The Muscle is available...D'Backs release Russell Branyan

[SoCal Brew Crew Fan]

Could this solve our woahs...

The Muscle

[And That]

If they think he still has something left and no one else will give him a major league deal, I'd definitely give him a minor league deal with an opt-out date.

[brains and braun]

Are we in a position to rule anyone out, given the state of our bench?

[NYChez]

I could see a moment for him like Jason Giambi just had for Colorado.

[sveumrules]

Branyan, Counsell, Kotsay, Backup C and one of Gomez/Plush is a bench I could get behind.

[JoeHova]

I was afraid he would get released when I noticed he was stuck on 1 homer every time I checked his numbers (and his OPS+ kept declining). Hopefully someone picks him up, he hit 56 home runs over the past 2 seasons. He can help a team.

[PrinceEatMeat]

I think we should definitely pick him up. We could use some actual pop off the bench. We probably won't do it, but it would be cool if we did.

[cwolf2012]

Him instead of Kotsay? Boom, match made in heaven. We get the veteran grit of Kotsay to go with a bat that can actually hit more than singles. Boggs can be the 5th OF.

[COBrewerfan]

Kotsay is staying around longer than Boggs. That is the reality that some must get in their head.

[battlekow]

If you care about Mat Gamel ever getting a shot, signing Branyan would be a bad thing.

[PrinceEatMeat]

If you care about Mat Gamel ever getting a shot, signing Branyan would be a bad thing.

Why? Gamel won't be our starting 1B until next year anyway. 3TO would only be here the rest of this year.

[Invader3K]

I don't know who he would replace. Kotsay and Boggs have been serviceable backups so far this season, as much as many on this board would hate to admit.

[Funketown]

Sign Branyan. Release Kotsay once Morgan gets back. WOAH SOLVDD. Actually, just do it now and release Kotsay now. Branyan can play the outfield as well as Kotsay anyways.

[endaround]

No they really haven't. Kotsay's defense has been horrendous and his offense has been around replacement level. When Morgan coems back as long as he hits the bench it won't be a problem. Boggs has been better than the disaster of Reed and Almonte.

 

But as to who Branyan would replace, the Brewers have 3 catchers for some unknown reason.

All in all though, I'd rather give Katin a shot since the bench could use some right handed hitters.

[BrewCrewForever]

Please Doug, please sign Russell. It would be a dream come true to see him in the navy and gold of the Brewers again. Could be a very helpful bench bat.

[GamelToe]

People continue to act like Boggs is better than Kotsay? *smh*

 

If they were to sign Russell, it'd almost certainly be for Rivera/Nieves spot. Boggs is gone when Morgan comes back.

[brwrsfan]

We have 3 catchers, one of them can easily go to make room for him. Hopefully Nieves.

 

He would finally provide the power threat off the bench. It makes sense, so it won't happen.

[mothershipconnection]

If you care about Mat Gamel ever getting a shot, signing Branyan would be a bad thing.

 

If you care about anything more than Branyan, you require intensive re-education.

[cwolf2012]

"If you care about Mat Gamel ever getting a shot, signing Branyan would be a bad thing."

 

For the life of me, I can't figure out why this is the case. Do you think Branyan is going to hit so well that they'll resign him to be the starter next year, therefore cancelling out Gamel's chances?

 

Or are you referring to this year?

[dadofandrew]

Kotsay has a -1 UZR and has been superb at the plate, good AB's, solid OBP. Branyan would be a nice power bat off the bench, but probably can't do anything but PH (other than play 1B, which is meaningless). I don't see a match.

[cwolf2012]

"Kotsay has a -1 UZR"

 

As useless as this much UZR data is worth, his UZR/150 so far is -14.5, not -1. He's been worth exactly 0.0 WAR so far. Branyan is a better bat, Boggs is a better defensive player. There's literally no argument that works in Kotsay's favor at this point, except his "grittiness" or "veteran presence."

 

I know it's not going to happen, and Kotsay isn't going anywhere, but it would make the team better.

[geddymd73]

Well if we didn't have to have 3 catchers, we might have room for him. I guess nobody trusts that he can play a spell at 3rd base anymore?

[logan82]

"Kotsay has a -1 UZR"

 

As useless as this much UZR data is worth, his UZR/150 so far is -14.5, not -1. He's been worth exactly 0.0 WAR so far. Branyan is a better bat, Boggs is a better defensive player. There's literally no argument that works in Kotsay's favor at this point, except his "grittiness" or "veteran presence."

 

I know it's not going to happen, and Kotsay isn't going anywhere, but it would make the team better.

It would probably cost more to sign Branyan than to keep Kotsay. Maybe.

[cwolf2012]

"It would probably cost more to sign Branyan than to keep Kotsay. Maybe."

 

True, it would. 300k. (prorated league minimum)

[endaround]

Actually it wouldn't. Well the difference between the two is minimal. Kotsay has 450K in roster bonuses based on being on the team past the All Star break and on PAs.