Brewers Acquire Felipe Lopez From D-Backs for Two Minor Leaguers

by Matt Buggenhagen on Jul 19, 2009 8:03 PM EDT Comment 2 comments

The Milwaukee Brewers have acquired infielder Felipe Lopez from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for outfielder Cole Gillespie and pitcher Roque Mercedes, this according to Jessie Sanchez of MLB.com

Lopez, 29, had more than respectable numbers for the Diamondbacks .301/.364/.412 to go along with six home runs and 25 RBIs.

Milwaukee has been without a second baseman since Rickie Weeks was placed on the disabled list in early May. Them team has tried to patch the position together with 39-year-old veteran Craig Counsell, and rookie Casey McGehee. Lopez is expected to immediately assume the role of the starting second baseman for the Brewers.

"It's exciting," Lopez said from St. Louis. "It's tough leaving the guys here. At the same time, I'm excited for the opportunity."

For the Diamondbacks this moves makes sense, here is what D-Backs GM Josh Byrnes said about the deal.

"With our place in the standings, we have to consider trades like this," Diamondbacks general manager Josh Byrnes said. "Felipe will be a free agent at the end of the year, and we acquired a couple of guys with long-term value."

John Sickels of Minor League Ball rates Gillespie as the Brewers eleventh best prospect in the organization. He graded him as a C+ saying " Jason Bay type, solid across the board performance, scouts aren't wild about tools but he has played well at every level." Gillespie hit .242 with seven home runs and 27 RBIs for Triple-A Nashville. Mercedes was 1-1 with six saves and a 1.08 ERA in 29 appearances for Class A Brevard County.

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Brewers

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Diamondbacks

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Comments

Good move

This is a good move for the Brewers. Its low risk, high reward, and they didnt have to give up anything spectacular to get Lopez. I am usually on the side of going younger and cheaper for long term success, but Gillespe probably wasnt ever going to be more than a 4th OF. Its no major loss to give up what they did to get a starting, switch hitting, lead off second baseman who does a good job getting on base.

The move also allows them to send Mat Gamel back down to AAA to get every day at bats.

The only downside could be Lopez’ previous attitude problems, which seem to have disappeared since this time last year after being released by the Nats. Gives them at least one extra win if he maintains his pace and Counsell and McGehee do their job as well.

by backtocali on Jul 19, 2009 9:44 PM EDT reply actions

Lopez wasn’t motivated to play hard in Washington. He played like the rest of the players there, with out a care in the world. Lopez plays hard when everyone else plays hard which the Brewers seem to do so you should be getting a player that will play hard for you everyday.

by Pyromnc on Jul 20, 2009 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions