Play Mat Gamel Every Day

A roster is always in flux, as the team needs to put forth the best players at the time to be successful. Injuries are a part of the game, and good teams overcome injuries. Injuries provide an opportunity for someone else to showcase their talents. With the season ending wrist injury to Rickie Weeks, an opportunity has opened up. I believe the Brewers have enough in-house candidates to fill in for that missing production.

If Matt Gamel is going to be on the big league roster for the rest of this season, he should receive regular playing time at the hot corner. Gamel provides left handed power that is sorely missing in this righty dominated line up. Gamel may need time to grow into the role, but because he is part of the long term future anyway, the future should start now. I respect the process of getting a young player acclimated to the routine of being a big leaguer. His skill set at the plate makes him the best option at third base. If Gamel is to stay with the big club all season, I would hope by the end of June that he’s the everyday third baseman. Bill Hall can still get action as a late inning defensive replacement or utility player around the infield.  Unfortunately, Hall’s production the last two seasons doesn’t merit him receiving regular playing time.    

Bill Hall can still make a tremendous contribution to the team in the locker room. I have witnessed this first hand. A couple of years ago the Brewers got destroyed at home, and no one really wanted to speak to the media.  The team was in a somber mood. Bill Hall dug into Dave Bush’s locker and pulled out the ugliest pair of boots I’ve ever seen. A pair of white leather Doc Martens that went half way up to your knee. With Rickie Weeks as his accomplice, Hall proceeded to walk around in his underwear modeling these boots in the locker room, weight room, showers and cafeteria. All of his teammates and select remaining media enjoyed the spectacle. That’s an example of a glue guy on the team; it’s not something you’re going to find in the box score.

Craig Counsell despite his advanced age, would be my second baseman. Counsell’s skill set is best suited to serve as a utility guy-pinch hitter, but he’s made the most of his opportunities and outplayed Bill Hall and Casey McGehee. Since Counsell was receiving a lot of time at third anyway, just give him that time at second base.  Frank Catalanatto and Jody Gerut are left handed contact hitters that allow you to put Counsell in the starting lineup. Counsell doesn’t have any eye popping physical attributes, he’s just a sound fundamental baseball player. If Counsell needs a day off or starts to wear down, I’d like to see McGehee get an opportunity.  Hernan Iribarren may be able to help as a utility player in the coming seasons, and Alcides Escobar should stay down in the minors.

The Brewers proved the last two seasons they’re aggressive buyers at the trade deadline. Mat Gamel and Craig Counsell have the opportunity to make the decision for Doug Melvin by putting up numbers.