Milwaukee Brewers still seek help at first base
By Hayden Kane
It doesn’t feel like the Milwaukee Brewers are that far removed from the glory years. They had Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder mashing in the middle of the lineup and made a couple runs to the playoffs.
How far have things fallen? Besides the obvious problem with Braun’s Biogenesis suspension last season, there are glaring holes on the roster. Look no further than first base, a spot they were hoping would be covered by Corey Hart and actually filled for 55 games last season with Yuniesky Betancourt.
The desperation has reached such a level that fans are wondering about moving Rickie Weeks from second to first. Adam McCalvy of MLB.com writes that move isn’t likely to happen, however:
"Weeks is 5-foot-10, and he is a second baseman…Give Weeks credit for working hard over the years to improve his defense, but he is not winning any Gold Gloves at second base, and now you want to increase his defensive involvement by putting him at first?”"
That’s not to mention the fact that Weeks batted .209/.306/.357 with only 10 home runs and 24 RBI in 2013. You can probably afford to have a sub-par defender at first base if he mashes. You might be able to afford mediocre production at first if the guy brings elite defense (the James Loney mold). But Weeks will likely bring a lot of nothing in both departments, so despite the suggestions of many Brewers fans, he won’t be the first baseman in 2014.
Maybe signing Michael Young isn’t such a bad idea after all…