The Official Unofficial Kevin Mench has gotta go thread

[recte44]

Kevin Mench had a great start to the season. Considering that, his current .263/.267/..395 line is an embarrassment.

 

He's blocking Hart from getting quality time. Last year in a small sample Hart had numbers comparable to Carlos Lee production, plus speed and much better defense.

 

Also, given his comments in Spring Training, Mench can't be a good locker room person right now. Jenkins had similar comments, but came out and proved himself and earned his PT. Mench seemed to at first, but it's a mirage. No player can be successful in the big leagues with plate discipline as brutal as Mench (I am of course referring to the 1 walk in 114 AB's).

 

I've heard all the speculation that Melvin "wants to prove his Lee trade was worth it". Forget that. Lee for Cordero straight up was worth it. The Mench train has derailed, big time. He needs to go. I'd rather have Laynce Nix on the roster, to be quite honest. Better yet, a 12th pitcher or Vinny Rottino.

 

So, who wants Mench? Can we get ANYTHING for him now?

 

Discuss.

[foamboy1]

I agree with your general theme. I think Mench is taking away some valuable development from Hart...and I too am concerned about his attitude given his earlier comments.

 

He knew in spring training that he needed the at-bats to determine that he was a player worthy of landing a nice contract...and he's not getting those at-bats, which would concern me in terms of his locker room presence.

 

The problem is that his second-half last year, and his first-half this year has quashed his trade value. Any meaningful value he might have would come in a package and would return spare parts that give us hope. That's my opinion.

[recte44]

Why does this guy keep getting playing time though? I don't get Yost's distaste for Hart at all.

[PeaveyFury]

Why does this guy keep getting playing time though?

 

He's really not anymore, actually. He's had one start since May 17th and 8 AB's in that time.

[recte44]

Then why is he on the roster? My anger for Mench is blurring reality, sorry.

[Brian the Automator]

[ Then why is he on the roster? My anger for Mench is blurring reality, sorry. ]

 

I think he's on the roster because:

 

1) He costs a fair amount of money

2) The Brewers have a surplus of left-handed hitting outfielders

 

I think the Brewers are to the point now where #1 is irrelevant. They should cut bait with him, even if it means eating some, or all, of his money.

 

#2 is a little more dicey. Can the Brewers survive with just Billy Hall is the only right-handed hitting outfielder? Could they perhaps deal off Mench and Gwynn/Nix/Gross for a lefty-killer?

[JoeHova]

Quote:

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Can the Brewers survive with just Billy Hall is the only right-handed hitting outfielder?

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You're forgetting Corey.

 

 

 

I like trying to get rid of Mench, but I don't see why anybody would want to give up anything worth anything for him right now. We're probably talking about getting a Maxim St. Pierre at this point.

[recte44]

Oh goody, Mench got a seeing eye single. That should be enough for him to get a few starts this week.

 

Anger mounting....

[brettac1]

He has had to go since he got here.

 

Seriously - how can Ned expect to score many runs when you trot out a couple guys with OBP's below .300?

[Never Outhustled]

Seriously - how can Ned expect to score many runs when you trot out a couple guys with OBP's below .300?

 

Don't blame Ned, Mench is clearly Melvins guy. Melvin drafted and developed him and Texas, and then traded for him when things started to go south in Texas. Yost has little choice in the matter. What do you want him to do, leave Mench on the bench and start Jenkins or Gross against lefty pitchers? Hart can't start in both LF and RF, even he isn't that fast.

[twobrewers]

Quote:

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Mench can't be a good locker room person right now.

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I noticed his body language in today's game (5/28) certainly wasn't pleasant. He struck out once and whipped his bat and helmet on the ground at home plate.

 

And in the 9th when he had to throw his bat to finally make some contact and was easily thrown out at first, he went in the dugout and throw his helmet against the floor and no one on the team dared to look back at him as he "pitched a fit"

 

I know everyone is frustrated. But he seems VERY unhappy. As if his play hasn't been bad enough - his attitude hopefully can drive him out of town.

 

On the bright side - we can officially say that Kevin Mench is this year's winner for the "Bad Chad Award"!

[Fike85]

Wayne Franklin was traded for Carlos Villanueva, think Melvin could work his magic with Mench?

[recte44]

I'm sure Melvin has a list of 100 "sleepers" in the low minors right now, every GM does. Villanueva was on that list once, find someone else and deal this clown.

 

You think the Nationals couldn't "use" him?

[scrapiron]

Honestly, at this point, I'd rather have Gwynn batting 8th against lefties, working the count, drawing an occasional walk, laying down a bunt here and there, and slapping the ball around, than Mench.

 

Gwynn may not be the most productive person to have against lefties in the grand schemem of things, but IMO it would be more valueable than what Mench is doing, especially since Kevin has lost most of his power.

[JohnBriggs12]

The Brewers will face 3 lefties in the next 6 days, Olsen, Willis, and Lilly.

 

Mench will probably get starts against all three. If he doesn't do anything in those 3 starts, just release him if there isn't a deal out there.

[hauser42]

The Brewers will face 3 lefties in the next 6 days, Olsen, Willis, and Lilly.

 

This why Mench is still on the team. Gwynn and Jenks are not going to get it done against the lefties.

[Postseason2006]

Ah yes, the we face lefties so Mench needs to play. The guy isn't even hitting lefties for crap so why is he on the roster?

 

I am still mind boggled as to why Melvin wanted this guy and plan on calling WKTY today on the local show to tell them to ask Melvin why he is still on the roster next time he's on.

[hauser42]

I am still mind boggled as to why Melvin wanted this guy and plan on calling WKTY today on the local show to tell them to ask Melvin why he is still on the roster next time he's on.

 

What OFer would you have taken off the Rangers roster at the time of the trade??

[recte44]

Don't let tonight's game fool you. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Boy Jeenius]

Like it or not, this guy hits lefty's well. Trade him if you must, but I have no problem at all with him being a Brewer.

[rluzinski]

Like it or not, Mench is still the best option in LF when a lefty is on the hill. Mench isn't going anywhere unless Melvin can acquire another right handed OF option.

[brewmann04]

i would have to agree there, and he did come thru tonight..

[recte44]

Yeah, I guess. Grrrrrr. I'd just like to see some consistency.

[Invader3K]

If Yost just sticks to Jenkins vs righties and Mench vs lefties, then I'm perfectly happy at this point.

[geothite]

Of our 3 spare OFs Mench is the only one who hits from the right side of the plate.

 

At some point a decision has to be made on whether we keep Gwynn or Gross.

Mench really cannot be moved unless you get a right handed bat back some how.

Something tells me no one is going tog ive you a better hitter than Mench in a trade involving Mench.