Chris Archer

[Boomer5]

The rotation isn’t good enough to compete with the Cubs. At all.

 

Who are the Cubs' rotation options when the 2-3 starting pitchers inevitably go down with even minor injuries/ailments that cause them to miss starts? The answer is that those options are currently far worse than what the Brewers have. If they get continued regression from an aging Lester and even one of the rest of their rotation options gets injured or underperforms, their rotation is simply more expensive compared to Milwaukee's in terms of potential production when you factor in teams regularly need 10 pitchers to make starts for them during a regular season - not 5.

 

The Cubs did their rotation upgrading over the past 2 seasons by emptying their farm and in free agency - unless they are fine with trading some of their young position player talent off the MLB team (most of which really isn't that young anymore in terms of team control), they can't be players at this year's deadline for an impact starter because they don't have anything of value in the minor leagues. If they stay healthy, their rotation is probably the 3rd best in the NL and it would've been very difficult for the Brewers to pitch well enough to be the better team even with adding Cobb or Arrieta. But depth is currently the Cubs' biggest weakness, much like some of Theo's Red Sox squads who underperformed a few years between WS titles once injuries or key players had down seasons.

 

Their top 6 starting pitchers are >>>> than our top 8 starting pitchers

 

If that is in any way debatable in some Brewers fans minds, than I’m not sure what is left to say.

 

Depth is certainly important but Miley, Yo, and Junior are technically depth but they are hardly good depth.

 

Signing a 32 year old OF to a large contract and giving up a draft pick while not addressing what is an obvious weakness is simply not good management no matter the spin.

[Fear The Chorizo]

The Brewers biggest team weakness last season was their offense, center field being a pretty big black hole of production - Cain fills that. That's not spin

[CrewFanBrewMan69]

The rotation isn’t good enough to compete with the Cubs. At all.

 

Who are the Cubs' rotation options when the 2-3 starting pitchers inevitably go down with even minor injuries/ailments that cause them to miss starts? The answer is that those options are currently far worse than what the Brewers have. If they get continued regression from an aging Lester and even one of the rest of their rotation options gets injured or underperforms, their rotation is simply more expensive compared to Milwaukee's in terms of potential production when you factor in teams regularly need 10 pitchers to make starts for them during a regular season - not 5.

 

The Cubs did their rotation upgrading over the past 2 seasons by emptying their farm and in free agency - unless they are fine with trading some of their young position player talent off the MLB team (most of which really isn't that young anymore in terms of team control), they can't be players at this year's deadline for an impact starter because they don't have anything of value in the minor leagues. If they stay healthy, their rotation is probably the 3rd best in the NL and it would've been very difficult for the Brewers to pitch well enough to be the better team even with adding Cobb or Arrieta. But depth is currently the Cubs' biggest weakness, much like some of Theo's Red Sox squads who underperformed a few years between WS titles once injuries or key players had down seasons.

Mike Montgomery is their 6th, he’d be a better option or at least on the same level as any or our options for the 4/5 spot we currently have to pick from. Then they have Eddie Butler (who was better than Miley last year), Tseng (was their minor league pitcher of the year a year ago I think), Alec Mills was pretty good in 2016 in AAA and looks like he had some injuries last year, they also have a few guys like Alzolay that’s close who’s a top 100 prospect and they also signed Drew Smyly this offseason who is coming back from TJ and could be back by middle-end of season. Sure if all those guys need to make 10+ starts that’s a problem. But they have enough depth. We basically have put ourselves in a spot where near everything has to blow up for them and near everything has to go right for us to stay close to them or pass them.

[DocLuna7]

I personally didn't want to waste giving up a high draft pick for just one year of Lynn. If it was for multiple years, maybe.

 

The Brewers window to contend is not just 2018.

 

In fact, I think we need to accept that the window likely won't open until 2019.

 

Maybe Stearns and the front office already think this.

 

That's why getting some invaluable MLB innings for Woodruff and Burnes this year while Nelson gets healthy won't be the worst thing in the world.

 

Yep. Agree with the window really starting in 2019. I think that’s exactky why we didn’t pick up a pitcher at last year’s trade deadline and exactly why we didn’t overpay for Arrieta or Cobb this offseason.

[Boomer5]

The Brewers biggest team weakness last season was their offense, center field being a pretty big black hole of production - Cain fills that. That's not spin

 

It is when the teams number one prospect was a CF who they purposely targeted in a blockbuster trade.

 

You don’t sign a 32 year old guy for $80M and give up a high draft pick to be a WC contender, which is all they are with this rotation, Cain or no Cain.

 

We will have to agree to disagree.

[brewmann04]

The brewers need to get better with driving in run on base with less than 2 outs. But still think our rotation is the worry spot

[TJseven7]

I personally didn't want to waste giving up a high draft pick for just one year of Lynn. If it was for multiple years, maybe.

 

The Brewers window to contend is not just 2018.

 

In fact, I think we need to accept that the window likely won't open until 2019.

 

Maybe Stearns and the front office already think this.

 

That's why getting some invaluable MLB innings for Woodruff and Burnes this year while Nelson gets healthy won't be the worst thing in the world.

 

Yep. Agree with the window really starting in 2019. I think that’s exactky why we didn’t pick up a pitcher at last year’s trade deadline and exactly why we didn’t overpay for Arrieta or Cobb this offseason.

