Your Milwaukee Brewers 5-season plan

[TooLiveBrew]

So I've put a lot more thought into this topic on my own end, and I think I'd go with the following:

 

1) Replace front office staff leadership immediately (before the start of this season would've been my target time)

• I completely agree with nate82's point that it's time for a fresh approach from the F.O., and I like his concept as to who he'd seek out to step in as GM. Target the organizations that are building well, and give a successful SD or Asst. GM his/her shot at a GM position.
  
• Realistically, changing SDs right before the draft is a little bonkers, but making a change at SD would've been my plan this past offseason as well... and the point for me is that I don't want Seid with the reins for even one more draft. The repeated, far too frequent targeting of 'safe' pitchers/picks has to be brought to an end; it has killed the franchise's pitching depth. Just like at GM, I'd look to poach here from a forward-thinking organization like ATL/BOS/STL/TB/TEX/etc.

 

2) Entertain offers on any 25-man player not named Braun, Lucroy or Segura. I'm not saying I'd sell everyone else off; the offer(s) would have to be right.

• I'd be inclined to keep young & cheap players like Peralta, Maldonado, etc.
  
• I would want to focus on acquiring young pitching, but wouldn't limit myself to it. Young, high-upside talent of all kinds would be the target.
  
• Moving players like Gallardo, Lohse, Estrada, Ramírez, Gómez, & Aoki should really help to bolster the organization's stable of young talent.
  
• I'd be inclined to keep players on whom I'd be selling low -- like Weeks & Axford. I suppose their potential '14 salaries alone might make it a good idea to get anything you can for them, but I'd still give them time to see if they can recover form & increase value.
  
• I think the situation with Hart is tricky, and if I'd been in control, I would've moved him last trade deadline or earlier this past offseason. Now, I think you just have to hope he comes back & hits enough prior to the trade deadline that you can get some kind of value for him in trade. Not sure that I'd want to keep him & make a qualifying offer next offseason, but that's always an option (with a certain amount of risk).

 

3) I would actually retain Roenicke as manager for the near future (as long as he still commands the respect of the dugout). He strikes me as someone who'd be good to have in charge of helping young players develop & grow.

 

 

I agree with others' sentiments that 2015 would be the first realistic season to expect or hope for the team to start to return to contention. However, at this point 2014 looks like a non-contending season no matter what the Brewers do. So I'd rather start to build up for '15 or '16 rather than push this problem down the road yet again. The big point for me in all of this is that last one -- the current ship is sinking, and we can either patch the holes one more offseason so that the problem is eventually worse & we have less to offer in trade... or the organization can shift gears to take a proactive approach to solving the problem both now & going forward. The choice is obvious, for me.

 

There's a reason the Packers are so successful with Thompson's draft & develop model -- and, although the financial landscapes of the two sports are vastly different, the core philosophy is the same. Always work on strengthening the organization's cycle of talent, because players never stop getting older, more expensive, & less productive. You need to be prepared to address those problems before they begin to weaken the big club, not after.

[adambr2]

I had to laugh when someone said "Ted Thompson needs to learn a thing or two from Doug Melvin" after the Lohse signing.

 

Yeah, I'm sure Ted Thompson is just completely envious of the sports business model that Melvin has put together.

 

In fairness to Melvin, Thompson at least doesn't have someone standing over his shoulder overruling him when he wants to do something different.

[logan82]

I wouldn't mind taking on a large portion of our player's salaries if it meant more back in trade. I am thinking of Weeks, Lohse and Ramirez in particular where I think their salaries may make it harder to trade them or severely limit their value.

 

edit: Forgot about Hart. I have to wonder what he would bring back in trade if you picked up most of his contract.

[adambr2]

Unless Hart just lights it up in June and July, I can't see him netting much. Not for a rental coming off an injury.

[adambr2]

The projections for having a contender again in 2015 seem awfully optimistic to me.

 

Who is coming up that is going to make that happen, especially pitching-wise? Seems like more net losses coming in the next couple years than net gains.

 

Even if we trade guys, we should be targetting high upside prospects, not MLB ready ones like we have in the past.

