Trade partner - Tampa Bay Rays [Latest -- rumored ask for David Price: Nelson, Thornburg, & Coulter (post #94)]

[craigharmann]

This situation really makes me nervous...REALLY nervous.

 

Yes. This could be huge and push the Brewers into the playoffs, or totally blow up.

[PeaveyFury]

brewers cant afford to lose MI players (Segura/Gennett) since they really have nothing behind them to replace them in the short term.

 

This. You don't deal from a position of weakness.

 

If Nelson and Thornburg are the key pieces of the deal, fine. If it's Nelson and Gennett, no way.

[SRB]

Keep in mind Nelson for Price also dramatically improves the team for 2015 as well. Gomez, Braun, and Lucroy are all in the tail end of their primes, most likely, so need to make bold moves to compete in the next couple years. After that there are probably going to be down years until the next generation of prospects comes up. Nelson is sort of a "lost generation" of Brewers prospects - there's nobody else following in his footsteps for a few years or more.

[chadomac]

The problem is that after 2015 our rotation is going to be in shambles without Nelson. 3 minor league players that aren't Nelson would be great, but I don't see a way to pull that off.

[Mudville9]

I suppose it would be wishful thinking to offer Jungmann, Bradley, Thornburg and Smith.

 

Could we fit Maldy in there to keep Nelson somehow? Not sure if that first line should be in blue or not.

[PrinceEatMeat]

Yeah, not sure I'd deal Gennett. I think it hurts the lineup too much for the rest of the season. Maybe if there was a legit 1B on the team, or if Zobrist could be had in the deal, but otherwise no. Can't take that kind of hit to the offense. I can see why Melvin wouldn't wanna do that.

[jerichoholicninja]

Unless Price can play 1st base and put up a consistent .800+ OPS at the plate I don't see this as a wise move. The rotation is actually an area of strength and giving up good young players would be dealing from an area of weakness. You don't deal from your weakness to improve a strength.

[AZBrewCrew]

Unless Price can play 1st base and put up a consistent .800+ OPS at the plate I don't see this as a wise move. The rotation is actually an area of strength and giving up good young players would be dealing from an area of weakness. You don't deal from your weakness to improve a strength.

 

This. I dont see the whole obsession with "selling the farm" for a position that isnt in dire need of fixing. 1B is much more of a pressing issue

[Oldcity]

You could probably pretty easily acquire Zobrist in this deal also. Then finally waive Overbay and play Zobrist at 1B and corner OF.

[adambr2]

I'll feel pretty sick if we trade essentially 16 cost controlled years of Gennett, Nelson, and Thornburg for 1 1/2 years of Price.

 

I'd question whether Price is even a net upgrade over Nelson +Gennett for the remainder of this season. If it is, it's not by much.

[BraunyBoy08]

I'd question whether Price is even a net upgrade over Nelson +Gennett for the remainder of this season. If it is, it's not by much.

 

It's more about playoff matchups, and having an ace to roll out there is invaluable

[Eye Black]

It seems like going out and getting a consensus front of the rotation ace for the stretch run as well as for all of 2015 fits perfectly with the organizations "window theory". DM has alluded to in the past that he believes small market clubs like the Brewers have ebb and flows that allow for windows of success every few years. In the past he obviously hasn't shied away from using prospects as commodities when the window for success appeared to be the present. Now the Brewers sit with the NL Central title within reach and a shot to assemble a rotation that would be considered anywhere from comparable-to-favorable pitching match-ups in the playoffs against just about any team east of Nevada. It just seems so enticing for an organization that may very well be on the decline in the near future whether it is with or without guys like Nelson and Gennett.

 

I probably would not make the deal because it would further deplete any chance of success as some of the teams core pieces age or move on. Still, if they do decide to pull the trigger on a deal centered around Nelson, Gennett, Thornburg, and even the competitive balance pick, I think the majority of the industry will think the Brewers stole Price, comparative to what the rumored possible returns with high-end prospects has been over the past few months.

[vegasbrewcrew1993]

This team has a legit shot at winning the World Series this year. If Price is added then I think the Brewers could legitimately be considered the favorites to win the NL. With the exception of maybe next year, I don't see this team having this good of a shot to win for quite a while. The Cubs soon will have a nasty offense and they have the financial means to buy a good rotation. St. Louis will always be at the top. They are weakened this year and the Brewers need to take advantage of that. Now is the moment to strike. Brewers can easily find another Thornburg and Nelson. I like Nelson, but let's face it the guy isn't going to be an ace. It's not like we are getting rid of a Jameson Taillon or Michael Wacha. I don't care about Coulter either. The Brewers have been pretty good at finding hitting prospects. They can replace him too. It's not he's projected to be a star either. Look what trading for Sabathia did for this team. All of the prospects we got rid of in that deal suck except for Brantley. Who says all these prospects we have now are going to be good? Pull the trigger. Price is a proven ace.

