The Milwaukee Brewers reportedly traded for San Francisco second baseman, Ray Durham.
Durham is a scary piece of the puzzle in a Brewers uniform. His numbers are down a bit this year as he's been fighting pesky injuries virtually all season, but he still led the Giants in batting average and now he's moving to a much stronger offensive team.
This won't be a long term deal with Durham. He'll be gone next season, but will the damage be done?
The Brewers have made yet another statement that they are sick of being second class in the NL Central and they want to win.
Although he's a great addition on paper, bringing veteran leadership and a solid bat to the Brewers young and inconsistent line-up, I'm not sure his injuries will allow him to drastically change their long-term fortunes.
With the recent struggles of the Chicago Cubs offense, a lot of fans are going to start worrying here in the next month. Luckily the two match up shortly and the answers will be on the field, and not just in the blogs.
My prediction? Wild Card guarantee. I don't think they can pass the Chicago Cubs with this addition, but I do think they'll definitely beat out the Cardinals for second place in the Central (which I think we all can agree will be good enough for the Wild Card).
So, perhaps it will come down to a mid-October meeting in the NLCS, but either way, the Brewers might just be making their first playoff appearance in 24 years.
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about 1 month ago
Good commentary. i think the same thing about Durham. The Brewers are putting all the chips on the table this season.
For a fantasy breakdown of this trade check out http://rotoreference.com/2008/07/20/fantasy-trade-analysis-ray-durham-to-the-brewers/
about 1 month ago
The trade isn't official yet but I heard the Brewers will be leaving San Francisco with Durham. I'm glad to see him gone. What a waste of money.
I hope Aurilia's next...
from about 1 month ago
Greg, I'm guessing you're a Giants fan and I can definitely understand your frustration. Everything the Giants gained by floating along on Barry Bonds' coattails has been lost ten fold this year. They're paying the wrong people too much. Not only do they need to turn a new page, they need to start writing a new book.
They'll turn it around eventually and with that young and extremely talented pitching staff you guys will climb to the top of the West.
from about 1 month ago
Yes, I'm a Giants fan. Since I live in New Jersey, you don't know how frustrating its been staying up really late watching the game on MLB.Com gameday, where there isn't even a visual feed.
I will always be a Giants fan, but right now I'm a disgusted Giants fan, as we all are.
about 1 month ago
This moves makes me wonder about Rickie Weeks. I wonder if this is a message being sent by their front-office. I also wonder how much of Durham's salary Milwaukee will eat? I could see him being a good bat off the bench, but nothing division-altering.
about 1 month ago
It is better than them trading for Brian Roberts. Durham is possibly an upgrade, but when he is no better than Fontenot, whom is 2nd on the Cubs depth chart, I don't find it that "scary" that they got him. I think the Cubs just traded a better 2B away. From top to bottom Cubs are still a better hitting and pitching club, nothing to be worried about unless the team OBP falls off in the second half. Don't forget Soriano joins the lineup later this week.
about 1 month ago
It's not that he's "better" than Fontenot, it's that he brings a unique veteran presence in an otherwise VERY YOUNG club house.
from about 1 month ago
It's not the same as bringing in someone that has been a part of numerous playoff races. Durham has only played in the post season three times in 13 years, this isn't like they aquired Kenny Lofton whom missed the playoff's only 2 times from 95-2007 (2000, 2005), the exact same period in which Durham only reached 3 times (2000, 2002, and 2003). Year after year people contributed Kenny Lofton with playing on winning teams, but after 11 trips to the post season he played in two World Series and didn't win one. Durham isn't scary at all.
about 1 month ago
Durham will take Joe Dillon's spot. He'll likely play 1-2 games a week and have plenty of pinch hitting opportunities. Which is good because Weeks has been hitting poorly off RHP, and strong against lefties. The two balance each other out well at 2nd base for the Brewers.
This trade isn't a world-beater on the CC Sabathia scale. But it does shore up a position of weakness for the Brewers. Look for them to pick up another bullpen arm before the deadline as well.
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