What is your 2019-2020 offseason plan for the Brewers?

[nate82]

Trades:

Anderson + $4m to the Angels for Maitan and Yan

Brown and Nottingham/Ashby to the Twins for Gordon

 

Signings:

Pomeranz 3-years $20m

Wheeler 5-years $75m

Smith 3-years $36m

d’Arnaud 2-years $5m

Castro 1-year $3m

Odorizzi 5-years $70m

 

Roster:

C: Pina and d’Arnaud

1B: Thames and Braun

2B: Hiura

SS: Arcia and Gordon

3B: Shaw and Castro

LF: Braun, Grisham, Taylor and Gamel

CF: Cain, Grisham and Taylor

RF: Yelich, Grisham, Taylor and Gamel

 

SP: Woodruff, Wheeler, Odorizzi, Davies, Houser

RP: Feyereisen, Hader, Smith, Pomeranz, Suter, Peralta and Burnes

 

 

I am probably over the budget by a lot but I don't really care. If Gordon looks like he can replace Arcia at SS he can be dumped and save about $2m.

 

Should be good for another 85-90 wins. Will need a bounce back year from Shaw to do that.

[TURBO]

Oh man, that line-up is horrendous...

 

What if 2020 Travis Shaw is 2019 Travis Shaw? Castro? UGH!

[wntrtxn21]

Trades:

Anderson + $4m to the Angels for Maitan and Yan

Brown and Nottingham/Ashby to the Twins for Gordon

 

Signings:

Pomeranz 3-years $20m

Wheeler 5-years $75m

Smith 3-years $36m

d’Arnaud 2-years $5m

Castro 1-year $3m

Odorizzi 5-years $70m

 

Roster:

C: Pina and d’Arnaud

1B: Thames and Braun

2B: Hiura

SS: Arcia and Gordon

3B: Shaw and Castro

LF: Braun, Grisham, Taylor and Gamel

CF: Cain, Grisham and Taylor

RF: Yelich, Grisham, Taylor and Gamel

 

SP: Woodruff, Wheeler, Odorizzi, Davies, Houser

RP: Feyereisen, Hader, Smith, Pomeranz, Suter, Peralta and Burnes

 

 

I am probably over the budget by a lot but I don't really care. If Gordon looks like he can replace Arcia at SS he can be dumped and save about $2m.

 

Should be good for another 85-90 wins. Will need a bounce back year from Shaw to do that.

 

I think you are way low on what Wheeler and Odorizzi will probably get. Wheeler will probably get in the $18-21M range, and Odorizzi will too. d'Arnaud made $3.5M this year so it's very,very unlikely he'll take a 30% pay cut to sign with the Brewers. At $12M Smith is too costly. Hader and Pomeranz and Suter will be the lefties. They can better use the money on a starter. You've got an interesting bull pen, but I don't see any way in the world Burnes makes the MLB roster. Knebel, Wahl, Black, and Guerra are all ahead of Burnes. I forgot about Feyereisen. Good call!

[jjfanec]

Trades:

Anderson + $4m to the Angels for Maitan and Yan

Brown and Nottingham/Ashby to the Twins for Gordon

 

Signings:

Pomeranz 3-years $20m

Wheeler 5-years $75m

Smith 3-years $36m

d’Arnaud 2-years $5m

Castro 1-year $3m

Odorizzi 5-years $70m

 

Roster:

C: Pina and d’Arnaud

1B: Thames and Braun

2B: Hiura

SS: Arcia and Gordon

3B: Shaw and Castro

LF: Braun, Grisham, Taylor and Gamel

CF: Cain, Grisham and Taylor

RF: Yelich, Grisham, Taylor and Gamel

 

SP: Woodruff, Wheeler, Odorizzi, Davies, Houser

RP: Feyereisen, Hader, Smith, Pomeranz, Suter, Peralta and Burnes

 

 

I am probably over the budget by a lot but I don't really care. If Gordon looks like he can replace Arcia at SS he can be dumped and save about $2m.

 

Should be good for another 85-90 wins. Will need a bounce back year from Shaw to do that.

 

I think you are way low on what Wheeler and Odorizzi will probably get. Wheeler will probably get in the $18-21M range, and Odorizzi will too. d'Arnaud made $3.5M this year so it's very,very unlikely he'll take a 30% pay cut to sign with the Brewers. At $12M Smith is too costly. Hader and Pomeranz and Suter will be the lefties. They can better use the money on a starter. You've got an interesting bull pen, but I don't see any way in the world Burnes makes the MLB roster. Knebel, Wahl, Black, and Guerra are all ahead of Burnes. I forgot about Feyereisen. Good call!

 

someone is going to really regret a contract like that for Odorizzi. What is he going to look like when he doesnt have a ton of starts vs that awful division?

[RollieTime]

What was the Brewers’ Opening Day payroll and end of season payroll? The number I found was $122.5 million for Opening Day, but I’m not sure if that is accurate and I couldn’t find anything for the season ending payroll. I just want to have an idea of what to go off of while finalizing what I’m hoping the Brewers do for their Opening Day Roster. Thanks in advance!

[Jopal78]

As much as I hope they resign all three of Grandal, Moustakas and Pomeranz such moves would likely add: 20 million per year for Grandal, 10 million for Moustakas, and 5-6 million for Pomeranz. That's 35-36 million per year. At those prices they probably only resign one of those players and its a fair bet all three leave for different clubs.

