How about Frank Catalanotto?

[And That]

If Catalanotto, who has been an on and off Brewerfan favorite since 2001, would clear waivers, wouldn't he be a logical target?

 

-He's left handed.

-He's used to not playing every day, yet is still a good hitter.

-He's only owed about $1.25 mil over the rest of the season.

-He'll make $4 mil next year, plus a 2010 option of $5 mil or a $2 mil buyout

-He was previously acquired by Doug Melvin while in Texas.

 

Cat isn't mind-blowing or anything, but he'd provide a good option off the bench. The only downside is that the logical move to clear a roster spot for him would be DFAing Branyan.

[JoeHova]

I much prefer Branyan and when salary is considered, I prefer Kapler too. Catalanotto's good, but not good enough to justify wasting $4-6 million on next season, imo. They'll need that money for pitchers and arb increases, not backups. For that same reason, I doubt Counsell returns.

[dadofandrew]

I only see a use for Frank C for the postseason roster, as often times, he's not as good a choice as Branyan (when you need a HR). I'd like him for 2009 though, if TEX pays some salary.

[JohnBriggs12]

I like what Catalanotto brings offensively more so than Branyan or Gibbons as he's well suited to bat 2nd and unlike Branyan, he shouldn't need regular AB's to stay sharp. The problem is that he's nearing his mid 30's and defensively he's been limited to LF and 1B in recent years and I don't think the Brewers will want to move around either Braun or Fielder. If he could still play RF occasionally, he'd have much more value.

 

As a LH PH specialist, he'd be a great fit, but $4 million is a lot to pay for that role. Maybe something could be done in the offseason like Bush to Texas for Laird and Catalanotto which would even out the dollars, but I don't think we'll see him this year.

[dadofandrew]

I'm not sure why the Crew would move a rotation member for a pair of reserves. Add Yo to the current mix, and that's the proposed '09 rotation. They won't be weakening that by upgrading the bench.