Impact Analysis: Rickie Weeks, Milwaukee Brewers

June 11, 2008 @ 09:00:39

By Rob McCarthy
Edited by Herija C. Green

The injury bug holds no mercy for any player in major league baseball, be it a guy with a career .287 batting average and 279 lifetime home runs like Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (wrist) or its current victim in Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks (knee).

Weeks was officially placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday, June 9, (retroactive to June 7) with a sprained left knee. He sustained the injury when Colorado Rockies infielder Jeff Baker collided with his leg on a slide into second base Friday, June 6. Word out of Milwaukee is that Weeks won't require surgery, but he may not be ready to take the field when he's eligible to return Sunday, June 22.

The end of the Weeks?

His latest injury is just another setback in what has already been a disappointing season. On the year, the former 2003 second overall selection by the Brewers was hitting a substandard .210 with seven long balls, 20 RBIs, 43 runs scored and 10 stolen bases in 229 at-bats.

Although Weeks' struggles in the bigs are one of the most irritating aspects in drafting the once highly touted second baseman, his most recent injury could be the breaking point for many disgusted owners. Especially considering owners have been down this path before after he was derailed in 2006 with a right wrist tendon injury that ended his season in late July when he required surgery to repair it. Not to mention he again spent time on the disabled list in 2007 with tendonitis in the same wrist, which also contributed to him being optioned to Triple-A Nashville for a six-game stint.

For many, his surreal lack of production is one of the most mysterious aspects of his game. Especially when you consider that he came out of college in 2003 with Baseball America's College Player of the Year honors and the Golden Spikes Award - awarded annually to the best amateur baseball player - on his resume.

Although Weeks has carried over his power numbers and speed to the major leagues admirably, his continuous propensity for injuries and lack of ability to make regular contact, which is supported by Weeks' 90-plus strikeouts in each of his last three seasons, is worrisome.

As the 2008 campaign moves into the warm weather months with another injury derailing the possible lifetime sleeper, it may be time for owners to look past Weeks for production at second base for good.

Milwaukee's new brew

Weeks' replacement on the roster is soon-to-be 24-year-old second baseman Hernan Iribarren. However, don't look for the slap-hitting rookie to see much playing time with veteran infielders Craig Counsell and Joe Dillon both capable of holding down the fort at second. Third baseman Bill Hall is another option, one which manager Ned Yost used Tuesday, June 10, when he started Hall at second. Going forward, look for Counsell to receive the majority of at-bats versus right-handed pitching with Dillon and Hall getting the work against southpaws. Iribarren could see a start or two, but he will probably see most of his chances as a pinch hitter or pinch runner; he has 14 steals at Nashville this season.

On the wire

One of the more widely available players to fill Weeks' spot is Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim infielder Maicer Izturis. Currently, Izturis is filling in beautifully for shortstop Erick Aybar (finger), who is on the DL with a dislocated right pinky finger.

On the season, the 27-year-old Izturis is hitting .260 with three dingers, 23 RBIs, 29 runs scored and eight stolen bases in 173 at-bats. In addition, he's currently 15-for-39 (.385) for the month of June with two long balls, eight RBIs, seven runs scored and two stolen bases. He should be eligible at second base, shortstop and third base in most formats and is in the midst of an active 10-game hitting streak. Due to the fact that he's on fire and eligible at multiple positions, his value is at an all-time high and represents a fine option to fill Weeks' spot on your roster.

Chicago White Sox second baseman/outfielder Alexei Ramirez has been playing so well as of late that he kept his spot in the lineup even after second baseman Juan Uribe returned from the disabled list.

On the season, Ramirez is hitting .300 with four home runs, 17 RBIs, 17 runs scored and three stolen bases in 127 at-bats. He's likely available in many leagues and has hit a nasty .472 in June with two long balls, 10 RBIs and six runs scored in 36 at-bats. In addition, he has hit safely in 14 of his last 16 games. He appears to be the White Sox's second baseman for the long haul, which makes the 26-year-old a viable solution for Weeks owners and a bargain in deep mixed leagues.

Fantasy baseball outlook

For now, if you have the room to hold onto Weeks while the length of his stay on the disabled list is determined, go right ahead. However, the fact that he has had wrist injuries in the past and now a knee injury is a deterrent, especially when owners rely on Weeks' quick wrists for power and his speedy legs for steals. In addition, the waiver wire is saturated with players like Izturis and Ramirez that offer decent speed and far better batting averages than the beleaguered Weeks. Therefore, if you're in a shallow mixed league and don't have the room to stash him in a reserve or DL spot feel free to send him to the waiver wire.

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Rob McCarthy
Rob has been with KFFL since 2007.

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