 

As tough as it is for me to accept, I think we are realistically 5 years away from a contender again. That's if we cut our losses, turn our focus to scouting and coaching at the minor league level, and do this the right way and rebuild a solid foundation.

 

Or we can keep running in circles like this every year and pretend we have enough to be a contender going into every season.

[logan82]

Depends what we get back in trade. Hopefully we don't go the Astros route and keep trading for guys mid season no matter our record. Judging by last season we won't.

[TooLiveBrew]

The projections for having a contender again in 2015 seem awfully optimistic to me.

I agree -- & it's why I said '15 would be the first season to expect or hope they'd contend again... I think I'd lean far more towards "hope" than "expect."

 

I'm not sure I think it'd take them until 2018 to contend (as long as they get to selling asap), but I'd definitely bet on '18 over '15, regardless of what approach the front office winds up taking.

[nate82]

The projections for having a contender again in 2015 seem awfully optimistic to me.

I agree -- & it's why I said '15 would be the first season to expect or hope they'd contend again... I think I'd lean far more towards "hope" than "expect."

 

I'm not sure I think it'd take them until 2018 to contend (as long as they get to selling asap), but I'd definitely bet on '18 over '15, regardless of what approach the front office winds up taking.

 

'15 is going to be the start of when the Brewers would be competitive again. Now competitive doesn't mean they will make the playoffs or will be a great team it is just when they will be competitive again as an organization.

 

If there are trades like for example trading Gallardo to a team for a young arm or even a position player you could see them possibly in 2015. In my trade example or hopeful example trading Gallardo for Barnes, Cecchini, and another lower prospect both Barnes and Cecchini should be on the Brewers roster by 2015 if everything goes right for them. I believe Barnes will be a call up by mid season next year for Boston so 2015 isn't all that far off for him. If all of the trades that I suggested happened you would have Lee, Barnes, Pena, Hellweg, Jungmann, Burgos, Arrieta, Fiers, Nelson, Peralta and others all competing for starting rotation spots for the 2015 year. Which would allow the Brewers to mix and match and see who should be in the bullpen and who should be in the rotation. It also allows the Brewers to trade the pitchers they do not want or are on the fence on for other holes.

 

But sadly I don't think this will happen. I don't believe the Brewers are not going to get who they want in a trade for Gallardo he will be made available but for the right price and I don't think teams are going to give what Melvin and Mark A. will be wanting in return. I believe the Brewers will go into the off season and try to sign either Garza or Hughes in free agency and will fail at signing either of them and will then again sign another Lohse type which was Mark A.'s decision on signing him. If they don't fail at signing either of them and actually get Garza or Hughes it is going to be like putting a band aid on a gun shot wound and then saying hey you are fixed now leave the hospital. Not really what I want to see happen this coming off season but it is what is going to happen unless Mark A. decides to step back and allow the GM whoever that maybe to take over the team and start retooling the team. This coming off season is about a year and a half to late. The Brewers really should have started to retool last trade deadline when they had the chance to do this. The Brewers should have traded both Hart and Ramirez last trading deadline. I believe the Dodgers were interested in Ramirez for a bit and I think the Brewers could have gotten Lee or Gordon for Ramirez.

 

I don't believe Ramirez contract is all that inhibiting for a trade to occur. The Brewers will probably have to take on some of his salary for next year but that really shouldn't matter as the Brewers will not be competing next year anyways. It would be better for the team to take on a portion of Ramirez salary for next year and receive a prospect in return that may contribute down the road than keeping him for another year and paying his full salary.

 

Now if Axford continues to find how to pitch again he could become a very valuable piece in a trade. I hope he does because I am not sure what Henderson could bring in a trade. I would be looking at the Tigers, Orioles, and the Angels as possible trade partners for either Axford or Henderson. The best you are going to get are B or B- type prospects and probably more accurately you are looking at C+ type prospects for Axford or Henderson.

[Mr Southpaw]

Year One: 2013 ---- Trade Gallardo, Hart, Ramirez, Axford, Aoki and Rodriguiz (new set up man) at the trade deadline. Hopefully that brings in at least some solid talent to the farm system. Must have an AAA 3B with power and quality (2-3) AA and AAA starting pitchers.