[DuWayne Steurer]

Off-season plan ---

 

Bring back Anderson -- He gives up a lot of homers but he's still a useful piece and not that expensive.

 

one of Lyles/Gio -- I like both these guys. Gio has a longer track record of success. Lyles I think was a lot of smoke and mirrors. Maybe Hook saw something in him last year that he was able to either correct or something he was able to make repeatable. I don't know. I'm not sold that Lyles is suddenly a 3 - 3.50 ERA guy, but I wouldn't mind bringing him back on a reasonable 2 year deal.

 

Some rando mid-tier FA SP -- We're not getting Cole, it's just not happening. Maybe Miley again. Maybe someone else, but just some guy who can ably fill in the rotation.

 

Trade Hader for either Lux or Seager+ -- To be clear, I don't WANT to trade Hader. I think he's got the ceiling of being the best reliever in baseball. But the Dodgers need a guy to anchor their bullpen and we need a shortstop, so this makes sense. To me, anyways.

 

If we trade Hader, it becomes really prominently clear that a big push needs to be made to bring back Pomeranz. Knebel should be back at some point, and the rest of the bullpen will be tossed together like a mixed salad as usual, but Pom pitched amazingly well in that role.

 

Re-sign one of Grandal or Moose to a 3 year deal. I have no illusions that both of them are coming back. I'd honestly prefer Moose, because the idea of Shaw being the 3B next year is a little scary. Pina and "some guy" can ably handle the catching duties. I'd just make sure that Manny doesn't catch more than about 95 games.

 

Obvious move is obvious - exercise Thames option

 

DFA Perez. There's got to be a few guys out there that can do what he does and get on base at better than a .275 clip. I really like Hernan, and have enjoyed watching the guy play, but he's not performing.

[wntrtxn21]

As much as I hope they resign all three of Grandal, Moustakas and Pomeranz such moves would likely add: 20 million per year for Grandal, 10 million for Moustakas, and 5-6 million for Pomeranz. That's 35-36 million per year. At those prices they probably only resign one of those players and its a fair bet all three leave for different clubs.

 

Imo Stearns re-signs both Moustakas and Pomeranz if he could get them for your numbers. They would be worth every dollar. The Brewers have nobody else at 3B other than Moose. They can't roll the dice with Shaw based on his horrendous 2019. Pomeranz is a late inning reliever who was outstanding for the Crew. $5M is not overpaying for him. Grandal, if he signs for anything more than $16-17 per on a multi-year deal is too expensive for the Brewers.

[RollieTime]

The Opening Day Payroll for 2019 was $122.5 million. The season ending payroll that I could find was roughly $128.6 million.

 

Position Players

 

LF Ryan Braun $17 million

CF Lorenzo Cain $16 million

RF Christian Yelich $12.5 million

3B Mike Moustakas $13 million (3/$39 million contract)

SS Jose Iglesias $5 million (2/$10 million contract)

2B Keston Hiura ~ $500K

1B Howie Kendrick $5 million (1/$5 million contract)

C Manny Pina $1.8 million

 

2B/SS Cory Spangenberg $1.5 million

1B Eric Thames $5 million (1/$5 million contract)

OF Trent Grisham ~ $500K

C Martin Maldonado $3 million (2/$6 million contract)

2B/3B Jedd Gyorko $1 million (1/$1 million contract with incentives)

 

~ $81.8 million

 

Starting Pitchers

 

Gerrit Cole $30 million (8/$240 million contract)

Brandon Woodruff ~ $500K

Jordan Lyles $3 million (1/$3 million contract)

Gio Gonzalez $2 million (1/$2 million contract)

Adrian Houser ~ $500K

 

~ $36 million

 

Bullpen

 

Josh Hader $5 million

Corey Knebel $5.2 million

Drew Pomeranz $5 million (2/$10 million contract)

Alex Claudio $2 million

Brent Suter $1 million

Bobby Wahl ~ $500K

Freddy Peralta ~ $500K

Jake Faria ~ $500K

 

~ $19.7 million

 

Other options/begin the season in the minors

 

Ray Black

Devin Williams

Corbin Burnes

 

Total Opening Day Payroll: $137.5 million

 

Anderson, Nelson, Perez, Shaw, Guerra, Saladino, Austin, Thames, and Arcia would be non-tendered. Thames will be brought back on a slightly lower contract than the team option. It’s too risky holding onto guys like Shaw, Nelson, and Arcia hoping for them to produce. We have 3 years of Yelich left and need to start putting the best team on the field without putting roughly $11 million into those three hoping for rebound seasons. Perez is too expensive for what he provides, Guerra is solid, but the money can be spent better elsewhere. I want to reduce risk and increase the floor of the entire roster and I think this roster construction would do that.

 

I would trade Ben Gamel and have Trent Grisham and Howie Kendrick as the backup outfielders. Zach Davies will also be moved and should bring back a couple decent prospects since he has shown to be a mid rotation starter and has two years of control left. I’m interested in moving him for salary relief and because he will be pretty expensive in his final year of arbitration next season. I’m a Davies fan, but I think moving him and recouping some solid prospects while getting some salary relief is big.

 

The rotation being led by Cole and Woodruff will give the Brewers a great duo at the top of the rotation and allow the bullpen to get rested up when those two take the mound. Pomeranz, Suter, Peralta, and Faria could be inserted into the rotation as needed during the season as injuries arise. Burnes is waiting in the wings in the minors as well. I also expect Stearns to bring in an experienced arm or two on minor league deals as depth for the rotation.

