Brewers plan to move Moustakas to second base
CAMP REPORT
PHOENIX – The Milwaukee Brewers are not returning Mike Moustakas to the fold to move Travis Shaw from third base to second base, as they did over the final two months of the 2018 season.
The Brewers are bringing Moustakas back to play second base, a position he never has played in the major leagues.
In case you hadn’t noticed before, this team’s decision-makers like to think out of the box.
While being unable to confirm the signing of Moustakas to a $10 million contract until he takes his physical exam on Tuesday, manager Craig Counsell said Monday the plan is to move him to second base. That’s assuming Moustakas shows he can handle it during spring training, of course.
“We would explore Mike at second base, is what we’re going to do, because that’s what we don’t know about,” Counsell said. “At some point, we would have to make a decision.
“What we’ve talked about is not anything different than the conversation we had in late July last year when we were debating this whole thing. Basically, what happened is Travis did a really nice job (at second base) and we ended up not exploring Mike at second base.
“Now that we’re in spring training, we have time to do that. This is what spring training is for.”
The 6-4, 230-pound Shaw did a decent job of making the shift to second base on the fly last season, in the midst of the playoff race. Accordingly, the Brewers believe the 6-0, 225-pound Moustakas will be able to make the transition, given a full spring training to do the work.
Despite moving to second base for the final two months of the ’18 season, Shaw was a finalist for the National League Gold Glove at third base, an indication of his prowess at that position. Thus, the decision was made to see how Moustakas, who grades out as slightly below average at third, looks at second base.
“I don’t think we’re going to see something that we don’t completely expect, but I think it’s worth it in spring training,” Counsell said. “I talked to Mike a couple of weeks ago about it, actually. He was on board the first time (it was discussed) and he’s still on board.
“Whoever goes over there will still have some third base time but one of them will be the primary second baseman.”
Counsell already had briefed Shaw on the plan, and Shaw had been talking on the telephone to Moustakas, so he wasn’t surprised by the news. Though he’ll likely continue to do some work at second base, Shaw was told to focus primarily on third base, and that’s the position he expects to play.
“I kind of knew it was coming,” Shaw said. “I still envision myself as a third baseman, and we’ll see what the plan is moving forward. But as of right now, I still plan to play third base.
“It’s nice to have some versatility; it obviously helps through the season. At the same time, you still kind of want to know what your role is and what you’re trying to do every day.”
As for bringing Moustakas back in the fold, Shaw said, “It’s a one-year deal. He’s going to help our team this year and lengthen our lineup, so it’s obviously a big benefit for the team.”
Because the Brewers do so much defensive shifting, Moustakas would not be asked to show a ton of range at second base. But make no mistake about it: This is about offense, not defense.
The Brewers’ goal is to put together an elite offense with no soft spots before the pitcher. With the additions of Yasmani Grandal at catcher and Moustakas at second, the lineup will have no cracks if shortstop Orlando Arcia hits the way he did at the end of last season, emerging from a prolonged slump.
“I think it’s about as good a lineup as I’ve ever been a part of, if you look at it on paper,” leftfielder Ryan Braun said. “On top of that, it just adds to our depth. As we all know, over the course of a season, your depth will be tested.
“The more quality players you have starting on an everyday basis, as well as coming off your bench, the more beneficial it is as you inevitably deal with adversity as a team. He makes us a lot better; he adds to the depth and strength of our lineup. It really deepens our lineup, one through eight, no question.”
Left-handed power plays particularly well at Miller Park, and the Brewers have expanded that facet of their offense with the additions of Grandal and Moustakas. On days that Eric Thames
With no end in sight to the below-average temperatures, the Brewers continue to hold daily workouts at noon instead of 10 a.m. as in past years. The weather for the rest of the week is forecast to be even colder, with highs barely reaching 50 degrees some days, and more rain on the way. The Brewers are scheduled to hold their first fullsquad workout Tuesday, after the annual spring address from principal owner Mark Attanasio.
54 degrees, rain showers.
First Cactus League game, Saturday, Feb. 23 vs. Cubs in Mesa.
Brewers Hall of Famer Robin Yount will be inducted Tuesday into the Cactus League Hall of Fame in a ceremony at Grand Canyon University Arena. Joining Yount will be Ken Griffey Jr., Fergie Jenkins, longtime executive Roland Hemond and Bobby Freeman, who has served as the Diamondbacks’ organist at Chase Field since the team’s inception.
“I’m not sure what I did to deserve this,” said Yount, who visited the Brewers’ camp on Monday. “I didn’t even know there was a Cactus League Hall of Fame. I usually didn’t do much in the Cactus League. But I might have the all-time record for most years. I played in the Cactus League for 20 years. There can’t be many guys who did that.”
37 days until the Brewers’ season opener on March 28 vs. St. Louis at Miller Park.
Countdown:
Tom Haudricourt
plays first base, the pop from that side of the plate also would include Shaw and Christian Yelich.
“We’re trying to create a lineup that’s going to score a lot of runs,” Counsell said. “It’s one place that I think we can be better. I think we’re putting together a position player group that we think, on a daily basis, can provide a lot of problems.
“The best way to do that is to create a kind of circle in your lineup where there’s no easy outs. That’s the best way to do it. I think that’s the best way to create consistency. That’s what we’re after. There are not places in the lineup that are easier to get through. That’s a difficult lineup for pitchers to navigate through four to five times a night.”