 

Agreed on no 4th for a rental Lynn.

 

So 2019, where would cobb be going? Wouldn't he be under contract through 2021? Wonder who we'll pay more for next year and if he'll be as good. Maybe we just hold tight at 100mil because we are cheap. Maybe we trade our farm for a better option then squirm to fill out the roster because we just traded our farm away. Will be fun to see which reality proves true.

 

Pretty clear to see this teams short as is. On record not wanting a crazy package sent for the K fip king.

[pacopete4]

[TJseven7]

Yup, that's on them.

[SeaBass]

We could just take up being fans of the Orioles so we can watch superstar ace pitcher Alex Cobb singlehandedly carry them to a WS title. That's an option.

[TJseven7]

We could just take up being fans of the Orioles so we can watch superstar ace pitcher Alex Cobb singlehandedly carry them to a WS title. That's an option.

 

You go too far but I'll be watching them.

 

Not like this'll be settled for 4 years anyway. If year 1s good I'll hear oh yeah but 3-4 will suck. Then balt will trade him away showing it was for the money... and if he puts up 10 war in 3 years but a 4.3 era in year 4 I'll get the told ya so's.

[CheezWizHed]

I hope to have better things to do in 4 years that discuss Cobb signing with the Orioles. Especially in the Chris Archer thread...

[TURBO]

I hope to have better things to do in 4 years that discuss Cobb signing with the Orioles. Especially in the Chris Archer thread...

 

I hope that in 4 years, we will be discussing the World Series Champion Milwaukee Brewers, and Cobb will be disappointed he didn't take our offer...

[brewcrewdue80]

The rotation isn’t good enough to compete with the Cubs. At all. I’m not sure Cobb, Lynn, or even Archer changes that but it would certainly get us closer.

 

Losing Jimmy really stings and no, Chacin and his away from Petco stats say he will be a batting practice pitcher in Miller.

 

Stearns seems pretty content to leave the rotation in this condition. I’m sure there’s a story behind the scenes why the team went hard after Cain and Yelich then raised the white flag.

 

You said it yourself. The likes of Cobb/Lynn and even Archer don't even change that the Cubs' rotation is better than the Brewers.

 

There are 2 top 100 pitchers the Brewers can pull from. Woodruff maybe from opening day.

 

Newsflash to most here that argue our pitching isn't enough to compete with the Cubs. Maybe 3 or 4 teams in all of MLB have the pitching to compete with the Cubs.

 

So I am all for the approach to improve the offense that Stearns took in getting Cain and Yelich. Cain is clearly an upgrade over the team's CF options. Yelich is a game changer. There doesn't need to be a spot for him as he is better than anything Milwaukee had. Pulling that trade off is remarkable. The hit on the Brewers minors was they don't have Studs just quanity with some quality. Yelich is 5 years of complete stud in his prime. He's been 77 OPS points better on the road vs his home stats in his career. 81 games becomes 3 or 4 in a season now for him.

 

The regular season is 162 games and the team is better in many areas that were questionable going in to last season. Be patient many on this team is controlled for 3+ years. And the minors is better today than probably it's been since I began watching Brewer games in 1985. It's going to be a fun, winning year that most likely ends being playoff bound.

[brewmann04]

I think most Brewer fans understand this Rotation is good to compete with the Cubs or Cards rotation. But the Brewers should be fun and hope their Rotation can hold up.

[Warning Track Power]

Archer sure has not gotten off to a great start this season:

 

16 IP, 17 H, 11 ER, 6 BB, 20 K

 

Stearns go get him at a discount!

[brewmann04]

I glad Burns is still with the crew

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Archer sure has not gotten off to a great start this season:

 

16 IP, 17 H, 11 ER, 6 BB, 20 K

 

Stearns go get him at a discount!

 

Heck, he'd fit right in!

[tmwiese55]

How's the velocity? I saw some of one of their games, their team is really really bad and should have no chance this year so I'm sure he'll be a hot name at the deadline if he's around his career norms.

[trwi7]

How's the velocity? I saw some of one of their games, their team is really really bad and should have no chance this year so I'm sure he'll be a hot name at the deadline if he's around his career norms.

 

Down 1 mph, still giving up a ton of hard contact and nearly 28% of the contact is line drives. But hey, at least his FIP is under 4 and xFIP is under 3.

[superfly]

He'd fit right in with that line here.

[Devinep]

Archer sure has not gotten off to a great start this season:

 

16 IP, 17 H, 11 ER, 6 BB, 20 K

 

Stearns go get him at a discount!

 

 

who cares how many runs he gives up, look at that K/BB rate!

[coolhandluke121]

Archer sure has not gotten off to a great start this season:

 

16 IP, 17 H, 11 ER, 6 BB, 20 K

 

Stearns go get him at a discount!

 

 

who cares how many runs he gives up, look at that K/BB rate!

 

Team-friendly deal yo.

[TURBO]

Archer sure has not gotten off to a great start this season:

 

16 IP, 17 H, 11 ER, 6 BB, 20 K

 

Stearns go get him at a discount!

 

 

who cares how many runs he gives up, look at that K/BB rate!

 

This made me laugh out loud!

 

[TURBO]

and he continues to get lit up...