 

Maldonado is Cole’s personal catcher in Houston currently and will be brought in to continue their success together with the Brewers. Maldonado and Pina can split time, keeping both fresh all season long.

 

Iglesias is brought in to significantly raise the floor of the offensive production at SS while also providing solid defense. Howie Kendrick is brought in as nearly a career .300 hitter that hits from the right side while hitting both lefties and righties well. There would be plenty of at bats to go around during the season with Kendrick and Braun needing their off days, allowing Thames and Grisham to get 300+ at bats pinch hitting, DH’ing, and filling in for injuries and on off days.

 

Hader being arby eligible really threw a wrench on the offseason plans in my opinion. I was hoping to get the payroll to around $130 million for opening day for this exercise, but Hader being arby eligible made it much more difficult. I think $137.5 is a little high for where they would feel comfortable entering the season, but maybe Attanasio will be okay with it if Cole is able to be brought in. It would only be roughly a $9 million payroll increase from the 2019 season. Not bringing back Thames is one option they could explore to drop the payroll to around $132 in this scenario. Which I think is definitely a reasonable number for the Brewers. It’s also important to note that there will be $13 million coming off the books when Braun is off the books after 2020, already factoring in his buyout. That will provide a little breathing room at the top of the payroll for guys entering arby and offseason moves down the road when Thames (if retained), Kendrick, Lyles, and Gonzalez also come off the books, freeing up around $28 million between all of them.

 

I also personally feel that this will be Hader’s last season with Milwaukee if he isn’t traded this offseason as he will start to become way too expensive as a bullpen piece for the Brewers to keep on the roster. If he puts up another fantastic season, it wouldn’t shock me to see his contract next season around $10 million. It will only continue to go up from there.

 

Vs Right Handed Starter

 

CF Cain

LF Kendrick

RF Yelich

2B Hiura

3B Moose

1B Thames

SS Iglesias/Spangenberg

C Pina

P

 

Vs Left Handed Starter

 

CF Cain

1B Kendrick

RF Yelich

2B Hiura

LF Braun

3B Moose

SS Iglesias

C Pina

P

 

I really like the depth of the position players and bringing in arguably the top starting pitcher in the game. The bullpen will be a strength from Opening Day with the starting staff having plenty of depth to overcome some injuries to the starting 5. With Cole and Woodruff leading the rotation, the Brewers will be able to give the bullpen some much needed rest when those 2 take the mound, allowing Counsell to use his best bullpen arms when the other 3 guys toe the rubber and be able to pull them before going through the order for a third time.

 

The time is now to go all in to win a World Series with Yelich on a very team friendly deal, Hiura and Woodruff making the minimum, and having the best reliever in the game. I truly do think Stearns is going to do something big this offseason knowing that our realistic window for a championship is 3 years (the Yelich window). Bring in Cole on a massive deal, giving him an opt out after 3 and 5 years. If he opts out, it means he pitched fantastic for us and we had him during our championship window with Yelich. I usually don’t like opt outs because all of the risk is on the team, but I would do it for Cole. Also, if he continues to pitch well, but opts in to the contract, we could trade him when he has 2 or 3 years left on the deal similar to Greinke.

 

Your 2020 World Series Champion Milwaukee Brewers!!

[Jopal78]

A guess, but also attempting to be somewhat realistic:

 

C Omar Navarez

1B Thames

2B Hiura

3B Moustakas

SS Arcia

LF Braun

CF Cain

RF Yelich

 

UTIL Tyler Austin

UTIL Travis Shaw

UTIL Spangenberg

UTIL Gamel

UTIL Grisham

C Pina

 

SP Woodruff

SP Davies

SP Houser

SP Kyle Gibson

SP Jimmy Nelson

 

RP Hader

RP Knebel

RP Claudio

RP Pomeranz

RP Guerra

RP Black

RP Suter

 

Having given it some thought, I doubt the Brewers pick up the club option on Chase Anderson. In the 8-10 million dollar range there are better starting pitching options available. I know the Brewers liked Kyle Gibson in the past, and they will need a veteran pitcher to round out the rotation. I put Nelson in there because what the Brewers already invested in him, and that last appearance in Colorado where he was commanding his pitches and topping out 94-95 MPH. Realistically, the #5 spot could also be a permutation of Burnes, Faria, Peralta.

 

I don't think there is a chance the Brewers re-sign Grandal so I put Navarez at catcher. He's 27, and a bat first catcher with three years of control remaining. I assume Seattle is going to go into a full rebuild, so Navarez won't come cheap but should be available.

 

Austin has always hit LHP, so I like him as a platoon partner for Thames or a corner OFer against LHP when Braun or Cain needs a day off.

 

I think they'll try to resign Pomeranz to have that 1-2-3 punch out of the bullpen (Hader, Knebel, Pomeranz), but with the way RF pitching goes in free agency I think they will have to a top of the market price 3/20mil to be resigned. As for Moustakas, I assume his preference is to stay with the Brewers if the financials are fair, so 3/39 million for Moustakas.

 

In 2019 the Brewers paid Grandal (18.25 million) Moustakas (10) Chacin (6.75) Gonzalez (3), take that 38 million and add the money saved on Anderson's option (7.5 after buy out) comes out of 45.5

 

2020: Gibson (11 million) Moustakas (13 million) Pomeranz 6.7, that's 30 some million dollars which leaves plenty of room for their arbitration eligible players

[wntrtxn21]

The Opening Day Payroll for 2019 was $122.5 million. The season ending payroll that I could find was roughly $128.6 million.

