David Stearns must do's for the offseason

[DHonks]

Catcher: Look for a reasonable improvement in free agency to pair with Nottingham/Pina.

First base: Commit to Braun at first for 2019, with Thames as the backup there and in left.

Second base: Stick with Shaw, keep Schoop for use against lefties.

Shortstop: Arcia gets a shot based on the post-season, but if he slumps, Schoop goes.

 

Clancy, I’m not sure I can assume Schoop outperforms Arcia. He was pretty bad

[brewcrewdue80]

Musts?

find a sucker to deal Scope to.

Trade Thames.

Find a couple RP arms to replace the 2 you will lose when Woodruff, Peralta, Burnes are thrusted in SP roles. LH preferred.

 

RH 3b out there? Platoon type for Shaw or Moose.

Market for Aguilar? Trade him, you move Braun to 1b. Santana/Ray/Broxton as OF replacements to Braun.

 

If you dont move Scope, Moose stays, you finally rid of Perez whatever that is. I assume he plays 2b til Hiura takes over.

Hader/Kneble complete the 8th-9th of a bullpen. 2IP at a time. Guerra& the non sp of the 3 above would be my long men in the other spots.

Consider a Catcher upgrade, but not sure that really exists. They are all sideway moves.

 

The team is built for some years. Hiura if he arrives with just an avg output helps this team for a long time. Arcia is still growing, hopefully this post season is a path he continues on.

Really just need a new voice in a batting coach to improve the clutch hitting situations. Better awareness on approaching the current hitting situations. Hacking at first pitches after walks or wildness by opposing pitchers has to improve. Make the guy beat you vs helping him.

Yelich's 2nd AB is prime example. Cain walk. 1st pitch GIDP.

[Lathund]

The first thing to do, and which many of the subsequent moves depend on, is to evaluate the trade and FA market for 2B and to a lesser extent 3B as Shaw has proven he can play 2B adequately.

 

If a solid 2B/3B can be found, that makes the Schoop/Moustakas situations easier to handle. Moose for 1 year at $15m isn't a bad idea, but I think he might decline his side of the option and seek a longer deal with more total $$$. And if he does, I don't think we should be in the running. Schoop... if he is the player he has been in Baltimore over the last few seasons, he's a good option even at $8-10m. I have my doubts though, and as always I prefer guys who get on base at a decent clip over pretty much everything else. That one depends on whatever 2B/3B we bring in; $8-10m AAV is a lot, but the fact that it's only a 1 year committement is in his favor. I would imagine most good options out there demand longer deals for more total money.

 

Dubon gets a chance to show what he can do, as a utility man and perhaps 2B platoon with Shaw. I'm also ready to move on from Perez, assuming there's enough flexibility elsewhere. I would prefer to have a generally versatile squad and building the bench with platoon options rather than utility guys who can't hit. He's also starting to be more expensive. Now if the rest of the roster lacks positional versatility, it might be necessary to keep him around. I just get irrationally upset whenever he and his .285 OBP strikes out on 3 pitches.

 

Aguilar isn't the all star he was for the first half. Perhaps he's showing some fatigue and wear and tear towards the end of the season? Either way, he's absolutely fine and it's not somewhere we should spend a lot of resources looking to improve. Hopefully the rest of the infield situation will allow us to play Shaw some more at 1B against tough righties Aguilar would struggle against. Would keep him more fresh too.

 

I seriously love Erik Kratz. What a story he has been this season, and he genuinely seems like a fantastic person and teammate. But he's not the future at the position. Piña is younger and better, and I'd like to see him stick around and paired with someone else. Not a fan of a Realmuto trade, but there are a bunch of catchers who are free agents this offseason who could be interesting. This is also the one position where I'd prioritize defense more than anywhere else, as a good catcher makes the pitchers better as well. You'd like a good bat too of course (Which is what makes guys like Posey so incredibly valuable), but it's just a bonus.

 

OF is pretty much set. Cain, Yelich and Braun will be here in 2019. I still don't believe we'll see 2017 Santana ever again, but he did enough in his PH role for another shot. He even looked a bit better on defense, which is nice as it means Yelich will get to play more LF when Braun sits.

 

At SP there are plenty of options. Chacin will be in the rotation, and Nelson should get a chance. Beyond that there's Burnes, Woodruff, Peralta, Davies, Anderson. I want to give the young guys the chance to start. Plenty of players around with options, so regardless of exactly who starts in the rotation or not I'm sure they can figure out a way to keep 7-8 good starters around. Not looking to do much here other than perhaps 1 in and 1 out, more of that below.

 

Bullpen will be shaped to some degree by the decisions regarding the starters as some will no doubt end up in the pen. Guerra has been excellent in relief, and Hader, Jeffress and Knebel are obvious key members of the 'pen. I'd look to add a really good lefty to that; not a LOOGY but genuine quality who just happens to be a lefty. Easier said than done though, and I don't want to pay the $10m kind of salaries to reilevers. I quite like Soria, but I'm not sure I want to pick up that option. It depends on what else we spend; if the infield/catcher positions can be filled cheaply, then pay Soria. But apart from the lefty, I don't see much need. Plenty of internal options.

 

The above basically serves as a background to the moves below, as there are too many factors in play to say striaght up what to do. Like availability, options and such. But, roughly I'd try to

- Trade/non-tender/release Thames, Perez, Anderson, Schoop (Unless devoid of other options)

- Pick up one of Moustakas and Soria. Depends on other moves.

- Acquire a 2B/3B bat as a bridge to Hiura. Whit Merrifield probably isn't getting traded, and will be very expensive if he is, but that would be a fantastic signing.

- Mind you there's also the chance that Hiura will be called up early. Probably not from day 1 regardless of what happens (due to service time issues), but if he's healthy and plays competent defense it can be sooner than many expect.

- Acquire a starter, perhaps Wide Miley. Can also be a depth type of move, can be a bigger one if money isn't spent elsewhere, but either way you can't have too many starters.

- Acquire a good left-handed reliever. Maybe a return for Will Smith if the Giants are rebuilding/retooling?

- Strengthen at Catcher. Prioritize defense.

- Be on the lookout for good opportunities in general. If good players become available cheaply, acquire them. Keep trying to find value from minor league FAs, waivers and such.

 

Now that's just a general blueprint of course. It all depends on what's really available out there; if there are no good options in one area, focus more on another and so forth. As for what the real Stearns will do, well just expect the unexpected. It'll be interesting to see what kind of budget we'll have, perhaps Attanasio is willing to spend a bit over the next couple of years, which would open up some real possibilities. Not just in terms of straight up FA spending (Where guys like Keuchel could be intriguing), but also in taking on (parts of) big contracts for players who are still good, but overpaid.

[torts]

Josh Harrison is a FA, love him as a player and a person in the community, he could be a great IF option

[adambr2]

SP - So many great options, especially if Jimmy is back at full strength. Burnes, Woodruff, Nelson, Peralta, Guerra, could all be full blown starters or tweener types. As I've said with so many options they may get very creative with their staff in 2019.

 

RP - Basically everyone will/should be back. Really would help if guys like Taylor Williams take that next step. Albers will get a shot to make the team out of ST, but it won't be guaranteed this year.

 

OF - Pretty well set. Santana may get a shot to work his way back into the fold next year. I wouldn't mind seeing Granderson back for depth if on a cheap deal, but I don't think it happens.

 

IF - Hiura needs to be up by July 2019. His bat will be ready, and we need it. I don't see Moose back. He's a poor man's Shaw with less versatility. I think we can find better ways to spend our money. Also don't expect Schoop back. Maybe for $3-5M it would be worth taking a rebound flyer on. For 10M, I think it would be best to just move on.

 

I like both Dubon and Perez to make the 2019 Brewers. Their positional versatility really allows us to focus on bats for the bench.

 

My priority free agents are Wilson Ramos and Eduardo Escobar. Getting some offensive contributions at catcher would be a huge boost for this team, and Escobar fits the need of a switch hitting, slugging player with a versatile glove.

 

Opening day roster 2019:

 

SP/RP: Nelson, Woodruff, Burnes, Chacin, Miley, Peralta, Guerra, Hader, Williams, Knebel, Jeffress, Cedeno,

 

OF: Yelich, Cain, Braun, Santana

 

IF: Aguilar, Shaw, Escobar, Arcia, Ramos, Pina, Perez, Dubon

 

Anderson, Thames, Broxton, and Davies all traded.

[NYChez]

1. Let go of Schoop and his .294 career OBP.

 

2. Find a 2B with a career OBP above .294.

[Invader3K]

Here's one:

 

Sign Christian Yelich to a long term deal. The guy was an MVP this year, is still young, and is a genuine five tool player. He's the kind of piece we can build around for the next decade, like Ryan Braun ten years ago.

[MrTPlush]

Here's one:

 

Sign Christian Yelich to a long term deal. The guy was an MVP this year, is still young, and is a genuine five tool player. He's the kind of piece we can build around for the next decade, like Ryan Braun ten years ago.

 

You could probably find a better example than a guy who fell off a cliff the second his extension kicked in. It is just not a wise idea, let’s resist that urge. Who knows if he is even worth that money in 4 years.

[LouisEly]

1) Deal Chase Anderson for minor league depth. They probably won't be able to get value for Davies since he didn't pitch much this year. Anderson, for what he provides and what he costs, will have value to someone.

2) Give Nottingham the backup C role. Pina is the starter, let Nottingham get accustomed to working with the staff in spring training. See if Nottingham can learn and progress to be the starter in 2020. That being said...

3) Explore packaging Nottingham for an immediate upgrade at C. If the value isn't there, go with Nottingham.

4) Stand pat at SS. Arcia showed plenty of signs late in the season and in the playoffs to suggest rebounding to 2017 form. And he's only 24. Some of the best moves you make are the moves you don't make.

5) Find more value for the bullpen. Maybe it's Lyles, maybe it's Guerra, maybe it's time to give QT-C a chance as a LHRP. They'll need another LHRP.

6) Figure out 2B. Whether it's Schoop, or preferably a LH option. Maybe it's Dubon.

[Boomer5]

Here's one:

 

Sign Christian Yelich to a long term deal. The guy was an MVP this year, is still young, and is a genuine five tool player. He's the kind of piece we can build around for the next decade, like Ryan Braun ten years ago.

 

I don’t see the urgency here. He had a truly great 2nd half of the regular season but he still has 3 more years of control.

 

And not to nitpick but he is not a five tool player. Though his D would improve if he went to his more natural LF when Braun isn’t playing.

[adambr2]

Yeah I'm not interested in extending Yelich, especially at the very high end of his value.

 

He is controlled through age 30 already. So you are extending a 31 year old with no idea of what will come in the next 4 years and no way of getting out of it if stuff happens like it did with Braun and it ends up being a mistake. My guess is it would take at least 5 years and $130M after what he did this year to extend him. I just don't see the wisdom in that.

 

Let's just enjoy having him through 2022 and by that time we'll have a pretty good idea of what the future beyond that looks like.

[adambr2]

1) Deal Chase Anderson for minor league depth. They probably won't be able to get value for Davies since he didn't pitch much this year. Anderson, for what he provides and what he costs, will have value to someone.

2) Give Nottingham the backup C role. Pina is the starter, let Nottingham get accustomed to working with the staff in spring training. See if Nottingham can learn and progress to be the starter in 2020. That being said...

3) Explore packaging Nottingham for an immediate upgrade at C. If the value isn't there, go with Nottingham.

4) Stand pat at SS. Arcia showed plenty of signs late in the season and in the playoffs to suggest rebounding to 2017 form. And he's only 24. Some of the best moves you make are the moves you don't make.

5) Find more value for the bullpen. Maybe it's Lyles, maybe it's Guerra, maybe it's time to give QT-C a chance as a LHRP. They'll need another LHRP.

6) Figure out 2B. Whether it's Schoop, or preferably a LH option. Maybe it's Dubon.

 

Some combination of Eduardo Escobar and Shaw is my choice at 2B. I totally forgot about QTC. I'd say him in, Barnes out.

[jerichoholicninja]

Offense, offense, and more offense.

 

Throughout the year, and still, people are saying they need pitching. You can never have too much pitching, I get that. But how anyone could have watched this team over the last month or so and said, the pitching could be better, I will never understand. Even though the Dodgers scored more runs than us in the series, I think the Brewers outpitched them by a lot. Brewers pitchers were painting corners, nailing spots with their breaking stuff, and just blowing it by batters. But so often the Dodgers just tried to put it in play and they did, reaching on dinkers, jam shots, and ground balls. The Brewers batters, on the other hand, helped the Dodgers pitchers out a lot. It wasn't so much the strikeouts but the pitches they were swinging at. I'd like to know what the percentage of pitches out of the zone we swung at was. I would bet it would be a record for a playoff series if such stats are kept. So many of the AB's last night were flat out embarrassing. I had texted some friends last night, How we got this far in the playoffs with this offense is a miracle.

 

Out of all the playoff teams the Brewers scored the fewest runs per game in the regular season and were tied with the Braves for lowest regular season OPS+. They were bottom third in the league for pretty much every offensive category before the trade deadline and even with the Moose trade and Yelich end of year tear couldn't even crack the top 10 for the full season.

[Pugger]

Offense, offense, and more offense.

 

Throughout the year, and still, people are saying they need pitching. You can never have too much pitching, I get that. But how anyone could have watched this team over the last month or so and said, the pitching could be better, I will never understand. Even though the Dodgers scored more runs than us in the series, I think the Brewers outpitched them by a lot. Brewers pitchers were painting corners, nailing spots with their breaking stuff, and just blowing it by batters. But so often the Dodgers just tried to put it in play and they did, reaching on dinkers, jam shots, and ground balls. The Brewers batters, on the other hand, helped the Dodgers pitchers out a lot. It wasn't so much the strikeouts but the pitches they were swinging at. I'd like to know what the percentage of pitches out of the zone we swung at was. I would bet it would be a record for a playoff series if such stats are kept. So many of the AB's last night were flat out embarrassing. I had texted some friends last night, How we got this far in the playoffs with this offense is a miracle.

 

Out of all the playoff teams the Brewers scored the fewest runs per game in the regular season and were tied with the Braves for lowest regular season OPS+. They were bottom third in the league for pretty much every offensive category before the trade deadline and even with the Moose trade and Yelich end of year tear couldn't even crack the top 10 for the full season.

 

Perhaps those of us who say pitching we are talking about starters. This year our bullpen was ridiculous. They were lights out. I don't know how you can ask for more. But offense is a real problem and had been too often this season. We don't play small ball and we strike out too much. We seem to fall in love with going for homers when just putting the ball in play into the outfield is all you need to score runs.

[TURBO]

Here's one:

 

Sign Christian Yelich to a long term deal. The guy was an MVP this year, is still young, and is a genuine five tool player. He's the kind of piece we can build around for the next decade, like Ryan Braun ten years ago.

 

The same Ryan Braun that we are now stuck with?

 

Not sure I want to go that route again, would rather revisit this idea in a couple years rather than make that comittment this early.

[adambr2]

Offense, offense, and more offense.

 

Throughout the year, and still, people are saying they need pitching. You can never have too much pitching, I get that. But how anyone could have watched this team over the last month or so and said, the pitching could be better, I will never understand. Even though the Dodgers scored more runs than us in the series, I think the Brewers outpitched them by a lot. Brewers pitchers were painting corners, nailing spots with their breaking stuff, and just blowing it by batters. But so often the Dodgers just tried to put it in play and they did, reaching on dinkers, jam shots, and ground balls. The Brewers batters, on the other hand, helped the Dodgers pitchers out a lot. It wasn't so much the strikeouts but the pitches they were swinging at. I'd like to know what the percentage of pitches out of the zone we swung at was. I would bet it would be a record for a playoff series if such stats are kept. So many of the AB's last night were flat out embarrassing. I had texted some friends last night, How we got this far in the playoffs with this offense is a miracle.

 

Out of all the playoff teams the Brewers scored the fewest runs per game in the regular season and were tied with the Braves for lowest regular season OPS+. They were bottom third in the league for pretty much every offensive category before the trade deadline and even with the Moose trade and Yelich end of year tear couldn't even crack the top 10 for the full season.

 

It's really got to be RH bats, too.

 

We still don't really know what the real Aguilar is. I'm willing to find out with another offseason of work and conditioning, though.

 

I hope Hiura is ready. I hate to rush him, but we're going to need his bat.

 

Schoop as others have said is really at the root of everything that went wrong offensively. If he had been close to who he was for Baltimore, we'd be playing in the World Series. He was an enormous letdown.

 

Aside from Cain who is more of an on base guy, our best righty bats are Aguilar and Braun, and that's just not good enough. I've mentioned Aguilar already.

 

Braun...he's just not that great anymore. He has fantastic stretches that he matches with equally bad stretches. All in all, he's about a league average corner OF bat at this point in his career. There's nothing wrong with that, but he's simply not capable of carrying us anymore.

 

It would be huge if Arcia can build on what he did in the postseason. We'll see.

[jerichoholicninja]

Offense, offense, and more offense.

 

Throughout the year, and still, people are saying they need pitching. You can never have too much pitching, I get that. But how anyone could have watched this team over the last month or so and said, the pitching could be better, I will never understand. Even though the Dodgers scored more runs than us in the series, I think the Brewers outpitched them by a lot. Brewers pitchers were painting corners, nailing spots with their breaking stuff, and just blowing it by batters. But so often the Dodgers just tried to put it in play and they did, reaching on dinkers, jam shots, and ground balls. The Brewers batters, on the other hand, helped the Dodgers pitchers out a lot. It wasn't so much the strikeouts but the pitches they were swinging at. I'd like to know what the percentage of pitches out of the zone we swung at was. I would bet it would be a record for a playoff series if such stats are kept. So many of the AB's last night were flat out embarrassing. I had texted some friends last night, How we got this far in the playoffs with this offense is a miracle.

