The Milwaukee Brewers went into the offseason with a plan of how they would move on without star 1B Prince Fielder. Milwaukee had no intention of dishing out $214 million over 9 years to keep Prince from going to Detroit. They signed free agent 3B Aramis Ramirez, formerly of the Chicago Cubs, and brought up longtime infield prospect Mat Gamel to play 1B. Ramirez is a perennial 30 HR hitter and Gamel has similar ability, despite not yet displaying it on the major league level. Thoughts were if Ramirez and Gamel can hit close to 30 HR and 85 RBI apiece, the team would be fine. Those numbers would give the Brewers more production than the combination of Fielder and Casey McGehee gave them last season. Obviously, Fielder was great. It was McGehee who gave them nothing, leading to his trade to the Pittsburgh Pirates for reliever Jose Veras.
Now the Brewers have found out that Gamel has a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the season. GM Doug Melvin has said what any GM will say in this situation. He mentioned Travis Ishikawa (.172, 5-29, 2 HR, 5 RBI) as being the replacement. All GMs want to give the players on the team the thought they are believed in. Its like the Mets saying RHPs Chris Schwinden and Miguel Batista will be fine as replacements in the rotation. As a GM, you do not want to publicly announce you have no faith in somebody. But, behind the scenes, there has to be some discussion about a potential replacement. Ramirez could play 1B if needed, which opens the door for some more possibilities. Lets get one thing straight, its too early in the season for the Brewers to not want to replace one of the hitters in the middle of their order. Sooner or later, a move will be made.
I have suggested eight players that could be available to fill in either on a short term or long term basis. I expect to see a move made, but perhaps the first one may be small; just somebody to fill the position until they figure something else out. They are in three catagories: 1- (8-7) non-everyday players who would be starting for the Brewers. Candidates who could be temporary unless they get off to a great start. Ishikawa would also see some playing time after these moves are made. 2- (6-5) everyday players who have bad contracts. An agreement would have to be made on how much of the remaining dollars would be paid by the Brewers and how much would be paid by the trading team. 3- (3-1) players that would bring instant offense to Miller Park. The Brewers would have to give up some deep talent to obtain these players. I left out 4 for a reason, I'll get to it in a little bit. Without further due, here is eight players that could move to Milwaukee to replace Mat Gamel.
8. Jim Thome: Phillies (2-18, 0 HR, 0 RBI) The good thing about Thome is it will cost the Brewers very little. There is question of how much he has left. He has not played very much in his return to the Phillies, so even if he got off to a good start in Milwaukee, it is unlikely he could sustain. This would be a temporary solution.
7. Kyle Blanks: Padres (1-5) The Padres are not playing Blanks, so its a possibility the former top prospect could benefit from a change of scenery. Yonder Alonso is the 1B of the future and last season's 1B, Jesus Guzman, is the everyday LF, Blanks other position. Another option that could come cheap, being the Padres have no place for Blanks to go and have soured on him a little bit because of past injuries.
6. Juan Uribe: Dodgers (.267, 16-60, 7 RBI) Uribe has two more years left on his contract after this one. A bad contract from the second it was signed, LA would be happy to move Uribe. He has not been the same player since his 2010 WS run with the Giants, so there is a question of how much should be expected of him if he is traded to the Brewers.
5. Mark Reynolds: Orioles (.136, 9-66, 3 RBI) Reynolds has an $11 million team option with the Orioles for 2013, and was added to be a big piece of the future. The Orioles are off to a solid 16-9 start and the only thing not going right is Reynolds. Chris Davis is playing 1B and FA signing Wilson Betemit is playing 3B, regulating Reynolds to the DH role. He strikes out a ton, so he is only valued as an asset when he is hitting, and obviously thats not happening now. There has been talk the Orioles may be looking to deal Reynolds, who could be a fit in Milwaukee.
4. John Mayberry: Phillies (.226, 12-53, 2 RBI) The Phillies were looking to play Mayberry a lot more, but he is not off to a good start. He is an outfielder, but was playing 1B at the start of the season for Philadelphia. He is neither a huge upgrade, nor a tough contract with a big upside, but could be a useful player. I am sure the Phillies would be interested in moving Mayberry, and there is a chance he could help the Brewers.
3. Chase Headley: Padres (.258, 23-89, 4 HR, 14 RBI) The question has to be arisen over what the Padres plan to do with their ownership situation. This could force the Padres to once again trade their best player, which currently is Headley. Looking back on deals that sent 1B Adrian Gonzalez to Boston and RHP Mat Latos to Cincinnati, the asking price could scare the Brewers away. But Headley would be worth the price, as he is one of the premier hitters in the National League.
2. Mark Trumbo: Angels (.296, 16-54, 3 HR, 10 RBI) The Angels got a huge lift from Jared Weaver and his no-hitter last night. Hopefully, it can shoot some energy in this team and its start. Trumbo is playing out of position at 3B and could regain his spot at 1B in Milwaukee. The main question with this move is how much the Angels think they need to change in order to get back on track. Trumbo would be a big upgrade for the Brewers, but it would take a lot to pry him away from the Angels.
1. Martin Prado: Braves (.284, 27-95, 2 HR, 16 RBI) I could see the Braves asking for Carlos Gomez and a couple of others to get this deal done. Prado would instantly help the Brewers, playing either 1B or playing Aramis Ramirez at 1B and Prado at 3B. The Braves have been looking to move Prado, and would be interested in doing so for the right price. Juan Francisco was brought in from Cincinnati and they have enough depth to replace Prado, especially if Gomez was brought in to play CF and Michael Bourn moves to LF.