 

Position Players

 

LF Ryan Braun $17 million

CF Lorenzo Cain $16 million

RF Christian Yelich $12.5 million

3B Mike Moustakas $13 million (3/$39 million contract)

SS Jose Iglesias $5 million (2/$10 million contract)

2B Keston Hiura ~ $500K

1B Howie Kendrick $5 million (1/$5 million contract)

C Manny Pina $1.8 million

 

2B/SS Cory Spangenberg $1.5 million

1B Eric Thames $5 million (1/$5 million contract)

OF Trent Grisham ~ $500K

C Martin Maldonado $3 million (2/$6 million contract)

2B/3B Jedd Gyorko $1 million (1/$1 million contract with incentives)

 

~ $81.8 million

 

Starting Pitchers

 

Gerrit Cole $30 million (8/$240 million contract)

Brandon Woodruff ~ $500K

Jordan Lyles $3 million (1/$3 million contract)

Gio Gonzalez $2 million (1/$2 million contract)

Adrian Houser ~ $500K

 

~ $36 million

 

Bullpen

 

Josh Hader $5 million

Corey Knebel $5.2 million

Drew Pomeranz $5 million (2/$10 million contract)

Alex Claudio $2 million

Brent Suter $1 million

Bobby Wahl ~ $500K

Freddy Peralta ~ $500K

Jake Faria ~ $500K

 

~ $19.7 million

 

Other options/begin the season in the minors

 

Ray Black

Devin Williams

Corbin Burnes

 

Total Opening Day Payroll: $137.5 million

 

Anderson, Nelson, Perez, Shaw, Guerra, Saladino, Austin, Thames, and Arcia would be non-tendered. Thames will be brought back on a slightly lower contract than the team option. It’s too risky holding onto guys like Shaw, Nelson, and Arcia hoping for them to produce. We have 3 years of Yelich left and need to start putting the best team on the field without putting roughly $11 million into those three hoping for rebound seasons. Perez is too expensive for what he provides, Guerra is solid, but the money can be spent better elsewhere. I want to reduce risk and increase the floor of the entire roster and I think this roster construction would do that.

 

I would trade Ben Gamel and have Trent Grisham and Howie Kendrick as the backup outfielders. Zach Davies will also be moved and should bring back a couple decent prospects since he has shown to be a mid rotation starter and has two years of control left. I’m interested in moving him for salary relief and because he will be pretty expensive in his final year of arbitration next season. I’m a Davies fan, but I think moving him and recouping some solid prospects while getting some salary relief is big.

 

The rotation being led by Cole and Woodruff will give the Brewers a great duo at the top of the rotation and allow the bullpen to get rested up when those two take the mound. Pomeranz, Suter, Peralta, and Faria could be inserted into the rotation as needed during the season as injuries arise. Burnes is waiting in the wings in the minors as well. I also expect Stearns to bring in an experienced arm or two on minor league deals as depth for the rotation.

 

Maldonado is Cole’s personal catcher in Houston currently and will be brought in to continue their success together with the Brewers. Maldonado and Pina can split time, keeping both fresh all season long.

 

Iglesias is brought in to significantly raise the floor of the offensive production at SS while also providing solid defense. Howie Kendrick is brought in as nearly a career .300 hitter that hits from the right side while hitting both lefties and righties well. There would be plenty of at bats to go around during the season with Kendrick and Braun needing their off days, allowing Thames and Grisham to get 300+ at bats pinch hitting, DH’ing, and filling in for injuries and on off days.

 

Hader being arby eligible really threw a wrench on the offseason plans in my opinion. I was hoping to get the payroll to around $130 million for opening day for this exercise, but Hader being arby eligible made it much more difficult. I think $137.5 is a little high for where they would feel comfortable entering the season, but maybe Attanasio will be okay with it if Cole is able to be brought in. It would only be roughly a $9 million payroll increase from the 2019 season. Not bringing back Thames is one option they could explore to drop the payroll to around $132 in this scenario. Which I think is definitely a reasonable number for the Brewers. It’s also important to note that there will be $13 million coming off the books when Braun is off the books after 2020, already factoring in his buyout. That will provide a little breathing room at the top of the payroll for guys entering arby and offseason moves down the road when Thames (if retained), Kendrick, Lyles, and Gonzalez also come off the books, freeing up around $28 million between all of them.

 

I also personally feel that this will be Hader’s last season with Milwaukee if he isn’t traded this offseason as he will start to become way too expensive as a bullpen piece for the Brewers to keep on the roster. If he puts up another fantastic season, it wouldn’t shock me to see his contract next season around $10 million. It will only continue to go up from there.

 

Vs Right Handed Starter

 

CF Cain

LF Kendrick

RF Yelich

2B Hiura

3B Moose

1B Thames

SS Iglesias/Spangenberg

C Pina

P

 

Vs Left Handed Starter

 

CF Cain

1B Kendrick

RF Yelich

2B Hiura

LF Braun

3B Moose

SS Iglesias

C Pina

P

 

I really like the depth of the position players and bringing in arguably the top starting pitcher in the game. The bullpen will be a strength from Opening Day with the starting staff having plenty of depth to overcome some injuries to the starting 5. With Cole and Woodruff leading the rotation, the Brewers will be able to give the bullpen some much needed rest when those 2 take the mound, allowing Counsell to use his best bullpen arms when the other 3 guys toe the rubber and be able to pull them before going through the order for a third time.

