With Ryan Braun’s playing status for the start of the 2012 season still in doubt, do the Brewers have a Plan B?
Let’s look at some options.
1.) 40 Man roster
There doesn’t appear to be an outfielder on the current 40-man roster ready to step in.
Brock Kjelgaard has played no higher than a half season at Double A Huntsville.
Caleb Gindl turned in a solid season at AAA Nashville but has yet to play in a major league game.
Logan Schafer just turned 24 and has all of 3 AB from a late season call-up.
Unless Gindl has a solid spring, there will be no help here.
2.) Current Outfield Staff
With Mark Kotsay’s departure to Oakland, the club has only Corey Hart, Nyger Morgan and Carlos Gomez as experienced outfielders.
Morgan and Gomez are best suited for a platoon, which worked well last season. Gomez’ weak bat and poor decision making is not conducive to being an everyday player and Morgan just doesn’t have the pop they’ll need in the lineup.
Corey Hart can also play there but he’s being considered as a candidate to replace Prince Fielder at first. If he moves, that leaves a huge mess in RF. So look for him to stay in right.
There are two other possibilities that are on the roster. Taylor Green performed well during his late-season call-up and has most likely made the club in 2012. His normal position is 3b and after the Brewers gave up on Casey McGehee, Green seemed like the probable starter. But the acquisition of Aramis Ramirez disrupted his chances. He’ll probably get a long hard look in left field in the spring if Braun is, indeed, suspended,
The other player is Mat Gamel, a player who has yet to play up to his enormous potential. Gamel is listed on the roster as a third baseman, which, like Green, is his normal position. He does have the power to partially fill the Braun-less lineup and has played the outfield in the minors, but he is also being considered for first base. This will be a make or break year for Gamel so there’s no guarantee he’ll even be with the club on opening day.
3.) Free Agents
Any free agent outfielder will need to be willing to fill-in for Braun then become part of the outfield rotation. There are a few intriguing players who could fill the bill, but most would need to play for far less than they’re accustomed to. The two most interesting would be Johnny Damon and Magglio Ordonez. Damon is close to achieving some career numbers that would make him a candidate for the Hall of Fame, but at age 38 can he play everyday until Braun comes back? If Ordonez, also 38, stays healthy in April and May then platoons, his bat would definitely be a plus. Other free agents to consider who have been everyday players are Luke Scott, Cody Ross and Ryan Ludwick.
4.) Norichika Aoki
The 30-year old Aoki is a three-time Japanese League batting champion now looking for a major league team. The Brewers worked him out on Sunday and are now mulling over their next steps. He seems best suited for cf so signing him would be an upgrade. He could play lf until Braun comes back if his appeal is not upheld.
5.) Trade
This is the least attractive option. First, there is little incentive for the other team to trade assuming that the starters are untouchable (and that better be a correct assumption). The farm system has few, if any, prospects good enough to be included in a trade for a top-line outfielder.
So if you were Doug Melvin what would you do?
I would take a flyer on Magglio Ordonez who has a history of being a run producer and can fill in at least adequately until Braun returns. It’s a risk because of his past injury patterns, but remember, the most important factor is getting someone who has power and can drive in runs.
While Aoki would be a splendid addition to the team, he is like most Japanese hitters who have come over and played: left handed batter, good OBP, above average fielder but no power. This has Kosuke Fukodome written all over it.
I like Ordonez, but would be equally delighted with Ross or Scott. Either way, if Braun is suspended, and with Fielder gone, there is an enormous gap to fill in the lineup, Ramirez can hit but it won’t be nearly enough.
The best thing that can happen of course is that Braun’s appeal is granted.
We can only hope.
Going Yard 