Also considering the recent injuries to 3B Ryan Zimmerman and Evan Longoria, these are also options to help these teams, obviously excluding, Thome, Blanks and Mayberry.
Now the Brewers have found out that Gamel has a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the season. GM Doug Melvin has said what any GM will say in this situation. He mentioned Travis Ishikawa (.172, 5-29, 2 HR, 5 RBI) as being the replacement. All GMs want to give the players on the team the thought they are believed in. Its like the Mets saying RHPs Chris Schwinden and Miguel Batista will be fine as replacements in the rotation. As a GM, you do not want to publicly announce you have no faith in somebody. But, behind the scenes, there has to be some discussion about a potential replacement. Ramirez could play 1B if needed, which opens the door for some more possibilities. Lets get one thing straight, its too early in the season for the Brewers to not want to replace one of the hitters in the middle of their order. Sooner or later, a move will be made.
I have suggested eight players that could be available to fill in either on a short term or long term basis. I expect to see a move made, but perhaps the first one may be small; just somebody to fill the position until they figure something else out. They are in three catagories: 1- (8-7) non-everyday players who would be starting for the Brewers. Candidates who could be temporary unless they get off to a great start. Ishikawa would also see some playing time after these moves are made. 2- (6-5) everyday players who have bad contracts. An agreement would have to be made on how much of the remaining dollars would be paid by the Brewers and how much would be paid by the trading team. 3- (3-1) players that would bring instant offense to Miller Park. The Brewers would have to give up some deep talent to obtain these players. I left out 4 for a reason, I'll get to it in a little bit. Without further due, here is eight players that could move to Milwaukee to replace Mat Gamel.
8. Jim Thome: Phillies (2-18, 0 HR, 0 RBI) The good thing about Thome is it will cost the Brewers very little. There is question of how much he has left. He has not played very much in his return to the Phillies, so even if he got off to a good start in Milwaukee, it is unlikely he could sustain. This would be a temporary solution.
7. Kyle Blanks: Padres (1-5) The Padres are not playing Blanks, so its a possibility the former top prospect could benefit from a change of scenery. Yonder Alonso is the 1B of the future and last season's 1B, Jesus Guzman, is the everyday LF, Blanks other position. Another option that could come cheap, being the Padres have no place for Blanks to go and have soured on him a little bit because of past injuries.
6. Juan Uribe: Dodgers (.267, 16-60, 7 RBI) Uribe has two more years left on his contract after this one. A bad contract from the second it was signed, LA would be happy to move Uribe. He has not been the same player since his 2010 WS run with the Giants, so there is a question of how much should be expected of him if he is traded to the Brewers.
5. Mark Reynolds: Orioles (.136, 9-66, 3 RBI) Reynolds has an $11 million team option with the Orioles for 2013, and was added to be a big piece of the future. The Orioles are off to a solid 16-9 start and the only thing not going right is Reynolds. Chris Davis is playing 1B and FA signing Wilson Betemit is playing 3B, regulating Reynolds to the DH role. He strikes out a ton, so he is only valued as an asset when he is hitting, and obviously thats not happening now. There has been talk the Orioles may be looking to deal Reynolds, who could be a fit in Milwaukee.
4. John Mayberry: Phillies (.226, 12-53, 2 RBI) The Phillies were looking to play Mayberry a lot more, but he is not off to a good start. He is an outfielder, but was playing 1B at the start of the season for Philadelphia. He is neither a huge upgrade, nor a tough contract with a big upside, but could be a useful player. I am sure the Phillies would be interested in moving Mayberry, and there is a chance he could help the Brewers.
3. Chase Headley: Padres (.258, 23-89, 4 HR, 14 RBI) The question has to be arisen over what the Padres plan to do with their ownership situation. This could force the Padres to once again trade their best player, which currently is Headley. Looking back on deals that sent 1B Adrian Gonzalez to Boston and RHP Mat Latos to Cincinnati, the asking price could scare the Brewers away. But Headley would be worth the price, as he is one of the premier hitters in the National League.
2. Mark Trumbo: Angels (.296, 16-54, 3 HR, 10 RBI) The Angels got a huge lift from Jared Weaver and his no-hitter last night. Hopefully, it can shoot some energy in this team and its start. Trumbo is playing out of position at 3B and could regain his spot at 1B in Milwaukee. The main question with this move is how much the Angels think they need to change in order to get back on track. Trumbo would be a big upgrade for the Brewers, but it would take a lot to pry him away from the Angels.
1. Martin Prado: Braves (.284, 27-95, 2 HR, 16 RBI) I could see the Braves asking for Carlos Gomez and a couple of others to get this deal done. Prado would instantly help the Brewers, playing either 1B or playing Aramis Ramirez at 1B and Prado at 3B. The Braves have been looking to move Prado, and would be interested in doing so for the right price. Juan Francisco was brought in from Cincinnati and they have enough depth to replace Prado, especially if Gomez was brought in to play CF and Michael Bourn moves to LF.
Also considering the recent injuries to 3B Ryan Zimmerman and Evan Longoria, these are also options to help these teams, obviously excluding, Thome, Blanks and Mayberry.
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