Let's Re-Visit the Idea of Bill Hall for SS

[E.J.]

The Hardball Times[/url]"]At every position that Bill Hall can play, the Brewers either have a quality option, or an option that they appear to be set on using. To solve the logjam, somebody needs to go. The likely candidates have been Mench and/or Jenkins: Mench was rumored (okay, mostly by me) to be on the trading block immediately after his acqusition at last year's deadline, and that Jenkins is available is one of most open secrets in baseball.

 

If the Brewers are set on using Hall in left, they would seem to have two choices: trade, non-tender, or release two of Gross, Jenkins, and Mench, or trade Hall. The second option hasn't been discussed much, but it may be the best route for the team to take. The trade value of Jenkins and Mench couldn't be lower; the Brewers will be lucky to get anything of value for either one without eating a lot of salary, especially in the case of Jenkins.

 

On the other hand, Hall is the type of player for whom teams should be tripping over themselves to acquire in a trade. As a left fielder, he's just as good an option as Carl Crawford, only a little cheaper for the next two years. Anything Julio Lugo can offer for $32M over four years, Hall can provide—with a lot more power. The only thing standing in the way of a major trade may be the way the Brewers have treated and spoken of Hall over the last couple of years.

 

They've handled him like a utility guy who doesn't deserve a starting role. However, there's no statistical basis for that: his bat has never been a question, and a variety of advanced defensive metrics agree that he can handle shortstop just fine (or, in the case of PMR, much better than fine). Some teams may shy away from his high strikeout rate, but any club that can look past his reputation and see the player who out-slugged every other National League middle infielder in 2006 should be ready to work him into their plans.

 

As a Brewers fan, I'd hate to see Hall go. But it would be equally painful to watch such a first-rate talent go underutilized. If a trade brought back young pitching of roughly equal value, the Brewers would be a better team in 2007, and Hall might finally get the recognition he deserves.

 

This just makes way too much sense for the Cubs. Hall would look great at SS batting 5th. Hall can also play a variety of positions. Last year Hall put up a near .900 OPS while playing a variety of postions. He finally got a chance to be a full-time player because of all the injuries the Brewers had last year.

 

I wouldn't have any problem with Hendry trading Jones for pitching and signing a player like Lofton for CF if he traded for Hall. Question is, what would it take to get Hall?

[jjgman21]

do I get any credit for being two weeks ahead of Hardball Times?

[CP_414]

All the news this week implys it is very likley Billy Hall is the Brewers CF this season. Brady Clark and Gabe Gross are seen as trade bait or bench players. Tony Gwynn Junior is not considered ML ready and could also be traded as the front office of the Brewers doesn't really like him. Mench and/or Jenkins will be traded, maybe this week. Billy Hall is the Brewers best hitter, and for better or worse they are trying to win in 2007, not 2008. If he is traded it will be for equal value right away, not prospects.

[cheapseats]

All the news this week implys it is very likley Billy Hall is the Brewers CF this season.

 

Everything I've read about the Brewers suggests they want a prototypical CF. They were looking at Dave Roberts, for example.

 

I've seen articles written by analysts who think Hall should be playing CF if he's not going to be an infielder, but I've seen no indication that the Brewers have actually considered him there.

[CP_414]

All the news this week implys it is very likley Billy Hall is the Brewers CF this season.

 

Everything I've read about the Brewers suggests they want a prototypical CF. They were looking at Dave Roberts, for example.

 

I've seen articles written by analysts who think Hall should be playing CF if he's not going to be an infielder, but I've seen no indication that the Brewers have actually considered him there.

 

http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061129&content_id=1747294&vkey=news_mil&fext=.jsp&c_id=mil

 

 

Doug Melvin said:

With the guys we were looking at off the market, I'd say it's 50-50 that Billy Hall will be the center fielder," Melvin said. "But it is going to take a lot of work. He's not blessed with great speed, and even if you do have great speed, it's not easy to play center field. Wherever he ends up [in the outfield], it's going to take a lot of work."

[CubColtPacer]

I have a feeling that the Brewers are asking too much for him, only because Bruce has said several times that Jim Hendry loves Bill Hall. If he loves him like that but hasn't traded for him, then it must be the price that's the problem.

[Tracer Bullet]

I have a feeling that the Brewers are asking too much for him, only because Bruce has said several times that Jim Hendry loves Bill Hall. If he loves him like that but hasn't traded for him, then it must be the price that's the problem.

 

Give em Jones.

[AAApittsburgh]

What if the Cubs take on Jenkins' contract? I believe someone started a thread with that suggestion. I don't remember.