 

1. Price

2. Lohse

3. Peralta

4. Gallardo

5. Garza

 

Yikes that's a scary rotation.

[LouisEly]

Hmmmm....

 

Well, I started this mess a couple of months ago.

 

Rays want Nelson, Thornburg, Gennett for Price? OK...

 

Nelson, Thornburg, Gennett, and Khris Davis for Price, Zobrist, and Matt Joyce.

 

Better yet, how about Jungmann, Fiers, Thornburg, Gennett, Kh. Davis, and Jorge Lopez (hell, I might even toss in Devin Williams) for Price, Zobrist, and Matt Joyce.

[RockCoCougars]

I don't see any chance of the Rays trading Price at this point. Even though they'd have to leapfrog a bunch of teams to get the wildcard, the way they've played as of late has to make them feel that they have a fighting chance.... especially considering that they made a similar run in 2011. I really don't that Price's value on the trade market will drop that much between now and the off season either. It will drop somewhat, but they would still be able to command a lot.

[paul253]

1. Price

2. Lohse

3. Peralta

4. Gallardo

5. Garza

 

Yikes that's a scary rotation.

 

Yes it is but what's that rotation going to look like in 2016 when Price Lohse and Gallardo are all gone?

[vegasbrewcrew1993]

1. Price

2. Lohse

3. Peralta

4. Gallardo

5. Garza

 

Yikes that's a scary rotation.

 

Yes it is but what's that rotation going to look like in 2016 when Price Lohse and Gallardo are all gone?

Price can be traded for good prospects and it is likely that the Brewers will retain at least one of Lohse and Gallardo. Peralta and Garza will still be here. One of Lohse and Gallardo will likely be here. It's not going to be that bad.

[DHonks]

I'd offer segura, Davis, Taylor/coulter, ptbnl (thorny) for price and zobrist. Zobrist at SS, Gindl lf

[molitor fan]

Never Outhustled - X - is that you....good to see you old friend

 

Coulter and Arias are my favorite prospects...I would be sad to see them go, but Price is an amazing get if possible

[PeaveyFury]

 

Yes it is but what's that rotation going to look like in 2016 when Price Lohse and Gallardo are all gone?

 

Is the difference between filling 3 rotation spots vs. 2 rotation spots going to be the difference between competing and not competing in 2016? Adding in the likelihood that it improves the team's chances in 2014 and 2015 in the meantime, I think it's a tough choice but one that would instantly take us from a playoff contender to a pennant contender both this year and next. We're probably not there without a better arm at/near the top of the rotation.

[torts]

worrying about the 2016 rotation is really silly when we have a front office and owner who clearly are willing to sign FA SP to fill holes. in 2016? Doug and Mark will go out and fill those holes on the market if internal options/extensions havent already happened.

[torts]

and just to throw out how bad it would be to lose Gennett... here are the 2B FA available currently for next year

 

Second Basemen

 

Emilio Bonifacio (30)

Alexi Casilla (30)

Mark Ellis (38)

Rafael Furcal (37)

Chris Getz (31)

Tyler Greene (31)

Kelly Johnson (33)

Nick Punto (37) - $2.75MM club/vesting option with a $250k buyout

Brian Roberts (37)

Ramon Santiago (35)

Rickie Weeks (32) – $11.5MM vesting option

Ben Zobrist (34) – $7.5MM club option with a $500k buyout

[Never Outhustled]

Never Outhustled - X - is that you....good to see you old friend

 

Coulter and Arias are my favorite prospects...I would be sad to see them go, but Price is an amazing get if possible

 

Yes, I'm enjoying being back amongst friends during this super exciting Brewers season. Good to see you're still hanging out here. I agree that Coulter is real promising, both because of his talent and work ethic, but is the price of being a contender instead of a pretender.

[Never Outhustled]

 

Yes it is but what's that rotation going to look like in 2016 when Price Lohse and Gallardo are all gone?

 

Is the difference between filling 3 rotation spots vs. 2 rotation spots going to be the difference between competing and not competing in 2016? Adding in the likelihood that it improves the team's chances in 2014 and 2015 in the meantime, I think it's a tough choice but one that would instantly take us from a playoff contender to a pennant contender both this year and next. We're probably not there without a better arm at/near the top of the rotation.

 

I agree with this and with torts that a 5th starter in 2016 can be added in free agency if they are still viewing themselves as a contender. A ton of salary comes of the books that year, and the last 2 free agent pitching signings have been strong.

 

Unfortunately it looks like Price simply is no longer available for a reasonable price.

[StearnsFTW]

I would easily do Nelson/Thornburg/Coulter for Price. I would be more hesitant to add Gennett, not because I think he's going to be great going forward, but because it weakens this year's team. Now, if the Rays add Zobrist to the deal, I would include Gennett as well.

 

Having said that, I think the Rays keep Price.