Where do we go from here?

[MrTPlush]

Why do people keep thinking Moustakas will pick up his option? Considering the buyout he is taking a 1/$8mil contract if he accepts that. There is almost no risk hitting FA.

 

It’s incredibly unlikely.

 

I suspect this coming offseason might be a lot like the last where he doesn't get the offers from other clubs that he wants and comes back to us in the end.

 

He very well might, but what is his worst case? 1/$6mil? Hardly much of a risk when he may find a team that offers $20mil+ on a multi year deal. I like Moustakas as a possible resign for that reason though. I don't think he will cost much for a guy who can provide us a nice .800+ OPS.

[pacopete4]

Yeah, I don’t see a world in which Moose takes the option. It’s just not in his best interest financially.

[tmwiese55]

They're going to be in a really interesting spot. Essentially you really only need two out of Thames, Shaw, Moose back to cover those two spots. Moose would likely be the most expensive and might need another year or two attached after a good season. Shaw, obviously he's just been awful this year but you have years of cheap control on one year basis. Thames, he's been fine overall and is on a not expensive one year deal at your choice. Then factor in the timelines on them all.

 

I guess that's why they earn the big bucks to sort this out. My choice at this point since I'm sure they're still going to consider next year a go for it year would be to keep Thames and Moose and let Shaw go. Seems the safest route for next year. Thing is I do think Shaw will rebound but I don't think you can risk it. You kind of know what you're getting in the other two. Maybe one of them goes down and Shaw gets a bunch of PT and finishes the year strong though, we'll see how it plays out.

 

Also, Moose is about to prove his SS versatility too making him more valuable haha.

[Oxy]

Considering our lack of internal minor league IF depth AND the extra roster spot next year there is a real possibility we try to keep Thames, Moose and Shaw. Shaw still has an option year as well.

 

Whoever we let go, we will still have to sign somebody to take their place. I'll say we offer Moose a contract but he tests Free Agency and finds out for the 3rd straight year that he won't get a long term deal. Re-signs with the Brewers in January at 2 yrs/16M with a 3rd year team option for 7M (2M buyout).

[tmwiese55]

True, I guess it's not for sure. But would they spend 5+ mil on a bench/depth player. The Shaw options would allow it though. But carrying all 3 on the roster all year could be tough. Interesting decision. Just too bad one isn't RH.

[KeithStone53151]

There are quite a few good 1b options set to hit free agency next year. We shouldn't be exercising Thames option, we probably can get similar production for cheaper. 3b is made tough by Shaw being so bad this year. Do we take the chance that he works hard in the offseason and corrects his mechanics/contact issues? Shaw will probably get a bit over $5 million next year in arbitration. I think we have to go with one or the other on Shaw/Moose...not both...unless of course we go with a RH 1b like Abreu/Pearce/Zimmerman/etc. There's also the whole Braun at 1b for significant time next year that could happen with Grisham forcing himself into the lineup. Quite a bit there for Stearns to unravel and plan for...

[bill hAll Star]

I'd lean towards keeping Thames and paying up for Mous after non-tendering Shaw

 

Disregarding deferred payments or very small buyouts, etc.

 

Grandal mutual option $2.25, Mous mutual option $3

 

Braun $17, Cain $16, Yelich $12.5, Anderson $8.5, Thames $7.5, Knebel $5.5, Nelson $4, Davies $4.5, Guerra $3, Pina $2, Claudio $2, Arcia $2.5, Gamel $1.5, Suter $1.5 and 11 @~$600k

 

That's roughly $95 million for the 25 man. There are many decisions made like declining Guerra, Nelson, Pina, Claudio, Arcia. I left out Jeffress for $3.5 which they'll probably take.

 

I could see either overpaying Mous for 1 year ($12-13?) or locking him into a 3-year deal as that is probably what they believe the window is 3/$28?

 

I could see Attanasio going up to $130 next year. Pure conjecture but most of Braun's money is (maybe?) gone in 2021 among other things, though if Braun continues to play fairly well, I could see them essentially taking the $12 option given $5 of it is already dead with the buyout. Everyone is currently mad at Cain's contract but that's currently the only substantial money currently out there that could be bad in 2021 and beyond and I'd hope that isn't what inhibits them from helping a competitive year in 2020.

 

Of course plenty of trades will be made but I can see the ~$30 million to go around spent on $10-15 for Mous, $7 for another starting pitcher option, $4 for relief help, $5 sprinkled on smaller contracts.

 

They'd need a RH option potentially to spell some 3B and 1B if Braun isn't doing most of the 1B platooning.

