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

[monkeyman343434]

Grandal 20.00M (3 @ 20)

Pina 1.9

Kendrick 9.0 (1 @ 9)

Huira 0.6

Shaw 4.7

Didi 15.0 (3 @ 15)

Saladino 1.0

N Walker 2.0 (1 @ 2)

Yelich 12.5

Braun 16.0

Cain 16.0

Grisham 0.6

Gamel 1.6

100.9

 

Woodruff 1.0

Davies 5.0

Lyles 4.0

Gio 4.0

Houser 0.8

Burnes 0.6

Suter 1.0

Guerra 3.5

Peralta 0.8

Knebel 5.2

Nelson 3.7

Claudio 2.2

Hader 4.6

36.4

137.3

[SRB]

Optimistically assuming they have roughly $40 million to spend after making the playoffs, and omitting trades since those are too speculative.

 

Sign Zach Wheeler (4/$72M; +$18M in 2020), sign Didi Gregorious (3/$45M; +$15M in 2020), sign Todd Frazier (1/$7M; +$7M in 2020)

 

C - Pina

1B - Braun/Shaw

2B - Hiura

3B - Frazier/Shaw

SS - Gregorious

LF - Yelich

CF - Cain

RF - Grisham

 

SP - Wheeler

SP - Woodruff

SP - Burnes

SP - Nelson

SP - Houser/Davies

 

SU - Knebel

CL - Hader

 

Alternatively I would sign a couple mid-tier guys like Kyle Gibson and Michael Pineda, but I like going all in for Wheeler because I still believe that Burnes and even Nelson could have bounce back seasons in the rotation (Burnes specially).

 

Frazier and Braun both favor LHP, but can also play against RHP, so having a couple older injury-prone guys lets Shaw split time across the diamond against every RHP.

 

Gregorious is the only clear upgrade to Arcia, who desperately needs to be upgraded, and also a very fun player.

 

FYI those contract figures are based on the Fangraphs community poll, which has already way underestimated Grandal's deal but at least is something more concrete than my own speculation.

[brewcrewdue80]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/11/interesting-players-designated-in-advance-of-rule-5-deadline.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

 

4 spots open you can pick one up. Though I'm not sure how the Brewers stand in terms of order to claim one of these players.

Matt Duffy. Positional flex but RH. That would leave a career .718OPS 3b to platoon with Shaw?

 

Nick Goody. Sounds like a great RP arm to pick up and see if a tweak on his control is possible. Has some solid experience yet not in Arb yet for cost.

 

Nestor Cortes Jr. 24 and has multi inning RP down. Look at his minors to majors and his Fip and he's going through Corbin Burnes HR problems. 2.2HR/9 in his first taste full season of play. Career .6HR/9 in the minors. The more you look at the stats, the more he's a must get.

 

Jharel Cotton. Pretty sure the majority know of this kid. Probably beckoned in return in trade ideas with the Dodgers prior to Oakland getting him. Didn't play in 2018 due to TJ and a Hamstring injury interrupted his 2019 season. He did pitch in the minors last year as mostly a RP and finished his last 5 appearances with 8IP 3ER given up. Started the very last game Sept 1st. 3IP 0ER 4h 1bb 2Ks. So just looking at his 7+ERA last season in the minors doesn't tell the full story. You go return from TJ to Hamstring injury to return from Hamstring injury encompassing the first 19.2IP before that last 5 appearance stretch. There's another go and get him potential.

 

The last name isn't playing in 2020 and forget that one.

The four I do list all are under 30 with control beyond just 2020. Gotta believe one of these guys is coming our way.

[wntrtxn21]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/11/interesting-players-designated-in-advance-of-rule-5-deadline.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

 

4 spots open you can pick one up. Though I'm not sure how the Brewers stand in terms of order to claim one of these players.

Matt Duffy. Positional flex but RH. That would leave a career .718OPS 3b to platoon with Shaw?

 

Nick Goody. Sounds like a great RP arm to pick up and see if a tweak on his control is possible. Has some solid experience yet not in Arb yet for cost.

 

Nestor Cortes Jr. 24 and has multi inning RP down. Look at his minors to majors and his Fip and he's going through Corbin Burnes HR problems. 2.2HR/9 in his first taste full season of play. Career .6HR/9 in the minors. The more you look at the stats, the more he's a must get.

 

Jharel Cotton. Pretty sure the majority know of this kid. Probably beckoned in return in trade ideas with the Dodgers prior to Oakland getting him. Didn't play in 2018 due to TJ and a Hamstring injury interrupted his 2019 season. He did pitch in the minors last year as mostly a RP and finished his last 5 appearances with 8IP 3ER given up. Started the very last game Sept 1st. 3IP 0ER 4h 1bb 2Ks. So just looking at his 7+ERA last season in the minors doesn't tell the full story. You go return from TJ to Hamstring injury to return from Hamstring injury encompassing the first 19.2IP before that last 5 appearance stretch. There's another go and get him potential.

 

The last name isn't playing in 2020 and forget that one.

The four I do list all are under 30 with control beyond just 2020. Gotta believe one of these guys is coming our way.

 

I'd love to get Duffy too. He would be an excellent backup infielder. Not a platoon with Shaw because Duffy has absolutely no power and if Shaw continues to stink, it makes 3B a huge hole w/o a remedy. Goody would be a decent pickup as a backend of the pen reliever, especially if the 26th man can be a 14th pitcher. Just say no to Cortes. He was badly overmatched in the big leagues last year (5.80 ERA - 5.57 FIP - 28 walks in only 66 IPS - 1.55 WHIP - 2.2 HRs per 9). He needs to prove he is a big lg. pitcher. Maybe if they can get him signed to a minor lg. deal. I'm not sure what you see in Cotton either. Even before the TJ surgery he wasn't much. In 2017: 5.58 ERA/5.68 FIP - 2 HRs per 9 - more hits than IPs - almost 4 walkes per 9.. Now he hasn't pitched for two years and a huge injury history. Maybe take a flyer and sign him to a minor lg. deal with a spring training invite.

[Jopal78]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/11/interesting-players-designated-in-advance-of-rule-5-deadline.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

 

4 spots open you can pick one up. Though I'm not sure how the Brewers stand in terms of order to claim one of these players.

Matt Duffy. Positional flex but RH. That would leave a career .718OPS 3b to platoon with Shaw?

 

Nick Goody. Sounds like a great RP arm to pick up and see if a tweak on his control is possible. Has some solid experience yet not in Arb yet for cost.

 

Nestor Cortes Jr. 24 and has multi inning RP down. Look at his minors to majors and his Fip and he's going through Corbin Burnes HR problems. 2.2HR/9 in his first taste full season of play. Career .6HR/9 in the minors. The more you look at the stats, the more he's a must get.

 

Jharel Cotton. Pretty sure the majority know of this kid. Probably beckoned in return in trade ideas with the Dodgers prior to Oakland getting him. Didn't play in 2018 due to TJ and a Hamstring injury interrupted his 2019 season. He did pitch in the minors last year as mostly a RP and finished his last 5 appearances with 8IP 3ER given up. Started the very last game Sept 1st. 3IP 0ER 4h 1bb 2Ks. So just looking at his 7+ERA last season in the minors doesn't tell the full story. You go return from TJ to Hamstring injury to return from Hamstring injury encompassing the first 19.2IP before that last 5 appearance stretch. There's another go and get him potential.

 

The last name isn't playing in 2020 and forget that one.

The four I do list all are under 30 with control beyond just 2020. Gotta believe one of these guys is coming our way.

 

I'd love to get Duffy too. He would be an excellent backup infielder. Not a platoon with Shaw because Duffy has absolutely no power and if Shaw continues to stink, it makes 3B a huge hole w/o a remedy. Goody would be a decent pickup as a backend of the pen reliever, especially if the 26th man can be a 14th pitcher. Just say no to Cortes. He was badly overmatched in the big leagues last year (5.80 ERA - 5.57 FIP - 28 walks in only 66 IPS - 1.55 WHIP - 2.2 HRs per 9). He needs to prove he is a big lg. pitcher. Maybe if they can get him signed to a minor lg. deal. I'm not sure what you see in Cotton either. Even before the TJ surgery he wasn't much. In 2017: 5.58 ERA/5.68 FIP - 2 HRs per 9 - more hits than IPs - almost 4 walkes per 9.. Now he hasn't pitched for two years and a huge injury history. Maybe take a flyer and sign him to a minor lg. deal with a spring training invite.