[cheapseats]

Doug Melvin said:

With the guys we were looking at off the market, I'd say it's 50-50 that Billy Hall will be the center fielder," Melvin said. "But it is going to take a lot of work. He's not blessed with great speed, and even if you do have great speed, it's not easy to play center field. Wherever he ends up [in the outfield], it's going to take a lot of work."

 

Thanks!

 

I figured they might have changed their tune about Hall in CF after Roberts signed elsewhere, but I hadn't seen anything to that effect.

 

However, I don't buy it. Melvin still admits that he wants a speedy leadoff type in CF. My guess is that Hall ends up in LF, which is kind of a waste.

[Vinestal]

I just dont think there is anyway they trade him to a division rival, if at all.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Hall would be ideal for our SS.

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

I just dont think there is anyway they trade him to a division rival, if at all.

 

I agree! I highly, highly doubt they trade Hall.

[Backtobanks]

I just dont think there is anyway they trade him to a division rival, if at all.

 

I agree! I highly, highly doubt they trade Hall.

 

I agree, but it's worth Hendry calling to ask. We have plenty of young pitching to offer them.

[VanceJergins]

All the news this week implys it is very likley Billy Hall is the Brewers CF this season. Brady Clark and Gabe Gross are seen as trade bait or bench players. Tony Gwynn Junior is not considered ML ready and could also be traded as the front office of the Brewers doesn't really like him. Mench and/or Jenkins will be traded, maybe this week. Billy Hall is the Brewers best hitter, and for better or worse they are trying to win in 2007, not 2008. If he is traded it will be for equal value right away, not prospects.

 

I'd be happy with Gabe Gross in CF if we cant get Hall. I think we should trade for either him or Church.

[Iceblink]

Can we really have a successful offense with 8 righty bats? Or 7 righty bats and Izturis' "bat?"

 

Hall would be a huge upgrade, but that lineup would need some balance.

[killthegoat06]

Can we really have a successful offense with 8 righty bats? Or 7 righty bats and Izturis' "bat?"

 

Hall would be a huge upgrade, but that lineup would need some balance.

 

Sign Lilly, Zito, trade Zambrano for a left-handed starter, start Cotts, and problem fixed. :lol:

[Iceblink]

Can we really have a successful offense with 8 righty bats? Or 7 righty bats and Izturis' "bat?"

 

Hall would be a huge upgrade, but that lineup would need some balance.

 

Sign Lilly, Zito, trade Zambrano for a left-handed starter, start Cotts, and problem fixed. :lol:

 

Bingo. :)

 

Plus, we'd have the home-runs-allowed record chase to watch all summer!

[VanceJergins]

Can we really have a successful offense with 8 righty bats? Or 7 righty bats and Izturis' "bat?"

 

Hall would be a huge upgrade, but that lineup would need some balance.

 

Ideally it'd be good to have some lefties in the lineup, but I'd rather just have the 8 best hitters. For example, I would much rather trade Jones than Murton , even though he's our only left-handed hitter right now.

[cheapseats]

Can we really have a successful offense with 8 righty bats? Or 7 righty bats and Izturis' "bat?"

 

Hall would be a huge upgrade, but that lineup would need some balance.

 

Ideally it'd be good to have some lefties in the lineup, but I'd rather just have the 8 best hitters. For example, I would much rather trade Jones than Murton , even though he's our only left-handed hitter right now.

 

Jacque had a higher OPS in 2006 and his RC/27 was slightly higher than Murton's. Jacque also had a higher VORP rate. Murton was certainly a better value last year, but he wasn't clearly a better hitter than Jacque last year.

 

Of course I don't expect Jacque to repeat his 2006 performance...

[VanceJergins]

Can we really have a successful offense with 8 righty bats? Or 7 righty bats and Izturis' "bat?"

 

Hall would be a huge upgrade, but that lineup would need some balance.

 

Ideally it'd be good to have some lefties in the lineup, but I'd rather just have the 8 best hitters. For example, I would much rather trade Jones than Murton , even though he's our only left-handed hitter right now.

 

Jacque had a higher OPS in 2006 and his RC/27 was slightly higher than Murton's. Jacque also had a higher VORP rate. Murton was certainly a better value last year, but he wasn't clearly a better hitter than Jacque last year.

 

Of course I don't expect Jacque to repeat his 2006 performance...

 

Yeah, I wasnt just basing that off last year's stats. Jones had a much better than average season and it was Murton's first full season. And age and cost are definitely in Murton's favor.