relief

If McClung is shifted to the bullpen in something other than the long relief role, I wonder if Wright (or Gulin, Narveson, Narron, etc.) would have a leg up on DiFelice for the long relief role because he’s lefthanded. Obviously DiFelice can go multiple innings as well as Wright & Co., but those guys have the advantage of filling the second lefty role, too.

Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.

by TheJay on Feb 11, 2009 5:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Here's a dumb question

We signed Julio and Coffey to just shy of $1 million each. If they don’t make the team, we’re still on the hook for those amounts, right? (Unless they sign a deal with some other team for the league minimum, in which case we’d owe them $400,000 less, as with Lamb?)

Do you think that’s any advantage would that be to keeping them on the team? I bet Julio stays for that reason alone.

BTW, Jay Gibbons is making $6.1 million this season. He’d be #5 on our payroll, were we paying for him.

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Feb 11, 2009 5:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

yes, we're on the hook for those amounts,

but…

that brings me back to my point above.

let’s say the FO decides we don’t want Julio on the team Opening Day. We could release him, but more likely, we send him through waivers. If a team claims him on waivers, they’re responsible for the salary. If nobody claims him, we can outright him to Nashville and have him under control until the next time we want to call him up. Thus, we’re probably overpaying for one of those two guys, but we are getting some flexibility for the dollars.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Feb 11, 2009 7:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

My picks

Swindle, Julio or Swindle, Morlan, along with Duffy and Gamel, if he has the glove

---
Juuuust a bit outside!!
http://www.rightfieldbleachers.com

by Jack Moore on Feb 11, 2009 6:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Would you be playing Gamel everyday?

by HRF on Feb 11, 2009 7:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Platooning or playing him every day, depending on how good he looks against LHP

---
Juuuust a bit outside!!
http://www.rightfieldbleachers.com

by Jack Moore on Feb 11, 2009 11:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You wouldn’t rather he play everyday at AAA versus being platooned in the majors?

by HRF on Feb 12, 2009 1:01 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Do you think being platooned in the majors would really hurt his development that much?

I think we still have a legitimate chance to win this year, so if that would help us, yes I would rather have him platoon.

---
Juuuust a bit outside!!
http://www.rightfieldbleachers.com

by Jack Moore on Feb 12, 2009 1:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think the Brewers have a legitimate chance to the contend for the wild card. I don’t think that chance outweighs the potential of Gamel stagnating and hurting the Brewers’ chances beyond this year.

by HRF on Feb 12, 2009 2:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Didn't we talk about this once before?

Because the minor league season isn’t as long, the number of plate appearances Gamel would get as the primary bat in a platoon is about the same as the number he’d get playing consistently in AAA?

Maybe I’m wrong, but I feel like we had that conversation before.

He’s not the worst pitcher ever, just the worst good pitcher.

by KLSnow on Feb 12, 2009 6:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

if he's not called up, yes.

but — everyday AAA player until September + some kind of MLB role in Sept = more at-bats than full-time platoon role in the bigs.

The difference really isn’t that great — MiLB season is 144 games.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Feb 12, 2009 9:11 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If they go twelve pitchers like they probably should

Morlan, Coffey, and Julio are competing for one or two spots depending on whether they keep both lefties

Duffy and Gwynn are competing for one spot

Nixon and Nelson are competing for one spot, depending on how well Brad plays corner outfield

It’s hard to figure out what I want, or what should happen. I’m rooting for Morlan to win a spot (this is subject to change), and I’d prefer Duffy to Gwynn at this point. If Nelson proves he can play corner outfield, I’d take him as well.

Swindle and Morlan seems unlikely, I think either Coffey or Julio will make the squad. So I’ll be happy if we end up with one.

In general, re: McClung’s role, I will be unhappy if they say he’s the “long reliever”. Just let him pitch in the role he had at the end of last year. Sometimes he comes in a close-ish game, and if he’s on, he goes several innings. I hate it when they put a superior pitcher in the “long relief” role just because he can go multiple innings, like Villy last year. Seth doesn’t have to be the “x inning guy” or anything, just the guy who’s good and can throw multiple innings.

Excellent post, I think you should put this in the “Featured Stories” section.

I also want Swindle on the team, but I’m okay with starting out with just Stetter as the lefty so we don’t lose some of this depth, if it means we get to keep Morlan (assuming he doesn’t tank in spring).

