Major League Baseball Hot Stove has been piping hot this week. Many moves were being made in the first couple days with trades, tenders, non-tenders and signings although none of them involved Milwaukee's professional baseball team. We were one or two days away from a blog post from somewhere 'Why are the Brewers so quiet' MY COLUMN. Milwaukee moved into the mix though on Thursday as Brewers announced they are trading Norichika Aoki to Kansas City for left-hander pitcher Will Smith.
This is a smart move by Milwaukee. Nori is one of the best leadoff hitters in the league, but he is 31 years old and will be a free agent next season. He is a fan favorite here with the team so there are many people shaken by the deal including my parents yet this is a sensible decision. With Milwaukee having a loaded outfield already plus how well Khris Davis played, it made sense to get some value for Aoki whom would probably be gone after the 2014 season. Kansas City is getting a good outfielder, and he will definitely add production to their team. For Milwaukee, they get a young left-hander they desperately needed and now Ryan Braun moves to right field with them figuring out how to sort a new lineup.
If you look what who is available as a lefty, it is a complete wasteland for Milwaukee. They did not have much there. It is like looking into a college kid cupboard and only seeing a box or two of Ramen noodles (Roast Beef or GTFO). Smith is only 24 years old with Brewers control until 2016 and has been a starter and a reliever during his time with Kansas City. Smith had a great year with Kansas City last season out of the bullpen. Alec Dopp of Brew Crew Ball pointed out today on how destructive his slider was against lefties last season. It also would appear Smith did not do it against just lefties. He was more than just a LOOGY meaning he could be potentially be a setup man for Jim Henderson, but Smith could also be starter.
He did not fair well as a starter for his career, but he is only 24 years old. As we learned with Carlos Gomez and others in baseball, it sometimes takes time for players to get better. I would say Kyle Lohse, Yovani Gallardo, Wily Peralta and Marco Estrada are guaranteed starters. Some might shit on the idea of Marco getting a starting spot without earning it, but he deserved it for last year albeit his injuries. Smith should at least get a couple Spring Training appearances to show what he's got out there. It does not hurt, and if he plays well, Milwaukee has a left-handed starter which they have not had consistently for years. The fact Milwaukee has a pitcher with options and that happens to be left-handed is a real good thing for the 2014 season.
This move also means Ryan Braun will be playing right field. Some people are concerned about Braun moving to the other corner, but right field does not seem like a place where Braun would struggle too much. He might take his lumps a bit in the beginning, but for the greater part, the biggest thing with right field is having an arm. I always felt Braun had a decent rocket from left field so I am interested to see how he handles right field. The other thing with Braun playing in right field is a Gold Glove centerfielder roams the middle meaning Braun and Davis do not need to have the same range as others in Major League Baseball.
If you look at the Brewers lineup, they might have eight guys who can hit at least 15 home runs if Rickie Weeks wins the second base battle with Scooter Gennett. I do not know if they have eight guys who can hit .275 though. Anyways, the lineup becomes a fascinating thing. I could see it going in all different ways plus it could be something that pisses me off because Ron Roenicke and I never tend to see eye-to-eye. Here's a couple ideas to think about with the lineup.
Lineup 1: 2B Gennett/Weeks, SS Segura, RF Braun, 3B Ramirez, CF Gomez, C Lucroy, 1B Francisco/Hart/Morris, LF Davis, Pitcher - This seems like the most realistic one to happen. I feel like this is a very Roenicke lineup.
Lineup 2: SS Segura, RF Braun, CF Gomez, 3B Ramirez, C Lucroy, 1B Francisco/Hart/Morris, 2B Gennett/Weeks, LF Davis, Pitcher - CHUCKIE HAVE A DREAM. This is a fantasy life. Analytic people would tell you that your best offensive player should be hitting in the second position. I like this one a lot but know already it will not happen.
Lineup 3: CF Gomez, SS Segura, RF Braun, 3B Ramirez, C Lucroy, 1B Francisco/Hart/Morris LF Davis 2B Gennett/Weeks - Here's one I think might be in play if Hart re-signs with the team which people are starting to think it is true. This would make everyone happy, but Gomez as a leadoff hitter would be damn interesting.
Sad to see Aoki leave, but excited for Milwaukee's future with both Smith and the newfound lineup. It is shaping up to be a fun year.
Charlie.
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