Alex Cobb (Part 3)

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Oh your right us fans are going nuts and DS just waiting to get the best deal from one of them. Hopefully it gets done in the next few weeks

 

Thumbs up.

 

Some of you think like agents, "Brewers are in win now. Let's fleece em" is the agent thought process. The best way to counter that thought process is to make them wait. Crew has shown their interest. No agent is going to make a deal without at least contacting the Brewers at the last minute. Every day these teams make a player wait it benefits the team not the player. Also look closer, Cobb, Lynn and Arrieta all maybe the best out there but their still not the cream. Brewers are playing a wait and see approach with their current starters. Injuries, effectiveness and a players willingness to take less will determine the Brewers acquisitions. It's dynamic with many moving parts. Stearns does not make irrational and emotional decisions. However, He will buy when the price is right. Be patient.

 

This.

 

My feeling is the Brewers are interested at their price. If none of these guys are in that price range, you move on. I would guarantee Stearns is examining every avenue for starting pitching, including free agency and multiple trade candidates. I'd love to see them grab someone before the start of the season, but it's also important to establish rotation depth right now, which is exactly what they are doing with Miley, Guerra, Gallardo and the cast of other characters they are auditioning for rotation spots. Who knows ... maybe there is another Anderson in that group. Then once they have a firmer handle on the rotation depth, they can strike on a free agent move to firm up the rotation. It's frustrating to wait, but at this point it is what it is.

 

I'm more worried about the positional logjam, but there's still 3 weeks of spring training, which means there's still time to sort that out.

 

On a side note, glad you're back, man! Stick around for awhile and talk some ball. March is the time for optimism.

[brewmann04]

Yes it going to go down to opening day here to see what the Brewers do or don't do. Just be patient and enjoy the games on TV

[82brewcrew82]

I have zero sources but I find it is inconceivable that they don't end up with on of the 3 pitchers. We can find something to occupy our time until then.

 

They absolutely would not have picked up those outfielders otherwise.

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

 

Sorry, can't get past this. What do you think this word means? Seems like he's using the word in proper context.

Brevity my friend, brevity.

[FVBrewerFan]

Thanks Mr. Allen, I'm not familiar with that reference. Now I feel old.

[wildcat83]

 

Cain on the other hand I agree fully, and really don't know why we did it, makes absolutely zero sense to me without a domino to fall after it. I have to believe there is still one coming here at some point before we kick off the season in the form of controllable SP (or a discount from the big 3), otherwise IMO it was just dumb. Doesn't mean I won't pull for Lo the next 5 years wholeheartedly though.

 

When Braun goes on the DL and we have an outfield of Yelich/Cain/Santana with Phillips or Broxton up as the 4th it won't seem like a log jam anymore. We are at the point of his career that it's not even an "if" it a "when". They signed Cain because they get high contact, low strike out rate, good base running, and good defense player that fits what their vision is. Everyone is looking at the log jam that we will have on opening day, but it would most likely play itself out over the course of the year that someone is spending time on the DL. We have a great amount of depth and flexibility now that we did not have before. Even if we don't move anyone I think this will play out just fine. If we do move someone and we stack up a couple injuries during the season and are playing a 5th/6th/7th outfielder like we did last year at times we might end up wishing we had the depth back.

[FVBrewerFan]

Oh your right us fans are going nuts and DS just waiting to get the best deal from one of them. Hopefully it gets done in the next few weeks

 

Thumbs up.

 

Some of you think like agents, "Brewers are in win now. Let's fleece em" is the agent thought process. The best way to counter that thought process is to make them wait. Crew has shown their interest. No agent is going to make a deal without at least contacting the Brewers at the last minute. Every day these teams make a player wait it benefits the team not the player. Also look closer, Cobb, Lynn and Arrieta all maybe the best out there but their still not the cream. Brewers are playing a wait and see approach with their current starters. Injuries, effectiveness and a players willingness to take less will determine the Brewers acquisitions. It's dynamic with many moving parts. Stearns does not make irrational and emotional decisions. However, He will buy when the price is right. Be patient.

 

This.

 

My feeling is the Brewers are interested at their price. If none of these guys are in that price range, you move on. I would guarantee Stearns is examining every avenue for starting pitching, including free agency and multiple trade candidates. I'd love to see them grab someone before the start of the season, but it's also important to establish rotation depth right now, which is exactly what they are doing with Miley, Guerra, Gallardo and the cast of other characters they are auditioning for rotation spots. Who knows ... maybe there is another Anderson in that group. Then once they have a firmer handle on the rotation depth, they can strike on a free agent move to firm up the rotation. It's frustrating to wait, but at this point it is what it is.

 

I'm more worried about the positional logjam, but there's still 3 weeks of spring training, which means there's still time to sort that out.

 

On a side note, glad you're back, man! Stick around for awhile and talk some ball. March is the time for optimism.

 

"Every day these teams make a player wait it benefits the team not the player" is NOT necessarily true. If it was, agents aren't stupid they would have had their players sign by now. It works both ways. Injuries could drive the price up.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

"Every day these teams make a player wait it benefits the team not the player" is NOT necessarily true. If it was, agents aren't stupid they would have had their players sign by now. It works both ways. Injuries could drive the price up.

 

Agreed. Any time there is a game of chicken, there are inherent risks for both sides. There is always the chance that closing time comes, the lights go on, and the Brewers head home empty handed. But at the end of the day, these guys want to play baseball, and the Brewers continue to make the most logical sense for one or even two of them.

 

We all know that a good starter is eventually going to go down with a long-term injury for a contender somewhere. It happens every spring. That would certainly increase the leverage these guys have. I hope for the Brewers' sake those instances are rare, though, because as of right now, they are one of only a small handful of teams where a high-profile pitching signing still makes good sense.

[Point Beer Is Best]

Thanks Mr. Allen, I'm not familiar with that reference. Now I feel old.

 

 

The Princess Bride came out in 1987. When I saw you didn't get the reference, I had assumed to you too young for that movie to have entered your pop culture repertoire.

[TURBO]

 

Cain on the other hand I agree fully, and really don't know why we did it, makes absolutely zero sense to me without a domino to fall after it. I have to believe there is still one coming here at some point before we kick off the season in the form of controllable SP (or a discount from the big 3), otherwise IMO it was just dumb. Doesn't mean I won't pull for Lo the next 5 years wholeheartedly though.

 

When Braun goes on the DL and we have an outfield of Yelich/Cain/Santana with Phillips or Broxton up as the 4th it won't seem like a log jam anymore. We are at the point of his career that it's not even an "if" it a "when". They signed Cain because they get high contact, low strike out rate, good base running, and good defense player that fits what their vision is. Everyone is looking at the log jam that we will have on opening day, but it would most likely play itself out over the course of the year that someone is spending time on the DL. We have a great amount of depth and flexibility now that we did not have before. Even if we don't move anyone I think this will play out just fine. If we do move someone and we stack up a couple injuries during the season and are playing a 5th/6th/7th outfielder like we did last year at times we might end up wishing we had the depth back.

 

I think Cain could almost fall into that "when" category as well, hopefully, they both won't be hurt at the same time.

[brewcrewdue80]

Some of you are really coming off as "if Stearns doesn't do things the way I want, then there's no chance the Brewers will compete this year". You'll just never be taken seriously as a poster conveying your message like that.

 

One thing to consider. Aside from elite, game changing players, of which there are few, sports are played by collections of athletes who produce results with very little discernible difference from one another from year to year. Player A may have an outlier year for him that leads to a couple more wins than player B provides. And then the next year, the two switch places in terms of impact. Unless you're acquiring an elite, game changing player, there's no need to forego patience and throw wild sums of money on players whose impact won't be much more than you might get from a street free agent or a young player at a fraction the cost. Stearns acquired two OFs this offseason who make a measurable impact in multiple facets of the game. He has obviously made attempts to add difference making pitchers but the price was too high. You don't then just desperately go after B-level guys at inflated prices just to fill a hole. That's a surefire way to close windows of opportunity at a later time when a difference maker is acquirable.

 

When it comes to any player who isn't a blue-chipper, sometimes the biggest difference making factor is your coaching staff and scouting. Taking a low cost castoff and making tweeks as opposed to overpaying a second level guy who won't make much difference. Stearns has alluded to this when talking about not just making a move for the sake of making one. If you're going to spend, it better be for a needle-mover, a difference maker. With those 2nd tier guys, you very well could see a reclamation project on a 1-year deal outproduce a guy who signs a 4 year deal at $15 mil per.

 

I see constant doubts raised here about the big names (Arrieta, Cobb, Lynn). Arrieta is losing velocity. Cobb isn't the same since he lost his changeup. Lynn is leaving the St. Louis program, etc. Yet despite those warts, everyone is up in arms that one hasn't been signed. You have to determine a price when delving into free agency, especially for players who are dependent on some reversal from recent decline or struggles. And if the player is asking for more than the price you've set, you save the money or assets for someone who who comes available later.

 

Bottom line, you have to be capable of patience or over time you will squander too many assets, payroll, or both. In a small market, fans should never be screaming "just get it done" because our GM sure can't operate that way.

 

Well behind in this thread, but this is spot on and well said post to my feelings.

 

The bullpen is easily 10 games better over the bullpen the 1st half of last season. The top of the batting order, and subsequent push down of those atop last season, is multiple games better than all of last season.

 

Yelich's move solved the Phillips/Brinson debate on if they could hit enough. He is their ceiling and his ceiling hasn't been reached.

 

Signing Cain, took advantage of the market as well as solidify our CF position. The fact that they happened so close together may have been that teams were making offers for Yelich and Cain was their fallback option. Well, Stearns beat the market by getting both on the same day.

 

This post above giving credit to 3 guys that are of mixed review here, yet are calling this offseason poor by Stearns if he doesn't sign one? Keeping your resources for a future move is smart over getting a guy who doesn't "move the needle" in his eyes.

 

The playoffs are 162 games away. Multiple players will not be on this team come September. Basing the Playoffs today when what you see on paper 1000% won't be the same on paper come the end of September is over the top criticizing what Stearns has built over this offseason. A better team than last season. 5-11 last year in extra innings having given up 22runs in those 16 extra inning games. 23 IP total means a whopping! 8.63 ERA from the bullpen in extras. And looking at boxscores of those 16 games, only twice did Milw score in the 9th to push that game in to extras while Giving up 4 games allowing teams to score in the 9th to push extras. Basically the gang of Feliz, Peralta, Drake, Hughes and Torres. Taking all those losses. Only Drake remains for now and as noted shouldn't make the team based on who he's competing with.

[monty57]

 

Cain on the other hand I agree fully, and really don't know why we did it, makes absolutely zero sense to me without a domino to fall after it. I have to believe there is still one coming here at some point before we kick off the season in the form of controllable SP (or a discount from the big 3), otherwise IMO it was just dumb. Doesn't mean I won't pull for Lo the next 5 years wholeheartedly though.

 

When Braun goes on the DL and we have an outfield of Yelich/Cain/Santana with Phillips or Broxton up as the 4th it won't seem like a log jam anymore. We are at the point of his career that it's not even an "if" it a "when". They signed Cain because they get high contact, low strike out rate, good base running, and good defense player that fits what their vision is. Everyone is looking at the log jam that we will have on opening day, but it would most likely play itself out over the course of the year that someone is spending time on the DL. We have a great amount of depth and flexibility now that we did not have before. Even if we don't move anyone I think this will play out just fine. If we do move someone and we stack up a couple injuries during the season and are playing a 5th/6th/7th outfielder like we did last year at times we might end up wishing we had the depth back.

 

I agree, but without an injury, we're going to trot out someone like Guerra or Gallardo every five days, and with an injury we could implode, with our bullpen getting seriously taxed and a merry-go-round of starters trying to find someone to stop the bleeding.

 

When our outfielders are healthy, we will have an All-Star talent sitting on the bench everyday. As things currently stand, 20+% of that time will be spent watching a starting pitcher who should not be starting for a team with playoff aspirations.

 

I may be wrong, but I think Stearns signed Cain with the intention of trading Santana for a starting pitcher, not because he wanted to have an All-Star sitting on the bench every day as injury insurance

[DR28]

Bowden said the O's are front runners to get Cobb.

 

And has us as best fit for Lynn.

[NOMAAM]

I have zero sources but I find it is inconceivable that they don't end up with on of the 3 pitchers. We can find something to occupy our time until then.

 

They absolutely would not have picked up those outfielders otherwise.

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

You seem like a decent fellow. I hate to kill you.

[NOMAAM]

Bowden said the O's are front runners to get Cobb.

 

And has us as best fit for Lynn.

Is this the genius that does understand the new draft pick system?

[brewmann04]

time to enjoy the games on tv for spring training

[Boomer5]

time to enjoy the games on tv for spring training

 

Best post in this thread so far.

[FVBrewerFan]

Thanks Mr. Allen, I'm not familiar with that reference. Now I feel old.

 

 

The Princess Bride came out in 1987. When I saw you didn't get the reference, I had assumed to you too young for that movie to have entered your pop culture repertoire.

 

Nope, actually graduated HS in 1984, so I'm a child of the 80s. Just somehow have never seen that movie.

[HighHeat19]

3/42

[DR28]

3/42

 

That's what we're getting Cobb for?

 

HH man, dont leave us hanging like this!!

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

3/42

 

If we could get him for that, I'd be very happy. That is more than fair for both sides. I'm hopeful we will hear some good news soon.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

3/42

 

That's what we're getting Cobb for?

 

HH man, dont leave us hanging like this!!

 

Patience, grasshopper

[82brewcrew82]

3/42

 

If we could get him for that, I'd be very happy. That is more than fair for both sides. I'm hopeful we will hear some good news soon.

If he was available for that someone would have signed him by now.

[MadScientist]

3/42

 

That's a lot better than the 4/75 you threw out there in the twitter poll a while back. I'd be happy if the Brewers bring him in for that.

[pacopete4]

Yeah 3/42 just doesn’t seem high enough after all this waiting.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

3/42

 

If we could get him for that, I'd be very happy. That is more than fair for both sides. I'm hopeful we will hear some good news soon.

If he was available for that someone would have signed him by now.

 

Perhaps he's lowered his demands? Perhaps that's just what the Brewers offered, and he hasn't agreed to anything. At this point, who knows? I'd be happy with that deal, but I'm not going to get my hopes up too far until Attanasio and Stearns have a cheesy press conference announcing it.