Scored three times and detonated an indisputable in four visits to the batting box.

by Jordan M on Feb 11, 2009 6:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

We'll see if it gets rec'd.

If it gets enough recs, I’ll feature it.

He’s not the worst pitcher ever, just the worst good pitcher.

by KLSnow on Feb 11, 2009 7:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I actually have a feature button, now that I look at it

I rec’d it anyway

Scored three times and detonated an indisputable in four visits to the batting box.

by Jordan M on Feb 11, 2009 7:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know if it'll get enough recs

but it definitely got enough tags.

damn, dude.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Feb 11, 2009 7:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd imagine that takes awhile

I bet it pays off, though. I read quite a few stories on other sbnation blogs, and the Mug is often in the ‘related stories’ sidebar, so you get a lot of publicity for all the work of tagging those players.

Scored three times and detonated an indisputable in four visits to the batting box.

by Jordan M on Feb 11, 2009 7:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That's exactly the point of doing it.

Over time, it becomes a reflex…the Mug has about 20-30 tags every morning, but I do them all in one swoop when I’m done writing and it only takes a minute or two.

He’s not the worst pitcher ever, just the worst good pitcher.

by KLSnow on Feb 11, 2009 10:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Also, a minor thing

I would think Mark DiFelice would have AAA rotation priority over Chris Narveson. Maybe I’m wrong, but I think they’d bump one of those five to the pen to let Mark D work as a starter.

Scored three times and detonated an indisputable in four visits to the batting box.

by Jordan M on Feb 11, 2009 7:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

really?

I wouldn’t be so sure. (a) I think Narveson is more explicitly ‘rotation insurance’ (albeit #8 or #9) while DiF is seen as somebody who can join the big-league pen. (b) the Crew has used DiF as a reliever in the minors before — 3 starts in 26 apps for Huntsville in 07. (I thought he’d been pitching in relief part of ‘08 at Nashville too, but I’m wrong.)

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Feb 11, 2009 7:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You could definitely be right

I think he’s the highest on the depth chart of AAA starters/long relievers. I guess it depends on how they want to condition him. A lot of this could depend on how Narveson pitches this spring, he was their golden boy last year and didn’t really have a good season at AAA. I guess I don’t think it’s accurate to say that there won’t be room for him in the rotation, it’s more that they would want him to be conditioned somewhat as a reliever if he is in the 3A pen.

Scored three times and detonated an indisputable in four visits to the batting box.

by Jordan M on Feb 11, 2009 8:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

"I don’t think it’s accurate to say that there won’t be room for him in the rotation"

That I can definitely agree with. Gotta figure that after S.T., the team will decide who starters 6, 7, and 8 are, and who the first two or three bullpen callups are likely to be. DiF, Wright, Dillard, and plenty of others could fall into either group.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Feb 11, 2009 8:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I had a wild thought...

Bear with me, because this is definitely a stretch (but a boy can dream, right?).

What if Bill Hall comes into ST, and the LASIK eye surgery has really gotten him back on track? What if, in combination with stance and approach adjustments, he’s able to really put it together on offense? Let’s say, Macha decides he’s going to be the everyday guy. Well, then I say Mike Lamb doesn’t have a spot on this roster.

I know its a stretch, but in this ‘what if’ scenario, does anyone disagree that Lamb is DFA’d, and it opens a roster spot? The option also exists that Lamb still comes to Milwaukee for opening day and is DFA’d later in the season, in which case, who takes his roster spot?

My guess would be either Casey McGehee or Hernan Iribarren. But that’s just me.

by Charlie Marlow on Feb 11, 2009 9:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'd question how that decision would be made so quickly

I would hate to make any hasty judgments based on a hot month from Billy against triple-A pitching.

And I guess I don’t understand why we’d ditch Lamb in favor of McGehee … or if we did, what that had to do with Hall. Those two guys are basically competing for the Hall-platoon / backup corner IF spot.

Also, KL made a good point above — no matter how good Rickie/JJ/Billy look, if Counsell is the only guy who can play 2b/3b/ss, that’s a lot of backup ABs for CC.

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Feb 11, 2009 9:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

All good points

although, I’m pulling for Mancrush Bourgeois to help out at 2B (maybe SS in a pinch) and Counsell can get some SS/3B work in.

