David Stearns must do's for the offseason

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Well his second half is closer to where a 28 year old 1B would project. I think he can be an .800 OPS guy. I do not think he's the 7th best 1B in baseball. I doubt he ever plays the way he did this year again

[TURBO]

He was practically useless down the stretch, and during the playoffs, just plain didn't show up and looked awful.

[pacopete4]

We are going to need more producttion out of 1B and I believe it will be a huge mistake if they feel as though they owe Aguilar the job and do not try to upgrade it. Maybe nothing comes open but they should be at least trying.

[jjgott]

We are going to need more producttion out of 1B and I believe it will be a huge mistake if they feel as though they owe Aguilar the job and do not try to upgrade it. Maybe nothing comes open but they should be at least trying.

 

One thing I like about DS is it's not his MO to let someone have a job because they are owed it. I mean, he went out and got two OFs when we had like 5 waiting in the wings. I think if DS feels like he can upgrade a position, he will do so and will deal with the consequences later.

[LouisEly]

We are going to need more production out of 1B and I believe it will be a huge mistake if they feel as though they owe Aguilar the job and do not try to upgrade it. Maybe nothing comes open but they should be at least trying.

According to B-R.com, the Brewers were 5th in MLB in Team Position Performance by Wins Above Average at 1B. I understand the concern about the 2nd half, but the reality is pretty much every player except for Freeman is streaky. Look at Goldschmidt's performance in May. Aguilar had an .821 OPS in the NLCS against the great Dodgers staff.

 

I think "wish" is a better word to use here than "need".

[adambr2]

We are going to need more production out of 1B and I believe it will be a huge mistake if they feel as though they owe Aguilar the job and do not try to upgrade it. Maybe nothing comes open but they should be at least trying.

According to B-R.com, the Brewers were 5th in MLB in Team Position Performance by Wins Above Average at 1B.

 

I think "wish" is a better word to use here than "need".

 

Yep. What we had was actually well above average. Of course all things being equal I'd like to have Paul Goldschmidt or Freddie Freeman, but all things aren't equal. Any significant 1B upgrade if even available will either be very expensive or cost a substantial amount of trade capital. Aguilar costs neither, and he was good.

 

We've already got a shortage of productive RH bats and IMO jettisoning our most productive one isn't a good place to start fixing the problem.

[Bulldogboy]

See what the snakes want for Goldie and try to make a deal. The guy is exactly what we need and I am sure they are losing Corbin so young pitching is a need. Maybe we can match up. Greinke would be great but his deal is to rich for me. Maybe Abrau from the Sox would be a fit. They are going nowhere with him.

[sveumrules]

Lots of people were dubious of Shaw when he was first acquired because he had absolutely tanked the 2nd half of 2016 with Boston.

 

Turned out it was predictive of absolutely nothing.

 

Aguilar had a 114 OPS+ in 2017, a 170 OPS+ in the 1st half of 2018 & a 108 OPS+ in the 2nd half of 2018. His career OPS+ is 120 & that probably serves as a pretty decent baseline for any 2019 expectations.

 

As for what Stearns must do this offseason the most important is probably to breathe. It all starts there.

[Devinep]

Stearns must:

-Let moose decline his option

-get rid of scoop

-get an actual 2B-id like lowrie batting and playing second

-let Santana split time with Braun (Yelich going between corners)

-trade Anderson or Davies to replenish system and $ to pick up a middle reliever

[jjfanec]

First must do. Figure out if you can trust Nelson to pitch next year. If, and it is a huge if, Nelson is healthy I dont see a big need getting more help for the rotation. Maybe try to bring back Miley. I really think Peralta, Burnes and Woodruff really should start next year. Chacin is obvious.

 

In the bullpen with Hader, Jeffress and Knebel you obviously have a great start. We NEED a true lefty reliever. Maybe two. I think one of the guys who doesnt make the starting rotation can join Guerra as a multiple inning guy. So if we take 7 relievers - Hader, Jeffress, Knebel, Guerra, guy who doesnt get SP spot, Loogy (NOT Jennings or Cedeno)

 

For bats we are set at OF. I know people want to find a place for Santana but that only happens if Braun plays 1B over Aguilar. Braun, Yelich, and Cain is a great OF. SS is Arcia for sure. 1B is either Aguilar or I guess Braun. We have to figure out 3b and 2b. One is Shaw.

 

There is no reason a lineup of Cain, Yelich, Braun, Shaw, Aguilar, Arcia, a new 2B and catcher shouldnt be able to put up a bunch of runs. I would love an upgrade for Perez

 

So my desires for the off-season

1. Catcher. Realmuto is the dream scenario

2. 2b.