 

The time is now to go all in to win a World Series with Yelich on a very team friendly deal, Hiura and Woodruff making the minimum, and having the best reliever in the game. I truly do think Stearns is going to do something big this offseason knowing that our realistic window for a championship is 3 years (the Yelich window). Bring in Cole on a massive deal, giving him an opt out after 3 and 5 years. If he opts out, it means he pitched fantastic for us and we had him during our championship window with Yelich. I usually don’t like opt outs because all of the risk is on the team, but I would do it for Cole. Also, if he continues to pitch well, but opts in to the contract, we could trade him when he has 2 or 3 years left on the deal similar to Greinke.

 

Your 2020 World Series Champion Milwaukee Brewers!!

 

Imo Gyoko wouldn't be an option. He hit .174/.248 and getting worse. I'd try and re-sign Perez for $1M and look at Neil Walker for $2M. He would eliminate the need for Thames thus saving money. Spangenberg, Perez, Walker, Grishom, Maldy is the bench. I don't think Faria, based on his horrible numbers (11.47 ERA-7.94 FIP-2.6 WHIP-18 hits per 9 IPs), is retained by Stearns. He's beyond horrible. Black-D. Williams-Feyereisen all have much more upside than Faria. Lyles would be cheap at $3m and I think it's going to be closer to $5-6M to re-sign him. After the year Kendrick had, even at his age, he may get more than $5M. I seriously doubt Stearns has a shot at Cole, but I like your thinking.

[wntrtxn21]

A guess, but also attempting to be somewhat realistic:

 

C Omar Navarez

1B Thames

2B Hiura

3B Moustakas

SS Arcia

LF Braun

CF Cain

RF Yelich

 

UTIL Tyler Austin

UTIL Travis Shaw

UTIL Spangenberg

UTIL Gamel

UTIL Grisham

C Pina

 

SP Woodruff

SP Davies

SP Houser

SP Kyle Gibson

SP Jimmy Nelson

 

RP Hader

RP Knebel

RP Claudio

RP Pomeranz

RP Guerra

RP Black

RP Suter

 

Having given it some thought, I doubt the Brewers pick up the club option on Chase Anderson. In the 8-10 million dollar range there are better starting pitching options available. I know the Brewers liked Kyle Gibson in the past, and they will need a veteran pitcher to round out the rotation. I put Nelson in there because what the Brewers already invested in him, and that last appearance in Colorado where he was commanding his pitches and topping out 94-95 MPH. Realistically, the #5 spot could also be a permutation of Burnes, Faria, Peralta.

 

I don't think there is a chance the Brewers re-sign Grandal so I put Navarez at catcher. He's 27, and a bat first catcher with three years of control remaining. I assume Seattle is going to go into a full rebuild, so Navarez won't come cheap but should be available.

 

Austin has always hit LHP, so I like him as a platoon partner for Thames or a corner OFer against LHP when Braun or Cain needs a day off.

 

I think they'll try to resign Pomeranz to have that 1-2-3 punch out of the bullpen (Hader, Knebel, Pomeranz), but with the way RF pitching goes in free agency I think they will have to a top of the market price 3/20mil to be resigned. As for Moustakas, I assume his preference is to stay with the Brewers if the financials are fair, so 3/39 million for Moustakas.

 

In 2019 the Brewers paid Grandal (18.25 million) Moustakas (10) Chacin (6.75) Gonzalez (3), take that 38 million and add the money saved on Anderson's option (7.5 after buy out) comes out of 45.5

 

2020: Gibson (11 million) Moustakas (13 million) Pomeranz 6.7, that's 30 some million dollars which leaves plenty of room for their arbitration eligible players

 

No thanks on Navarez. First Stearns would have to part with some high prospects to get him thus almost gutting an already weak farm system. Plus Navarez is one of, if not the worst defensive catchers (-30) in MLB. Austin is a .188 hitter, and .228 against lefties. I can't see any way he makes the roster. Shaw is going to make too much to be a bench player. I think they try and trade him and add a lower cost infielder, or use the money saved for a SS and use Arcia as a backup. Gibson would cost too much ($11-12M) for a below average pitcher. I would much rather re-sign Lyles at 1/2 the price. Imo CC would not keep a 6-man bench, but would almost certainly carry an 8-man bullpen. Lots of options for the 8th spot.

[Jopal78]

No thanks on Navarez. First Stearns would have to part with some high prospects to get him thus almost gutting an already weak farm system. Plus Navarez is one of, if not the worst defensive catchers (-30) in MLB. Austin is a .188 hitter, and .228 against lefties. I can't see any way he makes the roster. Shaw is going to make too much to be a bench player. I think they try and trade him and add a lower cost infielder, or use the money saved for a SS and use Arcia as a backup. Gibson would cost too much ($11-12M) for a below average pitcher. I would much rather re-sign Lyles at 1/2 the price. Imo CC would not keep a 6-man bench, but would almost certainly carry an 8-man bullpen. Lots of options for the 8th spot.

 

Tyler Austin in his career against left handed pitching has a slash line of: .253/.345/.539

 

I wouldn't necessarily call Kyle Gibson 'below average'. His 2019 numbers are nearly identical to Jordan Lyles as well as their career numbers. Which, of course, means Jordan Lyles is likely going to be seeking a bigger payday than the chicken feed people assume he can be resigned for.

