What's Next

[Devinep]

We are not going to be able to low ball our way into pitching. It is gonna take Santana + a pitching prospect (hopefully not Burnes) to get an Archer or Stroman or Salazar.... Plus maybe one more lottery pick type prospect.

 

Salazar has only had 1 full season in his career and it was 3 years ago. He’s not in the same category as those others (although Archers getting overrated due to desperation for a trade imo). Santana’s worth more than him alone

[TJseven7]

"I think most of the fan base want to see the next move. They want Santana to turn into a pitcher. It’s the big way this team transforms into a real contender."

 

That would require an ace. Sell me on Salazar as an ace. 1 time over 150 ip. Coming off 4.28 era. 28? I doubt that moves the needle. Cleavenger? Who? Do you see my point. If we went santana burnes ortiz for Archer... oh we'd sjow that off Archer is an ace. Hes been 200 ip for 4 straight year. But if we don't go big you let yelich and cain pump up the base and make the sausage later.

 

I want to keep Santana. But I also want to start phillips in rf and have a 2b or SS or C who is an elite. Without a stacked of we don't have a title contender we have a wc or maybe division contender. No altuve, no correa. But if they've done anything beyond elite since taking over its never relinquishing a starter capable arm. Trading a stick who would have to go full blown nelson cruz to be better for an arm is a smart value move. If a guy like salazar locks in he's worth double santana. Arms and middles C 2b ss cf are hard. The rest is not if the middle is loaded.

 

But our best offensive player coming into this week being dealt is not a warm fuzzy. Yelich is a star. Cain is one of our own and very good. Santana is the opposite of tgat pr wise unless its for an ace.

 

It's not.

[KCBrewerfan34]

I’m passing on Salazar. I will pay more for others.

[Boomer5]

No idea what value GMs have for Santana, but after seeing how much Yelich was traded for, I would have to think a somewhat comparable package at least value-wise would be on the table for Domingo. He’s a year younger and hasn’t even hit his hitting prime yet. Although his defense is subpar, Yelich’s WAR will equalize moving to RF and Santana is going to be a monster hitter. A deal based around Santana and pitching prospects, should be able to net us a young, cost-controlled TOR.

 

Below is a list of guys I targeted who've performed at TOR-like level the past two years, who are under 30, under contract for at least 3 more years on either rookie scale contracts or team-friendly contracts, with a particular target at rebuilding teams.

Obviously different teams have different positional needs/interests, and some of these guys have been discussed here- but are any of them guys we should target?

 

Michael Fulmer – 24 years old – DET – 5 more years

Underwent UCL surgery this year, so could come at a discount. With V-Mart & Miggy aging not well and injured- they will be looking for young, power. Santana would be very attractive to them. I’d think Fulmer & lottery ticket for Santana and Woodruff could get the deal done.

 

Jacob DeGrom- 29 years old – NYM – 3 more years

No idea what the mets would be interested in, because I have no idea if they’re rebuilding or trying to be a contender next year. If they’re going for it again, deGrom probably not an option. Also- they’re set on corner outfielders so it wouldn’t be based around Santana for sure.

 

Noah Syndergaard- 25 years old – NYM – 4 more years

See above

 

Jon Gray – 25 years old – Col – 4 more years

Dangerous trading to our Wild Car nemesis. But, Colorado is going to need to replace some power in the outfield and 1B. Maybe a Thames/Santana package could entice them.

 

Chris Archer – 29 years old – TB - 4 more years

Although they turned down a Brinson package, TB is going to have an opening at 1B and DH and are always on the lookout for prospects. Maybe something like Santana, Thames or Aguilar, Woodruff, Peralta

 

Aaron Nola – 24 years old – Phil – 4 or 5 more years

Phillies are on the rebuild and want young, controllable talent- in which we have aplenty. A nice young outfielder like Broxton and a couple young prospects like Peralta & Ponce might get the job done.