 

Extend Segura if at all possible. Give playing time at the MLB level to players like Morris, Gindl, Bianchi to see what they have in the 2nd half.

 

Draft pitching, catchers, 3B and SS. No outfielders, 2B or 1B. 3B and SS can always be moved to 2B. 3B and Catchers can be moved to 1B. Most any infielder can play outfield. This should improve defense overall in the minors.

 

Year Two: 2014 ---- Refrain from signing any aging vets. Hopefully Weeks had another solid 2nd half to 2013 and trade him in the off-season. For anything. Don't get caught like the last two years.

 

Build around the younger players like Segura, Lucroy, Gomez new AAA 3B (as well as of course Braun). Keep Kyle Lohse. Bring up Gennett to play 2B. Hopefully Green & Gamel contribute, too.

 

Roster

 

1B Morris, Gamel

2B Gennett, Green

SS Segura, Bianchi

3B AAA 3B, Green

C Lucroy, Maldenado

RF Gindl, Davis

CF Gomez

LF Braun

 

SP Lohse, Peralta, Burgos, Fiers, Estrada, Naverson, any of the quality SP gotten in 2013 trades

BP Henderson, Kintzler, Gorz, Gonzalas plus...

 

Draft pitching, catchers, 3B and SS. No outfielders, 2B or 1B.

 

If we are out of it in July, trade Lohse or anyone who has had a over productive year that will come back to the norm on 2015.

 

Segura should be extended like Braun contract(s).

 

Year Three: 2015 ---- Refrain from signing any aging vets. I am ok signing anyone to their first free agent contract, but only if it fills a needed hole (SP# 2 at $30-$40 mill for 3 years). A FA reliever can not get a contract for over $5 million per year.

 

Roster

 

1B Morris, Gamel, Rogers

2B Gennett, Green

SS Segura, Bianchi

3B AAA 3B, Green, Walker

C Lucroy, Maldenado

RF Gindl, Davis, Kr, Davis Ke

CF Gomez

LF Braun

 

SP Peralta, Burgos, Fiers, Estrada, Hellweg, Nelson, Pena, Jungmann any of the quality SP gotten in 2013-14 trades

BP Henderson, Kintzler, Thronberg, Sanchez, Wooten plus

 

Draft pitching, catchers, 3B and SS. No outfielders, 2B or 1B.

 

May want to think about trading or extending Gomez or Lucroy (quality SP at AA or AAA only), depending on how the wear/tear factor is treating them. May want to trade Braun for the mother load (this could restock the MiLB with multiple quality arms and bats). There are a number of outfielders ready to make an impact for the Brewers at the MLB level..

 

Year Four: 2016 ---- Refrain from signing any aging vets. First free agent contracts only and but only if it fills a needed hole.

 

Roster

 

1B Morris, Gamel, Rogers

2B Gennett, Green, Rodriquez, A

SS Segura, Bianchi, Riveria

3B AAA 3B, Green, Walker

C Lucroy, Maldenado, Coulter

RF Gindl, Davis, Kr, Davis Ke, Haniger, Roache

CF Gomez, Reed, Taylor

LF Braun

 

SP Peralta, Burgos, Fiers, Hellweg, Nelson, Pena, Jungmann, Hall, Golforth, Bradley, Gagnon any of the quality SP gotten in 2013-15 trades

BP Henderson, Kintzler, Thronberg, Sanchez, Wooten, Toledo, Magnifico, Lopez

 

Draft pitching, catchers, 3B and SS. No outfielders, 2B or 1B. If we have done this for four straight years, the MiLB teams should be adequately stocked with premium position players.

[logan82]

Odd that you would hold onto Gomez. CF is probably the one position where we have a backup nearly as good as the starter. I think he would bring back a decent return.

[LouisEly]

We are stuck with Weeks and Ramirez due to terrible contracts.