 

Further, Travis Shaw's numbers from 2017-2018 are too good for the team to simply give up on him. Likewise his trade value is not going to be strong coming off a poor season. He such an enigma I could see him being non-tendered, but if not he'll be on the team and playing regularly if only to rebuild his value.

 

With the rule changes where pitchers have to throw to at least 3 batters or finish the half inning, I'd imagine they will shuttle more relief pitchers to and from AAA than carry 8 on their roster

[MrTPlush]

Not necessarily my plan per say, but I thought of two possible ways to fill out the roster for next years on offense.

 

Plan #1

Mike Moustakas - 2/$20mil ($10mil avg)

Orlando Arcia - 1/$3mil ($3mil avg)

Yasmani Grandal - 4/$68mil ($17mil avg)

First Baseman - 1/$4mil ($4mil avg)

Total: $95mil / 7.2 WAR / $13.19 per WAR

 

Plan #2

Mike Moustakas - 2/$20mil ($10mil avg)

Didi Gregorious - 3/$42mil ($14mil avg)

Travis d'Arnaud - 2/$14mil ($7mil avg)

First Baseman - 1/$4mil ($4mil avg)

Total: $80mil / 8.2 WAR / $9.75mil per WAR

 

I took MLBTR predictions...at least one guy on this list will surely get dramatically less than expected. So basically the person the Brewers sign. I also just took last years WAR for the most part, I did give Didi a bump up to 2.5 WAR. Before last year he averaged over 3.5 WAR per season. You could take his 2019 (0.6 WAR) and it is still a better deal per WAR...so spare me the nitpicking. Additionally I assumed they would spend $4mil for a first baseman...Thames put up 1.5 WAR and that is what I gave each side. d'Arnaud seemed like a logical choice at catcher, but there are many similar options out there we could nab.

 

The big things to take away about the second option is A) we aren't giving $68 to a single 30+ year old player B) we aren't giving a massive 4 year deal to any player let alone a 30+ year old catcher C) it is overall less money committed and D) we are subtracting a black hole off the offense and being a bit more balanced in that sense.

 

The downside is you subtract a .850 OPS bat in exchange for that overall balance. I figure Didi is good for a .750 OPS, good...but not .850 OPS nice. Of course asking a 30+ year old catcher to continue to bat .850 for an OPS is a lofty expectation waiting to disappoint sooner rather than later. He could, but he may not stay elite for his position long. On paper I think these two options are pretty close, but I would probably lean the second option is less risky.

 

EDIT: If anyone is curious Plan #1 adds $34mil to next years payroll and Plan #2 would add $35mil to next years payroll. That's making the contract even across the board for each year of it, so basically a wash.

[Madhawk23]

Not necessarily my plan per say, but I thought of two possible ways to fill out the roster for next years on offense.

 

Plan #1

Mike Moustakas - 2/$20mil ($10mil avg)

Orlando Arcia - 1/$3mil ($3mil avg)

Yasmani Grandal - 4/$68mil ($17mil avg)

First Baseman - 1/$4mil ($4mil avg)

Total: $95mil / 7.2 WAR / $13.19 per WAR

 

Plan #2

Mike Moustakas - 2/$20mil ($10mil avg)

Didi Gregorious - 3/$42mil ($14mil avg)

Travis d'Arnaud - 2/$14mil ($7mil avg)

First Baseman - 1/$4mil ($4mil avg)

Total: $80mil / 8.2 WAR / $9.75mil per WAR

 

I took MLBTR predictions...at least one guy on this list will surely get dramatically less than expected. So basically the person the Brewers sign. I also just took last years WAR for the most part, I did give Didi a bump up to 2.5 WAR. Before last year he averaged over 3.5 WAR per season. You could take his 2019 (0.6 WAR) and it is still a better deal per WAR...so spare me the nitpicking. Additionally I assumed they would spend $4mil for a first baseman...Thames put up 1.5 WAR and that is what I gave each side. d'Arnaud seemed like a logical choice at catcher, but there are many similar options out there we could nab.

 

The big things to take away about the second option is A) we aren't giving $68 to a single 30+ year old player B) we aren't giving a massive 4 year deal to any player let alone a 30+ year old catcher C) it is overall less money committed and D) we are subtracting a black hole off the offense and being a bit more balanced in that sense.

 

The downside is you subtract a .850 OPS bat in exchange for that overall balance. I figure Didi is good for a .750 OPS, good...but not .850 OPS nice. Of course asking a 30+ year old catcher to continue to bat .850 for an OPS is a lofty expectation waiting to disappoint sooner rather than later. He could, but he may not stay elite for his position long. On paper I think these two options are pretty close, but I would probably lean the second option is less risky.

 

EDIT: If anyone is curious Plan #1 adds $34mil to next years payroll and Plan #2 would add $35mil to next years payroll. That's making the contract even across the board for each year of it, so basically a wash.

 

I don't hate your option #2 here. If Didi can bounce back to his pre-2019 form, that would certainly help negate some of the offensive dropoff you'd see at the C position by bringing in D'Arnaud instead of Yaz. But, you are banking on that to happen, and obviously nobody knows if he would return to that form? Also, do we think Moose is really only going to get 2/20M this winter? I know the market hasn't necessarily been there for him the past two winters, but just feels like this might be the year that some team with a need at 3B (and misses out on Rendon/Donaldson) will give Moose a deal. I could see the Nats giving him a 3/36M type deal after Rendon goes elsewhere.

