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I'd really like to see us bring in Keppinger for our final bench spot. He's versatile enough to limit Izturis to SS and rakes LHP enough to platoon with Gamel. He could even play the corner OF spots if needed. I don't see anyone else who makes more sense now that Melvin said he's done looking at FA Outfielders.

If we sign Aoki, I don't see a match for Nady unless we planned on trading Morgan when Braun returned from his suspension. Plus we signed Conrad who might be a better option than Nady at this point in his career. Xavier Nady vs RHP - .290/.358/.446/.804Brooks Conrad vs RHP - .268/.358/.465/.823

I took some heat for suggesting this idea a couple days ago but it was the only idea that made sense if Melvin planned on keeping Aoki and Green on the roster.

Not that Oswalt can pitch 200 innings anymore.Neither could Ben Sheets after 2004 but he still was a great pitcher for how many innings he would give ya. I'll take quality over quantity any day especially when you have the kind of depth that the Brewers have at SP. If you could get 160-180 innings out of Oswalt this team runs away with the central even without Fielder and Braun for 50 games.

If there was any truth the recent Prince Fielder rumors then I'd almost rather see us sign Oswalt with whatever payroll flexibility we have. Just think about 5 starters coming off a year with ERA's in the 3's along with our shutdown pen http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/devil.gif

I agree starters aren't moved around very often but its not totally uncommon. Just look at how the Rays used Ben Zobrist over the last couple of years and it makes Corey playing 1B once or twice a week seem like nothing. You might have a point about his defense suffering bouncing around but the mental aspect is way overrated because of Bill Hall. To me playing 1B is the NL equivalent of the DH.

You could get around that problem if Hart was willing to play 1B whenever Gomes started.

I think that's why we signed Ishikawa to a minor-league deal. Damon's probably not the right fit, circumstance-wise, for reasons noted. But that'd be the type of production it'd be worth paying a bit more to get. If Damon plays the first 50 games in LF, then play 1-2x/wk in the OF and 1-2x/wk at 1B before you account for potential injuries, that would be worth paying for IF he'd come to MIL under those circumstances. ... Of course that would screw Logan Schaefer or Gindl, but Damon is at the stage of only 1-year deals anyway.... And if someone gets desperate for a closer and gives us a good return for K-Rod, Damon's salary wouldn't be an issue of concern. I see us signing Aoki so Damon would be overkill with all the LH bats we already have (Gamel, Aoki, Ishikawa, Green, Schafer and Gindl). If Melvin adds anyone you have to figure it would be a RH bat who could ideally play both 1B and LF. Its probably a situation where the first one of these guys to agree to play for 800K gets the job. Jeff KeppingerXavier NadyChris SnyderConor JacksonJonny GomesMarcus Thames

I think we add another bench player and reliever.

I thought we would end up signing Jorge Cantu as a cheap backup 1B. Maybe Melvin has his eyes set on something bigger (Pena or Lee).

Posada had some impressive splits a year ago.

I repeat, the Brewers won 16 of the 33 games Marcum started. Likely alternatives had they not traded for Marcum were to keep Capuano or sign a Jeff Francis who they reportedly had showed interest in. Neither Capuano or Francis were as good as Marcum, but they were both above replacement level, and it's safe to assume the Brewers would have won 12 or 13 had they started the games Marcum started. Considering they won the division by 6 games, that would have been enough. Hate is a strong term. No doubt Marcum contributed to a record season. That has to be acknowledged But his utter failure in the playoffs be ignored. Those games define players. He's set to get an opportunity for redemption. I say lets see if he can before throwing long term money his way. If 2/3 of the way into next year he's performing well, then ok, explore an extension. But not now. No its not safe to assume considering Wolf would then move into Marcums spot in the rotation where he still wouldn't have had run support. Then your 4 and 5 spots in the rotation are weaker and the amount of wins required to win the division increases. The trickle down effect from removing a pitcher who could have easily been 25-9 in the games he started with a #5 starter is a recipe for failure not a success. Just look at the Brewers before 2011.

