Swindle & Gerut in, Iribarren & Duffy out

The Brewers made a player move after the game tonight, returning second baseman Hernan Iribarren to Class AAA Nashville and recalling left-handed reliever R.J. Swindle from that club.

General manager Doug Melvin said with an interleague series coming up in Minnesota, the extra pitcher will be more beneficial than a hitter because you don't hit for the pitchers in AL parks. The Twins also have a lot of potent left-handed hitters and this gives the Brewers a second lefty in the pen with Mitch Stetter.

This move almost guarantees that reserve outfielder Chris Duffy will be cut tomorrow when outfielder Jody Gerut joins the team. The Brewers acquired Gerut earlier today from San Diego for Tony Gwynn Jr.

Duffy is out of options, so he would have to clear waivers to go down to Class AAA Nashville.

9 months ago battlekow 24 comments 0 recs |

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Great Move

I do not think anyone would argue the Brewer organization valued Tony Gwynn Jr. as a MLB caliber player even as a 5th OF. Gerut has at least put together a good season (+3.2 WAR last season, +12.2 UZR/150 in CF, .365 wOBA). To date this season he has maintained his + defense although he has not produced on offense. But his poor start may have some bad luck factored in (19 LD% and only .241 BABIP).

I live in San Diego and enjoyed watching Gerut play last season. He is seamless in the OF and has some power from the left side. I may be biased. And yes last season may not have been a true representation of his talent, but he provides more offense than Duffy & Gwynn and at least as good or better defense.

For what they gave up for what I think is a definite improvement of the bench, I think Melvin made a great move.

Speaking of living in SD, anyone else here live in SoCal and going to boo the Cubs this weekend? I want to go tomorrow night b/c of Zambrano v Peavy but I might not get off of work in time.

I have too much time to get anything done

by mschroeder on May 22, 2009 12:17 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Rats

I liked Duffy.

"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 May 22, 2009 1:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

dude made some good plays for us,

that is for sure.

by Braunstalker on May 22, 2009 2:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i hope we can somehow keep him in the org.

by PagsBrewCrew on May 22, 2009 3:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Be on the watch

for Mr Jack Z in the great northwest.

"He had some firsts," said Brewers manager Ken Macha. "His first homer, his first Major League start, his first error and my first gray hair."

by molitorfan on May 22, 2009 7:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Doubt it.

Duffy was never in the organization when Jack was still here.

:) + Suppan = :'(

by NoahJ on May 22, 2009 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ditto

I was pulling for him… and hope he stays with the org

by Saberilliterate on May 22, 2009 8:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sad to see them go

This is the first time I’ve really followed the Brewers from Spring Training and it’s a little strange to see the likes of Nelson and (likely) Duffy go. I know it happens all season and the Brewers are getting better a a result, but I’m still going to occasionally wonder where they are. (Where is Nelson, btw?)

Still, it’s good to see guys that can play in the big leagues find a spot somewhere instead of bussing around AAA for a year.

by ecocd on May 22, 2009 7:06 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of which

From the TG Sr. calling TGJ article:

The Padres could have had Gwynn six weeks ago for nothing. He missed much of Spring Training with a sore right throwing shoulder, and when the Brewers went instead with Chris Duffy and Brad Nelson, Gwynn was placed on waivers to get him off the 40-man roster. Milwaukee officials were surprised when he cleared.

Think the Brewers are having trouble finding good bench guys? Geez.

by ecocd on May 22, 2009 7:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder

if TG Jr played his way into a trade by hitting .300 in AAA thus far.

"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 May 22, 2009 8:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that's the only reason they were able to get anything for him...

… plus it was the Padres, who probably value him higher than any other team. I sort of wonder if the entire Padres front office somehow slept through the waiver period when TG JR. was available.

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on May 22, 2009 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nelson signed with the Mariners

He’s with Tacoma in AAA.

"I didn't realize his velocity was that high," said Macha, noting that radar readings aren't flashed during exhibition games.

by battlekow on May 22, 2009 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Duffy is..

Nelson v2…condemned by a small sample size. He was much better in the field than Nelson could have dreamed of being though. Hopefully we can keep him in the organization, but as someone mentioned…Jack Z will probably snatch him up.

by TheBurningRom on May 22, 2009 7:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Which is funny

seeing as Nelson made the team based on a small sample size (i.e., spring training).

"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 May 22, 2009 8:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pretty much all...

of the bench players made the team based on spring training. Nelson made it based in his spring training and the fact that he was out of option years. Either way, the sample size has been too small…too few PAs…too few games started.

by TheBurningRom on May 22, 2009 8:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

When did JZ leave?

Why are we thinking Jack Z will snatch him up? Wasn’t he brought on board after Jack left?

by Mykenk on May 22, 2009 8:09 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think so

I doubt he’ll end up with the Mariners merely because he was a Brewer, though he might because he’s a good option as a 4th outfielder.

"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 May 22, 2009 8:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The fact that...

..he’s a good 4th outfielder is the larger reason he might end up in Seattle. But I’m sure Jack Z also pays more attention to what’s going on with the Brewers and their roster moves than the other GMs in baseball.

by TheBurningRom on May 22, 2009 8:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i thought you were saying we cloned jack z

much like the laportas.

by PagsBrewCrew on May 22, 2009 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

One thing that I don't understand

Macha seemed to think that Counsell’s role would just be as a super sub, and cited his age, and knee injury from spring training. But now there isn’t really a full time 2nd baseman unless it’s Counsell. McGehee or Hall can play there, but if you are going to platoon, then CC would still get 80% of the starts and be the second lefty off the bench, and late inning defensive sub.

Which brings me to the second point. CC seemed to think he was good to go and can play the 120 games no problem. Either CC talked Macha out of keeping him on the bench, or something else is going on. Maybe Iribarren has options and can be called back up after interleague play? Or the Brewers aren’t concerened about him clearing waivers.

by grant76 on May 22, 2009 8:17 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Iribarren...

..is in an ‘option’ year. He’s on the 40 man, and was already optioned to AAA at the beginning of the season. With the way that options work, he can be sent down and recalled as many times as the Brewers want to within the ‘09 season. They could do it every other week if they want…it would be silly…but they could do it. Waivers isn’t even involved with Iribarren yet. So that point is moot.

by TheBurningRom on May 22, 2009 8:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Saw that.

So I’m guessing when interleague is over, Swindle will go back down and Hernan will come back up…..if we haven’t landed DeRosa ;-)

by grant76 on May 22, 2009 8:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That may be true after this Twins series

But shortly enough, Riske and Catalanotto are going to need spots. I assume Hoolio gets the heave-ho for Riske, and Melvin said that Cat had to show he deserved a roster spot, but you have to think they like him better than Iribarren. I guess they like McGehee’s bat after all. /shudder

"I didn't realize his velocity was that high," said Macha, noting that radar readings aren't flashed during exhibition games.

by battlekow on May 22, 2009 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs