What is your 2020-2021 offseason plan for the Brewers?

[JosephC]

I generally like to keep up on roster rules but have pretty much ignored baseball for the last few months. If anyone has the answers to these question, I would be very thankful.

 

Not advocating a trade of Josh Hader for Alec Bohm, although I wouldn't necessarily be opposed to it. I'm just using Bohm as an example, as it could apply to any player who made his MLB debut this season.

 

Bohm was at the Phillies alternate training site as the beginning of the season, and then had his contract bought by the Phillies on August 13. Normally a season is 172 days (I think). This season started on July 23 and ended on September 27, which made it a 67 day season. Since Bohm was called up on August 13, he was on the major league roster for 46 days.

 

So does Bohm get credited with a full season since he was at the alternate training site, or does he just get a partial season worth of service time which is then adjusted to "represent" a 172 game schedule? Sure looks like he would only get a partial season since 46/67 = 68.66% of a season times 172 for a normal length season = 118 days of service time. 118 looks like a pretty reasonable number to shoot for clubs if they are trying to avoid putting a player in Super Two land.

 

Since Bohm hasn't been around that long (drafted in 2018), I am assuming that he was not on the Phillies 40-man roster before all the COVID-19 related roster modifications. So under normal circumstances, a Bohm August 13 call up would not burn one of his options since it would have been the first time he appeared on the 40-man roster and he wasn't sent down sometime after the promotion. But in this case, did they make the 60-man roster the same as the 40-man roster? Because if they did, then I would assume one option would have been used in July when he was sent to the alternate training site.

 

I would be very appreciative if someone who knows could take the time and explain the service time and option rules for this modified season. Thank you.

[Eye Black]

I might try another stab at this after the World Series, but here’s a first attempt.

 

FA Signings:

Sign OF Joc Pederson

Sign RHP Kevin Gausman

 

Trades:

1B/OF Mark Canha (A’s) for RHP Adrian Houser and OF Ben Gamel

LHP John Means (Orioles) and SS/3B Jose Iglesias (Orioles) for Comp Balance Round A Pick (#30-35 overall), SS Eduardo Garcia, C Payton Henry, and SS Orlando Arcia

 

Position Players

LF: Yelich

CF: Cain/Taylor

RF: Garcia/Pederson

1B: Canha

2B: Hiura

SS: Iglesias

3B: Gyorko/Urias

C: Narvaez/Piña

DH: Vogelbach

 

Starting Pitching

Woodruff

Burnes

Means

Gausman

Lindblom/Lauer

 

Relief Pitching

Williams

Hader

Peralta

Suter

Rasmussen

Yardley

Topa

Knebel

[wntrtxn21]

I might try another stab at this after the World Series, but here’s a first attempt.

 

FA Signings:

Sign OF Joc Pederson

Sign RHP Kevin Gausman

 

Trades:

1B/OF Mark Canha (A’s) for RHP Adrian Houser and OF Ben Gamel

LHP John Means (Orioles) and SS/3B Jose Iglesias (Orioles) for Comp Balance Round A Pick (#30-35 overall), SS Eduardo Garcia, C Payton Henry, and SS Orlando Arcia

 

Position Players

LF: Yelich

CF: Cain/Taylor

RF: Garcia/Pederson

1B: Canha

2B: Hiura

SS: Iglesias

3B: Gyorko/Urias

C: Narvaez/Piña

DH: Vogelbach

 

Starting Pitching

Woodruff

Burnes

Means

Gausman

Lindblom/Lauer

 

Relief Pitching

Williams

Hader

Peralta

Suter

Rasmussen

Yardley

Topa

Knebel

 

Means is very interesting and I love Iglesias. Means gives up some HRs, but is a lefty and the Brewers aren't giving up that much. I like the trade. Pederson is no better than Gamel and a lot more expensive. Pass on him. Gausman is already making over $9M and may be too expensive especially if they get Means. I'd love to have him, but it depends on will MA let Stearns pay for him. Canha is a backup for the A's and obtainable. Good power and OBP, but he Ks a lot and salary is a concern since he's already making $5M and arby eligible. The Brewers might have better luck going after J.D. Davis of the Mets. Probably could get him for the same deal or less.