[Baldkin]

2022-2027 we will owe Cain/Braun roughly $3 mil a year in deferred money. This year is the last year of $3 mil per year of Aramis Rameriz deferred money. How often is money deferred? What is the benefit of it? Seems to hinder future years, even if by just a “few” million. Is there luxury tax implications?

 

Inflation and investment.

 

$1 today is worth less than 10 years ago, less than 20 years ago.

$1,000 invested today, even at a low guaranteed 2%, is over $1200 in 10 years. Money, money, money.

[clancyphile]

There are quite a few good 1b options set to hit free agency next year. We shouldn't be exercising Thames option, we probably can get similar production for cheaper. 3b is made tough by Shaw being so bad this year. Do we take the chance that he works hard in the offseason and corrects his mechanics/contact issues? Shaw will probably get a bit over $5 million next year in arbitration. I think we have to go with one or the other on Shaw/Moose...not both...unless of course we go with a RH 1b like Abreu/Pearce/Zimmerman/etc. There's also the whole Braun at 1b for significant time next year that could happen with Grisham forcing himself into the lineup. Quite a bit there for Stearns to unravel and plan for...

 

If Shaw is back to form, he's the primary 3B, Moose at SS.

 

If not... there are options. From off the top of my head:

1. Braun 3B, Moose SS

2. Moose 3B, Arcia SS

3. Erceg 3B, Moose SS

4. Moose 3B, Hager SS

5. Moose 3B, Saladino SS

[willie key]

There are quite a few good 1b options set to hit free agency next year. We shouldn't be exercising Thames option, we probably can get similar production for cheaper. 3b is made tough by Shaw being so bad this year. Do we take the chance that he works hard in the offseason and corrects his mechanics/contact issues? Shaw will probably get a bit over $5 million next year in arbitration. I think we have to go with one or the other on Shaw/Moose...not both...unless of course we go with a RH 1b like Abreu/Pearce/Zimmerman/etc. There's also the whole Braun at 1b for significant time next year that could happen with Grisham forcing himself into the lineup. Quite a bit there for Stearns to unravel and plan for...

 

If Shaw is back to form, he's the primary 3B, Moose at SS.

 

If not... there are options. From off the top of my head:

1. Braun 3B, Moose SS

2. Moose 3B, Arcia SS

3. Erceg 3B, Moose SS

4. Moose 3B, Hager SS

5. Moose 3B, Saladino SS

 

The only option reasonable above is #2. Moose at short for a whole season? Oh boy

 

Braun at third and Moose at short would be as great a spectacle since landing on the moon. that would be some captivating television

[Devinep]

There are quite a few good 1b options set to hit free agency next year. We shouldn't be exercising Thames option, we probably can get similar production for cheaper. 3b is made tough by Shaw being so bad this year. Do we take the chance that he works hard in the offseason and corrects his mechanics/contact issues? Shaw will probably get a bit over $5 million next year in arbitration. I think we have to go with one or the other on Shaw/Moose...not both...unless of course we go with a RH 1b like Abreu/Pearce/Zimmerman/etc. There's also the whole Braun at 1b for significant time next year that could happen with Grisham forcing himself into the lineup. Quite a bit there for Stearns to unravel and plan for...

 

If Shaw is back to form, he's the primary 3B, Moose at SS.

 

If not... there are options. From off the top of my head:

1. Braun 3B, Moose SS

2. Moose 3B, Arcia SS

3. Erceg 3B, Moose SS

4. Moose 3B, Hager SS

5. Moose 3B, Saladino SS

 

These are jokes I assume ?

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

There are quite a few good 1b options set to hit free agency next year. We shouldn't be exercising Thames option, we probably can get similar production for cheaper. 3b is made tough by Shaw being so bad this year. Do we take the chance that he works hard in the offseason and corrects his mechanics/contact issues? Shaw will probably get a bit over $5 million next year in arbitration. I think we have to go with one or the other on Shaw/Moose...not both...unless of course we go with a RH 1b like Abreu/Pearce/Zimmerman/etc. There's also the whole Braun at 1b for significant time next year that could happen with Grisham forcing himself into the lineup. Quite a bit there for Stearns to unravel and plan for...

 

If Shaw is back to form, he's the primary 3B, Moose at SS.

 

If not... there are options. From off the top of my head:

1. Braun 3B, Moose SS

2. Moose 3B, Arcia SS

3. Erceg 3B, Moose SS

4. Moose 3B, Hager SS

5. Moose 3B, Saladino SS

 

These are jokes I assume ?

 

They are not. He's 100% serious.

[DuWayne Steurer]

I feel like the Braun to 3B thing at this point is just a fun troll/joke thing.

 

Erceg is hitting .220 at San Antonio, with a .307 OBP. He's repeating AAA unless/until he gets Grisham level hot for an extended period of time.

