Brewers trade for 1B Rowdy Tellez from Blue Jays

[pacopete4]

Stearns at it again. He could deal a ketchup popsicle to a woman wearing white gloves.

[MrTPlush]

More from Ken Rosenthal: Expect Brewers to remain active. Willingness to trade Richards, who struck out 25 but also walked 9 and allowed 3 HRs in 19 2/3 IP with MIL, indicates team will seek additional bullpen help at deadline. Previously moved Feyereisen/Rasmussen to get Adames/Richards.

 

I have always felt that Rosenthal talks to Stearns himself. He has broken info before, and I think he has a direct line. When he says anything about possibilities, I bet he is getting it straight from the horse's mouth.

 

I mean it doesn't take a genius to know they will be looking for bullpen help at the deadline. They would have done that whether the bullpen looked great or not. Its always a hole on the roster.

 

Ken Rosenthal has as many connections in baseball as anyone. David Stearns is most certainly not talking to him though...I think Stearns has better things to do than worry about helping a reporter break stories.

[Austin Tatious]

We have kicked around Rowdy's name in the transactions forum for at least three years. I am not going to go berserk either way on this one.

 

I will say that Stearns isn't going to overpay, just like he isn't going to give away major league talent if he isn't getting value back. He hung onto Hader instead of getting less of a return than he wanted. And now, he hasn't given away a Turang, Small, or Gray for a veteran first baseman who he felt was worth a haul back.

 

I am a huge Stearns fan. Why? Because I have been here since the 1970s. a Harry Dalton was really good, but Stearns is very sharp and keeps us competitive without giving up our future, unless we get control back. He is 100% next level compared to Doug. I don't agree with him on everything. His overemphasis on drafting up the middle infielders has left us barren at the corners. I see his concept, but he has gone overboard. But, at the end of the day, i have never felt as comfortable as I do with Stearns that we will be competitive short, intermediate, and long term. His depth in terms of strategy is something we have never had before. Bud focused on small market to prove his point on economics and sold a lazy bill of goods that we couldn't compete. We were a horrible organization which honestly wasn't even pretending to try to win. Everything was about Bud proving his points.

[Eye Black]

We have kicked around Rowdy's name in the transactions forum for at least three years. I am not going to go berserk either way on this one.

Yeah, I remembered mentioning Tellez at one point so I went and looked it up but then realized it was as part of the discussion about possible Hader trade returns… so I probably won’t be bumping that one.

[Austin Tatious]

More from Ken Rosenthal: Expect Brewers to remain active. Willingness to trade Richards, who struck out 25 but also walked 9 and allowed 3 HRs in 19 2/3 IP with MIL, indicates team will seek additional bullpen help at deadline. Previously moved Feyereisen/Rasmussen to get Adames/Richards.

 

I have always felt that Rosenthal talks to Stearns himself. He has broken info before, and I think he has a direct line. When he says anything about possibilities, I bet he is getting it straight from the horse's mouth.

 

I mean it doesn't take a genius to know they will be looking for bullpen help at the deadline. They would have done that whether the bullpen looked great or not. Its always a hole on the roster.

 

Ken Rosenthal has as many connections in baseball as anyone. David Stearns is most certainly not talking to him though...I think Stearns has better things to do than worry about helping a reporter break stories.

 

Please. There are 24 hours in a day. People can multi-task. He is not in surgery all day. Also, you overlook the fact that Stearns can communicate anonymously and get info that he wants out in a managed way. He would be an idiot to not use national guys (which he is not). Rosenthal is one of his favorites in this regard.

 

No, this is something I have picked up over the years. This isn't a one time thing. I would say 99% they talk. The only reason I cannot say 100% is because I am not actually on the line.

You are free to think whatever you like, though. But I invite you to watch what Rosenthal says and then see it materialize. There are plenty of clues if you pay attention.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

One nice thing about Tellez's career numbers ... a very low K percentage. That'll be a nice change of pace.

[djoctagone]

rowdy tellez is in his final option year and has already burned said option. he has never been outrighted to the minor leagues.

