Brewers acquire Alex Claudio

[Fear The Chorizo]

I'll take my chances at giving up $2M in bonus pool money (not real money, just the amount the Brewers 'could' spend next summer if they retained this pick) and a sandwich draft pick in exchange for what management feels is a bullpen upgrade at a role of need with roster flexibility, particularly when the flipside is paying anything close to market rates via free agency or prospect capital for a comparable reliever this offseason.

 

but hey, feel free to call me crazy for not getting out my pitchfork and walking towards Miller Park.

 

And yes, let's go ahead and put Cain in the win column in year 1 of 5 given the fact it was a huge win for 2018. I'm sure somewhere along the lines in year 4 or maybe as early as year 3 when he hits the DL or goes on a month-long slump we'll hear all about how the contract is now a loss without giving any perspective about the benefit Cain gave to the team earlier in the deal, so let's put the optimistic blinders on for now and call it a win.

[bill hAll Star]

I'm not getting into the middle of this pissing contest, but I will say that the bonus pool money associated with the comp pick seems to be undervalued, particularly when you're picking in the back of round one. Having extra pool money to throw at someone who drops (particularly because of signability) is huge.

 

Time will tell on Claudio, but my assumption is that Stearns got the pulse of the RP market and found it likely that the guys he wanted would price themselves out of what MIL wanted to pay, making the math work on this deal.

 

We shall see...

 

Also agree with this. I don't think giving up slot money and a pick should be regularly done but let's see what Claudio brings. If he is about what he has been for the initial part of his career, I'll call it a win or at least not a loss.

[MrTPlush]

I would actually argue that the bonus pool money is overvalued. It was once "undervalued", but at this point I think it is severely overblown by fans.

[Eye Black]

A T.R. Sullivan article from earlier this season on Claudio...

 

Claudio overcoming nerves with confidence

Left-handed reliever thrives with slower stuff, versatility

[FVBrewerFan]

Having an option left is basically being glossed over, but shouldn't be. The way the Brewers use the pitching staff, the more players with option the better. When they hit those stretches where the bullpen is burned out, Claudio is yet another guy that can be shuttled down if/when necessary.

 

As far as his stuff, yea, we all like guys throwing 98 coming out of the pen. But I don't mind having one or two guys with a great change-up, it's a change of pace. MLB hitters can't hit a good change-up, it's why 56 year old KRod was a really good closer just a few years ago.

 

Most of all though, this must mean Hader moves into the starting rotation.

[3and2Fastball]

Lot of good discussion going on here. This is a great example of what a special place this forum is, that we are having this level of detail in conversation about a player who will be the 24th/25th Guy on the roster. I love it.

[adambr2]

I hate giving up the pick, but for career #'s versus lefties, he's far better than Logan, Cedeno, or Jennings.

 

He's going to be a LOOGY only type who probably spends time between Milwaukee and San Antonio, rotating up when we face lefty heavy teams or a dangerous lefty like Harper or Rizzo.

 

He's better than those three guys but he's going to shuttle between AAA and Milwaukee? I doubt that.

 

Yes, he probably will, because we place a high value on roster flexibility. Barnes was optioned repeatedly last year, Santana spent most of 2018 in AAA, and even Corey Knebel was optioned. Others would have been optioned if they could have. All of those things would have seemed inexplicable at this time last year but will probably become more the norm. Simply put, there will be 10 day stretches where an extra bat or longer arm is needed more than a LOOGY.

 

Rotate up was probably the wrong term, I think he'll spend most of 2019 with the MLB club but may go down for short stretches.

[True Blue Brew Crew]

I may have missed it but I don't think anyone has hit the mark on this one yet. He's a rubber-arm guy who can go multiple innings. That's the the first thing Stearns mentioned about him. They let Jennings and Cedeno go because they were 1-2 out guys. This move further signifies the ongoing transition to a pitching staff of undefined, multi-inning roles for all. As I've been saying for months now, if the starters aren't going to be counted on to go 5-7 innings, you need to supplement them with an entire staff capable of going multiple innings.

[clancyphile]

One other thought:

Claudio, if he does improve, becomes an asset that can be flipped for prospects.