 

Out of all the playoff teams the Brewers scored the fewest runs per game in the regular season and were tied with the Braves for lowest regular season OPS+. They were bottom third in the league for pretty much every offensive category before the trade deadline and even with the Moose trade and Yelich end of year tear couldn't even crack the top 10 for the full season.

 

Perhaps those of us who say pitching we are talking about starters. This year our bullpen was ridiculous. They were lights out. I don't know how you can ask for more. But offense is a real problem and had been too often this season. We don't play small ball and we strike out too much. We seem to fall in love with going for homers when just putting the ball in play into the outfield is all you need to score runs.

 

The "starters" this year were fine. They allowed the 8th fewest runs per game in baseball. And for all the talk about not getting any length out of them, the starters averaged pretty much the league average in innings per start. I'm sure Burnes and Woodruff will be openers next year, which should make the starters numbers look better.

[Thurston Fluff]

Shoring up the catching position would be nice. I think it's time to put Braun in a reserve role and go with Santana. I wouldn't mind them getting a second baseman but think we have some options in the minors that may be ready midseason so I wouldn't spend too much for one. If they stick with Schoop I wouldn't mind because of that. The one thing I hope is Stearns doesn't get carried away and trade the future for the proverbial missing piece next year. The best part about this team is it's sustainable for while.

[coolhandluke121]

Here's one:

 

Sign Christian Yelich to a long term deal. The guy was an MVP this year, is still young, and is a genuine five tool player. He's the kind of piece we can build around for the next decade, like Ryan Braun ten years ago.

 

The same Ryan Braun that we are now stuck with?

 

Not sure I want to go that route again, would rather revisit this idea in a couple years rather than make that comittment this early.

 

They aren't stuck with him because of the extension, which was a good decision. They are stuck with him because they foolishly held on to him way too long.

[Bulldogboy]

Santana needs to get a shot somewhere some how. The problem with lefties goes away some if he can make it work. I put Braun at first and deal Jesus. Try to form a package with excess pitcher along with Jesus and Schoop to bring back Realmuto or decent starter. Continue to build pen depth. Can never have enough and Jeffress will suffer major fall off next year. Broxton Jesus Chase Schoop and minor league arm for Realmuto. Lineup Cain Hiura Yelich Shaw Braun Realmuto Santana Arcia is best in the Nl.

[TURBO]

Here's one:

 

Sign Christian Yelich to a long term deal. The guy was an MVP this year, is still young, and is a genuine five tool player. He's the kind of piece we can build around for the next decade, like Ryan Braun ten years ago.

 

The same Ryan Braun that we are now stuck with?

 

Not sure I want to go that route again, would rather revisit this idea in a couple years rather than make that comittment this early.

 

They aren't stuck with him because of the extension, which was a good decision. They are stuck with him because they foolishly held on to him way too long.

 

mostly due to the money we owe him, which directly relates to his extension...

[adambr2]

"Broxton Jesus Chase Schoop and minor league arm for Realmuto."

 

I'd love Realmuto, but there's no way the Marlins go for this. Any chance of Realmuto still being traded will have to center around Hiura, no way around it.

 

And while I get why people want to list Schoop in trade proposals he is worth nothing. Or less. The decision is ours whether to get off the hook and let him walk, or pay him $10M, but no one is giving us anything for that. They all saw the same thing we saw the last 2.5 months.

[Bulldogboy]

"Broxton Jesus Chase Schoop and minor league arm for Realmuto."

 

I'd love Realmuto, but there's no way the Marlins go for this. Any chance of Realmuto still being traded will have to center around Hiura, no way around it.

 

And while I get why people want to list Schoop in trade proposals he is worth nothing. Or less. The decision is ours whether to get off the hook and let him walk, or pay him $10M, but no one is giving us anything for that. They all saw the same thing we saw the last 2.5 months.

I don't know about that. His body of work overall has been pretty good. We saw what we saw once he got here but worse players have been moved. Who the heck knows what Jeter is doing? Peralta helped his value big time in playoff game and maybe he gets thrown in. Maybe you have to decide if you rather have Realmuto and keep Schoop or keep Hirua and forget Realmuto. That right handed bat would solve a ton of problems at a position of need.

[clancyphile]

I think they move Aguilar and Anderson, if not for a top-flight catcher, for more prospects. Replenishing the system after the deals that were made for 2018 is a smart move.

[homer]

They may trade off one of their young arms (Peralta?) to get a bat.