 

Marcus Stroman -26 years old – TOR – 3 more years

Outside of Donaldson & Smoak they don’t have any hitters. Santana, Woodruff and a prospect might do the trick

 

James Paxton- 28 years old - SEA - 3 more years

Paxton is the new Mariner ace, and as they look to be competitive this year, it would take current pieces to pull him away. But, as they’re weak at LF (Gamel) & 1B (Healy), maybe Santana, Thames, Davies

 

Danny Salazar- 28 years old – CLE- 3 more years

Been discussed much recently

 

We just saw what the Yelich trade required, so we need to think in those terms when it comes to young TOR types.

 

Guys like Broxton, Aguilar, and Thames aren't getting anything done here, so don't include them as anything other throw ins. To get the guys on your list we need to think our top 100 guys and Santana.

[SandyTolan]

Not sure I understand the wish to unload a terrific young hitter in Santana, plus more prospects, for a TOR or near-TOR starter, when the Crew can just go out and buy one in Darvish, Arrieta, or maybe Cobb. This way you get a murderer's row of Yelich/Cain/Santana, move Braun to 1B, and unload Thames, Aguilar, and Broxton to replenish the farm a little bit. If the Crew can sign a reasonable 2B (Nuñez 2/$14M?), Shaw can spell Braun at 1B a little bit. Villar could play a little 3B, while sharing some 2B starts with Nuñez and even spelling Arcia maybe once a week.

 

Cain/Yelich/Braun/Shaw/Santana/Nuñez-Villar/Piña/Arcia, Wow.

 

Arrieta/Anderson/Davies/Chacin/Woodruff-Guerra-Gallardo. And Nelson when he's ready.

[KCBrewerfan34]

I’m down Sandy. Adding a FA pitcher and Nunez will be tough on the payroll but perhaps MA will let DS stretch the limit.

[brewcrewdue80]

You know, I'm thinking there's a little bit of prior bias in Tampa trading (their best SP at the time) and the asking price for Archer is over the top when Prior top pitchers for Tampa were Price, Shields, and even Garza(whos netted Archer as part of return)

 

Now, again why Tampa would look to acquire Santana or Phillips as headliners to an Archer trade doesn't make sense with their current OF as well as Santana's team control. Tampa has always acquired a promising SP in these trades so Burnes headlines an Archer trade certainly. Probably Ortiz too. Meanwhile we are still holding on to Santana. So indeed, Archer wipes out our top 100 prospects. Well, Hiura survives but just like that the Brewers #2 is what Lutz? Peralta? Erceg?

 

You still gotta have the odds on favorite being Santana for Salazar. I don't believe you are taking Kipnis in this deal. Wouldn't be surprised throw-ins on both sides to happen. Something like SS Willi Castro from Cleveland and Marcos Diplan from Milw. Maybe a lesser on Milw's end but Castro would be like replacing Diaz in terms of the depth in the system from the Yelich trade.

[adambr2]

Here's how I see things going forward:

 

1 - Braun should be the #1 choice to trade, but the only real option would be the Dodgers, who don't want to exceed the luxury tax. Even if you could pull it off, he has negative value, so you'd have to eat salary and get nothing. At this point, bite the bullet and find room for him in the OF, and hope he stays reasonably healthy and at least swings a decent bat for 2-3 years.

 

2 - Braun to 1st as his regular position, which isn't a thing I'm crazy about, mainly because he's unlikely to exceed the output from a Thames/Aguilar 1B platoon. So it only really makes sense if you can get a decent return from a Thames/Aguilar package, which I doubt. So it doesn't seem very efficient.

 

3 - The only other thing you can do is turn Braun into a 100 game per year sub and PH, having him fill in at 1B when Thames needs a day off, DH against AL, and shuffle the outfield to put Braun in LF whenever Yelich, Cain, or Santana need a day off. No, he should never, ever play at 3rd.