[JosephC]

 

Trades:

1B/OF Mark Canha (A’s) for RHP Adrian Houser and OF Ben Gamel

LHP John Means (Orioles) and SS/3B Jose Iglesias (Orioles) for Comp Balance Round A Pick (#30-35 overall), SS Eduardo Garcia, C Payton Henry, and SS Orlando Arcia

 

 

I don't think that would nearly be enough for Baltimore to move Means. Granted, Means was terrible this year, but is a lefty who had a really solid 2019 season and is under control for four more seasons with no Super Two possibility. Not to mention Iglesias isn't anything near a second, throw-in type piece. Not spectacular, but a really solid player who brings some real value to the table.

 

I do agree that it's hard to put a value on the comp balance picks. I'd still tend to think the Brewers paid way to high when trading the comp A pick for Claudio and didn't pay nearly enough when trading the comp B pick for Narvaez (although year one results for Narvaez in Milwaukee makes that one look like a HUGE overpay as Seattle seemed to know something that Stearns did not). Ultimately, I'd put about a 10 million dollar surplus value on a comp A pick. To put an estimate for the Baseball Trade Values website, seemed the most reasonable thing to do to come up with a value was to just take the average of all of last year's sandwich picks. When doing so, picks 30-37 of the 2020 draft has an average value of 5.7 million on the Trade Values website. I will note there was one low number compared to the rest (Padres = Lang = 1.7 million), so let's throw out that number. That would put the Trade Values value on a sandwich pick in the 2020 draft at 6.3 million.

 

Generally I like bWAR better for pitchers, but pro-rating 2020 to a full season puts Means at a 3.6 WAR pitcher on average over the last two seasons. No way I project that going forward. fWAR would have him at 1.9 WAR per season over the last two years. Even factoring in regression, it would be hard to see anyone valuing him at less than 4.6 WAR total over the next four years (less than 1.2 WAR per season). Even at that low number, I'd still probably say he has about 25 million in surplus value. Iglesias has been a 2.25 bWAR/fWAR player per season over the last four years. Considering this partial season was probably his finest performance (performing at a legitimate 3.75 WAR level), I think a 2.25 WAR estimate for 2021 is completely reasonable. That would put the calculated surplus value at 16.75 million....but obviously no team is going to give up a top 100 prospect for 1 year of Iglesias. But maybe a guy around #200, on my scale that would put his surplus value at about 11.9 million.

 

So I would have-

Orioles = Means at 25 million plus Iglesias at 11.9 million equals 36.9 million

Brewers = Comp pick at 10 million plus Garcia at 5.5 million (back end of top 300 player) plus Henry at 3.85 million (between role player and fringe player) plus 0 for Arcia equals 19.35 million

Orioles at a -17.55 difference

 

Trade value site-

Orioles = Means at 18.4 million plus Iglesias at 6.2 million equals 24.6 million

Brewers = Comp A pick at 6.3 million plus Garcia at 6 million plus Henry at 1.7 million plus Arcia at 0 equals 14 million

Orioles at a -10.6 difference

 

Either calculation is way short from the Orioles end. Baseball Trade Values site has Ethan Small as a 6 million dollar value and I have him as at about 9.3 million...that would put the Orioles at -8.25 million on my estimate and -4.6 million on the Baseball Trade Values site estimate. Adding someone like Carlos Rodriguez would come pretty close to being even on both my estimate and the Baseball Trade Value site estimate.

 

So if I'm the Orioles I would counter with a John Means/Jose Iglesias for Ethan Small/Comp A pick/Eduardo Garcia/Carlos Rodriguez/Payton Henry/Orlando Arcia swap and probably wouldn't move off that ask unless you wanted to swap out Carlos Rodriguez for Corey Ray or something else along those lines. If you wanted to drop Iglesias to lower the payout, I'd still demand Small be included in any trade that includes Means.

[Eye Black]

Good stuff JosephC. I didn’t initially spend too much time evaluating the fairness of the original offer, but agree with your assessment that it’s probably low. I do have a feeling García is a player teams may value slightly higher than the publicly available prospect evaluations.

[brewcrewdue80]

Asdrubal Cabrera started 23games at 1b for the Nationals this year. Is a Switch Hitter and bats in the .700s OPS basically his entire career. I'd expect he's a guy that could be had for 5-7.5 mil on a 1 or 2 year deal. 1b isn't exciting for FA and at a minimum you don't get a complete flop season on him. AmFam may bring back a 20+HR season and you aren't witnessing a 180+Ks.(119 career high)

 

I guess this is meant as a plan. I'll keep it short and maybe half of a plan.

