Is 2009 Bill Hall's last chance?
by Kyle Lobner on Apr 24, 2009 2:00 PM CDT
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PrintEarlier this week, I received this email from a blogger for another team:
With (Prince) Fielder there for almost two more years, what's (Mat) Gamel's timetable?
Even before Gamel started putting up huge numbers in AAA, it was hard to imagine a world where he's in the minors much later than September 1, and when he's up, he'll play - presumably every day in 2010.
Take a minute, though, to think about where. I worked on it for a minute, and came up with these three scenarios:
1) Fielder gets traded, Gamel slots in at first base.
2) Bill Hall has a big year and gets traded, freeing up third base for Gamel, at least until Fielder leaves as a free agent in 2011.
3) Bill Hall remains with the Brewers and is displaced, either back into the outfield to fill the gap left by Mike Cameron or into a super-sub role.
With first base, left and right field occupied by players with big bats and under Brewer control for 2010, it's hard to imagine the Brewers finding a role for Gamel that doesn't involve a change for Hall.
Obviously, if the decision on Hall's future had been based on yesterday's performance, he'd be a Brewer for life. But taking a wider view, one can see a career at a crossroads. Hall has hit 35 home runs in a season and posted two OPS+'s over 115. He's also posted a .316 OBP
If Hall has a big 2009, he could really be valuable to someone: His contract calls for him to make $8.4 million in 2010, plus a $500k buyout or $9.25 million salary for 2011. If he has big season, he could be a bargain looking for someone for a short-term rental at shortstop or third base.
With that said, being due at least $8.9 million over the next two seasons also means he's likely too expensive for anything but a full-time job. If he can't prove he can play everyday the Brewers will likely be stuck with him as an expensive backup, and when his contract ends, he'll likely be looking at a minor league deal with someone.
So what do you think? What does the future hold for Bill Hall?
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If the question is where will he be on
Opening Day 2009, I will say 3B.
I win.
Suppan, who has seen his ERA rise from 4.12 in his final year in St. Louis to 4.62 in 2007 and 4.96 last year, isn't an option in fantasy leagues - Rotoworld
Instant reply shows
you were out-sarcasmed by a nose. Sorry. :)
.
Suppan, who has seen his ERA rise from 4.12 in his final year in St. Louis to 4.62 in 2007 and 4.96 last year, isn't an option in fantasy leagues - Rotoworld
....and KL, my vote is 3B for 2009 or 2010 either way.
I’m coming around on Billy lately. He’s made several jaw-dropping plays at third already this year. Last year he was easily one of the Brewers that I hated on the most, but he and Weeks actually look much improved this year. If it continues, I’s say some LASIK and Willie Randolph would fix most every team’s infield.
/knocks on wood
Suppan, who has seen his ERA rise from 4.12 in his final year in St. Louis to 4.62 in 2007 and 4.96 last year, isn't an option in fantasy leagues - Rotoworld
With that said, being due at least $8.9 million over the next two seasons also means he’s likely too expensive for anything but a full-time job.
As an everyday SS, if he plays at the level he played in ‘06 defensively, he’d be worth 30 runs over replacement. that’s worth 9 million dollars a year on defensive alone, and carries a jason kendall-esque bat.
when his contract ends, he’ll likely be looking at a minor league deal with someone.
I’ll take that bet. I’ll give you 2:1 odds, too.
Bring Back The Old Logo!
Yeah, that struck me as rather odd, too.
Unless Hall expects to be paid 8+ million per year in perpetuity now or suffers a historic collapse, there’s no way he doesn’t find another major league employer after 2010.
I take back my vote
I initially voted for playing for another team…but the more I think about it the more I feel there will be a higher demand and payback for trading Fielder. With him being the most likely to be traded I think my correct vote should’ve been for 3B for the Brewers.
BCB, the preferred above replacement level sarcasm supplier.
