I hope Hendry will go after this guy (Russell Branyan)

[RockTheIvy]

Russell Branyan - 3B - Brewers

Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel speculates that the Brewers could let Russell Branyan go on Monday, when they need to free up a 40-man roster spot for Corey Koskie.

Branyan signed a non-guaranteed, $800,000 deal last month The Brewers were looking to trade him, but there hasn't been any interest, even though there are a bunch of teams he could help. He'd be an upgrade as a third baseman against right-handers for contenders like the Twins, Phillies and Giants or he could help the Orioles or or Giants as a first baseman. We could also see the A's picking him up if they decide Frank Thomas is too much of a risk. Jan. 8 - 3:57 am et

[ManCrushOnNomar]

Yes please.

 

Exactly the kind of bench guy we need.

[E.J.]

We already have our power left-handed bat off the bench. His name is John Mabry. He's a seasoned veteran who's a gamer. No way Hendry goes after Branyan. It would make too much sense.

[USSoccer]

I'd be wary of Branyan taking too much playing time away from murton in LF.

 

It's pathetic that our manager's idiotic beliefs result in me writing a sentence like that. If we had a competent manager, imagine the kind of lineup/bench we could have.

[RockTheIvy]

Hendry better realize that signing a guy like this for less than 800K is a bargain. Worry about his role or where he plays after you sign him JH.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

The Cubs would have to trade 2 of these 3 players:

Walker

Patterson

Wellemeyer

& receive players that are not required to take up a 40 man roster spot in order to have room for Branyan on the 25 man roster, therefore it is very unlikely that the Cubs will have any interest in RB.

[USSoccer]

Hendry better realize that signing a guy like this for less than 800K is a bargain. Worry about his role or where he plays after you sign him JH.

 

When was the last time Hendry paid appropriate value for a bench/role player? Nearly every one over the past 2 seasons has been overpaid.

[RockTheIvy]

The Cubs would have to trade 2 of these 3 players:

Walker

Patterson

Wellemeyer

& receive players that are not required to take up a 40 man roster spot in order to have room for Branyan on the 25 man roster, therefore it is very unlikely that the Cubs will have any interest in RB.

 

Branyan would be let go, according to the Rotoworld post. So we could have him for nothing. Like he fell of the back of a truck.

[RockTheIvy]

Hendry better realize that signing a guy like this for less than 800K is a bargain. Worry about his role or where he plays after you sign him JH.

 

When was the last time Hendry paid appropriate value for a bench/role player? Nearly every one over the past 2 seasons has been overpaid.

 

You're right. IMO the last true "quality" bench player we had was Hollandsworth, who was a decent fourth outfielder. I guess when we had Grudz and Walker the bench was solid. I'm just hoping he sees his power bat and brings him in.

 

Can Branyan even play the OF?

[USSoccer]

Hendry better realize that signing a guy like this for less than 800K is a bargain. Worry about his role or where he plays after you sign him JH.

 

When was the last time Hendry paid appropriate value for a bench/role player? Nearly every one over the past 2 seasons has been overpaid.

 

You're right. IMO the last true "quality" bench player we had was Hollandsworth, who was a decent fourth outfielder. I guess when we had Grudz and Walker the bench was solid. I'm just hoping he sees his power bat and brings him in.

 

Can Branyan even play the OF?

 

 

IIRC he can kind of play LF.

[RockTheIvy]

Hendry better realize that signing a guy like this for less than 800K is a bargain. Worry about his role or where he plays after you sign him JH.

 

When was the last time Hendry paid appropriate value for a bench/role player? Nearly every one over the past 2 seasons has been overpaid.

 

You're right. IMO the last true "quality" bench player we had was Hollandsworth, who was a decent fourth outfielder. I guess when we had Grudz and Walker the bench was solid. I'm just hoping he sees his power bat and brings him in.

 

Can Branyan even play the OF?

 

 

IIRC he can kind of play LF.