 

I don't think a team that has its eyes on contending in 2020 is going to get involved with Rule 5 picks. The aforementioned Duffy made 2.6 million dollars last year, that's why Tampa is getting rid of them. No team is going to claim him and assume his contract. Nick Goody is Ray Black without the options. Cotton hasn't pitched in two years, maybe a team like Detroit can afford to carry a player like that on their major league roster all year, but not a team that wants to win in 2020.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/11/interesting-players-designated-in-advance-of-rule-5-deadline.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

 

4 spots open you can pick one up. Though I'm not sure how the Brewers stand in terms of order to claim one of these players.

Matt Duffy. Positional flex but RH. That would leave a career .718OPS 3b to platoon with Shaw?

 

Nick Goody. Sounds like a great RP arm to pick up and see if a tweak on his control is possible. Has some solid experience yet not in Arb yet for cost.

 

Nestor Cortes Jr. 24 and has multi inning RP down. Look at his minors to majors and his Fip and he's going through Corbin Burnes HR problems. 2.2HR/9 in his first taste full season of play. Career .6HR/9 in the minors. The more you look at the stats, the more he's a must get.

 

Jharel Cotton. Pretty sure the majority know of this kid. Probably beckoned in return in trade ideas with the Dodgers prior to Oakland getting him. Didn't play in 2018 due to TJ and a Hamstring injury interrupted his 2019 season. He did pitch in the minors last year as mostly a RP and finished his last 5 appearances with 8IP 3ER given up. Started the very last game Sept 1st. 3IP 0ER 4h 1bb 2Ks. So just looking at his 7+ERA last season in the minors doesn't tell the full story. You go return from TJ to Hamstring injury to return from Hamstring injury encompassing the first 19.2IP before that last 5 appearance stretch. There's another go and get him potential.

 

The last name isn't playing in 2020 and forget that one.

The four I do list all are under 30 with control beyond just 2020. Gotta believe one of these guys is coming our way.

 

I'd love to get Duffy too. He would be an excellent backup infielder. Not a platoon with Shaw because Duffy has absolutely no power and if Shaw continues to stink, it makes 3B a huge hole w/o a remedy. Goody would be a decent pickup as a backend of the pen reliever, especially if the 26th man can be a 14th pitcher. Just say no to Cortes. He was badly overmatched in the big leagues last year (5.80 ERA - 5.57 FIP - 28 walks in only 66 IPS - 1.55 WHIP - 2.2 HRs per 9). He needs to prove he is a big lg. pitcher. Maybe if they can get him signed to a minor lg. deal. I'm not sure what you see in Cotton either. Even before the TJ surgery he wasn't much. In 2017: 5.58 ERA/5.68 FIP - 2 HRs per 9 - more hits than IPs - almost 4 walkes per 9.. Now he hasn't pitched for two years and a huge injury history. Maybe take a flyer and sign him to a minor lg. deal with a spring training invite.

 

I don't think a team that has its eyes on contending in 2020 is going to get involved with Rule 5 picks. The aforementioned Duffy made 2.6 million dollars last year, that's why Tampa is getting rid of them. No team is going to claim him and assume his contract. Nick Goody is Ray Black without the options. Cotton hasn't pitched in two years, maybe a team like Detroit can afford to carry a player like that on their major league roster all year, but not a team that wants to win in 2020.

 

Ray Black is Ray Black without the options ...

[brewcrewdue80]

Cotton did pitch last season only at the A+&AAA level. These players aren't rule 5 players. They are casualties of a team needing the 40man roster spot to protect a rule 5 eligible player. You may be thinking Cotton is a SP target for 2020, but I'm having envisions of a Bullpen arm. If you're looking at a SP, he may just have to spend some time at AAA to get back to that level.

