Oh. No.

by Jeff Sackmann on Nov 28, 2006 3:54 PM CST in Transactions

This is bad for many reasons.

It makes it all the more likely Bill Hall will never play the infield again.
By giving Ned a utility infielder he likes, we run the risk of having said utility infielder start a lot of games every time Ned can come up with an excuse to sit Rickie or JJ.
It means we're spending well more than the league minimum on said backup, when there must be a good-field, no-hit middle infielder out there somewhere for the minimum.

On a scale of 1-10, here's how my opinion of Doug Melvin has wavered since the end of the season:

End of season: 6
"I think Bill Hall would be a good fit in left": 3
"We have a offer on the table to Dave Roberts": 2
Estrada trade: 4
Realization that we got rid of Dave Krynzel in the Estrada trade: 5
Now: 3.5

Doug, do something smart! Please!

Update [2006-11-28 16:58:32 by Jeff]: Oddly enough, here's a report from just a few minutes ago that the Padres are about to sign Counsell. Eh, Counsell...Graffanino...same guy, more or less. More Zito rumors!

In case anyone has forgotten the joy of having the boy from Whitefish Bay in the lineup:

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Comments

Paranoia

Am I the only one that thinks Melvin is setting up his infield and outfield in such a fashion to move Hall? Every time I mention it to people, the idea is dismissed as ridiculous, but Hall is one of the most valuable Brewers at this point, and he's headed to arbitration. To my mind, this situation bears the hallmark of a Melvin many-for-one trade, and I don't like it.

On the other hand, if Melvin does move Hall, I hope he and Manny end up on the same team. I guess I'd root for the Brewers since they're here, but that other team would be my Internet girlfriend.

by Marty McSuperFly on Nov 28, 2006 4:02 PM CST reply actions

That's not a crazy idea

My thinking is: Hall is much much much more valuable as a shortstop than he is as a left fielder. If some other team recognizes his value (that's a big if--many people around baseball still think of him as a utility guy who strikes out a lot--thanks Doug and Ned) then we should be able to get more value back for him than the value he'd give us as a LF. I wouldn't like it, but it might help us win this year.

A Red Sox fan friend suggested Hall and Jenkins for Kottaras, Hansen, and Clement. Jenkins and Clement cancel each other out--big salaries, no contribution. But Kottaras would immediately be the catcher of the future, clearing the way for Estrada to be traded after the 07 season, and Hansen could, at the very least, immediately be the setup guy for the next five years. Not a crazy deal.

by Jeff Sackmann on Nov 28, 2006 4:08 PM CST up reply actions

Not bad

A Red Sox fan friend suggested Hall and Jenkins for Kottaras, Hansen, and Clement.

I'm blinded by Manny-love, and so I had considered a similar trade (Manny and Clement for Hall, Jenkins and a prospect or two). Your friend's proposal is more realistic, and not bad. Except that my favorite player would end up on the Red Sox. Since my other favorite player is leaving the Red Sox, maybe that would be a wash.

by Marty McSuperFly on Nov 28, 2006 4:14 PM CST up reply actions

WTF

This is clearly Step 2: ????

by battlekow on Nov 28, 2006 5:09 PM CST reply actions

That sounds good to me.

You hate to see Billy leave, but we also have to be realistic in what the Brewers might need to do, and what they can/will get in return for certain players. One thing is clear, if we're going to trade Bill, we need to do it in the off-season, lest we're left with nothing at all -- I can see Melvin trading Hall and Gallardo for a bag of apples and a hot-pocket two-pack three days before the deadline. Kottaras and Hansen are legit high prospects, and I always thought Clement would look nice in a Brewers uniform.

by baumann on Nov 28, 2006 6:16 PM CST reply actions

As linked by Al...

The Brewers are apparently trying to sign Shannon Stewart, who I'm pretty sure can't play CF anymore, thus making the idea very stupid.

by battlekow on Nov 28, 2006 9:51 PM CST reply actions

Interesting

This is an interesting time to re-focus on baseball. The game of trying to figure out what exactly Melvin is trying to accomplish is quite stimulating.

by Marty McSuperFly on Nov 28, 2006 9:54 PM CST up reply actions

awful awful awful

why on earth?

by Jeff Sackmann on Nov 28, 2006 10:04 PM CST up reply actions

False alarm

Thank God.

by battlekow on Nov 29, 2006 11:53 PM CST up reply actions

He's old and injured

When Rotoworld said that he'd be a good fit for Baltimore, at first I thought he meant the Ravens. But then, oh yeah, the Os like "experienced" players too.

"C'mon, boys, let's get 'em some RUNS!" --- Daron Sutton, pretty much every game of the 2005 season.

by roguejim on Nov 30, 2006 8:37 AM CST up reply actions

Because when the East Valley Tribune talks

you damn well better listen.

Anyway, allegedly the Counsell talks with San Diego have fallen through. I bet we sign him by the weekend.

COUNSELL TO STAY HOME?

Craig Counsell appears close to taking a second tour with his hometown Milwaukee Brewers after a deal with the San Diego Padres fell through, according to major league sources. Counsell, who spent the last two seasons with the D-Backs, moved back to Milwaukee after the 2006 season, although he kept his home in the Valley in case he returned for spring training.

One newspaper Tuesday reported that Counsell had reached a preliminary agreement on a two-year deal to play second base in San Diego, but agent Barry Meister said "that would be incorrect" when contacted later in the day.

Counsell also has drawn interest from the Cubs and St. Louis, but the Cardinals filled their second base vacancy by signing Adam Kennedy to a three-year, $10 million contract Tuesday.

"C'mon, boys, let's get 'em some RUNS!" --- Daron Sutton, pretty much every game of the 2005 season.

by roguejim on Nov 29, 2006 9:47 AM CST reply actions

boo

The brewers have jumped the shark.

by tommyo on Nov 29, 2006 8:18 PM CST reply actions

It's only appropriate

Wasn't Happy Days supposed to be located in Wisconsin?

"C'mon, boys, let's get 'em some RUNS!" --- Daron Sutton, pretty much every game of the 2005 season.

by roguejim on Nov 29, 2006 11:18 PM CST up reply actions

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