David Stearns must do's for the offseason

[KeithStone53151]

Don't rule out Stearns acquiring another OF. He has always shown he will sign just about anyone, regardless of position, to improve the roster. If that means he's able o sign or trade for an OF, they'll make it work. Just like last season, with all the fear of where will everyone play in the OF/1B it worked out.

 

Also, part of me wants to just roll the dice with Dubon at 2B if he looks ready in ST. I rather see him than the laundry list of Saladino/Sogard types. If Dubon can hit MLB pitching even decently, he can slide right over to UT eventually when Hiura comes up.

 

If he looks for an outfielder, it will probably be a 1b/OF type...and probably LH. Basically a simple upgrade to Thames more specifically geared toward the outfield...and probably a veteran that has good experience as a PH.

[jjfanec]

So much of this lineup is just what version of guys are you getting next year. Are you getting 1st half or 2nd half versions of Braun, Aguilar, and Arcia. Even Pina was a pretty drastic difference.

 

Yelich, Cain and Shaw were the only 3 Brewers to post an OPS over 800 both halves of the season. I see no reason Braun shouldnt also be that type of hitter. Aguilar scares me. His first have was aided by being a great 2 strike hitter. The second half of the year pitchers were getting him to chase garbage out of the zone with two strikes. It seems like teams figured him out a little. Arcia I am probably higher on than most. His change in approach was very noticeable and should be reproduced well. Pina could be improved.

 

So in my mind we go into the off-season looking at for sure a new 2B. Maybe upgrading catcher. And potentially upgrading 1B. If they find a better option at 3B i could see them going with Shaw at 2B again because Arcia is so good and we shift so much

[True Blue Brew Crew]

Aguilar never had anywhere near as many plate appearances as he had in 2018 (566). His previous 4 years he had the following number of MLB plate appearances - 38, 20, 6, 311.

 

Major league pitchers adjust and started to do so with Jesus. I'm confident in his ability to adjust back because he has a good 2-strike approach and a repeatable swing. It's understandable and somewhat expected for a hitter to tail off a bit when he nearly doubles his previous career high of major league PAs. The grind alone can get you. I'm not at all worried about Aguilar at 1B next year.

 

Even in his worst month in 2018 his OPS was .770

[DHonks]

People are missing one of the strokes of genius with Stearns. He in effect turned the 25th roster spot into a revolving door of pitchers that ensures someone is available every day and gave adequate rest to our top relievers. Houser, Williams, Lopez, Asher, Woodruff, etc were all effective in providing length and absorbing innings from others.

 

Also, if Woodruff and Burnes thrive next year, I give some credit to their pen usage. Relievers learn to attack hitters. The Cards have had great success over the years plugging reliever some into the rotation because the pen is where they learned to get big leaguers out

[jjfanec]

Aguilar never had anywhere near as many plate appearances as he had in 2018 (566). His previous 4 years he had the following number of MLB plate appearances - 38, 20, 6, 311.

 

Major league pitchers adjust and started to do so with Jesus. I'm confident in his ability to adjust back because he has a good 2-strike approach and a repeatable swing. It's understandable and somewhat expected for a hitter to tail off a bit when he nearly doubles his previous career high of major league PAs. The grind alone can get you. I'm not at all worried about Aguilar at 1B next year.

 

Even in his worst month in 2018 his OPS was .770

 

2 of his last 3 months we're in the .770s. the other was also under .900. So the last 3 months we're tough on him. It definitely could be the grind or pitchers figure him out. To my eyes his two strike approach was much worse down the stretch. He seemed to chase a lot more

[rickh150]

Don’t see piggy backing happening as a long term solution. Handcuffs your pen too much over 162 games.

 

Agreed unless we get a deGrom like pitcher... someone who can avg 7 innings per start and give the bullpen a sort of rest every fifth day.

[brewmann04]

I think the brewers will keep one of either the moose or Schoop. but think DS still loos for an arm but now thinking another Reliever

[danzig6767]

I think the brewers will keep one of either the moose or Schoop. but think DS still loos for an arm but now thinking another Reliever

Moustakas is going to opt out and look for a multi-year deal, something the Brewers should have no interest in.

[DuWayne Steurer]

Don’t see piggy backing happening as a long term solution. Handcuffs your pen too much over 162 games.

 

Agreed unless we get a deGrom like pitcher... someone who can avg 7 innings per start and give the bullpen a sort of rest every fifth day.

 

Should maybe amend this to 6 IP per start. 7 inning starters don't even exist anymore. Unless you get Scherzer....

[coolhandluke121]

I was real big on less innings for starters and more innings for relievers last off season. I called it piggy-backing because I thought that's what it meant when you plan to pull your starter early for a long reliever, but I guess some people consider piggy-backing to be set rotation tandems, which is a little too inflexible. So I don't advocate piggy-backing per se, but the general idea is there.