Ramirez has posted a >.900 OPS and 5.6 WAR and replaced a -0.9 WAR guy on a 96 win team at a premium position. I will strongly disagree that 3yrs/$36M was a "terrible" contract for that. It should have made the Brewers a 100+ win team while still allowing for an 11 WAR regression at other positions and still yield a 90-win playoff team. Gio Gonzalez was once traded for a 34-year-old Jim Thome making $14M coming off of an injury-plagued season where he had a .714 OPS; a .900 OPS 3B can probably bring back more in a trade than you think. All it takes is one team with a need.

 

My plan:

 

1) Be patient, and don't overreact. You don't have to field the worst team in the history of baseball to restock the farm system.

 

2) Ryan Braun is the face of the franchise. Factoring in both intangible value of association of Braun with the Brewers as well as tangible value (merchandise sales, casual fans who come to games because of him, etc., things that create revenue), Braun is an incredible value. He is untouchable. Lock down Segura - he is building block #2.

 

3) The best thing you can do for mediocre pitching and/or young, inexperienced pitching is to put great defense behind them. This means Gomez is building block #3; yes, he is probably hitting over his head but his defense is invaluable to pitchers. I'd still listen to offers for him, but someone would have to blow me away to trade him prior to the last year of his contract. Everyone else I'm open to dealing.

 

4) I'm more impressed with the Reds and Giants talent identification than other teams - that is where I'd look to throw some money at scouts. I think the Rays are overrated - they have not done a good job with their first round picks.

 

5) Find and hire roving minor league pitching coaches who specialize in teaching one or two pitches. Have them spend a month with each team focusing on one pitch. The team pitching coach works on teaching general pitching mechanics, but when it comes to learning how to throw specific pitches have specialists that follow the prospects through the system instead of having different coaches teaching them each year.

 

6) Looking at the last two seasons, there are three things that have brought young pitching back in trades - major league pitching, catchers, and shortstops. I'd look to trade one of Lucroy or Maldonado; I'd be inclined to keep Maldonado for defensive reasons. Colorado was able to get Chatwood for Ianetta, who is somewhat comparable to Lucroy.

 

7) If Gallardo's regression is due to him boozing it up until 2AM during the season, then move him. I'd prefer to trade bullpen arms first.

 

8) Trade from positions of depth. Aoki could be replaced by a platoon of Schafer/Kh. Davis or Ke.Davis/Kh. Davis. If Schafer/Kh. Davis can bring more value in a trade then move them, as Aoki is cheap enough to keep.

 

9) Back to defense... Morris is heating up, but if he is an average defender or worse (I don't know much about his defense), can bring back value in a trade, and if Hart is willing to sign a reasonable extension then I'd move Morris. Again, this is for defensive reasons back to item #3 above as Hart is a very good defensive 1B. It can also give the Brewers time to trade Hart when he has more value, instead of now where he has little to none. I would be willing to trade young cheap position players (not named Segura) if they can bring back value in young pitching.

 

10) There are two ways to add talent to the farm system without giving up talent - the draft, and signing free agents and then trading them for prospects. TheCrew posted some excellent articles in the Draft forum that show that the chances of a top-100 draft pick turning into an impact player (career WAR >10) are between 8-15% depending on position (college 3B is 21% but many of them moved to other positions, and college 1B was 18%). The chances of a top-100 pick playing 100 games/pitching 30 games in the majors is about 30% for HS picks and 40-50% for college picks. That is why I don't hang my hat on the draft; it is important, but it is also a crap shoot with no guarantees. When I say sign free agents, I'm not referring to big, long contracts - I'm referring to short, relatively cheap contracts, and minor league free agents like Axford, McGehee, Bianchi, etc. Bullpen pitchers are a great way to do this; Tampa's closers and set-up men over the last five seasons have mostly been over-30 free agent signings (Rodney, Peralta, Farnsworth, Cruz, Benoit, Percival). Bullpen pitching is valuable come July and can be a tradeable commodity. Fill roster holes with a couple of reclamation projects who don't cost a lot that, if they return to form, could bring back value in a trade. Look for more players in Asia like Aoki and Figaro who can potentially be flipped for prospects. Don't abandon free agency; look for values that can be flipped down the road.