[Roderick]

I would actually argue that the bonus pool money is overvalued. It was once "undervalued", but at this point I think it is severely overblown by fans.

 

Keep in mind that a small market club also looks at this like now we don't have to spend $2M on the draft, that was probably budgeted for already (unless they assumed they would trade the pick). That means they can spend it however they want to help the organization. Could increase our Brewers ML payroll by that amount for a season or they could throw it at scouting or other prospect acquisition costs.

[coolhandluke121]

They're valuing assets and prospects without being dogmatic or rigid about it and without hoarding them. They have a chance to get to the world series. It would be silly to refuse to do trades like this right now. Most teams would routinely trade away guys like Hiura or Burnes, but the Brewers clearly aren't going to do that. It's not like the Greinke or Sabathia trade, and none of their other win-now moves are either. This is definitely not a scrap heap guy. I would have rather gone with Cedeno and the pick, but they didn't want to save a roster spot for Cedeno all year and that's fine. I don't know how anybody can argue with the amount of value they have gotten out of relievers by using them intelligently, and you have to have good ones to make it work, and you could argue that Cedeno wasn't good enough. I don't see how this is a slam dunk either way, and more importantly, I think they know the market and the other options a lot better than we do.

[coolhandluke121]

I also firmly believe in having multiple LHRP's for match-ups. Even if you don't use them that match, that's not the whole point. Their availability alone affects how easily opponents can game plan with their lineups and switches. So a guy like Cedeno, even without a lot of IP's, is important to have so teams like the Dodgers don't bring in all their great LHB's as soon as Hader is used or unavailable.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

If Cain had hit .219 this year we'd be calling it a loss. He would have to fall off the face of the Earth in about the next 18 months for that deal to ever be considered really bad. And he is 33, not 53. Plenty of baseball players can still run approaching 40.

[NievesNoNO]

I may have missed it but I don't think anyone has hit the mark on this one yet. He's a rubber-arm guy who can go multiple innings. That's the the first thing Stearns mentioned about him. They let Jennings and Cedeno go because they were 1-2 out guys. This move further signifies the ongoing transition to a pitching staff of undefined, multi-inning roles for all. As I've been saying for months now, if the starters aren't going to be counted on to go 5-7 innings, you need to supplement them with an entire staff capable of going multiple innings.

 

 

This qualifies as kind of a "meh" move to me. He might be able to physically throw multiple innings but I'm skeptical of him really being a multi-inning reliever with his splits against rhb. I think if he can stick as a permanent part of the bullpen and be a reliable loogy then it's a win. They tried for the most part of the season last year to get that guy and it really never panned out. Hopefully he can be that guy. As others have said, the option, team control and small relative salary are appealing to the team.

[wallus]

With Albers and Houser likely being in the bullpen, guys with options are really important. Granted, you could just release those guys but Stearns values depth highly.

[True Blue Brew Crew]

I may have missed it but I don't think anyone has hit the mark on this one yet. He's a rubber-arm guy who can go multiple innings. That's the the first thing Stearns mentioned about him. They let Jennings and Cedeno go because they were 1-2 out guys. This move further signifies the ongoing transition to a pitching staff of undefined, multi-inning roles for all. As I've been saying for months now, if the starters aren't going to be counted on to go 5-7 innings, you need to supplement them with an entire staff capable of going multiple innings.

 

 

This qualifies as kind of a "meh" move to me. He might be able to physically throw multiple innings but I'm skeptical of him really being a multi-inning reliever with his splits against rhb. I think if he can stick as a permanent part of the bullpen and be a reliable loogy then it's a win. They tried for the most part of the season last year to get that guy and it really never panned out. Hopefully he can be that guy. As others have said, the option, team control and small relative salary are appealing to the team.

 

The aspect where they're counting on him getting RHB out is where there's a leap of faith required from me. I have to believe they have an adjustment in mind that they're confident in. I believe Stearns when he says they wanted a mulit-inning guy to fit in with what they're doing with the whole staff.

[True Blue Brew Crew]

With Albers and Houser likely being in the bullpen, guys with options are really important. Granted, you could just release those guys but Stearns values depth highly.

