Russell Branyan is available...

[twobrewers]

According to SI.com, the Mariners are going to be shedding players in the coming months as they head towards a full "rebuilding mode".

 

Is there any reason why Russell Branyan shouldn't end up back on the Brewers?

 

He is only signed through this year. I doubt too many teams have a huge interest in him - but he provides the Brewers with a lot of help at 3B. (And giving Counsell time off) He bats LH. He has 1.012 OPS. He has a .400 OBP. And the Brewers have a good relationship with Jack Z.

 

Maybe trade away Gindl or Gillespie? (Or Brent Brewer)

 

(And if you had May 30th as the date that someone would suggest trading for Russell Branyan - YOU WIN!)

[kramnoj]

but he provides the Brewers with a lot of help at 3B. (And giving Counsell time off)

 

I don't quite follow this. Counsell has been mostly filling in at SS and playing 2B since Weeks got injured. Acquiring Branyan for a lesser prospect might make sense, but that really doesn't seem to be a reason.

 

At first read, I didn't like the idea much, but it is growing on me. Presumably it means that Gamel goes back down, but he would always be available if Branyan got injured. For the right prospect I would do it.

[Invader3K]

Can he be used as an out fielder? A platoon situation with Corey Hart would be intriguing.

[1992casey]

Branyan, career by position:

 Position Games Games Started Innings 3B 329 281 2413.2 OF 222 185 1523.1 LF 150 125 1050.0 1B 92 76 710.0 RF 71 60 473.1 DH 43 

[dadofandrew]

I don't know if he's much better than Gamel offensively, or enough to trade a prospect for.

[Brian the Automator]

As much as having Russell back on the team is one of my heart's deepest desires, I don't see the team carrying Gamel and Branyan simultaneously. If Gamel goes down, then fine, but if he's up and chewing through service time, he needs to be chewing through at-bats.