2021 Brewers Optimism Thread

[Eye Black]

This season’s Brewers team has a chance to be one of their best ever in terms of run prevention (pitching and defense), likely also buoyed by the NL Central being expected to have mostly below average offensive lineups.

[PeaveyFury]

This season’s Brewers team has a chance to be one of their best ever in terms of run prevention (pitching and defense), likely also buoyed by the NL Central being expected to have mostly below average offensive lineups.

 

It really does make you wonder if that's the current thought process of the FO- we know there are issues with the offense, but if you can focus on only needing 3-4 runs each night, you won't NEED to score 5-7. Makes sense, really.

[markedman5]

Adding Wong and getting Cain back will be a huge defensive boost that is going to pay dividends on the entire pitching staff! Also, getting Cain back on the field will add an energy and clubhouse presence that was sorely missed last year!

 

Who said anything about Cain returning yet? Did he jump the line and get vaccinated? Seems pretty presumptuous to assume Cain will be around this year. It would shock me, actually, if he is anywhere near Arizona in the next month.

Great signing today.... hope it lengthens the lineup!

 

 

Stearns said he has talked to Cain and fully expects him to play this season.

[stalton]

Since this is the optimism thread.

 

162-0 BABY!

[markedman5]

Hmmm

 

[brewerfan82]

Hmmm

 

 

[brewerfan82]

Fun possibility: Brewers sign Turner causing a chain reaction of other 3rd basemen needing teams (preferably AL teams) to trade for Bryant and Suarez.

[torts]

guys, I dont know about you, but I am really really really really really looking forward to baseball this year. I dont know what it is, but, I am PUMPED UP!

[Underachiever]

guys, I dont know about you, but I am really really really really really looking forward to baseball this year. I dont know what it is, but, I am PUMPED UP!

Why not? It's baseball! Gotta be excited during Hot Stove! Team is undefeated.

[MVP2110]

The Brewers are right there with the Cardinals in terms of Projected Team WAR according to Fangraphs. I think we have a real shot to win the division, especially if we add a 3b and/or starting pitcher

[torts]

Chef kiss

 

[reillymcshane]

Chef kiss

 

Dude, my head exploded.

[reillymcshane]

Narvaez will reboud.

Pina will be fine. or Nottingham or one of the other 16 catchers on the roster does well.

Hiura will hit better and adapt to 1B.

Wong will continue to be one of the best 2Bs in baseball.

Arcia will benefit massively from having one of the best 2Bs in baseball next to him. And hit better.

Urias will blossom as a hitter and be one of the premiere defensive 3B in baseball.

Garcia will rebound and hit 20+HR and .270+

Cain will be a Gold Glove level CF and hit .280+

Yelich will be an MVP candidate

Woodruff and Burnes will continue to kick butt.

Lindblom and Houser will develop into solid mid rotation arms

We find a 5th and 6h starter amongst are players.

The morass of bullpen arms we've assembled will be a formidable arsenal of weapons against the tyranny of Cardinals and Cubs and Yankees and Padres and Dodgers - and all the other heathens.

 

Go Brewers!!!

 

So excited for 2021.

[torts]

Chef kiss

 

Dude, my head exploded.

 

Sterns is playing 5D chess with baseball

[CheezWizHed]

I'm thinking that moving Huira to 1B will relieve some pressure on him defensively, thus allowing his offensive skills to flourish.

[RollieTime]

Yelich and Hiura will both hit 40 homeruns and become the most feared 3-4 punch in baseball!

[patrickgpe]

Atleast baseball prospectus is optimistic about the brewers

 

https://www.baseballprospectus.com/standings/?fbclid=IwAR24bkArZ4E_8w6P0qwrKEjAAsC2xWvyCIMeVLjm_HqC2txkiy0U1mJJMj8

[Underachiever]

Atleast baseball prospectus is optimistic about the brewers

 

https://www.baseballprospectus.com/standings/?fbclid=IwAR24bkArZ4E_8w6P0qwrKEjAAsC2xWvyCIMeVLjm_HqC2txkiy0U1mJJMj8

That was interesting. San Diego makes all those moves and still doesn't come within seven games of first? That's rough. Same with the White Sox.

[brewerfan82]

Atleast baseball prospectus is optimistic about the brewers

 

https://www.baseballprospectus.com/standings/?fbclid=IwAR24bkArZ4E_8w6P0qwrKEjAAsC2xWvyCIMeVLjm_HqC2txkiy0U1mJJMj8

That was interesting. San Diego makes all those moves and still doesn't come within seven games of first? That's rough. Same with the White Sox.