 

wntrtxn21 said

Just say no to Cortes. He was badly overmatched in the big leagues last year (5.80 ERA - 5.57 FIP - 28 walks in only 66 IPS - 1.55 WHIP - 2.2 HRs per 9)

 

Yeah I see that number. Which the numbers are tilted off his HR rate. Cortes will be 25years old. Has 37games of MLB history. The Minors numbers are mid around 3 ERA with a 9.1k:2.3BB per 9 ratios. He had a 5IP relief appearance 2ER. Innings filler is what I see in him. When you have a 5IP rotation on good days and 3.2 on bad days, that ability is pretty solid. Been in this role for the New York Yankees. Not playing for the Milwaukee Brewers. He's gotta have at least 1 option. And will have control through 2025 when he'd turn 30.

On Duffy, being RH makes him a moot point at 2b and for a SS, that bat isn't beating Arcia right now at the rate of his defense there. So, platoon at 3b it is with emergency 2b/SS flexibility. There's obviously a lot of time to sign Moose or acquire a 3b over Shaw and Duffy becomes the new Perez in the IF.

 

Just think, there's Lament on Brown being left exposed for the Rule 5 with the numbers Cortez posted in the Majors at the same age.

 

One last thing on the contending mention. Picking from guys with 8IP or more for Milw last season, The team received 364.2IP of 6.52 ERA from those players. I'd rather take a look at Cortez than Taylor Williams/Aaron Wilkerson/Matt Albers/Jerremy Jeffress moving forward.

[JosephC]

Starting pitching is a big question mark and frankly I don't see much out there available in free agency or a possible trade that really excites me.

 

The offense was pretty much average in terms of runs scored last year, and now it's a near guarantee that offense at catcher will take a step back.

 

All that considered, if I'm Stearns I'd put out word that Yelich is available for the next week or so at the right price but the offer is only available for a week. If a deal isn't made, I'd continue with my original off-season plan and look to add players, but everything took a huge step back with the loss of Grandal.

 

Note that the following would be examples of what I'd need to trade Yelich:

 

Rays get Christian Yelich

Brewers get SS-Wander Franco (#1 on MLB's Top 100), LHP-Matthew Liberatore (#41 on MLB's top 100), LHP-Shane McClanahan (top 10 organizational prospect), fringe prospect

 

White Sox get Christian Yelich

Brewers get OF-Luis Robert (#3 on MLB's Top 100), 2B-Nick "Keston, say hello to 1B" Madrigal (#40 on MLB's top 100), RHP-Jonathan Stiever (top 10 organizational prospect), fringe prospect

 

I'm expecting no one meets the asking price and I'm still a buyer with Yelich as a part of the team.

[True Blue Brew Crew]

If either of those centerpiece prospects flop (Franco or Robert), you're quickly teetering towards trading one of the best players in baseball for the same pile you gave up to get him in the first place when he was just a emerging player. That seems like a quick route to getting fired. If you like that sort of thing.

[wntrtxn21]

Franco is at least 2 years away from the big leagues, and maybe 3. Liberatore played in rookie ball most of last year so he is 3-4 years away. You are giving up on a team that reached the playoffs two years in a row in favor of a prayer 3-4 years down the road. Plus the chances that the center pieces of the trade are flops like Brinson are high considering they haven't even seen AA much less AAA yet. Stearns would get ridden out of Milwaukee on a rail if he even thought of anything close to those trades.

[MadThinker88]

....

Note that the following would be examples of what I'd need to trade Yelich:

 

Rays get Christian Yelich

Brewers get SS-Wander Franco (#1 on MLB's Top 100), LHP-Matthew Liberatore (#41 on MLB's top 100), LHP-Shane McClanahan (top 10 organizational prospect), fringe prospect

 

....

I'm expecting no one meets the asking price and I'm still a buyer with Yelich as a part of the team.

 

Its always good to have trade targets IF you decide to pursue a particular direction.

 

But why would Tampa Bay make that deal?? That is the point often overlooked in trade ideas. If Cleveland is going to have issues paying Lindor beyond his remaining arbitration years or Milwaukee is going to have issues paying Yelich beyond his current contract, how does Tampa not have an issue at that point?? Why do they give up young good controllable talent to acquire either Lindor/ Yelich??