I know it would be a quick judgement (and considering how streaky Hall can be/is, likely ill-advised), but there was definitely a reason the Twins let Lamb go. Isn’t he pretty close to the definition of ‘replacement level’ at 3B?

I’m just really praying Hall has something of a rejuvenation this year. I know 2006 redux is far too much to ask, but even a .260/.335/.480 line would be oustanding, in my eyes.

Ah well, a boy can dream.

by Charlie Marlow on Feb 11, 2009 9:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If Hall isn't just terrible vRHP he might produce as much as a platoon

it also depends on defense, of course. We aren’t really gaining much with a platoon, because the bonus of Lamb’s hitting vRHP is almost offset by his poor defense vs Hall’s good defense. This depends on your opinion of Hall and Lamb’s defense, I guess, but I think the two options are pretty close— which is why I suggested a Gamel/Hall platoon in that post, though that won’t happen. In all, though, Hall should be platooned, and the fact that a platoon of Hall and Lamb doesn’t help much vs. just Hall is more of a testament to the failure of the team to acquire an adequate platoon option than of Hall being a good option at third base. That’s really the one objection I have had to this offseason.

I don’t like Lamb very much either, but I think you’d keep him around to sub occasionally anyway. He’s just as good as McGehee in all likelihood, and though he’s probably worse than Counsell overall, I don’t need Craig playing 2/3 of the games again. We should’ve just signed Branyan, dammit.

Scored three times and detonated an indisputable in four visits to the batting box.

by Jordan M on Feb 11, 2009 10:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

We should’ve just signed Branyan, dammit.

Sure, but then The Mustache is stuck paying $1MM more (assuming all things equal with the M’s contract to The Muscle) than for Lamb. Plus, he’s stuck with someone else in the organization who’s got a nickname that starts with “The M…”

But in all seriousness, I see your point. Its just a shame that a Hall/Lamb platoon, should things remain as they were last season, isn’t any better than a Hall full-time scenario.

by Charlie Marlow on Feb 11, 2009 10:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I've barely seen it mentioned anywhere.

But my only offseason disappointment (that can be blamed on Moustache) is the failure to get in on Branyan.

by Braun Holio on Feb 11, 2009 11:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

maybe that was part of the deal w/ Jack Z

he could leave, he could take Tony Blengino, and he could have first dibs on Branyan.

But that’s it!

Also, cheese.

by Jeff Sackmann on Feb 11, 2009 11:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

and he could have first dibs on Branyan.

And Crabbe.

He’s not the worst pitcher ever, just the worst good pitcher.

by KLSnow on Feb 12, 2009 6:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And Yost

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Feb 12, 2009 7:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

We should’ve just signed Branyan, dammit.

Yes.

by HRF on Feb 12, 2009 1:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

screw it

just go with Gamel at third

by warwick5s on Feb 11, 2009 11:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

67 comments

It’s almost baseball season!!!

by tcyoung on Feb 12, 2009 8:52 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Rambling Al borught up a good point

Some people are going to be on the DL, so maybe we will have 27 going into the season…

The designated hitter rule is like letting someone else take Wilt Chamberlain's free throws.

by Kyguy922 on Feb 12, 2009 10:00 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Right, but you can't plan for that.

You just make a corresponding roster move when it happens.

He’s not the worst pitcher ever, just the worst good pitcher.

by KLSnow on Feb 12, 2009 10:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

To expand...

Because I feel like I’m about to get lampooned for the short version of that response:

Three pitchers could go down in spring training. Or the entire left side of the infield could. Or two catchers. Etc. So while it’s true that one or two of these guys that would otherwise be gone will make the Opening Day roster, it’s impossible to know which of them. So all you can do is plan for what you know you have and respond to injuries when they come.

He’s not the worst pitcher ever, just the worst good pitcher.

by KLSnow on Feb 12, 2009 10:26 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

why lampoon

when you can harpoon??

by tcyoung on Feb 12, 2009 10:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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NL Central Standings

	W	L	PCT	GB	STRK
St. Louis Viva El Birdos	91	71	.561	0	Lost 6
Chicago Bleed Cubbie Blue	83	78	.515	7.5	Lost 1
Milwaukee Brew Crew Ball	80	82	.493	11	Won 3
Cincinnati Red Reporter	78	84	.481	13	Won 2
Houston The Crawfish Boxes	74	88	.456	17	Lost 3
Pittsburgh Bucs Dugout	62	99	.385	28.5	Lost 2