San Diego was 6 GB last year in a 60 game season (equivalent of 16.2 GB in a 162 game season), so they have them making up some ground, but the Dodgers adding Bauer certainly didn't help. The White Sox arguably overachieved last year, but I am a little more surprised by their projections. Either way, it's a good reminder that winning the offseason doesn't necessarily mean winning the regular season. That said, winning on paper doesn't either, but I like where we stand! Let's add some more!

[craigharmann]

I'm thinking the Sox are down in part, due to Reinsdorf's choice for manager. That will be interesting to see. And potentially a train wreck.

 

Atleast baseball prospectus is optimistic about the brewers

 

https://www.baseballprospectus.com/standings/?fbclid=IwAR24bkArZ4E_8w6P0qwrKEjAAsC2xWvyCIMeVLjm_HqC2txkiy0U1mJJMj8

That was interesting. San Diego makes all those moves and still doesn't come within seven games of first? That's rough. Same with the White Sox.

San Diego was 6 GB last year in a 60 game season (equivalent of 16.2 GB in a 162 game season), so they have them making up some ground, but the Dodgers adding Bauer certainly didn't help. The White Sox arguably overachieved last year, but I am a little more surprised by their projections. Either way, it's a good reminder that winning the offseason doesn't necessarily mean winning the regular season. That said, winning on paper doesn't either, but I like where we stand! Let's add some more!

[SRB]

Wasn't sure if this topic was worth a new thread, but here's an optimistic question: do you think that Luis Urias in a full-time role can be an elite defender at 3B?

 

It's a meaningless sample size, but in 176.0 innings at 3B last season, he had a +17.6 UZR/150. Obviously that number does not seem sustainable, but if he can put up elite defensive numbers, then even if his offense is just in line with the projection systems (around a .310 wOBA), that makes him a >3.0 fWAR everyday player.

[tmwiese55]

Saw some things like Baseball Prospectus pegging MKE as favorites in the Central. I know to take those type things with a grain of salt but at least that makes me think they can be better than I have been thinking. I was thinking 2nd place and playoffs was very possible due to regression of the Central, while still not thinking MKE would be all that great of a team. I feel like STL should be the faves but these things must be factoring in big bounce backs from Yeli/Keston and that Woodruff/Burnes are legit. Williams/Hader is gold for end of pen. So I guess I'm in, forget the blahness of last year, it's a new season, no reason they can't hang with anyone in the NL other than LA.

[Eye Black]

Wasn't sure if this topic was worth a new thread, but here's an optimistic question: do you think that Luis Urias in a full-time role can be an elite defender at 3B?

 

It's a meaningless sample size, but in 176.0 innings at 3B last season, he had a +17.6 UZR/150. Obviously that number does not seem sustainable, but if he can put up elite defensive numbers, then even if his offense is just in line with the projection systems (around a .310 wOBA), that makes him a >3.0 fWAR everyday player.

I do think Urias could be a very good defender at 3B. It's interesting to me that Clay Davenport's projections love Urias as a defensive third baseman. They have him as a 3.0 WAR player despite just a .738 OPS projection (.251/.334 /.404). Basically as you laid out it's on the strength of his expected defense. By comparison Davenport has Justin Turner as a 3.4 WAR third baseman even though his expected batting line is .275/.360 /.467.

 

So for the purposes of the optimism thread, we could be witnessing some sweet RUN PREVENTION measures around the infield this year!

[Warning Track Power]

I do think Urias could be a very good defender at 3B. It's interesting to me that Clay Davenport's projections love Urias as a defensive third baseman. They have him as a 3.0 WAR player despite just a .738 OPS projection (.251/.334 /.404). Basically as you laid out it's on the strength of his expected defense. By comparison Davenport has Justin Turner as a 3.4 WAR third baseman even though his expected batting line is .275/.360 /.467.

 

So for the purposes of the optimism thread, we could be witnessing some sweet RUN PREVENTION measures around the infield this year!

If his D plays this well at SS, and I believe that is his natural position, AND he posts this line, he should be your everyday SS. Arcia becomes a piece to add to a trade package to possibly get you a 3B (perhaps to the Reds for Moose and $$).

 

Put another way, Arcia has had an OBP over .334 and OPS over .738 ZERO times.

[Lathund]

If another 3B is signed, or Robertson is even halfway decent, I do think Urias will see a lot of time at SS. He's actually even been better /76 wRC+ vs 71) as a hitter than Arcia, and I believe him to be the better defender as well. Of course, I would love for Arcias 2020 "breakout" to be real and to create some real competition for places, can only be a good thing.