The hits keep coming as the Brewers release Bill Hall. Earlier they fired their pitching coach and demoted J.J. Hardy.
Hall has been in a two-year batting slump and is batting .201 with six homers and 24 RBI in 214 at-bats. The Brewers are eating some big-time money by dumping Hall. He has a $6.8 million salary this year and $8.4 million next year. There is an option for 2011 for $9.25 million, with a $500,000 buyout.
The Brewers have 10 days to trade Hall, release him or have him accept a minor league assignment. But don’t look for anybody to claim that salary. The Brewers will be stuck with the money, so this is a bold move.
I’d say it was a three-year slump as his OBA plunged in 2007.
They made a big mistake letting Mike Maddux go, that’s for sure. He’s making a big difference for the Rangers.
Surprising they finally did this. In 8 years, Bill Hall’s only had 2 seasons where his OBP was over .315…he’s been more hype than anything. Hardy’s basically the same… 1 out of 5 seasons, his OBP was above .327. Neither of these guys ever had an OBP over .350 and their career OPS+’s are 94 & 95.
Next targets… Jason Kendall (.322 OBP & 67 OPS+ since coming to Wisconsin) and Corey Hart (.325 OBP & 105 OPS+), tho I think Hart will be staying and they’ll call Hardy back up in September.