 

The Dodgers as a larger market team with the ability to handle higher payrolls and being on the cusp of winning it all makes more sense. They need that last piece to push them over the top to win it all.

[Brewcrewin07]

At least one of the bats they should add, to help replace Grandal's is Nicholas Castellanos's. Figure out the positions later...Braun can move to 1st, or maybe even Castellanos could, but either way, his bat would look spectacular in their lineup.

[wntrtxn21]

At least one of the bats they should add, to help replace Grandal's is Nicholas Castellanos's. Figure out the positions later...Braun can move to 1st, or maybe even Castellanos could, but either way, his bat would look spectacular in their lineup.

 

Castellanos will be looking in the $14-17M range after the year he had. That still leaves holes at 3B-SS-starting pitching-and a parttime 1B in Braun. With all those holes to fill I don't know if Stearns will want to spend the money for an OF.

[RollieTime]

Position Players

 

LF/1B Ryan Braun $17 million

CF Lorenzo Cain $16 million

RF/LF Christian Yelich $12.5 million

3B/2B/1B Mike Moustakas $11 million (2/$22 million contract)

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

2B Keston Hiura ~ $500K

1B/2B/3B/LF Howie Kendrick $7 million (1/$7 million contract)

C Manny Pina $1.8 million

 

SS/2B Orlando Arcia $2.7 million

1B Roberto Ramos ~ $500K (Rule 5, $500K)

1B/2B/3B Wilmer Flores $5 million (1/$5 million contract)

OF Trent Grisham ~ $500K

C Matt Wieters $1.5 million (1/$1.5 million contract)

 

Big downgrade at C, but Pina and Wieters will hit .240 with 25 homers between the two. SS gets a big upgrade while keeping Arcia around to give him one final year to show something. Moose is retained, Hiura is up all season, and a very good veteran bat in Kendrick is signed, who doesn’t strike out a lot, is brought in for 1B. 2020 could be a very good offensive season for the Brewers. Flores is brought in as well as Rule 5 pick Roberto Ramos is given a chance after destroying AAA pitching in 2019. If he pans out, 6 years of control for a lefty power hitting first baseman making minimum for a while would be beneficial in keeping financial flexibility the next few years to address other needs.

 

~ $81 million

 

Starting Pitchers

 

Stephen Strasburg $25 million (6/$165 million contract, increases $1 million per year)

Brandon Woodruff ~ $500K

Zach Davies $5 million

Freddy Peralta ~$500K

Adrian Houser ~ $500K

 

Strasburg is the get of the offseason. Putting him at the top of the rotation with Woodruff would give the Brewers a great 1-2 punch. Peralta is given a chance as a starter again as you can’t give up on him and Burnes as rotation arms completely this early into their careers. Peralta is the one given his shot again to start 2020 in the rotation.

 

~ $31.5 million

 

Bullpen

 

Josh Hader $5 million

Corey Knebel $5.2 million

Drew Pomeranz $6 million (2/$12 million contract)

Alex Claudio $2 million

Brent Suter $1 million

Bobby Wahl ~ $500K

J.P. Feyereisen ~ $500K

Jake Faria ~ $500K

 

Hader, Knebel, Pomeranz, and Suter give the Brewers a dominant bullpen once again in 2020. Adding an ace to the rotation will ease the load of the bullpen every 5th day, hopefully keeping them healthy and efficient all season long.

 

~ $20.7 million

 

Other options/begin the season in the minors

 

Ray Black

Devin Williams

Corbin Burnes

Deolis Guerra

 

Total Opening Day Payroll: $133.2 million

 

Definitely think this payroll is manageable with it being a very slight increase from 2019. The offense will be much more consistent, the rotation will take a big step forward with the big acquisition, and the bullpen will have multiple dominant arms from Opening Day.

[TURBO]

I'm on board for the Strasburg train! It's time to sink some cash into a legit TOR starter.

[brewcrewdue80]

The prediction on Strasburg is 6/180. I'd venture he gets more. bye bye Milwaukee chances.