 

The problem with this is everyone else it affects. Thames as a platoon lefty is probably fine, but Aguilar is suddenly completely useless and gone. Phillips either goes to AAA or takes on a very light role -- neither makes sense.

 

4 - So everything kind of circles back to Santana getting traded. Unless Stearns has some really strong Intel that the DH is coming in 2019 and figures he can ride this out for a year, I don't see how Santana doesn't get traded.

[pacopete4]

Can’t we get Dembroski to make another stupid trade for Santana? I mean he’s kind of a buffoon. Take advantage of that Stearns.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Well, HighHeat19 was pretty adamant that Santana would be traded either yesterday or today, so I'm expecting a deal to be announced at some point today. If it doesn't happen, it likely means that whichever AL team Stearns had a deal set up with backed out. In that case, I think he continues to shop Santana, and as dominos start to fall with the other free agent outfielders and power hitters, he should be able to find a match.

[fondybrewfan]

Not sure I understand the wish to unload a terrific young hitter in Santana, plus more prospects, for a TOR or near-TOR starter, when the Crew can just go out and buy one in Darvish, Arrieta, or maybe Cobb. This way you get a murderer's row of Yelich/Cain/Santana, move Braun to 1B, and unload Thames, Aguilar, and Broxton to replenish the farm a little bit. If the Crew can sign a reasonable 2B (Nuñez 2/$14M?), Shaw can spell Braun at 1B a little bit. Villar could play a little 3B, while sharing some 2B starts with Nuñez and even spelling Arcia maybe once a week.

 

Cain/Yelich/Braun/Shaw/Santana/Nuñez-Villar/Piña/Arcia, Wow.

 

Arrieta/Anderson/Davies/Chacin/Woodruff-Guerra-Gallardo. And Nelson when he's ready.

 

I like this is well for 2018 but I think you are setting yourself up for a major payroll problem starting next year to the point that someone with a high dollar value would need to be traded. Some pre-arby and arby guys are going to continue to get much more expensive.

[adambr2]

Well, HighHeat19 was pretty adamant that Santana would be traded either yesterday or today, so I'm expecting a deal to be announced at some point today. If it doesn't happen, it likely means that whichever AL team Stearns had a deal set up with backed out. In that case, I think he continues to shop Santana, and as dominos start to fall with the other free agent outfielders and power hitters, he should be able to find a match.

 

To clarify, all he said 2 days ago was that Domingo was going to be traded to an AL team, possibly as soon as tomorrow (yesterday). He never specified that it was definitely going to happen today if not by yesterday.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Well, HighHeat19 was pretty adamant that Santana would be traded either yesterday or today, so I'm expecting a deal to be announced at some point today. If it doesn't happen, it likely means that whichever AL team Stearns had a deal set up with backed out. In that case, I think he continues to shop Santana, and as dominos start to fall with the other free agent outfielders and power hitters, he should be able to find a match.

 

To clarify, all he said 2 days ago was that Domingo was going to be traded to an AL team, possibly as soon as tomorrow (yesterday). He never specified that it was definitely going to happen today if not by yesterday.

 

I suppose that would be my expectation with Fan Fest tomorrow. Although having Yelich and Cain in attendance may be the excitement they were looking for. They do like to announce deals there, though.

[pacopete4]

Well, HighHeat19 was pretty adamant that Santana would be traded either yesterday or today, so I'm expecting a deal to be announced at some point today. If it doesn't happen, it likely means that whichever AL team Stearns had a deal set up with backed out. In that case, I think he continues to shop Santana, and as dominos start to fall with the other free agent outfielders and power hitters, he should be able to find a match.

 

To clarify, all he said 2 days ago was that Domingo was going to be traded to an AL team, possibly as soon as tomorrow (yesterday). He never specified that it was definitely going to happen today if not by yesterday.

 

Maybe they will inform Santana at Fan Fest.

