Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
July 21, 2008
Durham to the Brewers
Ray Durham

Ray Durham
Photo: Icon SMI

Ray Durham found himself in a division race Sunday. He stayed with the Giants during the game even though he knew he was traded because he didn't want to suit up against his former team:
An emotional Durham could only stand to be in the Giants' dugout for a few innings during the series finale against Milwaukee, but was prepared to make the switch right afterward and head to St. Louis with the Brewers. The 36-year-old second baseman, in his sixth season with San Francisco and the final year of a two-year contract, had to approve the deal.

"He's a veteran guy that can come in here and help our club," Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin said. "We're trying to add as many good players as we can. We're trying to win this thing."

I like that quote from Melvin. That attitude was evident in the Sabathia trade, as they didn't insist on signing CC. After an off year in 2007, Durham came back strong in 2008, posting a .385 OBA. Rickie Weeks is at .326, based mostly on a very low batting average. Durham should improve the club.

The Giants get Steve Hammond, who has excellent strikeout and walk numbers in the minors. At 26 he's mature, and his path to the majors should be short. They also receive Darren Ford, a non-slugging outfielder.

Bottom line, I like that Milwaukee is pulling out all the stops to win this thing. They may end up a poor team for a few years afterward, but it's been a very long time since the city saw a championship baseball team.


Posted by David Pinto at 08:50 AM | Trades | TrackBack (0)
Comments

I do not understand the Brewers. The Brewers are not going to finish above the Cubs, and I think is pretty tenuous that they'll finish above the Cardinals and/or the second place NL East team. They seem to be burning through their prospects on a fool's errand.

Posted by: SS at July 21, 2008 10:23 AM

Milwaukee is exactly one game out of the postseason right now (dead even in the loss column). The only team ahead of them for the wild card is the Cardinals, who are certainly no better than the Brewers. Milwaukee is 2 1/2 ahead of the third-place team for the wild card.

Why not go for it this year? Once you get into the postseason, anything can happen. Ask St. Louis.

Posted by: Casey Abell at July 21, 2008 10:52 AM

They still have a really weak bullpen - not that Durham won't help but their biggest weakness is relief pitching.

Posted by: bandit at July 21, 2008 10:54 AM

This year's Durham is a 100-OPS-point improvement over this year's Weeks. In a race this tight, that's a significant difference.

I just watched the Cardinals blow another save yesterday. Milwaukee's bullpen may be weak but St. Louis' bullpen is no better.

Posted by: Casey Abell at July 21, 2008 11:02 AM

As a Brewers fan this is a unique experience. Adding players for a postseason run? Weird.

I don't think there is a critique to be made of this trade for Durham. He's not much of an improvement over Weeks, but the 2 "prospects" the Giants received are pretty irrelevant to the Brewers.

The bigger risk was the Sabathia trade. A couple of months for LaPorta and the PTBNL are both high ceiling players.

Posted by: adwred at July 21, 2008 11:20 AM
Post a comment









Remember personal info?