 

This would require "starters" to pitch on 4 days rest more often. Obviously you lose innings overall when you ask a guy to pitch more games (a starter can easily go 150, but a closer can barely do half of that), but you can make up the difference and then some by having long relievers give longer outings. Most relievers are under-utilized because frequent short innings are inefficient. There's too much manipulating of late game match-ups because of dogma and irrationality, but not enough manipulation of early and mid game leverage situations. Many more long relievers could go one time through the order and maybe a little more without much loss of effectiveness - especially if half your bullpen is full of serviceable or promising starters. And the Brewers have enough guys with options to make it work.

 

So yeah, I think something vaguely resembling piggy-backing could be on the way. I think there's enough evidence suggesting it could work. It will happen slowly and experimentally at first but will catch on eventually. You get to PH for your starter more, manipulate outings more to avoid bad match-ups (I've always hated how often an LHP starter has to face a great RHB lineup just because it's his turn in the rotation, for example), and of course avoid that third time through the order.

[brewmann04]

I think the brewers will keep one of either the moose or Schoop. but think DS still loos for an arm but now thinking another Reliever

Moustakas is going to opt out and look for a multi-year deal, something the Brewers should have no interest in.

 

 

i agree in this case

[RollieTime]

1. Let Schoop, Moustakas, and Soria walk. The money can be spent better elsewhere.

2. Sign Michael Brantley to play left field. Move Braun to 4th outfielder and 1st baseman.

3. Trade Aguilar, Thames, and Anderson. Move Thames for anything just to clear the money. Aguilar could possibly bring back a decent return. If there are no solid offers, keep Aguilar and have him and Braun split time at first. Anderson could be part of a package for a TOR starter to eat innings for them.

4. Move Shaw back to third and sign a 2B to a one or two year deal. Jordy Mercer would be a good option that shouldn’t cost much. Right handed bat that doesn’t strike out a ton and will take walks. He can also play shortstop in a pinch.

5. I feel that Stearns will make a splashy move this offseason, but who knows what that move will be. Signing Brantley would be one, but I could see Stearns going out and trading for a guy like Degrom or Snell.

[rickh150]

1. Let Schoop, Moustakas, and Soria walk. The money can be spent better elsewhere.

2. Sign Michael Brantley to play left field. Move Braun to 4th outfielder and 1st baseman.

3. Trade Aguilar, Thames, and Anderson. Move Thames for anything just to clear the money. Aguilar could possibly bring back a decent return. If there are no solid offers, keep Aguilar and have him and Braun split time at first. Anderson could be part of a package for a TOR starter to eat innings for them.

4. Move Shaw back to third and sign a 2B to a one or two year deal. Jordy Mercer would be a good option that shouldn’t cost much. Right handed bat that doesn’t strike out a ton and will take walks. He can also play shortstop in a pinch.

5. I feel that Stearns will make a splashy move this offseason, but who knows what that move will be. Signing Brantley would be one, but I could see Stearns going out and trading for a guy like Degrom or Snell.

 

#1 - Likely going to happen....

#2- Can't see so much money (and years) spent on 30 year old OFs... just think Santana gets plenty of at bats

#3Aguilar is staying.... the other two both could be on the move. Braun and Aguilar at 1B sounds good.

#4 Shaw to 3B, ok. Mercer? Well, maybe not him but a guy like him, sure.

#5 Splashy move? I'd be plenty excited for a trade for de Grom or a #1 or 2... I'm not sure how that gets done, though, without giving up 3 young guys with high ceilings.

[Boomer5]

Dubon and Hiura should be our 2B next year with maybe a one year for a Dozier or similar stop gap if they feel neither is quite ready. Schoop really isn’t in the picture as his playing time in the playoffs suggests.

 

I’d love to pencil in JA for 1B in 2019 but I’m just not seeing him as anything other than a nice surprise when he is on a hot streak. On the other hand I don’t see him netting much in a trade so I think he stays.

 

As for trade chips who do we really have? Our lineup is pretty set do to contracts in place in the OF and everyone in the infield but 2B being a decent contributor who play cheap. Our big chips on the farm are Hiura and maybe Lutz? I’d trade Ray because he is a very flawed player but what we get back who could crack our lineup?

 

The team seemed to try and trade Shaw last year. Is that what they will do? And if so who plays 3B?

[RollieTime]

Dubon and Hiura should be our 2B next year with maybe a one year for a Dozier or similar stop gap if they feel neither is quite ready. Schoop really isn’t in the picture as his playing time in the playoffs suggests.

 

I’d love to pencil in JA for 1B in 2019 but I’m just not seeing him as anything other than a nice surprise when he is on a hot streak. On the other hand I don’t see him netting much in a trade so I think he stays.

 

As for trade chips who do we really have? Our lineup is pretty set do to contracts in place in the OF and everyone in the infield but 2B being a decent contributor who play cheap. Our big chips on the farm are Hiura and maybe Lutz? I’d trade Ray because he is a very flawed player but what we get back who could crack our lineup?

 

The team seemed to try and trade Shaw last year. Is that what they will do? And if so who plays 3B?

 

I think Shaw is a bit of a bounce back candidate for next season. He had an okay season, but I think you will see his average creep back up where it was in 2017.