[Eye Black]

No idea what value GMs have for Santana, but after seeing how much Yelich was traded for, I would have to think a somewhat comparable package at least value-wise would be on the table for Domingo. He’s a year younger and hasn’t even hit his hitting prime yet. Although his defense is subpar, Yelich’s WAR will equalize moving to RF and Santana is going to be a monster hitter. A deal based around Santana and pitching prospects, should be able to net us a young, cost-controlled TOR.

 

Below is a list of guys I targeted who've performed at TOR-like level the past two years, who are under 30, under contract for at least 3 more years on either rookie scale contracts or team-friendly contracts, with a particular target at rebuilding teams.

Obviously different teams have different positional needs/interests, and some of these guys have been discussed here- but are any of them guys we should target?

 

Michael Fulmer – 24 years old – DET – 5 more years

Underwent UCL surgery this year, so could come at a discount. With V-Mart & Miggy aging not well and injured- they will be looking for young, power. Santana would be very attractive to them. I’d think Fulmer & lottery ticket for Santana and Woodruff could get the deal done.

 

Jacob DeGrom- 29 years old – NYM – 3 more years

No idea what the mets would be interested in, because I have no idea if they’re rebuilding or trying to be a contender next year. If they’re going for it again, deGrom probably not an option. Also- they’re set on corner outfielders so it wouldn’t be based around Santana for sure.

 

Noah Syndergaard- 25 years old – NYM – 4 more years

See above

 

Jon Gray – 25 years old – Col – 4 more years

Dangerous trading to our Wild Car nemesis. But, Colorado is going to need to replace some power in the outfield and 1B. Maybe a Thames/Santana package could entice them.

 

Chris Archer – 29 years old – TB - 4 more years

Although they turned down a Brinson package, TB is going to have an opening at 1B and DH and are always on the lookout for prospects. Maybe something like Santana, Thames or Aguilar, Woodruff, Peralta

 

Aaron Nola – 24 years old – Phil – 4 or 5 more years

Phillies are on the rebuild and want young, controllable talent- in which we have aplenty. A nice young outfielder like Broxton and a couple young prospects like Peralta & Ponce might get the job done.

 

Marcus Stroman -26 years old – TOR – 3 more years

Outside of Donaldson & Smoak they don’t have any hitters. Santana, Woodruff and a prospect might do the trick

 

James Paxton- 28 years old - SEA - 3 more years

Paxton is the new Mariner ace, and as they look to be competitive this year, it would take current pieces to pull him away. But, as they’re weak at LF (Gamel) & 1B (Healy), maybe Santana, Thames, Davies

 

Danny Salazar- 28 years old – CLE- 3 more years

Been discussed much recently

 

Good List, I'd add two more guys:

 

Robbie Ray - 3 years control

Mike Clevinger - 5 years control

 

I wonder if packaging Domingo with one of our other starters would open discussions with these guys? Domingo and Davies or Woodruff package offered for either of these guys, both teams seem to have some decent SP depth. They would drop off on SP pitching but gain in the OF.

 

Ray/Clevinger

Anderson

Nelson

Chacin

Woodruff/Davies

Suter

I like the list of young pitchers that you put together and really appreciate that you took the time to do so. As far as cost in prospect capital to acquire those pitchers, it would be immense. I don’t think Santana would motivate the majority of those teams enough to significantly move the needle on their interest. I think most of those teams would demand both Hiura and Burnes/Ortiz as a starting point for the discussion. I know that sounds steep, but that is the reality of trying to deal for an established young front end starter under team control.

 

I know this is less exciting in the short term, but I wouldn’t mind seeing the Brewers target less proven arms that wouldn’t cost quite as much in current assets. A few guys that intrigue me as future MLB starters...