 

11) I agree with whomever said don't invest premium picks (Rounds 1-5) on 1B, 2B, or corner OF, unless the next Fielder is staring you in the face. SS can be moved to 3B or 2B, 3B can be moved to corner OF or 1B. Statistically your best bet is college 3B (21%, but many move to other positions), HS LHP and college RHP (15% each), followed by college RHP (14%). That's where I'd invest my top picks (if it is a college 3B, make sure they are athletic enough to move to OF). Worst bet is HS SS (8%), unless you are staring at the next A-Rod or Chipper Jones. If the new draft rules don't penalize you, identify one prep arm who slips into the teens due to signability and offer him $600K.

 

12) No sense in selling low on Weeks or others if you can't bring back value or save money. Worst case you do a change-of-scenery trade for another player who is underperforming for his contract and hope that player rebounds. Since April 13th Axford has an ERA of 3.00, walked 7 and struck out 20 in 18 IP, and has a 25:27 GB:FB ratio. Patience.

[ebmackenzie]

I would trade Gomez either this year or next while his value is high. Schafer is a low cost replacement especially for a team that is unlikely to compete while Gomez is with the club.

 

Schafer is not near Gomez' OPS and Gomez is a really strong defender. Logan is just now getting his bearings...maybe.

[ebmackenzie]

Long term plan is to earn more than you spend. Bring in 3 Mil at the gate and keeping the branding up with Ws. This is done by drafting quality players and signing them. Looking back through the drafts on BR.com you will see that the WAR of the Cardinals' draft vs. our own isn't that impressive, but they have more players getting past AAA and offering competition at the very least. I would keep GM DM and his thrifty ways of getting guys to pitch in for the minimum (Ax, Hendu, Figaro, Estrada, etc.) but ditch Seid for someone more progressive.

 

Starting pitching has to be had...everything else is negotiable.

 

Keep the team in tact and fill in FA losses with AAA players (CHart walks, HMorris/JRogers steps up) and this way the ARamirez/Lohse of the world aren't signed to big $$$ contracts that they might not live up to. Sign Segura to a long term contract if he will kindly agree. RWeeks, Ax, Yo to a degree need to get turned around in house. I agree with someone, signing guys after 32 seems like a bad idea.

 

Be a place where the Kapler, Edmonds, and Kotsays of the world would acknowledge as a real team...that means MLB players would view MKE as a real destination and that doesn't involve a fire-sale...and means real live legit #1 and #2 starters all over the rotation.

[NievesNoNO]

I agree with a lot of what LouisEly posted above. This team still has enough talent to turn it over and get something in return. I'll agree they need to do something about the pitching... obviously:

 

Immediate trade targets (some stolen from other threads/posts):

 

Gallardo to Red Sox for Barnes and Boegarts/Bradley... if you could get any team to give up two top 50 prospects for Gallardo I'd take it... maybe that's being a bit optimistic

 

Zach Lee for Ramirez?

Drew Smyly for Weeks + ?

 

The Rays are still pitching tight..... MAYBE you could entice them with Lucroy and Aoki and pull a couple of pitchers off their top 10 prospect list

 

I think Braun, Segura, and Gomez are your building blocks. I'd also throw Lucroy in there unless the right deal presents itself as I think Maldonado can at least not hurt you behind the plate.

 

The organization needs to do a better job of filling bench and bullpen roles from within. At least if they aren't producing MLB caliber starting pitching they should be able to produce some reliable relievers. Maybe they need to ID players earlier on who are just simply not going to cut it as regular players and start carving out their nitch earlier in their career. Sometimes I get the feeling like the team holds out hope against all odds that a player becomes something that they're not going to be. That doesn't mean they can't have value, but focus on improving their skills for their role and get them up to the big club and let them play in a bench role or as a reliever. Some of the hard throwers the organization has now, and I'll include Peralta in that group.... maybe if you can't control 3-4 pitches enough to be a starter, what two pitches can you throw for strikes?... great, work on those and you're a reliever.

 

I really dislike playing the free agent pitcher game. I would limit all free agent acquisitions to starting mid-level type bats. They're more plentiful and projectable and you stand to at least get equal value for the contract in many cases.

[paul253]

Schafer is not near Gomez' OPS and Gomez is a really strong defender. Logan is just now getting his bearings...maybe.