[Brewersfanatic2882]

I just feel this is the year we get a big named starter. Obviously Not Cole or Stras, but one of the tier B pitchers. So here I go.

 

Sign Mad Bum 3 years 50 mil

 

Sign Wade Miley 2 years 10 mil

 

Sign Didi 2 years 27 mil

 

Sign moose 2 years 22 mil

 

Sign Jason castro 1 year 4 mil

 

Sign Nate Jones 1 year 4 mil

 

I doubt this happens and it would put the Brewers payroll way over it's record from last year. This only works depending on how much they save from non tendering, and if they are okay with having a much higher payroll for one year before Brauns contract is up and before they have to start thinking about how to sign or trade Yeli. Yes, I know the likes of any of this actually happening is sooooooo small. They window is small, and Mark seems like he wants to win. He was willing to have the payroll go about 20 mil over what it ever was last year....maybe he'll be open to it again. Easy for me to say, it's not my money, but we'll see what we do. Still early.

[TURBO]

Every time I see MadBum come up I have to wonder if the people bringing him up for such ridiculous salaries are still thinking he is prime MadBum?

 

The guy isn't that special anymore...

[reillymcshane]

Every time I see MadBum come up I have to wonder if the people bringing him up for such ridiculous salaries are still thinking he is prime MadBum?

 

The guy isn't that special anymore...

I don't think anyone is fooling themselves that Bumgarner is going to deliver like five years ago. And his injuries in 2016-17 are concerning. But he's still pretty decent. 200+ IP. 200+ strikeouts. Sub-4.00 ERA. Good hitter (as far as pitchers go). Just turned 30, so he's not that old.

 

That's a good player. Not great, but good.

 

Most predictions have him coming in around $16-18M per year for 3-4 years. And that's with the qualifying offer.

 

Of course, that might be too high. We saw what happened to Keuchel last year. The draft pick compensation tied around his neck doesn't help him either.

 

Personally, I'm not advocating spending money like this on Bumgarner. I'm concerned about his performance outside of SF, which hasn't been that good the last few years. But even with that, he's probably going to get at least $15M a year.

[clancyphile]

Every time I see MadBum come up I have to wonder if the people bringing him up for such ridiculous salaries are still thinking he is prime MadBum?

 

The guy isn't that special anymore...

I don't think anyone is fooling themselves that Bumgarner is going to deliver like five years ago. And his injuries in 2016-17 are concerning. But he's still pretty decent. 200+ IP. 200+ strikeouts. Sub-4.00 ERA. Good hitter (as far as pitchers go). Just turned 30, so he's not that old.

 

That's a good player. Not great, but good.

 

Most predictions have him coming in around $16-18M per year for 3-4 years. And that's with the qualifying offer.

 

Of course, that might be too high. We saw what happened to Keuchel last year. The draft pick compensation tied around his neck doesn't help him either.

 

Personally, I'm not advocating spending money like this on Bumgarner. I'm concerned about his performance outside of SF, which hasn't been that good the last few years. But even with that, he's probably going to get at least $15M a year.

 

I'm leaning more against Bumgarner - $18 million would allow the Crew to bring back Pomeranz and Moose. Get Gio, Miley, and Lyles back - trade Hader to the Padres for Mejia plus some prospects. Suter and Pomeranz can be the top lefties out of the pen, with Gio as a swingman, and QTC, Perdomo, and Andrews in the wings. Maybe get Didi to replace Arcia at shortstop.

 

The Crew would be better off at this point signing:

Lyles (3 years, $19.5 million)

Miley (3 years, $18 million)

Moose (3 years, $30 million)

Didi (3 years, $30 million)

Gio (2 years, $12 million)

Pomeranz (4 years, $30 million)

[Oxy]

This roster is a mess. The last 2 Septembers have been fun and beautiful, but it has really masked some objectively awkward roster problems.

 

Moose and Grandal were versatile middle of the order bats and they are gone. Thames and Anderson were reliable, stabilizing, quality players and they are gone. Chacin and Miley were stalwarts in 2018, and Lyles and Pomeranz were dominant in 2019...all 4 are gone.