[wallus]

Here's my attempt:

 

Tenders: Knebel (5.125), Claudio (2.2), Shaw (4.7), Davies (5.0), Gamel (1.6), Hader (4.6) and Suter (.9)

 

Non Tenders: Nelson, Guerra, Saladino, and Arcia

 

Free agents: Grandal (17 mil), Moose (10 mil), Gregorious (14 mil), Wood (8 mil), Lyles (5 mil)

 

Lineup:

 

Grisham (RF)

Yelich (LF)

Hiura (2B)

Grandal ©

Moose (3B)

Cain (CF)

Shaw/Braun (1B)

Gregorious (SS)

P

 

Bench:

Pina

Gamel

Braun/Shaw

Min Guy

Min Guy

 

Rotation:

Woodruff

Davies

Wood

Lyles

Houser

 

Bullpen:

Hader

Knebel

Suter

Peralta

Faria

Claudio

Wahl

D. Williams

 

I think our defense would be dramatically improved with Grisham in right, Yelich in left, and Shaw playing first over Thames. I have always thought Wood was underrated and we are betting on him being healthy. Our offense finally would not have an automatic out. (assuming Shaw remembers how to hit) The payroll would be higher but you can always backload the contracts a little bit.

[Jopal78]

Here's my attempt:

 

Tenders: Knebel (5.125), Claudio (2.2), Shaw (4.7), Davies (5.0), Gamel (1.6), Hader (4.6) and Suter (.9)

 

Non Tenders: Nelson, Guerra, Saladino, and Arcia

 

Free agents: Grandal (17 mil), Moose (10 mil), Gregorious (14 mil), Wood (8 mil), Lyles (5 mil)

 

Lineup:

 

Grisham (RF)

Yelich (LF)

Hiura (2B)

Grandal ©

Moose (3B)

Cain (CF)

Shaw/Braun (1B)

Gregorious (SS)

P

 

Bench:

Pina

Gamel

Braun/Shaw

Min Guy

Min Guy

 

Rotation:

Woodruff

Davies

Wood

Lyles

Houser

 

Bullpen:

Hader

Knebel

Suter

Peralta

Faria

Claudio

Wahl

D. Williams

 

I think our defense would be dramatically improved with Grisham in right, Yelich in left, and Shaw playing first over Thames. I have always thought Wood was underrated and we are betting on him being healthy. Our offense finally would not have an automatic out. (assuming Shaw remembers how to hit) The payroll would be higher but you can always backload the contracts a little bit.

 

Grandal took the one year deal with the Brewers over a multi-year guarantee because it was the highest AAV. He made 18.25 million in 2019, why would he take a pay cut now? SEcond, a team like the Brewers doesn't have a lot of payroll flexibility to gamble on Alex Wood. I would assume he's ruled out based on medicals unless his market totally fails to develop and he could be signed to a short term deal.

[wallus]

Here's my attempt:

 

Tenders: Knebel (5.125), Claudio (2.2), Shaw (4.7), Davies (5.0), Gamel (1.6), Hader (4.6) and Suter (.9)

 

Non Tenders: Nelson, Guerra, Saladino, and Arcia

 

Free agents: Grandal (17 mil), Moose (10 mil), Gregorious (14 mil), Wood (8 mil), Lyles (5 mil)

 

Lineup:

 

Grisham (RF)

Yelich (LF)

Hiura (2B)

Grandal ©

Moose (3B)

Cain (CF)

Shaw/Braun (1B)

Gregorious (SS)

P

 

Bench:

Pina

Gamel

Braun/Shaw

Min Guy

Min Guy

 

Rotation:

Woodruff

Davies

Wood

Lyles

Houser

 

Bullpen:

Hader

Knebel

Suter

Peralta

Faria

Claudio

Wahl

D. Williams

 

I think our defense would be dramatically improved with Grisham in right, Yelich in left, and Shaw playing first over Thames. I have always thought Wood was underrated and we are betting on him being healthy. Our offense finally would not have an automatic out. (assuming Shaw remembers how to hit) The payroll would be higher but you can always backload the contracts a little bit.

 

Grandal took the one year deal with the Brewers over a multi-year guarantee because it was the highest AAV. He made 18.25 million in 2019, why would he take a pay cut now? SEcond, a team like the Brewers doesn't have a lot of payroll flexibility to gamble on Alex Wood. I would assume he's ruled out based on medicals unless his market totally fails to develop and he could be signed to a short term deal.

 

I followed the MLB Trade Rumors website on contracts. They have him listed as 4 years, 68 million.

[3and2Fastball]

Sign Asdrubel Cabrera, Jake Odorizzi, & Drew Pomeranz.

 

Trade Josh Hader for Gavin Lux.

[bill hAll Star]

I really just don't see the Dodgers trading for Hader unless it's from their lower-ceiling tier of prospects. Lux, Seager, etc. are more important. They're going to win that division by 10+ games again so just trade for relievers at the deadline. Don't give up assets that routinely win you the division by 10 games for 8 playoff innings of Josh Hader.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

I really just don't see the Dodgers trading for Hader unless it's from their lower-ceiling tier of prospects. Lux, Seager, etc. are more important. They're going to win that division by 10+ games again so just trade for relievers at the deadline. Don't give up assets that routinely win you the division by 10 games for 8 playoff innings of Josh Hader.

