Milwaukee Brewers

Yesterday, Manager Ned Yost said David Krynzel would be going to AAA no matter how well or poorly he does this Spring.

This brings up an interesting question. Who is the back-up CF now?

As no quick answer comes to anyone's mind, this should be a clear indicator that Brady Clark is poised for a breakout season if only because there is no one to take the job. A simple projection would be to combine his past two years (742 plate appearances) to figure his maximun 2005 production (13/86/28).

I believe this is high as regular playing time vs picking the most favorable match-ups will expose Clark's weaknesses. That said, 20 SB seems reasonable.

The player who will differentiate Roto teams from the rest of the pack is Bill Hall. He contributed 9 HR and 12 SB last season while playing 2B, SS and 3B (of which he carries 2B & SS qualifications into this season.)

One may think 9 HR and 12 SB won't differentiate any team, but I disagree. Those numbers are top of the line for teams 12th, 13th or 14th hitter, and it is here that Roto championships are decided. Every team knows who the good players are, and every team has them. What every team doesn't have is the Bill Halls at the end of their roster. His contributions at the margin are valuable.

He contributes depth to a Roto team. When looking at the winning squad, one is struck by how many players contribute. Look at the losers are the likes of Dave Hanson, Chad Curtis, Lenny Harris and Vance Wilson are prevalent.

The point has been demostrated that BH is a good Roto player, but the key to his 2005 contribution is the desire to play him as the back-up CF, and this is why I believe he will contribute even more than in 2004. The added roster flexibility combined wthe low double digit HR and SB potential makes him more attractive than your typical utilty player.

Now if only Ned Yost had seen Neifi Perez make an appearance at C a few years ago and tried Hall there.