 

How about the Jones/Grissom, Murton/Branyan platoon corner outfield? If we could get one in center we'd have a company, forget platoons!

[rawaction]

Hendry hasn't do anything I wanted this offseason. I don't think he would get Branyan just to spite me.

[RockTheIvy]

Hendry hasn't do anything I wanted this offseason. I don't think he would get Branyan just to spite me.

 

Yeah Jock was directed at me. :lol:

[UK1679666180]

The Cubs would have to trade 2 of these 3 players:

Walker

Patterson

Wellemeyer

& receive players that are not required to take up a 40 man roster spot in order to have room for Branyan on the 25 man roster, therefore it is very unlikely that the Cubs will have any interest in RB.

 

I don't think Wellemeyer or Patterson will be on the Cubs once the season starts. I think you can make a case for Walker as well.

 

I can't see roster spots prohibiting the Cubs when it comes to improving the team.

[NorthsideAvenger]

I know it's a played out joke but.....can Branyan "catch the ball?" Otherwise, he isn't a target of Hendry's...

[oldcubsfan]

I don't think we really need a guy who strikes out 46% of the time.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I don't think we really need a guy who strikes out 46% of the time.

 

Why? He gives you very good production.

[Deeg]

The irony here is that - at least vs. RHP - Branyan is an almost identical offensive player to Adam Dunn, who Cub fans worldwide have a gargantuan lust for and would seemingly be willing to trade every decent prospect we have to obtain.

[UK1679666180]

There's little doubt in my mind that Branyan would be a significant upgrade to this bench.

 

Perez

Hairston

Branyan (hopefully)

Mabry

Blanco

Hidalgo (hopefully)

 

That'd be expensive and ideal.

[BigbadB]

I would imagine he'd be a PH more than anything else, and I really don't like his splits as a PH. Over the last 3 years he's:

 

4-41 .098 AVG as a PH

 

Over his career, he's 7-77 .091 as a PH.

 

Yuck!

[UK1679666180]

I would imagine he'd be a PH more than anything else, and I really don't like his splits as a PH. Over the last 3 years he's:

 

4-41 .098 AVG as a PH

 

Over his career, he's 7-77 .091 as a PH.

 

Yuck!

 

I'd like to see him used as more of a start starter. Ideally, Ramirez should get about 140-145 games, especially with some days off early in the season as he is prone to muscle injuries moreso than anyone else on the team.

 

Between being the primary DH during IL and spot starts & even if everyone stayed healthy, he could get 30-35 starts.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Branyan has as many holes in his swing as Patterson, Dubois and Hee K Me combined. Just say no.

[Deeg]

Branyan has as many holes in his swing as Patterson, Dubois and Hee K Me combined. Just say no.

 

Are you a trade the farm for Dunn guy, Don? Just curious.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Branyan has as many holes in his swing as Patterson, Dubois and Hee K Me combined. Just say no.

 

And yet he still has a career OPS over .800 and is coming off a .868 OPS year. I don't think those three you mentioned can claim anything near that.

[NYF]

I would imagine he'd be a PH more than anything else, and I really don't like his splits as a PH. Over the last 3 years he's:

 

4-41 .098 AVG as a PH

 

Over his career, he's 7-77 .091 as a PH.

 

Yuck!

 

good call. living in Milwaukee, i have seen this guy play ALOT. Branyan is a very streaky hitter, when he hits, and is abysmal in the field. Branyon cannot hit LH pitching to save his life, as has been mentioned. so you want a guy who can pinch hit against RHers only, cannot be a defensive replacment, and cannot play anywhere besides 3b effectively?

 

i don't know where the Branyan love is coming from, but he is not a decent pinch hitter, or bench option, imho. the Brew Crew is giving up on him basically because there is no DH in the National League. Mabry is already on this teams bench, can do many more things, and be far more productive than Russel Branyan. as BBB said, 'yuck!'

 

anyone who has ever seen him play with any regularity would have to agree: "just put down the Branyan and back away slowly."