 

I made a deal in the Hader Trade thread. We're keeping Gyorko to play 3b with Cabrera now at 1b.

 

OF gotta remember Cain will return so you have your healthy payroll there with Yelich and Garcia.

 

There's not much more at this point. I think with Narvaez you just gut it through with Pina still a reliable option. Hiura 2b. Urias/Arcia SS. Pitching is in healthy shape even with Hader's trade.

 

The thought process here is an offseason and regular preseason(hopefully) leads to a better year with Urias and Narvaez. Hiura and Yelich have BAs 70-100pts higher. Lindblom and Lauer make adjustments that fill out the Rotation. Houser or Peralta step up to fill you 5th rotation spot with the other fitting a strong bullpen.

 

Oh and obviously you find a new voice with a replacement Hitting Coach. Not a single offensive player on the team would you say exceeded expectations at the plate. And team pretty much all had a 25% or higher K rate.

[HiAndTight]

I have no idea what the market will look like this next year(I don't think anyone does at this point)....but to echo what I said in a previous thread, the two guys I'd like to see the Brewers bring in, Tommy La Stella and Michael Brantley.

 

If you could get La Stella for 3/24 with an option for 10 and a buyout of 3 million, that brings it to 3/27 guaranteed.

 

Brantley is a lot trickier to me. But he's been excellent the past two years.

 

Both are guys who strike out at an exceptionally low rate(especially relative to who we have no).

 

You're largely going to be counting on Yelich, Hiura, Narvaez, Garcia....to all bounce back.

Hope Jed can continue to play well. I think they move on from Arcia(seems like now would be the best time as he was somewhat productive this past year and is considered a pretty good defender...if we can get something solid, deal him, otherwise let the best man win, him or Urias).

 

 

It's not ideal for Brantley that he plays the OF and we have Garcia, Yelly and Cain already in play, but he can DH and perhaps Garcia can play some 1B.

 

 

1-La Stella LH/3B

2-Cain RH/CF

3-Brantley LH/OF-DH

4-Yelich RH/OF-DH

5-Hiura RH/2B

6-Garcia RH/OF-DH

7-Gyorko RH/1B(Utility)

8-Narvaez RH/C

9-Urias/Arcias RH/SS

 

Again....not the '27 Yanks, but you add two guys who put the ball in play, hopefully a refreshed Cain looks more like he did in his first year as opposed to his 2019 season.

Hiura, Urias, Narvaez and Garcia should all be significantly better next year than they were this year.

 

I don't know how they'll fill in the 3-4-5 spots in the rotation(no small matter) but they have two guys who have pitched like good #2's and have true Ace upside, and then a number of guys with varying degrees of success.

 

 

I do think this Pen will be as good as anyone's in the league next year. Especially if Houser finds his way in it and Knebel is brought back...maybe for 1 yr 3 million with incentives and then an team option for 7.5 million. He was looking like his FB velo was coming back toward the end of the year.

 

 

What's really going to be interesting will be to see what some of the prospects we have look like next year. It'd be reasonable if they'd played this year to hope that Small, Ashby and others would be knocking on the door right now. So there could be some guys who could move quickly. Eric Lauer deserves another crack at it.

 

 

This year was just a dumpster fire. Everything went wrong. We brought in some solid hitters who all had career worst seasons, our best players struggled. Just kinda a throw away year(like all of 2020). But I think we can easily be back and competitive next year with a potential 90 win team.

[wntrtxn21]

I have no idea what the market will look like this next year(I don't think anyone does at this point)....but to echo what I said in a previous thread, the two guys I'd like to see the Brewers bring in, Tommy La Stella and Michael Brantley.

 

If you could get La Stella for 3/24 with an option for 10 and a buyout of 3 million, that brings it to 3/27 guaranteed.

 

Brantley is a lot trickier to me. But he's been excellent the past two years.

 

Both are guys who strike out at an exceptionally low rate(especially relative to who we have no).

 

You're largely going to be counting on Yelich, Hiura, Narvaez, Garcia....to all bounce back.