 

Depth can be added without giving up a valuable draft pick. They have a major role in mind for this guy on the big league club.

[Devinep]

Claudio had 17 appearances in 2018 of 4 or more outs.

 

So if he can serve as a LOOGY + rubber arm kinda like Jennings was in 2018 that's useful. The minor league option is even better. He comes in to soak up a couple garbage time innings and then gets optioned for a couple weeks.

 

Or they could’ve just kept Jennings or cedeno and also kept the draft pick

[True Blue Brew Crew]

And right on cue...

 

GM David Stearns on whether young pitchers Corbin Burnes, Freddy Peralta, Brandon Woodruff would be considered in pen if didn't make rotation in camp: "We're open to anything. We are continuing to blur the lines between starting and relieving."

[adambr2]

I may have missed it but I don't think anyone has hit the mark on this one yet. He's a rubber-arm guy who can go multiple innings. That's the the first thing Stearns mentioned about him. They let Jennings and Cedeno go because they were 1-2 out guys. This move further signifies the ongoing transition to a pitching staff of undefined, multi-inning roles for all. As I've been saying for months now, if the starters aren't going to be counted on to go 5-7 innings, you need to supplement them with an entire staff capable of going multiple innings.

 

A guy who is lights out against LHP and gets hammered by RHP isn't a great fit as a multi inning guy. I'm all about innovation in the pitching staff but IMO he's going to be a LOOGY.

[True Blue Brew Crew]

A guy who is lights out against LHP and gets hammered by RHP isn't a great fit as a multi inning guy. I'm all about innovation in the pitching staff but IMO he's going to be a LOOGY.

 

I understand why you'd feel that way looking at the splits but the GM of the Brewers just stated the exact opposite.

[walleye]

I think we got a decent LOOGY but not liking the price we payed to get him. He’s young and has some control left but is he at his peak now ? In my opinion he may be . And I just don’t think that’s wroth the pick we gave up . I hope I’m wrong.

[adambr2]

A guy who is lights out against LHP and gets hammered by RHP isn't a great fit as a multi inning guy. I'm all about innovation in the pitching staff but IMO he's going to be a LOOGY.

 

I understand why you'd feel that way looking at the splits but the GM of the Brewers just stated the exact opposite.

 

 

"We are excited to add another talented left-handed reliever to our bullpen," said general manager David Stearns said in a statement. "Over his young Major League career, Alex has proven to be one of the most consistent and durable lefty relievers in baseball."

 

 

Unless I missed a quote that directly pertains to Claudio I don't see any confirmation from Stearns that he's going to be a multi-inning guy.

[bill hAll Star]

A guy who is lights out against LHP and gets hammered by RHP isn't a great fit as a multi inning guy. I'm all about innovation in the pitching staff but IMO he's going to be a LOOGY.

 

I understand why you'd feel that way looking at the splits but the GM of the Brewers just stated the exact opposite.

 

 

"We are excited to add another talented left-handed reliever to our bullpen," said general manager David Stearns said in a statement. "Over his young Major League career, Alex has proven to be one of the most consistent and durable lefty relievers in baseball."

 

 

Unless I missed a quote that directly pertains to Claudio I don't see any confirmation from Stearns that he's going to be a multi-inning guy.

 

[KeithStone53151]

A guy who is lights out against LHP and gets hammered by RHP isn't a great fit as a multi inning guy. I'm all about innovation in the pitching staff but IMO he's going to be a LOOGY.

 

I understand why you'd feel that way looking at the splits but the GM of the Brewers just stated the exact opposite.

 

 

"We are excited to add another talented left-handed reliever to our bullpen," said general manager David Stearns said in a statement. "Over his young Major League career, Alex has proven to be one of the most consistent and durable lefty relievers in baseball."

 

 

Unless I missed a quote that directly pertains to Claudio I don't see any confirmation from Stearns that he's going to be a multi-inning guy.

 

One of the beat writers posted like a 50-60 second video of Stearns comments, and he specifically references looking for a set of criteria(multi-inning being one) and Stearns notes that Claudio checks all those boxes.