 

Hiura likely isn't a National League player. Arcia is a bad regular.

 

Cain and Braun are old. Shaw is terrible.

 

The minor league system is bad.

 

Woodruff and Yelich is all we got right now.

 

 

Stearns has his work cut out for him.

 

I wouldn't blink if Stearns blew it all up and started over. Trade Yelich, Hiura, Woodruff and Hader and Cain for 5-6 top 50 guys and another dozen high upside fliers and play for the future.

 

I guess we could try to piece something together this year and see what it's like at the deadline, but I'm not optimistic right now. I can't see a WS caliber team in the next 2-3 years, so it makes sense to try to assemble one for 2023-2030.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

This roster is a mess. The last 2 Septembers have been fun and beautiful, but it has really masked some objectively awkward roster problems.

 

Moose and Grandal were versatile middle of the order bats and they are gone. Thames and Anderson were reliable, stabilizing, quality players and they are gone. Chacin and Miley were stalwarts in 2018, and Lyles and Pomeranz were dominant in 2019...all 4 are gone.

 

Hiura likely isn't a National League player. Arcia is a bad regular.

 

Cain and Braun are old. Shaw is terrible.

 

The minor league system is bad.

 

Woodruff and Yelich is all we got right now.

 

 

Stearns has his work cut out for him.

 

I wouldn't blink if Stearns blew it all up and started over. Trade Yelich, Hiura, Woodruff and Hader and Cain for 5-6 top 50 guys and another dozen high upside fliers and play for the future.

 

I guess we could try to piece something together this year and see what it's like at the deadline, but I'm not optimistic right now. I can't see a WS caliber team in the next 2-3 years, so it makes sense to try to assemble one for 2023-2030.

 

I might possibly see them doing something like this next offseason. Not now though. I think they find a way to fill the holes and continue on the contender path at least for another year.

[TURBO]

This roster is a mess. The last 2 Septembers have been fun and beautiful, but it has really masked some objectively awkward roster problems.

 

Moose and Grandal were versatile middle of the order bats and they are gone. Thames and Anderson were reliable, stabilizing, quality players and they are gone. Chacin and Miley were stalwarts in 2018, and Lyles and Pomeranz were dominant in 2019...all 4 are gone.

 

Hiura likely isn't a National League player. Arcia is a bad regular.

 

Cain and Braun are old. Shaw is terrible.

 

The minor league system is bad.

 

Woodruff and Yelich is all we got right now.

 

 

Stearns has his work cut out for him.

 

I wouldn't blink if Stearns blew it all up and started over. Trade Yelich, Hiura, Woodruff and Hader and Cain for 5-6 top 50 guys and another dozen high upside fliers and play for the future.

 

I guess we could try to piece something together this year and see what it's like at the deadline, but I'm not optimistic right now. I can't see a WS caliber team in the next 2-3 years, so it makes sense to try to assemble one for 2023-2030.

 

Not going to happen this year. With the logo change and rebranding of the unis, etc. no way he blows this up. That would be a marketing disaster.

[Outlander]

Right, if it is your off season plan to blow it all up that is fine but I would imagine the chances are around zero that Stears does so this off season.

[Jopal78]

I think there is probably more value in pitching on the free agent market than there is for hitters. For example, for the 18.25 million they would have had to pay Grandal they could likely land two above average starting pitchers like Tanner Roark and Kyle Gibson. Arguably an improved rotation of Woodruff, Gibson, Roark, Davies, Houser/Nelson/Burnes and the SP Depth it would subsequently create is likely greater to the whole than Grandal. The team would also still have money to flesh out their lineup without having added significantly to last year's payroll.

 

Without a true 1B on the roster, they could look to someone like Kendrick or Encarnacion. Because they jettisoned Thames instead of paying him an add'l 6.5 million dollars, I assume the team believes they can find a similar player for cheaper or even a better player for the substantially same amount of money. If Moustakas comes back, they can move Shaw to first and find a right handed platoon player from the bargain bin.

 

I think Pomeranz has a chance to return as well even at a market rate. Having Hader, Pomeranz and Knebel at the back of the bullpen would make late innings tough.