Sean Casey, the bench and Tony Gwynn Jr.

So originally when I read that Sean Casey was going to the Red Sox this year, I wasn't really upset or concerned in anyway because Casey plays first base.  But I did get upset when I found out that Casey will only be receiving $800,000 this year.  Wow, that's it?!  Listen, I know that the Brewers don't need a first baseman, but Casey signed to play the third string.  How many lefty bats does this Brewer team have.

I'm not saying we should have signed him, I'm just saying that paying a guy less than a mil to sit on your bench and bat .280 instead of .220 like Craig Counsell, is more worth the cash.  Counsell is making $2.8 mil this year to drag this team down with solid defense and lack luster plate appearances.  It's one thing to give a utility player his money, but it's another if that player is one of the two lefties on your bench. 

 I think the bench of this team is its weakest point.  While guys like Gross and Gwynn will be pretty decent players, there is zero pop on the pine, ESPECIALLY for an NL team.  Situational hitting is going to be non-existent unless Tony Gwynn is called out there to bunt or Counsell is asked to take one to the opposite field to get a run in, and that's provided they give Gwynn the spot he deserves.  

I'm a firm believer in Tony Gwynn Jr.  I think he brings a different kind of element to this team.  He's a great clubhouse guy, who with Prince and Rickie make you want to watch baseball and see what stupid stuff they'll do together.  On top of that, you get a guy who will do anything to get on base, whether it's bunt, slash or take one to the mouth.  He's going to give you just as many HRs as Jason Kendall, but he's going to give you that lefty option off the bench and more importantly, a pinch runner for guys like Prince or JJ when things go awry in the later innings and you need that last run.  Those are things that get an NL team over the hump.