Trade Deadline Rant- How are we better?

[Brew crew 92]

Trading Aguilar put them at a greater disadvantage than they already had against their main rival in the division. And for what? A 12th or 13th arm on your staff who more likely than not will be completely forgotten in 5 years? Yes Aguilar was having a bad year though he'd been better since the first week of June and his season was a heck of of lot better than Shaw's. Where's this supposed depth at 1B anyway? I don't see a top prospect in their system who plays 1B. There's Freitas, but I guess Stearns hasn't noticed that he's bludgeoned LH pitching.

 

I believe Freitas with 4 more hits in last nights game has forced Stearns hand, like Grisham did with his 5 for 5 two homer cycle game, at least I hope he has. We have 18 games or so till rosters expand, I just don’t want to wait till then to call him up, when he could help us win a game we otherwise would lose because he can hit Lefties, where Shaw can’t.

[TigerUppercut]

Trading Aguilar put them at a greater disadvantage than they already had against their main rival in the division. And for what? A 12th or 13th arm on your staff who more likely than not will be completely forgotten in 5 years? Yes Aguilar was having a bad year though he'd been better since the first week of June and his season was a heck of of lot better than Shaw's. Where's this supposed depth at 1B anyway? I don't see a top prospect in their system who plays 1B. There's Freitas, but I guess Stearns hasn't noticed that he's bludgeoned LH pitching.

 

I believe Freitas with 4 more hits in last nights game has forced Stearns hand, like Grisham did with his 5 for 5 two homer cycle game, at least I hope he has. We have 18 games or so till rosters expand, I just don’t want to wait till then to call him up, when he could help us win a game we otherwise would lose because he can hit Lefties, where Shaw can’t.

 

Manny Pina's splits vs lefties:

 

340/426/681/1.107

 

What is the likelihood that Freitas is better than this and plays the same or better defense?

[Outlander]

Very true, Pina has been brutal against righties but if they could limit him to lefties is still productive. I probably don't agree with comparing Freitas to the Orf's of the world though because Freitas wa acquired by Stearns in a trade and is on the 40 man roster already so Stearns must see something in him. It is actually kind of surprising in some ways that he hasn't seen any time with the Brewers yet since it would be so easy to call him up and send him back down.

[Brew crew 92]

Trading Aguilar put them at a greater disadvantage than they already had against their main rival in the division. And for what? A 12th or 13th arm on your staff who more likely than not will be completely forgotten in 5 years? Yes Aguilar was having a bad year though he'd been better since the first week of June and his season was a heck of of lot better than Shaw's. Where's this supposed depth at 1B anyway? I don't see a top prospect in their system who plays 1B. There's Freitas, but I guess Stearns hasn't noticed that he's bludgeoned LH pitching.

 

I believe Freitas with 4 more hits in last nights game has forced Stearns hand, like Grisham did with his 5 for 5 two homer cycle game, at least I hope he has. We have 18 games or so till rosters expand, I just don’t want to wait till then to call him up, when he could help us win a game we otherwise would lose because he can hit Lefties, where Shaw can’t.

 

Manny Pina's splits vs lefties:

 

340/426/681/1.107

 

What is the likelihood that Freitas is better than this and plays the same or better defense?

 

Freitas at 1B vs Lefty’s since as Briggs has already pointed out, he’s hitting almost .500 against them. He’s been playing 1B at AAA as well as catching. Between the 3 of them they can make it work, and it can give Grandal more rest behind the plate, and or some rest days too, which he can use imo. We face 2 lefties this weekend........

[pacopete4]

So now Freitas plays over Grandal (or possibly Braun) at 1B? No thanks.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

So now Freitas plays over Grandal (or possibly Braun) at 1B? No thanks.

 

I'm not as drunk on bloated and likely useless AAA stats as some others, but I think it might be time to see what he can do at the big league level. Leash certainly doesn't need to be long on a 30-year-old journeyman, though. Bring him up and give him at-bats for 4-5 games, and if he doesn't produce, see-ya. He's already on the 40-man, so it would be a pretty easy move.

