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Orlando Arcia could be the hero of the 2018 baseball season:



The Brewers may or may not get Manny Machado. But what would life be like if they don't need him?

Orlando Arcia stats at AAA in 58 plate appearances are: OBP .397. Slugging .438 for an OPS of .834. He has 9 walks and 10 strike outs in 58 plate appearances. Yes it is a small sample size and it is Colorado Springs but perhaps he has made necessary changes. If the Brewers can get an Arcia that is anything close to the Arcia of 2017 it could make a huge difference in this team's chances to win the division.

A productive Arcia allows the Brewers to move Saladino to second and/or trade for more production from that position or use pieces to trade to fill other needs. This provides the opportunity for the Brewers to have upgrades at two positions over where they were at for most of the first half of the season. It means stretching the line up to include difficult outs in the sixth and seventh positions. It provides for the potential of more big innings with more crooked numbers on the score board.

A productive Arcia means a significant up grade to the Brewer's defense. I will admit it is only the eye test, but over the last 10 games, there has been at least one play a game where Arcia at SS would have made a difference. This is either a catch he would have made, a better throw. a relay from the Arcia as the cut off man. And for each play Arcia would have made there are just as many plays that could have been made by a competent second base man rather than Miller or Perez. Arcia would help both positions.

A productive Arcia would bring the heart and soul and frolic back to this team. Arcia is an emotional leader of this team. They miss him. He definitely runs the infield when he is out there. He created The Gauntlet. He is the first to celebrate and the first to ham things up. He keeps things fun and reminds people to enjoy the game while always being ready to take the field and he gives full energy on every play.

The Brewers miss Arcia. They really do.

If Arcia can be productive it could be huge! A productive Arcia starting every day at SS with even a .725 OPS in the second half will make the Brewers a much better team.