M’s Acquire 3B/OF Bill Hall From Milwaukee
The Mariners have just announced that they’ve acquired third baseman/outfielder Bill Hall from the Milwaukee Brewers for minor league pitcher Ruben Flores.
A versatile 29-year-old who has played six defensive positions during his eight-year major league career (2B, 3B, SS, LF, CF, RF), Hall was designated for assignment by the Brewers last week.
Though he has struggled in 2009, Hall is a career .253 hitter that can provide pop (102 career home runs, 367 career RBI) in a lineup desperate for offense.
Until Adrian Beltre’s return from the disabled list (at least 10 more days, due to a bruised testicle), Hall will likely take over as the team’s everyday third baseman.
The Mariners will need to clear a spot on the 25-man roster for Hall, and will probably option Jack Hannahan or Josh Wilson to Triple-A Tacoma to make room. Whichever player stays between Wilson and Hannahan will assume duties at shortstop until Jack Wilson can resume playing. He is currently out with a tight hamstring.
Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik is familiar with Hall from his time as a scout in Milwaukee.
Hall, who is currently owed $14.8 million over the next two seasons, will likely have most of his contracted paid by the Brewers.
Oh goodie, another sub par hitter in the line up. I like Wak, think Jack Z got this team in the right direction, but if they want to compete in the AL they are going to have to find some players that can swing the bat and score some runs. They are 28th in run scored, worst in the AL by far, gotta score runs if you want to win games.
right…but that isn’t gonna get done in August. Giving up a nobody for a versatile (and very solid) defender who can play six positions AND has a little pop AND is just 29, while getting the Brewers to pay most of the salary, is a low level genius move. Between Hall, Hannahan and Langerhans, you have a bench that can cover every position but catcher, giving Zduriencik wonderful flexibility in constructing the team next year. Every one of these guys can pick it, and, it is good to remember that it is much cheaper to shore up the defense first, then fill the roster with more offensive minded players once salaries (Beltre, Bedard) come off the books. What Zduriencik has done with an absolute turkey of a roster, in just 10 months, is nothing short of a minor miracle. No one is immune to bad moves, and I’m sure the guy will make a few in his career, but isn’t it nice not to have an impending feeling of doom when the trade deadline or winter meetings are approaching?