[Fear The Chorizo]

Freitas will be up in September after rosters expand and the Brewers wouldn't need to risk losing Pina for nothing by taking him off the 25 man roster in August since he is out of options. Freitas has had a great AAA season to date, and would likely be an asset off the bench as a RH pinch hitter/spot catching starter depending on matchups...however for the next ~3.5 weeks I'd rather have a full complement of bullpen options along with the two catchers who have handled the MLB staff (Grandal/Pina) on the gameday roster.

 

I'm not really sure why there is so much clamoring for a guy who has proven to be a AAAA level player in his career, especially because him replacing anyone currently on the 25 man roster probably weakens their MLB roster flexibility or leads to the Brewers losing Pina...if there's a catching injury before then that requires an IL stint before September, sure bring Freitas up.

 

All that being said, I can see the option of replacing Shaw on the roster with Freitas given the fact there are quite a few lefty starters they'll be facing - however given Pina's good numbers against LHP and Grandal's ability to switch hit and play 1B I don't think it would guarantee Freitas a ton of ABs even with a platoon advantage for him.

[MrTPlush]

The sample is still very small, but if things continue along this track, there is going to need to be a "David Stearns trade deadline eat crow thread". The Brewers went into the trade deadline needing to shore up the starting rotation, and grab a couple bullpen pieces, and so far, that's exactly what they've done. Lyles has been good in his starter role, and should be able to easily transition to the pen if the rotation gets overcrowded. Pomeranz has look terrific in both his pen appearances and his spot start yesterday. Faria gave up a couple hard hit balls in his two-inning debut, but was effective enough to put a couple zeros up, and will fit into that pen nicely moving forward. The wild card is Ray Black. He throws absolute gas, and has shown well so far in AAA. I expect him to also be up shortly.

 

Pomeranz was the only real “get better” move. The rest was throw junk at the wall and hope it sticks. I don’t want to say just rearranging deck chairs, but pretty close. On paper we didn’t do much, but results...hey, I can work with that.

[Brew crew 92]

Freitas will be up in September after rosters expand and the Brewers wouldn't need to risk losing Pina for nothing by taking him off the 25 man roster in August since he is out of options. Freitas has had a great AAA season to date, and would likely be an asset off the bench as a RH pinch hitter/spot catching starter depending on matchups...however for the next ~3.5 weeks I'd rather have a full complement of bullpen options along with the two catchers who have handled the MLB staff (Grandal/Pina) on the gameday roster.

 

I'm not really sure why there is so much clamoring for a guy who has proven to be a AAAA level player in his career, especially because him replacing anyone currently on the 25 man roster probably weakens their MLB roster flexibility or leads to the Brewers losing Pina...if there's a catching injury before then that requires an IL stint before September, sure bring Freitas up.

 

All that being said, I can see the option of replacing Shaw on the roster with Freitas given the fact there are quite a few lefty starters they'll be facing - however given Pina's good numbers against LHP and Grandal's ability to switch hit and play 1B I don't think it would guarantee Freitas a ton of ABs even with a platoon advantage for him.

 

You nailed it with your first sentence in your last paragraph, and with facing 2 Lefty’s this weekend and coming off a 4 hit game, isn’t this weekend the perfect time to switch Shaw with Freitas?

[Fear The Chorizo]

Freitas will be up in September after rosters expand and the Brewers wouldn't need to risk losing Pina for nothing by taking him off the 25 man roster in August since he is out of options. Freitas has had a great AAA season to date, and would likely be an asset off the bench as a RH pinch hitter/spot catching starter depending on matchups...however for the next ~3.5 weeks I'd rather have a full complement of bullpen options along with the two catchers who have handled the MLB staff (Grandal/Pina) on the gameday roster.