3. Left handed Reliever

4. A healthy Nelson. Or Miley

[obobo55new]

Hard to believe that no one suggested that we need another lefty bat (Escobar mentioned as switch-hitter). You can't have just 2 lefty hitters in the position player group. Assuming Thames is either a bench bat or gone, Moustakis leaves, Granderson also...we have only Yelich and Shaw hitting on that side.

 

C tough to find a lefty catcher

1B this is the spot most teams have a lefty

2B does Shaw play here?

SS unusual to have a lefty here as right armed gun is needed

3B Shaw is here, but is there another lefty like Moose that makes sense

OF other spot that a lefty or 2 is usually found. We have Yelich, would be nice to have a 2nd option out here. Could Ray be this for us in a year?

 

For 2019, I think you need to add one lefty or switch to your arsenal. Then decide if Ray is the guy to add in outfield and look for a lefty slugger at 1B

 

Edit to add suggestion: David Peralta is a FA. Will be 31. Any interest?nevermind, he is arby until 2021

[SoCal Brew Crew Fan]

The rotation will take more than 5 arms. Injuries, performance, fatigue... There is often a regression of arms that worked late into the year the following year which worries me a little about the pen. I'd want another stud down there at least at the beginning of the season. With all the starting options they have, starting a Woody or Burnes in the pen leads to plenty of options as the year moves on. We'll be lucky to get through the year using only 8-9 starters.

 

I think Miley is looking for more of a contract than the Brewers will give him. I doubt he's back. I'd expect them to sign another Miley/Chacin-type for cheap and see if they can get the improvement. Considering they were also in on Mikolas, they seem to be doing their homework.

 

Goldschmidt not happening. Others have the prospect capital and there is no way we give up on Hiura. Will be interesting to see if they part with Corey Ray and what he could get in return. Trading off some depth for prospect capital could make some sense too. They've traded a ton of depth from the system...all in good use, but at some point some replenishment at the lower levels could make sense.

[MadThinker88]

Considering his performance in Cleveland during 2018, I think Free Agent Oliver Perez would make a good, cost effective target for a MLB deal (1 yr plus option).

Yes, he is older and his effectiveness has varied throughout the career but he is at worst a LOOGY at this point. I believe Cleveland would like to retain him but with other needs & limited budget availability, they might look internal to fill out the left side of the bullpen beyond Brad Hand (Tyler Olson, possibly Rob Kaminsky & others from the minors). Cleveland's loss in this case could be Milwaukee's gain.

 

OPerez could be a quick addition to the bullpen so Stearns can focus on other needs over the off-season..

[Eye Black]

A few things that I think will be important...

 

- Evaluate the likelihood as to whether or not Jimmy Nelson will return to be a solid MLB starter.

 

- Begin Spring Training with at least 9 or 10 viable starting pitchers within the organization.

 

- Map out an expected time table for the arrival of Keston Hiura (2B) and possilbly Mauricio Dubon (Utility).

 

- Address the catcher position.

[adambr2]

A few things that I think will be important...

 

- Evaluate the likelihood as to whether or not Jimmy Nelson will return to be a solid MLB starter.

 

- Begin Spring Training with at least 9 or 10 viable starting pitchers within the organization.

 

- Map out an expected time table for the arrival of Keston Hiura (2B) and possilbly Mauricio Dubon (Utility).

 

- Address the catcher position.

 

1). I think Nelson will fit well into our new presumed model of short starts and heavy bullpenning as a 5 inning guy.

 

2.) Agreed. And I think some of these guys will end up as relievers by default, which is a good thing. When we're talking about trading away guys like Anderson and Davies simply because we may have better options, that's a good thing too IMO.

 

3). I think Dubon is a possible Opening Day option. Waiting 2 weeks to ensure an extra year control wouldn't be bad. Keston appears to be a certain July callup.

 

4.). Totally agree. For the right price, I want Ramos. Realmuto is probably out of our price range in trade. But we need more offensive production and catcher is the place to start.

[splitterpfj]

Stearns will do what he always does - he’ll set his budget, check on every player in the world, and fill in the blanks accordingly.

 

Early in the offseason we’ll get decisions on Moustakas, Schoop, and Soria - in Spring Training, we’ll sort out Jimmy Nelson - in between, Stearns will follow his own rules.

 

Keep an eye on Miley and Gio - notice the lack of lefty SPs without them.

 

If there’s a significant add, I’d bet on a bat, with catcher being the most obvious spot, at least at the moment.

[TURBO]

I'm going to bet we get a TOR arm via trade. If not, a solid #2 type.

[adambr2]

I'm going to bet we get a TOR arm via trade. If not, a solid #2 type.

 

I feel like we say this every offseason and trade deadline. I'm not saying it will for sure not happen, but I think we've seen that Stearns has a completely different perspective on his pitching staff than outsiders, and we have a much better future pitching staff already in place now than we did at this time last year.

 

There's not a TOR or solid #2 type that won't cost us Keston Hiura, and I think that would be a really bad move.