Hope Jed can continue to play well. I think they move on from Arcia(seems like now would be the best time as he was somewhat productive this past year and is considered a pretty good defender...if we can get something solid, deal him, otherwise let the best man win, him or Urias).

 

 

It's not ideal for Brantley that he plays the OF and we have Garcia, Yelly and Cain already in play, but he can DH and perhaps Garcia can play some 1B.

 

 

1-La Stella LH/3B

2-Cain RH/CF

3-Brantley LH/OF-DH

4-Yelich RH/OF-DH

5-Hiura RH/2B

6-Garcia RH/OF-DH

7-Gyorko RH/1B(Utility)

8-Narvaez RH/C

9-Urias/Arcias RH/SS

 

Again....not the '27 Yanks, but you add two guys who put the ball in play, hopefully a refreshed Cain looks more like he did in his first year as opposed to his 2019 season.

Hiura, Urias, Narvaez and Garcia should all be significantly better next year than they were this year.

 

I don't know how they'll fill in the 3-4-5 spots in the rotation(no small matter) but they have two guys who have pitched like good #2's and have true Ace upside, and then a number of guys with varying degrees of success.

 

 

I do think this Pen will be as good as anyone's in the league next year. Especially if Houser finds his way in it and Knebel is brought back...maybe for 1 yr 3 million with incentives and then an team option for 7.5 million. He was looking like his FB velo was coming back toward the end of the year.

 

 

What's really going to be interesting will be to see what some of the prospects we have look like next year. It'd be reasonable if they'd played this year to hope that Small, Ashby and others would be knocking on the door right now. So there could be some guys who could move quickly. Eric Lauer deserves another crack at it.

 

 

This year was just a dumpster fire. Everything went wrong. We brought in some solid hitters who all had career worst seasons, our best players struggled. Just kinda a throw away year(like all of 2020). But I think we can easily be back and competitive next year with a potential 90 win team.

 

I love LaStella at 3B if they can get him for a 3/21M - 3/24M type deal. Brantley is just going to be too expensive. He's a guy everyone would love to have, but Stearns doesn't have the money and has other more pressing needs. With Cain returning, they have 3 decent OFs and still need a 1B. Gyorko was ok there, but not a long term solution. I believe a trade to the Mets for D. Smith or Davis could get done easily. Vogelbach deserves the first look at DH (presuming the NL continues with the DH). With the lack of payroll, Stearns is almost forced to trade Hadar and others to retool the miserable offense. If the could get La Stella that would be about it for FA pickups.

[PeaveyFury]

I believe a trade to the Mets for D. Smith or Davis could get done easily..

 

I was all about a Hader for McNeil/Smith deal last offseason, and I still am this year. Solves a LOT of problems.

[Madhawk23]

I believe a trade to the Mets for D. Smith or Davis could get done easily..

 

I was all about a Hader for McNeil/Smith deal last offseason, and I still am this year. Solves a LOT of problems.

 

I'd love to find a way to get a guy like McNeil, but I guess I don't understand why the Mets would be motivated to move him? Also, I'm not sure if they have a huge need for Hader, do they? Edwin Diaz had a real nice year, and they also have Familia. Seems like starting pitching was more their problem this summer.

[LincolnDD]

I believe a trade to the Mets for D. Smith or Davis could get done easily..

 

I was all about a Hader for McNeil/Smith deal last offseason, and I still am this year. Solves a LOT of problems.

 

I'd love to find a way to get a guy like McNeil, but I guess I don't understand why the Mets would be motivated to move him? Also, I'm not sure if they have a huge need for Hader, do they? Edwin Diaz had a real nice year, and they also have Familia. Seems like starting pitching was more their problem this summer.

 

Yeah, I think the ship has sailed for getting Smith "easily" after the year he had, and McNeil would cost a bundle as well. They got burned in the deal for Diaz, not sure they'll go all-in for a reliever again anytime soon. They'll probably have a new FO in place to go with new ownership, so who knows.

 

Davis could probably be had, but that's because he's essentially a DH. You can put him at third (or in LF), but not sure you'll like what you see there.

[MrTPlush]

Is the FA class really that bad I just saw Asdrubal Cabrera mentioned as a 1B option?

[pacopete4]

Yes. It's not a good class. It will take some Stearns magic to compete in 2021.