 

I'm not really sure why there is so much clamoring for a guy who has proven to be a AAAA level player in his career, especially because him replacing anyone currently on the 25 man roster probably weakens their MLB roster flexibility or leads to the Brewers losing Pina...if there's a catching injury before then that requires an IL stint before September, sure bring Freitas up.

 

All that being said, I can see the option of replacing Shaw on the roster with Freitas given the fact there are quite a few lefty starters they'll be facing - however given Pina's good numbers against LHP and Grandal's ability to switch hit and play 1B I don't think it would guarantee Freitas a ton of ABs even with a platoon advantage for him.

 

You nailed it with your first sentence in your last paragraph, and with facing 2 Lefty’s this weekend and coming off a 4 hit game, isn’t this weekend the perfect time to switch Shaw with Freitas?

 

If they were in AL ballparks and had the option of a DH then yes...since they play the Rangers in Milwaukee, not really. Pina can catch and Grandal can start at 1B if they want a platoon heavy RH lineup against lefty starters. Sure they could switch Shaw and Freitas, but Freitas probably doesn't start those games and it's probably a better option to have lefty hitters on the bench to pinch hit against righty relievers as those games go on. Plus, making that move for 2-3 games basically locks that roster in for 10 until they would switch back out - I won't be upset or thrilled if a move like this happens.

[wntrtxn21]

So now Freitas plays over Grandal (or possibly Braun) at 1B? No thanks.

 

I'm not as drunk on bloated and likely useless AAA stats as some others, but I think it might be time to see what he can do at the big league level. Leash certainly doesn't need to be long on a 30-year-old journeyman, though. Bring him up and give him at-bats for 4-5 games, and if he doesn't produce, see-ya. He's already on the 40-man, so it would be a pretty easy move.

 

Who do they cut to bring up Freitas? Pina is killing it against lefties. Thames? Do they cut Gamel to keep 3 catchers?

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

So now Freitas plays over Grandal (or possibly Braun) at 1B? No thanks.

 

I'm not as drunk on bloated and likely useless AAA stats as some others, but I think it might be time to see what he can do at the big league level. Leash certainly doesn't need to be long on a 30-year-old journeyman, though. Bring him up and give him at-bats for 4-5 games, and if he doesn't produce, see-ya. He's already on the 40-man, so it would be a pretty easy move.

 

Who do they cut to bring up Freitas? Pina is killing it against lefties. Thames? Do they cut Gamel to keep 3 catchers?

 

Probably as simple as optioning Shaw again.

[Eye Black]

I don’t agree with some of the points in this FanGraphs article, The Cubs Are Slowly Pulling Away, but found it an interesting read nevertheless.

 

Below are each team’s positional rankings based on the Fangraphs depth charts (screenshot from the article):

 

 

 

In the article author Dan Szymborski goes on to point out that Marcus Stroman would have been the perfect addition for the Brewers and they should have traded whatever prospects necessary. I don’t disagree Stroman would have been a great addition, but as has been discussed elsewhere I think the Blue Jays were intent on getting pitching in return and I’m not sure the Brewers had the arms in their system that appealed to Toronto.

[adambr2]

I don’t agree with some of the points in this FanGraphs article, The Cubs Are Slowly Pulling Away, but found it an interesting read nevertheless.

 

Below are each team’s positional rankings based on the Fangraphs depth charts (screenshot from the article):

 

 

 

In the article author Dan Szymborski goes on to point out that Marcus Stroman would have been the perfect addition for the Brewers and they should have traded whatever prospects necessary. I don’t disagree Stroman would have been a great addition, but as has been discussed elsewhere I think the Blue Jays were intent on getting pitching in return and I’m not sure the Brewers had the arms in their system that appealed to Toronto.

 

Completely agreed. The Cubs made moves to address their biggest weaknesses, we did little to nothing. 1B is worse. SS is still horrific. The pen isn't any better with Pomeranz and Faria.