Voted for 3B for opening day...
though I could see him getting pushed back into a utility role in the near future after that. As much as I’m rooting for it (and for it to work out), I’d still be shocked if Mat Gamel turns out to be a solution at third base. Unless Hall craters again this season, I’d much rather see Fielder traded in the offseason (heck, or even at the deadline) much like his predecessor Overbay was.
Gamel in rf
Hall at third hart in center
The designated hitter rule is like letting someone else take Wilt Chamberlain's free throws.
maybe...
but just being fast doesn’t make Hart a good defender
if he could play an average cf defensively he’d be ridiculously valuable, though
Hart is not a CF
He is statistically average in RF, I don’t see why we should think he can handle CF.
I just don’t see Gamel sticking at 3B defensively so my guess is we trade Fielder and he plays 1B with Hall staying at 3B.
What is better?
Assuming no trades…
Gamel at 3B, Hall in CF, Hart RF
or Hart in CF, Hall at 3B, Gamel in RF
-I think the second scenario is better, hiding Gamel in RF is easier than 3B, and his bat should make up for any defeciencies in my opinion much like Braun
With how good Hall is looking defensively so far this year, as long as he stays league average hitting at 3B, Hart playing CF is better than Gamel playing 3B in my opinion. Keeping Fielder is important for next year, as I think the Brewers can contend with that lineup, not having Fielder would leave a much bigger hole than people think.
The designated hitter rule is like letting someone else take Wilt Chamberlain's free throws.
Gamel has not once played the outfield as a professional.
So I think he’ll need to spend some time out there before he can be given a full-time job.
"The reports are that he is getting better. The definition of better is nebulous."
I voted for another team's 3B
I don’t see Fielder getting traded this offseason. If Hall performs well enough to keep the 3B job, we’ll be able to trade him to somebody. Financially it makes sense to move him to make room for Gamel.
Another team
I can’t recall if I posted this here or on another forum, but in the offseason I had hoped that Bill Hall would have a monster year. That way, he helps out the team, and he’s able to be traded. Of course, none of that matters if he tanks it again this year. He appears to be playing exceedingly well at 3B, and as long as he’s got moderate production, should be able to bring value to many teams. Obviously he has multi-position flexibility as well.
If these two things happen
1. Hall has an average offensive year and
2. A-Rod has complications with his rehap
I can see Hall being traded to the Yankees this year.
I agree with the possibility existing if Arod cant play through the pain (which he will have since no major surgery)
In this scenario, do the Brewers try to move Hardy to 3B? I know it is overly talked about with Escobar coming up, but if the Brewers are out of it, why not give it a try this year..
The designated hitter rule is like letting someone else take Wilt Chamberlain's free throws.
I doubt the Brewers would trade Hall in-season unless they thought Gamel was ready to play every day
"I didn't realize his velocity was that high," said Macha, noting that radar readings aren't flashed during exhibition games.
But what if
They’re “out of it” at the trading deadline and they get a good offer? Given the salary relief aspect, I could see the Hardy-to-third/Bring-up-Escobar or Bring-up-Gamel scenarios playing out.
I'm guessing CF
Every position is set for next year except 3B and CF. If you are putting your best eight guys out there, then Hall and Gamel are probably both on the field.
I like Cameron, but if he is a FA, I don’t see how we keep him. The biggest question defensively for next year, is CF, everything else flows from there.
Lorenzo Cain
"I didn't realize his velocity was that high," said Macha, noting that radar readings aren't flashed during exhibition games.
I wonder what Marty McSuperfly thinks.
Maybe he’s too enraged to post.
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Apr 24, 2009 6:04 PM CDT reply actions
Hall would have a lot of value especially for an AL team at SS. I doubt Hall is much more than a super sub for us next year if he is still with the team. Hall is in a soft platoon with Counsell fight now in case people haven’t noticed. He is being protected a little from RHP, but still playing enough so that it isn’ t a straight platoon which would destroy his trade value. Even if he is a poor hitter, that would be ok in the AL where the SS position is a defense first, hope we get some offense out of it, position
Give him an offspeed pitch down and in. He will swing and miss.
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