 

Jacob Faria, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays (23 years old) - So I won’t even mention the stat line that would make even clancyphile blush. Faria had one of the best changeups in the minors. He uses a mix between his fastball and changeup to keep hitters deceived, which is probably one of the most underrated qualities in a young starter. The Rays have done a great job developing Faria thus far. This probably isn’t the top of the rotation arm we are clamoring for, but he is likely to be a very solid pitcher for many years to come.

 

Ok, you want to pay a little more for guys you can dream on as future aces?...

 

Alec Hansen, RHP, Chicago White Sox (23 years old) - I am going to let everyone in on a secret, in 4 years Hansen is going to be one of the best pitchers in baseball. He is listed by B-Ref at 6’7” which is cute, because he is now nearly 6’10”. Understandably it has taken him a little longer to develop, but I think part of the reason he isn’t ranked as a top 10 prospect in baseball is because of control issues which he has since seemingly overcome. He grew several inches during his college years and was a victim of extreme inconsistency. Now that he has settled in he is about to be scary good. His fastball sits mid-90s, but he can run it up into the high 90s. Right now he is overshadowed by bigger prospect names in the White Sox system, but if the Brewers truly want to take a stab at a future Ace that isn’t currently established or a considered a top 25 MLB prospect, then Alec Hansen is it.

 

A.J. Puk, LHP, Oakland A’s (23 years old) - Puk would likely cost the most of these three, but has a chance to be a very special LHP. I won’t bring up that he was taken one pick after the Brewers selected in 2016 (oops, I just did). Puk has missed a ton of bats as a professional. In 2017 over 125 IP he had a K/9 rate of 13.2. He still needs to prove it at higher levels, but has a sky high ceiling.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Maybe they will inform Santana at Fan Fest.

 

"Sorry to bother you Domingo, but after you're done playing Brewer Family Feud, signing this stack of 8x10s and posing for selfies with that line of fans, we need you to go take a physical. Thing is, it's in Tampa Bay. Here's a plane ticket."

[pacopete4]

Jacob Faria, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays (23 years old) - So I won’t even mention the stat line that would make even clancyphile blush. Faria had one of the best changeups in the minors. He uses a mix between his fastball and changeup to keep hitters deceived, which is probably one of the most underrated qualities in a young starter. The Rays have done a great job developing Faria thus far. This probably isn’t the top of the rotation arm we are clamoring for, but he is likely to be a very solid pitcher for many years to come.

 

I like the outside the box thinking but it feels as though Stearns is trump to target ground ball pitchers. This guy is below league average in that department although it seems like he would be a good pitcher for us. Cheap and controllable too.

[bensheeps]

I suppose that would be my expectation with Fan Fest tomorrow. Although having Yelich and Cain in attendance may be the excitement they were looking for. They do like to announce deals there, though.

 

 

Looking forward to the WWE moment tomorrow.

Stearns at the microphone on the main stage.

Doors fly open.

"Oh my gawd! That's Chris Archer!"

 

 

Hey it worked for the Kevin Mench trade as the cameras followed him through the tunnels of Miller Park

[82brewcrew82]

Well, HighHeat19 was pretty adamant that Santana would be traded either yesterday or today, so I'm expecting a deal to be announced at some point today. If it doesn't happen, it likely means that whichever AL team Stearns had a deal set up with backed out. In that case, I think he continues to shop Santana, and as dominos start to fall with the other free agent outfielders and power hitters, he should be able to find a match.

 

To clarify, all he said 2 days ago was that Domingo was going to be traded to an AL team, possibly as soon as tomorrow (yesterday). He never specified that it was definitely going to happen today if not by yesterday.

Did he really even say it was Domingo that was being traded? I honestly don't remember.

[Eye Black]

Well, HighHeat19 was pretty adamant that Santana would be traded either yesterday or today, so I'm expecting a deal to be announced at some point today. If it doesn't happen, it likely means that whichever AL team Stearns had a deal set up with backed out. In that case, I think he continues to shop Santana, and as dominos start to fall with the other free agent outfielders and power hitters, he should be able to find a match.