The numbers really don't support that. True, Marcum pitched very well at times but late collapse aside, the fact is the team was under .500 (16-17) in his starts. He was the only starter with whom that was true. I'll grant that his run support was somewhat below average so you can make a solid case that getting 16 wins with that run support was doing well. But I don't think you can assume that had they signed a lower level FA (or hung on to Capuano) for about what they paid Marcum that it's reasonable to have expected the team would have won a third (11 of 33) of those starts, which still would have been enough to win the division. I honestly think if the Greinke deal had happened first, that Melvin would have passed on dealing Lawrie for Marcum. He had no way of knowing he'd get a shot at Greinke, and therefore was willing to pay a high price for Marcum. So its Shaun Marcums fault when the bullpen blows his leads or his offense doesn't provide him any runs? I can count 9 games that could have gone the other way with better relief pitching and a clutch hit or two. April 23, 2011 vs AstrosMarcum leaves with the lead after 6Kinztler and Green give up 5 ER in 1 2/3 innings May 5, 2011 vs BravesMarcum leaves after 7 with a tieKameron Blow gives up a HR June 1, 2011 vs RedsMarcum leaves with the lead after 7Kameron Blow gives up a HR and the lead June 7, 2011 vs MetsMarcum leaves after 6 with the leadMarco Estrada gives up 2 runs and the Brewers lose July 4, 2011 vs DiamondbacksMarcum leaves with the lead after 6Hawkins, Loe and Axford then give up 4 runs in 2 2/3 July 9, 2011 vs RedsMarcum leaves with the game tied after 6Estrada gives up 5 runs in 1 inning and the Brewers lose August 2, 2011 vs CardinalsMarcum leaves with the lead after 6Saito and Estrada blow and then lose the game August 24, 2011 vs PiratesBrewers get shutout in Marcums start.Hard to win when your team doesn't score any runs August 30, 2011 vs CardinalsBrewers score 1 runMarcum leaves after 7 giving up 2 unearned runs I can't believe someone still thinks wins and loses are a legitimate way to determine a pitchers worth. You can't be serious with half the drivel you post.

I agree. Ramirez is better off resting occasionally. Green should be competing with Gamel too at 1B too. He actually had the better year at AAA and he's not completely foreign to the position. The problem with that is what happens if Ramirez, Weeks or Gamel go down with an injury? Who would fill the void on the bench when Green goes into the starting lineup? At least if you sign a veteran like DeRosa, Cantu, Kouzmanoff or Nady to fill that last bench spot you have security in AAA with Green.

Im expecting an OF version of Jamey Carroll.

This might as well be a major league deal. I can't see us finding a better backup SS.

All the advanced metrics still love him. He had a +5 DRS and a 3.7 UZR in 67 innings. (63 UZR/150)

The bench isn't set yet when there's still a RH stick to backup 1B/3B needed. The team needs depth incase of an injury which is why I think Taylor Green is better served playing everyday in AAA. I got a feeling Jorge Cantu is gonna be the last member on the bench even though I'd rather have Mark DeRosa.

The problem with trading Morgan is that we don't have a lot of needs anymore. I'd rather keep Morgan than trade him for a reliever, utility if'er or a rh compliment to Gamel. I guess I could change my mind if we could get a reliever that was 8th inning quality.

I'm in the do not trade Hart camp but I'd budge on that stance for one of the Braves pre arbitration pitchers. I wouldn't even consider Jurrjens because we'd have no flexibility to replace Corey's bat in the lineup. However you got someone like Brandy Beachy in return you could go out and sign Carlos Pena to replace Hart's production. The biggest problem I see with this Brewers team is that its way too RH heavy in the middle of our lineup and this might be a possible way to balance it out a bit and strengthen our rotation (and the bullpen with Narveson) at the same time.

I'm just convinced we have some really dumb fans.

A fangraph article from a year ago said he was the best hitter Japan has produced since Ichiro.

Theriot will be too expensive for a utility player and probably has a few teams willing to give him a starting job. I've heard his name connected to the Astros quite a bit lately.

C KottarasIF GreenIF PuntoOF GomezOF Andruw Jones or Jonny Gomes

Overpaid... Should have signed Barmes if you were gonna spend that much money on Gonzalez.