 

Gomez' OPS is about 150 points higher than last season and .234 points higher than his career average. I'd like to see him keep it up over a full season, maybe even two, before I believe it's anything other than an anomaly. And since Schafer has been relegated to pinch hit duty most of year I think he is quite capable of doing better. He is also quite capable out there in center.

 

I say if a good offer comes up for Gomez you take it. His value may not get any higher.

[jjfanec]

Schafer is not near Gomez' OPS and Gomez is a really strong defender. Logan is just now getting his bearings...maybe.

 

Gomez' OPS is about 150 points higher than last season and .234 points higher than his career average. I'd like to see him keep it up over a full season, maybe even two, before I believe it's anything other than an anomaly. And since Schafer has been relegated to pinch hit duty most of year I think he is quite capable of doing better. He is also quite capable out there in center.

 

I say if a good offer comes up for Gomez you take it. His value may not get any higher.

 

The Gomez offer better be really, really good. He is a better hitter than Schafer, a bigger threat on the bases, and an elite defender. Schafer may be alright out there but he is nowhere near Gomez. I am not opposed trading Gomez but the offer would have to great

[brewmann04]

Trade whatever players you can at this point. I agree think CC will be a future GM . The brewers need to have a group of Jungman ,Nelson and Bradley to be a major league starter.

[TooLiveBrew]

I say if a good offer comes up for Gomez you take it. His value may not get any higher.

The Gomez offer better be really, really good.

Carlos & Hardy were traded when their values were about at career lows. Without too much imaging, I can get excited about what some GM might be willing to give up for a minimum of 3.5 seasons of Gómez at a reasonable salary. A bigger-market GM might trade for him with the goal of extending him since he's still young.

 

As an example... if Sandy Alderson/NYM feel Gómez is a long-term answer -- “(Justin) Upton and Michael Bourn interested us last winter,” said one team source, “in part because it’s hard to build an entire outfield in one offseason.” --& they offered some combination (not all three) out of Zack Wheeler, Noah Syndergaard, & Wilmer Flores (Flores probably winds up at 3B), you have to think that over. I think ARZ, BOS, NYM, SFG, & TEX could all potentially have interest, and that's only the immediate contenders. Gómez is young enough & has enough salary control that he'd also fit with any team that felt it was going to start contending. The market for him could wind up being pretty strong.

[logan82]

It would be 3.5 years control of Gomez. He signed a 3 year extension, 2014-2016.

[paul253]

If the Brewers truly are looking ahead 2 to 3 seasons now would be the ideal time to trade Gomez. He'll be 28 at the beginning of next season and 29 the year after that. That means if the Brewers are looking towards 2016 you'll have a 30 year old centerfielder making $8 million. If they trade Gomez now you'll have 2 years to evaluate Logan Schafer. If he fails miserably you can always move Aoki to CF. They also have guys like Caleb Gindl, Kentrail and Khris Davis, maybe even Mitch Haniger to try out in the meantime.

 

Braun obviously isn't going anywhere. Aoki could be traded but with his age and lack of power he may not bring much back. If you are looking to rebuild you trade your valuable pieces and right now Gomez is one of those pieces. If the Brewers still believe they can win with what they have then obviously you keep Gomez.

 

It'll be interesting to see what happens this season considering Ramirez, Gomez, and Gallardo should be able to bring back a lot in return but in trading them you obviously give up on the next year or two.

[TooLiveBrew]

It would be 3.5 years control of Gomez. He signed a 3 year extension, 2014-2016.

Whoops, thank you

[vegasbrewcrew1993]

2013: Aramis, Lohse, K-Rod, Aoki, Axford, Gallardo, Gorzelanny, Hart, and Gomez shopped for trades. If the return for Gomez isn't really damn good then keep him. Gallardo should bring back a nice haul. I think it's time to get rid of him. I don't want to keep him if he's really starting to decline. Plus the constant failure to get past 6 innings is getting annoying. Lohse might not bring back much. If the return is not that good then keep him. If the return for Hart is mediocre keep him. Sign Hart to a qualifying offer in the offseason. If we can't trade him then get draft pick. The Gomez, Gallardo, Aoki, Ramirez trades help stock the farm system. K-Rod should bring back a decent prospect. Lohse might be worth keeping just to have a veteran pitcher around.