 

I do agree that perhaps the arms in our system weren't as coveted to the Jays as what they actually received for Stroman.

 

Some reasonable pen acquisitions, however, could have been had. Something as simple and cheap as Freddy Galvis would have been a considerable upgrade at SS.

 

The gap in the standings between us and the Cubs is not large at all. Unlike last year though, I think the talent deficiency is likely too much to be overcome, with the bullpen likely to be the big X factor this year compared to last.

[Thurston Fluff]

We needed immediate help in the rotation without mortgaging the future. Considering how Lyles has done so far I don't see how today is the day to complain about Stearns doing nothing to help the situation.

[homer]

 

Completely agreed. The Cubs made moves to address their biggest weaknesses, we did little to nothing. 1B is worse. SS is still horrific. The pen isn't any better with Pomeranz and Faria.

 

I do agree that perhaps the arms in our system weren't as coveted to the Jays as what they actually received for Stroman.

 

Our starters are one of the worst things on that grid and Lyles has been awesome in three starts. I don't know if that continues but he's made the team better since the break.

[adambr2]

We needed immediate help in the rotation without mortgaging the future. Considering how Lyles has done so far I don't see how today is the day to complain about Stearns doing nothing to help the situation.

 

As I said like with the Galvis example, there was plenty of help out there available without any sort of mortgaging necessary. Lyles has been great so far, but I think it's unrealistic to think he alone is going to be one to tip the scales in a playoff race.

[adambr2]

Lyles has made this team better so far. I will certainly concede that.

 

I guess my biggest frustration is that reasonable SS upgrades were available for next to nothing and it wasn't addressed at all, in fact we went the other way and essentially doubled down on our current SS. It's been a problem for a few years and they seem unwilling to address it. At some point, Orlando Arcia probably just isn't the guy you want.

[Thurston Fluff]

Lyles has made this team better so far. I will certainly concede that.

 

I guess my biggest frustration is that reasonable SS upgrades were available for next to nothing and it wasn't addressed at all, in fact we went the other way and essentially doubled down on our current SS. It's been a problem for a few years and they seem unwilling to address it. At some point, Orlando Arcia probably just isn't the guy you want.

 

How much of an upgrade can be expected for next to nothing? This just seems like an unreasonable expectation to me.

[trwi7]

Lyles has made this team better so far. I will certainly concede that.

 

I guess my biggest frustration is that reasonable SS upgrades were available for next to nothing and it wasn't addressed at all, in fact we went the other way and essentially doubled down on our current SS. It's been a problem for a few years and they seem unwilling to address it. At some point, Orlando Arcia probably just isn't the guy you want.

 

How much of an upgrade can be expected for next to nothing? This just seems like an unreasonable expectation to me.

 

Freddy Galvis has a 1.4 WAR this year and has been between a 1.2 and 2.3 WAR the past 5 years and was just picked up on waivers for nothing.

[LouisEly]

I can see why the Brewers brass may not think that Galvis is an upgrade. Yes, he has a higher SLG, but he has about the same OBP as Arcia, a higher K rate than Arcia, and makes 7x as much as Arcia with a $1M buyout of his $5.5M 2020 team option. Not enough of an improvement to justify the cost.

[Eye Black]

The best move of the 2019 deadline was not trading Trent Grisham.

[Thurston Fluff]

The best move of the 2019 deadline was not trading Trent Grisham.

 

But we needed a needle mover.

[adambr2]

The best move of the 2019 deadline was not trading Trent Grisham.

 

100%. I'm sold on this guy being a fixture at the top of our lineup for the next 6+ years.

[Jopal78]

The best move of the 2019 deadline was not trading Trent Grisham.

 

100%. I'm sold on this guy being a fixture at the top of our lineup for the next 6+ years.

 

I like Grisham too; and especially late inning three run homers. However it’s 40 at bats. Let’s wait until he’s at least faced all the teams once before anointing him a fixture