Inevitable Trade of an OF?

[Warning Track Power]

 

Braun has been asked multiple times about moving to 1B and his answers always conclude with something similar to what he stated here. Responses carry the caveat of "depending on the complexion of our team at the beginning of the year." Reading between the lines and given his status within the organization, I have to believe that Stearns and Counsell have informed Braun that a trade is still quite possible to clear up the OF logjam, which likely means Santana being dealt. I wonder how long the Brewers will wait and how Braun's ability to handle 1B will impact potential trade packages.

[trwi7]

Why would Stearns inform Braun about any of the plans? He was deputy GM under Melvin.

[coolhandluke121]

"Complexion of our team" seems perfectly fine when someone says it, but when it's written, I can only think of freckles and zits.

[superfly]

IF he can play it I'd move Braun to 1B regardless of if we make a trade. I'm not one of those that think he can play 3B, 2B, and SS as well though.

[TJseven7]

It doesn't make sense to keep Braun in the OF any way you slice it. Defensively yelich cain phillips broxton is the way you'd want it to shake out. Sliding yelich to cf or rf takes away 2 gold glove OF.

 

Trading Santana still makes the most sense but DH smoke is out there and it makes you wonder where its at. Even with DH, Braun to 1b makes sense. Santana would be the dh. Cain yelich braun/thames shaw santana (dh) leaves phillips/broxton arcia C villar.

 

The question really comes down to what's more important? Do you stash broxton phillips and use Santana less for 1 year because having a DH next year would allow for a near perfect balance already inplace. Or do you worry about the year ahead of you knowing you likely wont get the price you feel you deserve on Santana.

 

People have talked about pitchers holding out because all it takes is 1 injury change the market. We could be doing the same with Santana. We could be comfortable sitting on a 6 player talent glut while we wait for the right offer or a change in the format.

 

We go into this year with phillips broxton in AAA. We watch braun and santana play about 100 games and people wonder what the heck stearns is doing... then DH comes to NL and he looks brilliant for holding assets through 2018.

 

I still see no way Braun doesnt transition to 1st. Theyve said yelich will mostly play in LF. Brauns not playing RF.

[Warning Track Power]

Is adding the DH something that can occur in the middle of the CBA? I thought I read that adding the DH can only occur as part of the next CBA.

[3and2Fastball]

Why are the Brewers coddling Braun? He is a declining talent who gets hurt every year. It wouldn't shock me to see Santana out produce Braun every year over the next 5 years.

 

Brian Anderson actually opened today's telecast saying that "the biggest news of the offseason" is Braun moving to first base. Seriously? Not trading for Yelich or signing Cain. Braun playing 1B is the biggest news?

 

Yes if the return on Santana helps the franchise, sure, trade him. I get that Braun won the 2011 MVP, but that was 7 very long seasons ago.

[TJseven7]

Why are the Brewers coddling Braun? He is a declining talent who gets hurt every year. It wouldn't shock me to see Santana out produce Braun every year over the next 5 years.

 

Brian Anderson actually opened today's telecast saying that "the biggest news of the offseason" is Braun moving to first base. Seriously? Not trading for Yelich or signing Cain. Braun playing 1B is the biggest news?

 

Yes if the return on Santana helps the franchise, sure, trade him. I get that Braun won the 2011 MVP, but that was 7 very long seasons ago.

 

Lol believe me, if that Braun to the dodgers for Kemp and prospects was a real thing I'd be all over it. The "problem" though is that there are 2 problems, not only does Braun need to move to 1b... but Santana can only play DH at an elite level.

 

I'd imagine the most frustrating thing for a gm would be to have talent that doesn't fit your vision, but also isn't commanding proper trade value.

 

3 team trade

Braun to lad

Santana sogard lux to kc

Merrifield white kemp to mke

 

Pay all of Kemps salary and send him to an AL team to dh for a ticket.

 

Cain Yelich Thames/Aguilar Shaw Whit phillips/broxton C arcia

[Never Outhustled]

I think many are reading too much into it. I think all Braun is saying is that he won't be playing much first of Aguilar is on the team. Until he's traded or released, Aguilar is still here.

[TJseven7]

We are concerned with Aguilar AB instead of Santana AB?

[MrTPlush]

Braun is not going anywhere....

[FVBrewerFan]

After hundreds of pages talking about trades, is it a surprise Stearns is trying to trade an OF? Only factor that matters is will someone offer enough.