 

To clarify, all he said 2 days ago was that Domingo was going to be traded to an AL team, possibly as soon as tomorrow (yesterday). He never specified that it was definitely going to happen today if not by yesterday.

Did he really even say it was Domingo that was being traded? I honestly don't remember.

Yes, LINK.

[82brewcrew82]

MLBTradeRumors has an article up on how the Indians were not only in on Cain but thought they had a chance to get him. They are certainly looking for an OF.

[DR28]

Well, HighHeat19 was pretty adamant that Santana would be traded either yesterday or today, so I'm expecting a deal to be announced at some point today. If it doesn't happen, it likely means that whichever AL team Stearns had a deal set up with backed out. In that case, I think he continues to shop Santana, and as dominos start to fall with the other free agent outfielders and power hitters, he should be able to find a match.

 

Agreed, are we all forgeting that HH said Santana was traded to AL team?

 

He's been right so far.

[MrTPlush]

Well, HighHeat19 was pretty adamant that Santana would be traded either yesterday or today, so I'm expecting a deal to be announced at some point today. If it doesn't happen, it likely means that whichever AL team Stearns had a deal set up with backed out. In that case, I think he continues to shop Santana, and as dominos start to fall with the other free agent outfielders and power hitters, he should be able to find a match.

 

He's been right so far.

 

Right on what? Making vague statements that almost allow him to not be wrong regardless? With all the information he claimed to know(outside of what he was telling us) he must know quite a darn bit over the past few days and in the coming days. Too bad he said he won’t post until Tuesday even though he has time to check the forum multiple times.

 

Maybe he knows something or maybe he doesn’t...people can think what they want. Regardless I think some people are taking every single thing he says way too much to heart. You don’t have to involve every possibility in the future around a HH19 rumor claim. HH19 has actually not been right so far. Remember there was suppose to be a deal with contract issues...where is that? Just write it up as a botched trade that never was I guess.

 

Not saying he isn’t getting legit information from sources, but even if right things fall through. It seems every time we conversate about something like Braun at 1st someone says, “But HH19 said __”.

[SRB]

HH was actually wrong about a lot of things. His original info was that we had a big trade with an AL team finalized about a week ago. The only thing he really got right was that there would be multiple moves all lined up to follow each other (the Yelich trade, then the Cain signing already finalized), but that could easily be a lucky guess.

 

Still enjoy his posts and believing that he is right though.

[brewcrew42]

Well, HighHeat19 was pretty adamant that Santana would be traded either yesterday or today, so I'm expecting a deal to be announced at some point today. If it doesn't happen, it likely means that whichever AL team Stearns had a deal set up with backed out. In that case, I think he continues to shop Santana, and as dominos start to fall with the other free agent outfielders and power hitters, he should be able to find a match.

 

He's been right so far.

 

Right on what? Making vague statements that almost allow him to not be wrong regardless? With all the information he claimed to know(outside of what he was telling us) he must know quite a darn bit over the past few days and in the coming days. Too bad he said he won’t post until Tuesday even though he has time to check the forum multiple times.

 

Maybe he knows something or maybe he doesn’t...people can think what they want. Regardless I think some people are taking every single thing he says way too much to heart. You don’t have to involve every possibility in the future around a HH19 rumor claim. HH19 has actually not been right so far. Remember there was suppose to be a deal with contract issues...where is that? Just write it up as a botched trade that never was I guess.

 

Not saying he isn’t getting legit information from sources, but even if right things fall through. It seems every time we conversate about something like Braun at 1st someone says, “But HH19 said __”.

 

How is "Yelich to the Brewers" a vague statement? Or "Darvish to Cubs", which seems likely to happen. And yes, deals do fall through sometimes. Do I know for sure if he has inside info? No, but your reasoning makes no sense. So far, I see no reason to doubt him. No one else anywhere had that info on Yelich. Hell of a guess.