[Devinep]

I’ll assume 3 things as guesses: There’ll be a DH, Braun is retiring, and Attanasio won’t spend big

 

Sign: Brett Anderson, CJ Cron, Tommy La Stella, Joc Peterson (shop Hader but I’ll predict they end up keeping him)

 

Vs RHP:

3B-La Stella

2B-Hiura

LF-Yelich

1B-Cron

RF-joc

CF-Cain

DH-Vogelbach

C-Narvaez

SS-Arcia/Urias

 

Vs LHP:

CF-Cain

2B-Hiura

LF-Yelich

DH-Cron

1B-Gyorko

RF-Garcia

C-Pina

SS-Arcia

3B-Urias

 

Rotation: woodruff, Burnes, Anderson, Peralta, Lindblom (opener)

 

Bullpen:

Hader

Williams

Knebel

Yardley

Suter

Lauer

Houser

Topa (Rasmussen is a SP in AAA)

[brewcrewdue80]

Is the FA class really that bad I just saw Asdrubal Cabrera mentioned as a 1B option?

 

Yes its old. Like mid 30s. Like La Stella. I throw Cabrera out there for 1st because guy has played SS and his Def rated positive for 1b. He's a 15-20 HR switch hitter who had an OPS that would have been 4th this year on the team and 100+points higher than Smoak. 8hrs this year, 18 in '19. You just know what you're getting with him. Maybe even get in the ears of Urias.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/09/mlb-free-agent-preview-first-base-2020-2021.html/url] for a reference what's out there.

 

That is Cron, Lamb, retreads Smoak and LoMo, Dietrich, and Brad Miller.

 

Cabrera played in 131games in 2019 his lowest in 10seasons. As I said #5 or #6 hitter.

.260/.320/.435 18HRs under 125ks. Not a hindrance defensively. From the list on MLBTR, who else can you pencil that in with? Switch hitter means Counsell won't have to platoon him with somebody. Career on 3rd less than 2outs-.923OPS.

893 OPS as 1b this season. Over .900 OPS as a PH for his career.

So please go ahead and tell me how he doesnt help the lineup? Looking deeper at his splits, he his exactly everything the lineup needs. And he can move over to play 3rd or 2b and not hurt your defense doing so.

 

Would I like a 900OPS bat at 1b? Of course. Doesn't exist in this FA.

[Jopal78]

If Braun retires....

pick up option on Gyorko

resign Brett Anderson

sign Jurickson Profar

sign Rick Porcello

 

Profar has the versatility the Brewers covet and at 27 years old still has some upside in his game. Porcello is a groundball pitcher, of which the Brewers also covet, 3.33 FIP for the Mets in 2020, struck out nearly a batter an inning and 3:1 K:BB ratio. Anderson and Gyorko earned their money in 2020 and warrant returning for 2021.

 

C: Narvaez/Nottingham

1B: Vogelbach/Gyorko/Profar/McKinney

2B: Hiura/Profar/Urias

3B: Profar/Urias/Gyorko

SS: Arcia/Urias

LF: Yelich/McKinney

CF: Cain/Garcia/Taylor

RF: Garcia/McKinney

 

SP: Woodruff

SP: Burnes

SP: Porcello

SP: Anderson

SP: Lindblom

 

RP: Peralta

RP: Houser

RP: Topa/Rasmussen

RP: Suter

RP: Yardley

RP: Knebel

RP: Williams

RP: Hader

 

No real weak spots in the rotation, almost every arm in the pen is a power arm with a couple having multiple inning capability. Lineup still a little short on fire power, but I don't think the resources will be there to land a huge bat, nor the ability to trade for a hitter without weakening the rotation or pen by trading players from away from those areas of strength.

[Madhawk23]

Is the FA class really that bad I just saw Asdrubal Cabrera mentioned as a 1B option?

 

Yes its old. Like mid 30s. Like La Stella. I throw Cabrera out there for 1st because guy has played SS and his Def rated positive for 1b. He's a 15-20 HR switch hitter who had an OPS that would have been 4th this year on the team and 100+points higher than Smoak. 8hrs this year, 18 in '19. You just know what you're getting with him. Maybe even get in the ears of Urias.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/09/mlb-free-agent-preview-first-base-2020-2021.html/url] for a reference what's out there.

 

That is Cron, Lamb, retreads Smoak and LoMo, Dietrich, and Brad Miller.