[Never Outhustled]

We are concerned with Aguilar AB instead of Santana AB?

 

I don't see how the 2 are related. Santana is going too start as much as usual, Braun is a part-time player now. I'd guess Aguilar gets traded by the end of camp.

[TJseven7]

We are concerned with Aguilar AB instead of Santana AB?

 

I don't see how the 2 are related. Santana is going too start as much as usual, Braun is a part-time player now. I'd guess Aguilar gets traded by the end of camp.

 

They are related because braun is going to play. But not playing much 1st would decrease the usage of Santana Yelich and Cain to increase the usage of Aguilar. That's assinine. Aguilar holds next to zero trade value. Santana hopefully carries a good deal. If I was lying to give an appearance I'd lie to make it clear santanas is in thr plans to play every day.

 

Braun should not be playing 60 games in the OF with a guy like aguilar seeing 70 games at 1st if at all possible and as soon as we said we are going with an 8 man pen, there's next to no way aguilar fits on this roster. Braun Perez need to play 1st in that scenerio. C Sogard (for 2b/ss depth) the non starter at 1b (braun or thames) and someone who can play 1st and 3rd and hopefully some OF, and platoon rhb 2b wouldn't hurt.. perez is that guy.

[badger3034]

We are concerned with Aguilar AB instead of Santana AB?

 

I don't see how the 2 are related. Santana is going too start as much as usual, Braun is a part-time player now. I'd guess Aguilar gets traded by the end of camp.

Braun, when not hurt, is still a very good player. Aguilar, at any time, is a very average player. Braun, as the roster is currently constructed, will get much more playing time than Aguilar

[JohnBriggs12]

They have to wait out the market for Santana. It's not very strong right now but injuries can change that quickly. As for Aguilar? There's some pretty good 1B out there that haven't found jobs yet: Lind, Duda, Reynolds. At best he'll bring back a lottery ticket low level prospect.

 

Frankly I don't see Santana playing everyday if he's still here. The big reason is his defense. It kind of defeats the purpose to acquire two very good OF defenders and leave your worst holdover defender out there everyday.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

They have to wait out the market for Santana. It's not very strong right now but injuries can change that quickly. As for Aguilar? There's some pretty good 1B out there that haven't found jobs yet: Lind, Duda, Reynolds. At best he'll bring back a lottery ticket low level prospect.

 

Frankly I don't see Santana playing everyday if he's still here. The big reason is his defense. It kind of defeats the purpose to acquire two very good OF defenders and leave your worst holdover defender out there everyday.

 

I agree with this post 100%. You don't acquire Cain and Yelich without a change in philosophy regarding defensive value. If they wanted to have an outfield of mashers, they would have kept Braun in LF, Santana in RF and Broxton/Brinson in CF. But as it stands now, I think the people that are pencilling Santana into the lineup are jumping the gun. I still think he's the first one to go, and I have a feeling we aren't going to be super happy with the return on him. I'm guessing he'll net a decent bullpen piece or 2B, and probably a borderline Top 100 prospect. Similar to the return on Souza, even though Santana is younger, cheaper, and better in my opinion.

 

I don't doubt that Stearns has probably been close several times to pulling the trigger on a deal with Santana, but for whatever reason they've fallen through. I speculate that he was probably in talks with the Diamondbacks to send Santana there for Drury and maybe Banda, but perhaps decided that wasn't enough. Keep an eye on the corner OF injury list. Santana will be in demand if a big name gets hurt.

[FVBrewerFan]

They have to wait out the market for Santana. It's not very strong right now but injuries can change that quickly. As for Aguilar? There's some pretty good 1B out there that haven't found jobs yet: Lind, Duda, Reynolds. At best he'll bring back a lottery ticket low level prospect.

 

Frankly I don't see Santana playing everyday if he's still here. The big reason is his defense. It kind of defeats the purpose to acquire two very good OF defenders and leave your worst holdover defender out there everyday.

 

I agree with this post 100%. You don't acquire Cain and Yelich without a change in philosophy regarding defensive value. If they wanted to have an outfield of mashers, they would have kept Braun in LF, Santana in RF and Broxton/Brinson in CF. But as it stands now, I think the people that are pencilling Santana into the lineup are jumping the gun. I still think he's the first one to go, and I have a feeling we aren't going to be super happy with the return on him. I'm guessing he'll net a decent bullpen piece or 2B, and probably a borderline Top 100 prospect. Similar to the return on Souza, even though Santana is younger, cheaper, and better in my opinion.