 

2014: Call up Hellweg, Morris (If Hart is gone), Jungmann, Bradley, Nelson. Hart will have had enough time to build up his trade value. Trade Hart for prospects. Seid, Melvin, RRR canned. Poach front office personnel from savy teams like STL, SD, SF, OAK, TEX, TB, CIN.

 

SP Rotation

1. Lohse

2. Estrada

3. Hellweg

4. Jungmann

5. Loser of Bradley/Nelson battle

 

C. Lucroy

1B. Hart (If still here)/Morris

2B. Gennett

SS. Segura

3B. AAA Player/Cheap FA

LF. Braun

CF. Schafer

RF. Khris Davis

 

2015

By now the team should know if Gennett is going to be a good player. All of the rookie pitchers have a year under their belt. Ariel Pena to the bullpen. Veteran signings for the pen. Loser of Bradley/Nelson battle heads to bullpen, Burgos, Thornburg, Henderson, Lopez, and Pena key members of the pen. Jorge Lopez gets a late call-up. Williams and Neuhas have had a year in the minors. 2 more years until graduation for them. The team by now should now if Peralta is the real deal or not. Roache, Taylor, Haniger one year from graduation. The team should know if Arcia is ready or not.

 

SP Rotation

1. Peralta

2. Hellweg

3. Jungmann

4. Lohse

5. Winner of Bradley/Nelson battle

 

C. Lucroy

1B. Morris

2B. Gennett

3B. Free Agency

SS. Segura

LF. Braun

CF. Schafer

RF. Davis

 

2016

Clint Coulter, Victor Roache, Tyrone Taylor, Mitch Haniger get called up. If Neuhaus and Williams are ready call them up. The farm system should be much improved. The 2013/2014 trades should be making an impact on the farm system by now.

 

SP Rotation

1. Peralta

2. Hellweg

3. Jungmann

4. Bradley

5. Nelson

 

Pena, Lopez, Burgos, Thornburg, Estrada, Henderson, FA

 

C. Lucroy/Coulter

1B. Morris/Coulter

2B. Gennett

SS. Segura

3B. FA

LF. Braun

CF. Taylor

RF. Roache

 

2017 The future has arrived. If Coulter can play catcher then trade Lucroy. If Coulter can't play catch then trade Morris.

 

SP Rotation

1. Peralta

2. Hellweg

3. Jungmann

4. Bradley

5. Nelson

 

Bullpen

Lopez, Pena, Burgos, Williams, Estrada, Henderson, FA or AAA

 

C. Coulter/Lucroy

1B. Morris/Lucroy

2B. Gennett

SS. Segura

3B. Neuhaus

LF. Braun

CF. Taylor

RF. Roache

 

2018 The team should be back in the playoffs. Ariel Pena looks like a future closer to me. The two best of Williams/Bradley/Nelson/Lopez go to the rotation. Thornburg solid bullpen pitcher. Free agency signings and maybe a AAA player make up the bullpen. If Arcia and Yadiel Rivera are MLB quality players, they'll be on the roster.

 

SP Rotation

1. Peralta

2. Hellweg

3. Jungmann

4. Bradley/Nelson

5. Lopez/Williams

 

C. Coulter

1B. Morris

2B. Gennett

SS. Segura

3B. Neuhaus

LF. Braun/Haniger

CF. Taylor

RF. Roache

 

The main focus is on drafting and developing pitchers. The best scouts and developmental coaches will be hired. A large portion of the budget will be devoted to worldwide scouting. As players get older they will be moved to make room for the younger replacements. By 2018 the farm system should be stocked with great talent. The roster should be young and talented. The team should have payroll flexibility. If the Hellweg/Jungmann/Bradley group doesn't work out then their is more talent on the way.

[logan82]

It would be 3.5 years control of Gomez. He signed a 3 year extension, 2014-2016.

Whoops, thank you

Don't worry, I get that mixed up all the time too.