 

Cabrera played in 131games in 2019 his lowest in 10seasons. As I said #5 or #6 hitter.

.260/.320/.435 18HRs under 125ks. Not a hindrance defensively. From the list on MLBTR, who else can you pencil that in with? Switch hitter means Counsell won't have to platoon him with somebody. Career on 3rd less than 2outs-.923OPS.

893 OPS as 1b this season. Over .900 OPS as a PH for his career.

So please go ahead and tell me how he doesnt help the lineup? Looking deeper at his splits, he his exactly everything the lineup needs. And he can move over to play 3rd or 2b and not hurt your defense doing so.

 

Would I like a 900OPS bat at 1b? Of course. Doesn't exist in this FA.

 

I'm with you. If we could sign Asdrubal to play some 1B (while also providing some defensive flexibility at 3B as well), I think that would be as good as we could realistically hope for this winter. I see that he signed for 1 year 2.5M this past year, so I would have to assume a similar deal could be had this year? Cron wouldn't be the worst option either, but if we are bringing Gyorko back, then I'm not sure if he matches up well as a 1B platoon - as both are righty hitters.

 

Out of the limited options that exist on this F/A market at 1B, I think I'd rank them Cabrera first and Cron second. My wildcard pick would be a reunion with Thames if the Nats decline his option.

 

On the pitching side - what do people think Mike Minor will command this winter? Would he be a good bounce-back option to replace Anderson? He's only a year removed from being really good for the Rangers, and I'm sure some time will probably pony up for a 2-3 year deal, with the assumption that his 2020 was an anomaly. If he falls through the cracks though, this is a guy that I wouldn't mind striking a deal with if the price was right.

[wntrtxn21]

If Braun retires....

pick up option on Gyorko

resign Brett Anderson

sign Jurickson Profar

sign Rick Porcello

 

Profar has the versatility the Brewers covet and at 27 years old still has some upside in his game. Porcello is a groundball pitcher, of which the Brewers also covet, 3.33 FIP for the Mets in 2020, struck out nearly a batter an inning and 3:1 K:BB ratio. Anderson and Gyorko earned their money in 2020 and warrant returning for 2021.

 

C: Narvaez/Nottingham

1B: Vogelbach/Gyorko/Profar/McKinney

2B: Hiura/Profar/Urias

3B: Profar/Urias/Gyorko

SS: Arcia/Urias

LF: Yelich/McKinney

CF: Cain/Garcia/Taylor

RF: Garcia/McKinney

 

SP: Woodruff

SP: Burnes

SP: Porcello

SP: Anderson

SP: Lindblom

 

RP: Peralta

RP: Houser

RP: Topa/Rasmussen

RP: Suter

RP: Yardley

RP: Knebel

RP: Williams

RP: Hader

 

No real weak spots in the rotation, almost every arm in the pen is a power arm with a couple having multiple inning capability. Lineup still a little short on fire power, but I don't think the resources will be there to land a huge bat, nor the ability to trade for a hitter without weakening the rotation or pen by trading players from away from those areas of strength.

 

After what Stearns said about payroll, there is zero chance of signing Profar (career .238/.318 hitter) or Porcello who is not anywhere near good enough for the money he makes. Mckinney is a career .231/.291 hitter who whiffs 28% fo the time. About the only guy I could see Stearns coveting is LaStella who is the type of hitter CC needs and has great infield flexability. He would cost approx. what Profar will command and is much, much better for the Crew. I think it all depends on what he gets for Hadar. If he gets an MLB ready 1B or 3B and a pitcher, things will all fall into place from there.

[clancyphile]

I believe a trade to the Mets for D. Smith or Davis could get done easily..

 

I was all about a Hader for McNeil/Smith deal last offseason, and I still am this year. Solves a LOT of problems.

 

After this season, I think Hader/Urias/Lindblom for McNeil (3B)/Davis (1B) makes a lot more sense. A McNeil-Hiura-Yelich-Davis 2-3-4-5 in the lineup is hard to beat. Puts Garcia at 6, Narvaez at 7. Means Arcia sticks around, but if he can put up a .734 OPS, he's not bad in the 8 hole - he gets a 4-year, $16 million deal. Keep Gyroko, Sogard, and Taylor as the core of the bench with Nottingham as the #2 catcher and Hummel as the backup corner OF who could also be a #3 catcher.