[Brew crew 92]

Trade:

 

Yelich > 2(60) & 1(55) grade prospects

Hader > 1(60) & 2(55) grade prospects

Davies > 1(55) grade prospect

 

That’s 3 Studs & 4 mini-studs (7 top 100 type prospects) to add to the farm to make it the top in all of baseball. Sign Grisham and Hiura to 8 year extension’s to build around as far as position players go.

 

Put Burnes Peralta Houser and Supak in the rotation all year and just let em pitch. By the end of the year we might have another TOR or two to join Woodruff.

 

Bullpen should be one of the best in baseball with the 4 headed monster of Knebel Wahl D. Williams Black.

 

Of the 7 stud prospects received, should be a few of em ready to plug into the lineup to make it strong by 2021.

 

And with a low payroll should be able to add a free agent or two to really compete for a title starting in 2021, but this time with a super young core controlled for 5-7 years.

 

I don't know about Davies, but why would we trade away 2 of our top players that we could realistically build the team around along with Woody? I don't want us to become another Marlins of the NL.

 

Because imo, Selling this offseason on Yelich & Hader is maximizing prospect return and with said prospects, a better, younger team after a one year reset(to develop). Selling Hader is an easy decision: protect from injury/regression and as good as he is, he’s still only a reliever. Yelich is the tougher decision, but the prospects received would, if the right prospects, transform this team to a super young contender for many years moving forward, quickly.

 

Another option is to sell Hader & Davies for the 3-5 quality mlb ready prospects, Keep Yelich, and plug in a couple prospects to fill holes cheaply, with more money to spend in other area’s.

 

Remember this: next year all mlb teams get 9 million extra in the new National Fox deal. Then another 8-10 million in 2021 with the new turner/espn national deal.

[nate82]

Would you non-tender Travis Shaw?

 

No, but I would test the market to see if there is any interest and see what that interest is.

 

Would you pickup Thames option?

 

Yes but only if Shaw is not coming back.

 

Anyway we can bring back Grandal and/or Moose?

 

I would try and bring Grandal back but Moose can walk. If Grandal will sign a 3-4 year deal at $15-17m per season then yes otherwise I am letting them both walk away.

 

Are we going to upgrade shortstop or just bring somebody to push Arcia?

 

The Brewers don't have the assets to upgrade from Arcia so that is out of question. Maybe there is a trade out there or a waiver claim for someone who is blocked at SS or just needs some playing time kind of like Villar.

 

How do we fill out the rotation besides these three...

 

Woodruff

Anderson

Davies

 

Burnes, Houser, Peralta, Gonzalez, and Lyles should all be competing for a rotation spot. I would probably try and trade Anderson for something and then go with a rotation of Woodruff, Gonzalez, Davies, Suter and Burnes/Houser/Peralta.

 

One player I would target in a trade is Hunter Dozier. I am not sure if the Royals would part with him and I am not sure if the Brewers even have the prospect capital to get him but he would fit in very nicely as another RH bat in the lineup. If you keep Shaw you then move Shaw to 1B and have him platoon with Braun at 1B.

 

Lineup:

Cain CF

Yelich RF

Hiura 2B

Dozier 3B

Grisham LF

Shaw/Braun 1B

Pina/Nottingham/Freitas C

Arcia

 

Bench:

Braun/Shaw 1B

Gamel OF

Pina/Nottingham/Freitas C

Seth Mejias-Brean UTIL (rule 5 draft pick)

Saladino UTIL

 

Rotation:

Woodruff

Gonzalez

Davies

Suter

Burnes

 

Bullpen:

Hader

Faria

Peralta

D. Williams

Houser

Claudio

Pomeranz

 

Probably not the top of the NL but with the addition of Dozier and a full year of Hiura this team should be better. Offensively I think this is a fluke year for Cain and he will rebound nicely next year. If Shaw can come back to form he would make the offense more potent. I am not sure how the Brewers could get Dozier from the Royals but in my made up fantasy world they do.

[wntrtxn21]

I know we have a full offseason to discuss the immediate future of the Brewers but in my opinion the front office will be in a really hard position and it warrants talking about now. I am a firm believer that a foundation of a true nl central contender is still here. But why I think they are in such a tough spot is they will have to roll the dice a little bit to fill out the pitching staff. We probably don't have the type of farm to trade for a controllable starter in the offseason IMO. This offseason imo will show if we can contend on Yelich's existing deal or not because I have to think there will be at least one if not two significant multi year commitments to the pitching staff. These commitments need to be nailed otherwise we will be right back here again a year from now and we will be discussing how we are basically the 2012-2014 Brewers all over again with Yelich substituted for Braun.