 

I think people (not saying you) are looking at losing Game 7 and thinking "Oh crap. I guess we really do need to go get an ace." I don't think Stearns is looking at it that way. I think he looks at it and says, "We started this at 68 wins. We went from there to 73, to 86, to 96 and one win away from a World Series. What we are doing is working and we are going to keep on going this direction."

[torts]

I trust in Sterns that he can find arms to fill our rotation that we won't need to empty the farm to get a TOR.

[Roderick]

1. Non tender Schoop. That is an easy one.

2. Give Moose the option. He will decline it.

3. Buy out Soria. He is 34 and no one spends $10M on your 4th best reliever.

4. Get a 2B who can play for 2019 who can get on base. See point 8.

5. I don’t see him spending on a catcher. It will be Pina and low end and low cost back up like Bettencourt or Nottingham.

6. The OF is set due to long term contracts so there are no improvements there.

7. The 1B platoon of Thames and Aguilar along with the occasional Braun is probably our only realistic option. I don’t see anyone giving us much for any of them and Santana apparently can’t play first. No we are not getting Goldy without giving up young guys we have no intent on giving up.

8. See what the market is for Ray and Santana who are blocked due to the contracts of our 3 main OFers and neither profiles as 4th OF.

9. We really need another Jeter situation where he gets in over his head and needs to dump his best players so we can react.

 

I really like this plan.

Resign Miley only if not too expensive or long.

#4 should be a lefty stick. Daniel Murphy for a year, if not too costly.

I would trade Anderson. We hurt his trade value, but looks like odd man out.

 

I do think we have the scenario where Moose takes the $15M for one year (which takes care of #4). In that scenario I trade Thames for whatever - save $6M. Shaw and Braun should probably get used to 1B anyways, if Aguilar gets in rut.

 

Either scenario should have money left for midseason improvement.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

I'm going to predict there will be a trade out of nowhere to bring in a big name, and a couple mid-level FA signings.

 

Not even going to venture to guess who those guys will be, or what positions they will play, though. I'd like to see a solid 2B who can hit 2nd in the lineup. A high OBP guy to follow Cain and hit in front of Yelich. I'd also like to see an offensive upgrade at C to pair with Pina. Also gotta figure out if Santana in your RF next year.

[jjfanec]

IF this team could get a lefty 2b who gets on base at a really good clip the lineup would be really dangerous. If they went out and a made a splash for Realmuto they could also move him up the lineup.

 

Cain

Realmuto

Yelich

Braun

Shaw

Aguilar/Thames

2b

Arcia

 

That would win a lot of games.

 

I am torn on the TOR starting pitcher because I just dont know if I see it out there. I think I would rather trade for Realmuto and sign Miley while elevating Burnes and Woodruff to the rotation. Keep Anderson or davies for depth with Guerra. Trade the other for a 2b. I think both could bring back a solid player. Maybe they both would have to stay if we trade for Realmuto because I am not sure what he would cost

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I agree that there will be a big name coming in. They have proven for a second straight year that they are closer than perhaps even if they thought. I don't know what position it will be but I feel confident there is going to be a big "get."

[splitterpfj]

Stearns will do what he always does - he’ll set his budget, check on every player in the world, and fill in the blanks accordingly.

 

Early in the offseason we’ll get decisions on Moustakas, Schoop, and Soria - in Spring Training, we’ll sort out Jimmy Nelson - in between, Stearns will follow his own rules.

 

Keep an eye on Miley and Gio - notice the lack of lefty SPs without them.

 

If there’s a significant add, I’d bet on a bat, with catcher being the most obvious spot, at least at the moment.

[coolhandluke121]

I think next year will be pretty similar to this one, both in terms of success and in terms of who's involved. It's harder to improve on 96 wins than 86 wins. It's harder to improve on a 3 WAR player than a 1 WAR player, because it's so rare to get a guy like Cain or Yelich at a reasonable price. They like to wait for good values and they don't have tunnel vision with regard to needs, because needs change so fast. 1 or 2 vets might be traded, but they won't trade all the guys who might not be part of their long-term plans (Anderson, Davies, Thames, Broxton, Santana, Hernan) because offers won't be that great and because they value the depth they provide. Some of the young guys will break through, but not all of them. They value the ability to stash a lot of depth at AAA, as they should. I don't think they'll want to commit to multi-year deals in free agency, but they'll be interested in 1-year deals. For this reason, I think there's a decent chance they keep Schoop and Soria. A better option may not be available on a 1-year deal.

 

So I'm just going to predict that it's basically the exact same 40-man roster next year except for Moustakas, Gonzalez, Miley, and Granderson (Dubon, Nelson, Stokes, Supak?). I know it won't be, but I think that's a realistic way to maximize my percentage of roster spots guessed correctly.