 

For pitching, sign Bauer to a one-year deal.

 

Here's how the 26-man looks:

 

cf: Cain

3b: McNeil

2b: Hiura

lf: Yelich

1b: Davis

c: Narvaez

rf: Garcia

ss: Arcia

pitcher

bench: Nottingham, Sogard, Gyroko, Taylor, Hummel

rotation: Bauer, Burnes, Woodruff, Lauer, Houser

bullpen: Peralta, Suter, D. Williams, Rasmussen, Knebel, Torres-Costa, Andrews, Yardley

[Madhawk23]

I believe a trade to the Mets for D. Smith or Davis could get done easily..

 

I was all about a Hader for McNeil/Smith deal last offseason, and I still am this year. Solves a LOT of problems.

 

After this season, I think Hader/Urias/Lindblom for McNeil (3B)/Davis (1B) makes a lot more sense. A McNeil-Hiura-Yelich-Davis 2-3-4-5 in the lineup is hard to beat. Puts Garcia at 6, Narvaez at 7. Means Arcia sticks around, but if he can put up a .734 OPS, he's not bad in the 8 hole - he gets a 4-year, $16 million deal. Keep Gyroko, Sogard, and Taylor as the core of the bench with Nottingham as the #2 catcher and Hummel as the backup corner OF who could also be a #3 catcher.

 

For pitching, sign Bauer to a one-year deal.

 

Here's how the 26-man looks:

 

cf: Cain

3b: McNeil

2b: Hiura

lf: Yelich

1b: Davis

c: Narvaez

rf: Garcia

ss: Arcia

pitcher

bench: Nottingham, Sogard, Gyroko, Taylor, Hummel

rotation: Bauer, Burnes, Woodruff, Lauer, Houser

bullpen: Peralta, Suter, D. Williams, Rasmussen, Knebel, Torres-Costa, Andrews, Yardley

 

I have no idea if the Mets would have interest in your trade idea, but I think this is one that I could get behind. Would help fill two big offensive holes right now on our team, with guys that we would at least have a few years control over. Again though, I just don't know if the Mets would be motivated to move McNeil right now - especially for a reliever (as the headliner coming back to them)? With Dom Smith emerging this year, that would seemingly make JD Davis expendable.

 

I like your Bauer idea, but I think we all know that ain't happening!

[DR28]

I dont see a McNeil deal happening but I would love to take J.D. off their hands and put him back at 3B.

 

Davis at 3B and Gyorko at 1B, yep I'm good with that!

[Jopal78]

The Mets have Edwin Diaz as a closer, under team control for three more years. McNeil, Davis and Smith are every day players for the Mets. It doesn't really make any sense for them to trade away an everyday hitter for a closer when they already have one of the best in the game.

 

The Mets need starting pitching, if in fact the Brewers were able to pry away one of the Mets regular hitters, it is going to cost starting pitching from the Brewers. And of course, Milwaukee is probably better suited to hang on to their starting pitching and look for hitters as a value buy.

[LincolnDD]

I dont see a McNeil deal happening but I would love to take J.D. off their hands and put him back at 3B.

 

Davis at 3B and Gyorko at 1B, yep I'm good with that!

 

Looks like Davis was their primary third baseman this year (at least until they acquired Todd Frazier). He was...not great. I wonder if he could handle first?

[Madhawk23]

I dont see a McNeil deal happening but I would love to take J.D. off their hands and put him back at 3B.

 

Davis at 3B and Gyorko at 1B, yep I'm good with that!

 

Looks like Davis was their primary third baseman this year (at least until they acquired Todd Frazier). He was...not great. I wonder if he could handle first?

 

Unfortunately, the thing that might hurt us most in our attempts to trade for any offensive help this winter - is the emergence of the DH in the NL. If the DH becomes permanent in the NL this year, then guys like JD Davis, Edwin Rios, etc. might not find themselves in a logjam on their current teams. If the DH doesn't become permanent, then the Mets and Dodgers might be more willing to talk about these guys, as they then become more expendable on their rosters.

[brewers888]

I think Stearns is facing a nearly impossible job. We are probably going to lower payroll and free agency doesn't offer much. I am concerned that we will make a desperation Hader trade where we look to fill needs instead of taking the best return regardless of position.