 

On a different note, I don’t think the Brewers should trade Shaw based on his family situation. I know it is a “business”, but at some point life is more important. Milwaukee has one of the top hospitals in the country for children’s heart issues and we all know the story about his daughter, who will need another heart surgery within the next 2 years. I think Shaw wants to remain in Milwaukee for his daughter and I will gladly keep a guy like him in the clubhouse.

[502 to Right]

I think Shaw is a bit of a bounce back candidate for next season. He had an okay season, but I think you will see his average creep back up where it was in 2017.

 

A bounce back candidate? His 2018 season was nearly identical to 2017.

 

2018

4.1 WAR (B-Ref)

119 OPS+

 

2017

3.9 WAR

121 OPS+

 

Shaw is an excellent player who will either be starting at 3B (hopefully) or 2B (please no) in 2019 for the Brewers.

[RollieTime]

I think Shaw is a bit of a bounce back candidate for next season. He had an okay season, but I think you will see his average creep back up where it was in 2017.

 

A bounce back candidate? His 2018 season was nearly identical to 2017.

 

2018

4.1 WAR (B-Ref)

119 OPS+

 

2017

3.9 WAR

121 OPS+

 

Shaw is an excellent player who will either be starting at 3B (hopefully) or 2B (please no) in 2019 for the Brewers.

 

Yeah I worded that poorly. I was more thinking that we would see Shaw be a more consistent player that produces at a higher clip than what we saw this season. My apologies.

[MNBrew]

I'm guessing he was referring to Shaw's BA dropping 30+ points from 2017 to 2018. OBP was similar thanks to nearly 20 more walks & 3 more sac flies, but he had 27 fewer hits in 2018 in about 20 fewer PAs than 2017.

[Boomer5]

Dubon and Hiura should be our 2B next year with maybe a one year for a Dozier or similar stop gap if they feel neither is quite ready. Schoop really isn’t in the picture as his playing time in the playoffs suggests.

 

I’d love to pencil in JA for 1B in 2019 but I’m just not seeing him as anything other than a nice surprise when he is on a hot streak. On the other hand I don’t see him netting much in a trade so I think he stays.

 

As for trade chips who do we really have? Our lineup is pretty set do to contracts in place in the OF and everyone in the infield but 2B being a decent contributor who play cheap. Our big chips on the farm are Hiura and maybe Lutz? I’d trade Ray because he is a very flawed player but what we get back who could crack our lineup?

 

The team seemed to try and trade Shaw last year. Is that what they will do? And if so who plays 3B?

 

I think Shaw is a bit of a bounce back candidate for next season. He had an okay season, but I think you will see his average creep back up where it was in 2017.

 

On a different note, I don’t think the Brewers should trade Shaw based on his family situation. I know it is a “business”, but at some point life is more important. Milwaukee has one of the top hospitals in the country for children’s heart issues and we all know the story about his daughter, who will need another heart surgery within the next 2 years. I think Shaw wants to remain in Milwaukee for his daughter and I will gladly keep a guy like him in the clubhouse.

 

I’m really not suggesting they trade him. We have no 3B to replace him and he is relatively cheap and controlled.

 

However he was apparently on the block last winter to land a starter.

[adambr2]

Was there anything really other than rumors and our own speculation to indicate Shaw was being offered in trades?

[adambr2]

Also, I think Shaw is a really solid, underrated player. He's been a 4 WAR player the last 2 seasons and proved 2017 wasn't flukey. He's kind of like our Whit Merrifield, with a different skillset obviously. Sometimes we seem to treat Shaw like he's a spare part when he's definitely a main component.

 

It would take a huge return for me to ever want to part with Shaw.

[502 to Right]

Also, I think Shaw is a really solid, underrated player. He's been a 4 WAR player the last 2 seasons and proved 2017 wasn't flukey. He's kind of like our Whit Merrifield, with a different skillset obviously. Sometimes we seem to treat Shaw like he's a spare part when he's definitely a main component.

 

It would take a huge return for me to ever want to part with Shaw.

 

I agree 100%.

 

It seems like most people on this board fawn over Moustakas, while Shaw put up superior production.

[Baldkin]

Don’t see piggy backing happening as a long term solution. Handcuffs your pen too much over 162 games.

 

Agreed unless we get a deGrom like pitcher... someone who can avg 7 innings per start and give the bullpen a sort of rest every fifth day.

 

Should maybe amend this to 6 IP per start. 7 inning starters don't even exist anymore. Unless you get Scherzer....

 

MLB average was 5.4 IP/Start this season. The Brewers 7 most used starters were at 5.27. They weren't that far off.

[rcc]

I never read the team wanted to trade Shaw. Links please.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

I never read the team wanted to trade Shaw. Links please.

 

I don't think there was anything to it but speculation. There was a time in the offseason last year where it was reported that the team was looking into signing Moustakas as a free agent. That would lead to the conclusion that they were shopping Shaw.

 

Of course, they very well could have been considering the Shaw to 2B move way back in February too.