Bill Hall

After getting dumped by the Brewers, Hall found a home in Seattle. It was relatively a low-risk move for the Mariners, who are only on the hook for $1.25 million of his $8.4 million 2010 salary. Hall posted slightly worse numbers across the board in Seattle than in Milwaukee, but the Mariners value his versatility as he can play third base and outfield, and they are willing to take a chance on his bat. The experiment won't last forever, especially if his .578 Seattle OPS doesn't improve.

Hall followed up a poor 2007 with an even worse 2008. He was relegated to a strict platoon by the end of the season and hit just .225/.293/.396 with 15 home runs. The Brewers are on the hook for two more years of his contract and will be hard pressed to move him. They'd be satisfied to find a competent left-handed side of a third base platoon and hope that his bat comes around, but the days of Hall as an everyday third baseman are pretty much over.

Hall had one of the most disappointing seasons in the majors last season, hitting just .254/.315/.425 with 14 home runs. Hall made contact at the same rate that he did in his breakout season of 2006, walked slightly less than in 2006, hit roughly the same number of doubles as in 2006 and had the same BABIP as in 2006. The only thing that really changed between 2006 and 2007 was a dramatic drop-off in home runs from 35 to 14. He said after the season that the knee injury he suffered in July hurt his performance, which may be true. He had a .774 OPS in the first half of the season compared to .660 in the second half. Hall now only qualifies in the outfield, and that will drop his fantasy value quite a bit, but he'll be the everyday starter in center field.

Hall proved his 2005 season wasn't a fluke by hitting .270 with 35 home runs in 2006 and playing almost exclusively at shortstop. The Brewers are going to move Hall to the outfield full time this year, either in left or center. He'll still qualify at shortstop in most leagues, but his fantasy value will take a slight hit after this season if he only qualifies in the outfield. Hall will always go through some slumps due to his agressive style at the plate and there is a chance that he could end up hitting .250, but it's still likely that he'll keep his power numbers up.

Hall exceeded all expectations in 2005 by hitting .291 with 17 HR and 18 SB. He should get plenty of playing time in 2006 between short and third, but it's tough to say if he's really turned the corner since he doesn't walk much. He's only 26, so it's possible that he's coming into his prime.

Last year was Hall's first full season in the majors and he did his best to prove he was a utility infielder. Hall shows good power but also some very poor plate discipline, walking only 20 times in 390 at-bats. To make matters worse, he's not very good with the glove either. Hall could win the shortstop job this spring, but top prospect J.J. Hardy will take over the role at some point in 2005.

Hall was given a chance to be the Brewers everyday shortstop for the month of September. He displayed decent power but not very good plate discipline. There is a chance that the Brewers will hand him the starting shortstop job in spring training but the Brewers' shortstop of the future, J.J. Hardy, is only a year or less away. This would leave Hall as a utility infielder or possible second-base stopgap until Rickie Weeks arrives.

Hall had a disappointing 2002 season after shooting up the Brewers farm system in a flash. He is still only 23 years old and could turn things around, but needs to improve on his fielding before he can hold a major league job. Hall is probably destined for another season at Triple-A with a possible late season call up.