This could be a devastating injury. Braun is the one guy who has been consistent all season. Heck, he is even clutch now. Taking him out of the line up for 2 weeks would be tough. But I really can't see the team flying him out to the west coast if his back is killing him. If he goes on the DL, it would be retroactive to yesterday and he would be able to come off the DL right before a series at St. Louis at the end of August. In the meantime, lets hope Ned doesn't go with just plugging in whoever is playing left in the 3 hole and hope he actuialy switches the line-up around a bit, based on who is called up. Lets look at some potential replacements.
- Tony Gwynn Jr. - In 75 games at Nashville this season TGJ is batting .273 with a Weeks-esq .331 OBP. He has 16 SBs, amazingly 1 homer and 21 RBIs. 71 of tony's 81 hits have been singles. erg.
- Laynce Nix - Nix has some MLB experience, unfortunately most of that was in 2004. Laynce (ghey spelling) is batting .284 with a .346 OBP in Nashville. He has some pop with 23 homers and 60 RBIs. He can also play the corners and center. Looks like he would fit in with 87 Ks so far this season.
- Jay Gibbons - The Brewers took a flyer on this guy for a situation just like this. In 60 ABs at Nashville, following a brief trip to Huntsville, Jay is hitting .300 with a Mensch like .311 OBP. He has 2 bombs and 5 RBIs. I don't think he is the best defensive player ever and how many steroid guys can one team have?
- Hernan Iribarren - If I recall correctly from his last time up, he may be out of options now. Hitting .280 with no homers and 27 RBIs at AAA. I just don't see it happening.
- Mat Gamel - The most exciting option. Doug already said he would most likely be called up September 1. Bring up Mat and put Hall in the OF. Mat is batting .333 with a .400 OBP and .945 OPS. Yah, that sounds good. He also has 17 homers and 86 RBIs. Is that something you might be interested in? He does have an astonishing 27 errors at third. Wow.
- Mel Stocker - Pinch runner extrodinaire.
9 comments:
are there any consequences as far as service time/arby years/etc... with calling up Gamel now vs after 9/1?
Gamel's defense is horrible. Worse than Braun at 3rd. I can't see them putting him at 3rd any time soon. If they bring him up Sept. 1I think it will be to check out his bat only. Eventually, he'll be converted to 1st to replace Fielder when we can't afford him.
Lynce Nix - We already have people to swing at shit in the dirt.
Iribarren - Mediocre at best. Doesn't really bring a whole lot to the table. Although, he's better than Weeks, but that's really not saying much.
You forgot someone... TURNBOW! Is he really worse than Mota or Gagne? At least you know if someone gets a home run he's going to stick the next batter in the ribs. Kapler in left is good enough. BRING BACK TURNBOW!
Turnbow is out for the season.
It will be Marshall Dillion
How would Irrabaren be out of options?
AP - I could be completely wrong on that. Now that ytou mention it, I think it was a discussion more along the lines that he would be a type of player eligible to be taken in the Rule 5 draft. I am not completely hip to the ins and outs of the 40 man roster.
Oh, I'm far from hip on all the rule 5 stuff as well Goldy.
I just thought (anyone please correct me) that options lasted for the entire year. You can send him up and down all you want, but it still only counts as one option (year). The options run out after a few (3?) years or when the player reaches a service criteria.
I'm just saying if they called him up earlier this year they can do the same again now.
Baseball America is a great source for information:
How do options work?
When a player is added to a 40-man roster for the first time, the major league team is permitted three optional assignments of his contract, or three "option years." This gives them the option to assign that player to the minor leagues without requiring him to clear waivers. For each season thereafter in which the player is assigned to a minor league team, one option is used up.
When a player is out of options, he can still be assigned to the minor leagues, but first he must clear waivers.
A player can receive a fourth option if he has less than five seasons of pro experience. Draftees who immediately sign a major league contract will qualify unless they reach the majors quickly and stick there. Otherwise, they'll have their three options exhausted after their first three years in pro ball. A season is defined as any year in which the player spends 90 days on the active list. Short-season and Rookie leagues don't last 90 calendar days, so a player assigned to those leagues for an entire year won't accrue a season of pro experience. Also if a player has a long-term injury, he usually won't be credited for a season that year. (The exception is if he goes on the disabled list after spending 60 days on an active list, in which case the DL time counts as service time.)
It looks like Braun isn't going on the DL, but I realize I completely forgot about Dillon when making this list.
Also, thanks clownship for the "options" info.
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