 

I don't doubt that Stearns has probably been close several times to pulling the trigger on a deal with Santana, but for whatever reason they've fallen through. I speculate that he was probably in talks with the Diamondbacks to send Santana there for Drury and maybe Banda, but perhaps decided that wasn't enough. Keep an eye on the corner OF injury list. Santana will be in demand if a big name gets hurt.

 

I agree Santana doesn't fit the type of player they want (which is why Stearns and his former boss traded him in the first place.) That said, as long as they still have him I don't think he's riding the bench, nor should he. As the roster stands, the alternative is Braun who isn't exactly a Gold Glover out there.

 

My guess is they've been trying to move Santana even before this off-season. So, it just may be the case that Stearns hasn't seen an offer that's nearly enough for a young, cost controlled .880ish bat. He'll need to decide whether he wants to continue to be patient, or lower his demands and move on.

 

When you look at it, keeping him around for another year isn't the worst thing in the world. After these for OF, what do you have? Broxton, another guy who strikes out a ton and slugging heavy OPS. Phillips...you want strikeouts? You got em. And I'm a big Phillips fan, just not sure if he's ready.

 

So with Braun' limited availability it's not all bad to have Sunday around, weaknesses and all.

[3and2Fastball]

Braun is almost as bad defensively as Santana. Especially when he's not 100% , which is most of the time. Playing Yelich anywhere other than LF decreases his value and puts him out of position.

[Oldcity]

Why would Stearns inform Braun about any of the plans? He was deputy GM under Melvin.

This needs to be recognized. Bravo.

[Never Outhustled]

They have to wait out the market for Santana. It's not very strong right now but injuries can change that quickly. As for Aguilar? There's some pretty good 1B out there that haven't found jobs yet: Lind, Duda, Reynolds. At best he'll bring back a lottery ticket low level prospect.

 

Frankly I don't see Santana playing everyday if he's still here. The big reason is his defense. It kind of defeats the purpose to acquire two very good OF defenders and leave your worst holdover defender out there everyday.

 

Yelich hasn't played a single inning of RF in his major league career. If the plan was for him to be the regular RF, he'd be playing there full time this spring. He isn't.

 

No major OF trade is imminent.

[CrewFanBrewMan69]

Yelich absolutely could play RF, and likely would be a plus defender there, if needed or wanted. Just because he hasn’t played there doesn’t mean he’s incapable of it.

[brewerfan82]

Yelich hasn't played a single inning of RF in his major league career. If the plan was for him to be the regular RF, he'd be playing there full time this spring. He isn't.

 

No major OF trade is imminent.

By the same logic:

 

Braun hasn't played a single inning of 1B in his major league career. If the plan was for him to be the regular 1B, he'd be playing there full time this spring. He isn't.

 

A major OF trade is imminent.

 

Aha!

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Yelich absolutely could play RF, and likely would be a plus defender there, if needed or wanted. Just because he hasn’t played there doesn’t mean he’s incapable of it.

 

Except Counsell is already on record saying that Yelich will be the team's primary LF. Also, he hasn't played RF in his career because his arm is considered too weak for the position. So you'd be taking a guy who profiles as an elite or at least ++ defender in LF, and switching him to a position where he'd likely be no more than adequate.

 

Also, don't sleep on the idea of Phillips as the primary RF. An outfield of Yelich-Cain-Phillips would likely be one of the best defensive outfields in the majors. Of course, that depends on Phillips's ability to rein in his strikeouts and show better plate discipline. But he's young and is certainly capable of doing that.

[sveumrules]

Khris Davis & Christian Yelich both debuted in 2013. During that time frame Khris Davis received MLB worst arm ratings of -24 per DRS & -22 per UZR. Yelich has also been a bottom ten arm ranking at -12 by both DRS & UZR.

 

I don't think putting Christian in RF for any extended period is maximizing his skill set. Good news is even without a trade or injury we shouldn't really need to. If no trades are made & everyone is healthy coming into the season I'd look to divvy it up something like this...

 

1B: Thames (110) / Braun (52)

LF: Yelich (94) / Braun (68)

CF: Cain (136) / Yelich (26)

RF: Domingo (136) / Yelich (26)

 

That's Thames (110), Braun (120), Lo/Do (136 each) & Yelich (146).

 

If Santana is on the Opening Day roster he will play. There's no way to raise his trade value by sitting him on the bench.