 

Counterpoint, as long as we are talking hypotheticals - Dealing Lux or Seager isn't going to cost that team future division titles. They are stacked offensively with young talent. But those 8 playoff innings from Josh Hader may very well be the difference between a World Series title, and blowing the NLCS.

 

But perhaps they are completely happy cakewalking to an NL West title every year, and that's it?

[3and2Fastball]

I really just don't see the Dodgers trading for Hader unless it's from their lower-ceiling tier of prospects. Lux, Seager, etc. are more important. They're going to win that division by 10+ games again so just trade for relievers at the deadline. Don't give up assets that routinely win you the division by 10 games for 8 playoff innings of Josh Hader.

 

Counterpoint, as long as we are talking hypotheticals - Dealing Lux or Seager isn't going to cost that team future division titles. They are stacked offensively with young talent. But those 8 playoff innings from Josh Hader may very well be the difference between a World Series title, and blowing the NLCS.

 

But perhaps they are completely happy cakewalking to an NL West title every year, and that's it?

 

That is exactly the point. And Stearns isn’t going to just give away Hader for lesser prospects.

 

Maybe L.A. signs Aroldis Chapman... but they usually don’t spend big money on free agents and they need serious help in their bullpen...

[bill hAll Star]

I really just don't see the Dodgers trading for Hader unless it's from their lower-ceiling tier of prospects. Lux, Seager, etc. are more important. They're going to win that division by 10+ games again so just trade for relievers at the deadline. Don't give up assets that routinely win you the division by 10 games for 8 playoff innings of Josh Hader.

 

Counterpoint, as long as we are talking hypotheticals - Dealing Lux or Seager isn't going to cost that team future division titles. They are stacked offensively with young talent. But those 8 playoff innings from Josh Hader may very well be the difference between a World Series title, and blowing the NLCS.

 

But perhaps they are completely happy cakewalking to an NL West title every year, and that's it?

 

As noted in the other thread, the Dodgers' entire veteran infield will be gone soon. Seager may or could be part of the next wave, but Lux is necessary. Seager is still very young and therefore very valuable.

 

Anyone can be "the difference." It is just a basic fan thing to say, "well they lost because of a bullpen malfunction, better trade everything for a perceived good reliever." Like I said, if the Dodgers are really that concerned about their bullpen (it was great in the regular season), go out and sign the best guy on the market this year and trade some bags of baseballs for 4 Daniel Hudsons at the deadline.

 

The Dodgers will continue to churn out a deep, dominant system that they can supplement with loads of cash. If they win the division 5 more times, odds are, they'll finally break through (see: Nats). This is counter intuitive to that process.

[bill hAll Star]

To me, this would be like the Patriots looking at the tape when they went 18-0 and then lost in the Super Bowl and saying, "our right guard played like crap (after playing pretty well all season). Let's trade 3 first round picks for the best right guard in the league."

 

Nope. They continued the smart process and kept giving themselves more chances to win in the playoffs.

 

The Dodgers are at an advantage because they almost never have to send away massive hauls of prospects to get an elite player. If they want one, they can just buy one with money.

 

I understand that right now it is possible that there is no Josh Hader out there unless Chapman hits the market. But you also have to remember how volatile relievers are. Remember how dominant Andrew Miller was? That's over. Betances may be shot due to injury. I personally hope and expect Hader to be dominant for the rest of his Brewers tenure but it's also possible that they trade away key pieces of their future for Josh Hader and Josh Hader blows out his arm or stays with his July/August struggles next year.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

I really just don't see the Dodgers trading for Hader unless it's from their lower-ceiling tier of prospects. Lux, Seager, etc. are more important. They're going to win that division by 10+ games again so just trade for relievers at the deadline. Don't give up assets that routinely win you the division by 10 games for 8 playoff innings of Josh Hader.

 

Counterpoint, as long as we are talking hypotheticals - Dealing Lux or Seager isn't going to cost that team future division titles. They are stacked offensively with young talent. But those 8 playoff innings from Josh Hader may very well be the difference between a World Series title, and blowing the NLCS.

 

But perhaps they are completely happy cakewalking to an NL West title every year, and that's it?

 

As noted in the other thread, the Dodgers' entire veteran infield will be gone soon. Seager may or could be part of the next wave, but Lux is necessary. Seager is still very young and therefore very valuable.

 

Anyone can be "the difference." It is just a basic fan thing to say, "well they lost because of a bullpen malfunction, better trade everything for a perceived good reliever." Like I said, if the Dodgers are really that concerned about their bullpen (it was great in the regular season), go out and sign the best guy on the market this year and trade some bags of baseballs for 4 Daniel Hudsons at the deadline.

 

The Dodgers will continue to churn out a deep, dominant system that they can supplement with loads of cash. If they win the division 5 more times, odds are, they'll finally break through (see: Nats). This is counter intuitive to that process.

 

And how many World Series titles has their process won them so far?

 

I'm not saying you aren't on to something. Heck, the Dodgers may continue to operate business as usual. They will continue to make billions whether they win a title or not. But they may just have to reach into that deep farm system and use some of those guys as currency at some point to improve a weakness. Because the "sign and expensive reliever and deal for "ehh" guys at the deadline" approach just hasn't worked.

 

Do I think they will trade for Hader this offseason. No, not really. But that doesn't mean it wouldn't make a lot of sense for them.