 

Would you non-tender Travis Shaw?

 

Would you pickup Thames option?

 

Anyway we can bring back Grandal and/or Moose?

 

Note on Grandal-The catching free agent market is awful, bringing back Grandal will be a multi year/premium commitment IMO and will take away dollars from filling out the pitching staff.

 

Are we going to upgrade shortstop or just bring somebody to push Arcia?

 

How do we fill out the rotation besides these three...

 

Woodruff

Anderson

Davies

 

Btw bring in Dillard to start opening day....the opening day starting pitcher curse is real for the Brewers

 

Decline the Jeffress option?

 

1. No, he will rebound. It's not a TON of money in this case. There's also NO real option in the minors. Erceg would be worse. Shaw at least has the track record over his career.

 

2. Yes. He's the primary 1B.

 

3. Bring both Grandal and Moose back. Grandal would be worth the money on a three-year extension, if only to bridge to Feliciano/Fry.

 

4. If Moose comes back, and Shaw rebounds to norms, the Crew has a good starting infield offensively. A three-year extension buys time for Turang to arrive from A+.

 

5. At this point bring back Gio, and open the last slot to one of Houser/Suter/Burnes/Peralta/Supak.

 

6. Keep the option for Jeffress, but be willing to DFA if he struggles in spring.

 

I can see keeping Shaw to play 1B along with Braun and to play 3B when resting Moose (re-signing Moose)

Let Thames and his $7.5M contract go (Shaw and Braun at 1B)

Bring back Moose but use Grandal's money for a starting pitcher and/or SS

Gio is a lefty and unless they pick up a FA lefty (Wood?) bring him back

Jeffress and his $4.3M contract are history. Knebel-Wahl-Ray-Faria-Pomeranz-Hader-Suter-Peralta-Burnes-D.Williams-Perdomo are all options I'd put ahead of Jeffress.

[adamds22]

I don't really see a downside of bringing back Shaw since he has options and could turn things around

Thames is replaceable whether that is Shaw/Braun/Frietas

Would love to see Moose and/or Grandal back, more likely to see Moose in my opinion

Need to address the starting pitching in the offseason

 

OF: Braun, Grisham, Cain, Yelich

3B: Moose/Shaw

SS: Arcia

2B: Huira

1B: Shaw/Braun/Frietas

C: Pina/Nottingham/Frietas

Gamel super sub

[thebruce44]

Trade:

 

Yelich > 2(60) & 1(55) grade prospects

Hader > 1(60) & 2(55) grade prospects

Davies > 1(55) grade prospect

 

That’s 3 Studs & 4 mini-studs (7 top 100 type prospects) to add to the farm to make it the top in all of baseball. Sign Grisham and Hiura to 8 year extension’s to build around as far as position players go.

 

Put Burnes Peralta Houser and Supak in the rotation all year and just let em pitch. By the end of the year we might have another TOR or two to join Woodruff.

 

Bullpen should be one of the best in baseball with the 4 headed monster of Knebel Wahl D. Williams Black.

 

Of the 7 stud prospects received, should be a few of em ready to plug into the lineup to make it strong by 2021.

 

And with a low payroll should be able to add a free agent or two to really compete for a title starting in 2021, but this time with a super young core controlled for 5-7 years.

 

I don't know about Davies, but why would we trade away 2 of our top players that we could realistically build the team around along with Woody? I don't want us to become another Marlins of the NL.

 

Because imo, Selling this offseason on Yelich & Hader is maximizing prospect return and with said prospects, a better, younger team after a one year reset(to develop). Selling Hader is an easy decision: protect from injury/regression and as good as he is, he’s still only a reliever. Yelich is the tougher decision, but the prospects received would, if the right prospects, transform this team to a super young contender for many years moving forward, quickly.

 

Another option is to sell Hader & Davies for the 3-5 quality mlb ready prospects, Keep Yelich, and plug in a couple prospects to fill holes cheaply, with more money to spend in other area’s.

 

Remember this: next year all mlb teams get 9 million extra in the new National Fox deal. Then another 8-10 million in 2021 with the new turner/espn national deal.

 

There isn't even a team that has 2 60 grade prospects outside of the Dodgers. It just isn't realistic to expect that there are teams out there who can compete to get Yelich at the actual value back that you need to have this make sense.

[Brew crew 92]

Ok, just using that 60 grade as can example, could be combination of lesser prospects, just more of them, but yes, it wouldn’t be easy, but the best current hitter and one of the best pen arms make that possible imo, I know teams value their prospects today even more than just a couple years ago, but.

[homer]

These are jokes I assume ?

 

They are not. He's 100% serious.