[Jopal78]

It seems like a classic Brewer narrative (like in 2014 ) where they build up their hitting lineup, only to collapse because their short in the bullpen and the starters hit their innings limits.

 

That’s not quite how I remember 2014, when we scored 4.32 runs per game through July 31st, then scored 3.38 runs the final two months of the year. We had a gaping need to upgrade first base, were 20+ games ahead of the Rockies and didn’t trade for Justin Morneau.

 

So I’m glad to see we’re not sitting on our hands with mediocrity at first base this time around. In Stearns and Counsell we trust!

 

That said, maybe our bullpen also fell apart in 2014. It was an abysmal stretch. But our overall pitching didn’t change: 4.06 runs yielded per game through July and for full season.

 

What I meant is the Brewers were 51-33, and 6.5 games up at the outset of July in 2014 only to collapse during that month and never recover (see also 2007, 2009)

[Madhawk23]

I’m not sure if Tellez will prove the long term 1B answer in Milwaukee, but I am certain I’d rather give him a shot (especially knowing he has 3.5 remaining years of control) than 31-year old free agent to be C.J. Cron.

 

YES.....my thoughts exactly! We just picked up a young 1B with years of control - and a guy that has at least proven himself to have some big league success in past seasons. I'm willing to take a chance on a guy like this - and at a position that is a huge need in our system right now. I hope Keston gets things figured out long term, but I'm becoming less and less confident in that by the day with his huge leg kick timing mechanism that is all screwed up.

[folly412]

He was pretty good before this year. Fingers crossed Stearns uncovered another Adames situation. Hate giving up starting pitching prospects, though Francis could be the next Bettinger (and also tells us Toronto had no interest in Bettinger). With Richards, I said when we got him he was Generic Bullpen Guy; he did well here, but is easily replaceable.

[Eye Black]

Just a friendly reminder that the Brewers have no incoming corner infield help to speak of in their farm system and these have been their opening day first baseman since Prince Fielder left…

 

2012: Mat Gamel

2013: Alex Gonzalez

2014: Lyle Overbay

2015: Adam Lind

2016: Chris Carter

2017: Eric Thames

2018: Ryan Braun

2019: Jesus Aguilar

2020: Justin Smoak

2021: Keston Hiura

 

 

Rowdy Tellez provides another possibility at coming up with both a short-term and potentially long-term solution at the first base position.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

We have kicked around Rowdy's name in the transactions forum for at least three years. I am not going to go berserk either way on this one.

Yeah, I remembered mentioning Tellez at one point so I went and looked it up but then realized it was as part of the discussion about possible Hader trade returns… so I probably won’t be bumping that one.

 

While the similarities aren't totally symmetrical, there are quite a few between Adames and Tellez. Both are former heralded prospects that have graduated to MLB, and have had some success at the MLB level, only to be overshadowed by uber-prospects in Wander Franco and Vlad Jr. Tellez was once considered the Jays' 1B of the future, back when Vlad Jr. was considered to be a 3B. He was never as high up on the Jays' prospect lists as Vlad, Bo Bichette or Biggio, but he was always a Top 10 guy, and a Top 5 guy once those other guys hit the majors. Perhaps not the same prospect pedigree as Hiura, but not as far off as one would think.

Edited July 6, 2021 by Ron Robinson's Beard

[narwhalattack]

Just a friendly reminder that the Brewers have no incoming corner infield help to speak of in their farm system and these have been their opening day first baseman since Prince Fielder left…

 

2012: Mat Gamel

2013: Alex Gonzalez

2014: Lyle Overbay

2015: Adam Lind

2016: Chris Carter

2017: Eric Thames

2018: Ryan Braun

2019: Jesus Aguilar

2020: Justin Smoak

2021: Keston Hiura

 

 

Rowdy Tellez provides another possibility at coming up with both a short-term and potentially long-term solution at the first base position.

 

Seeing Aguilar on that list makes me a little sad. I really thought he was going to be our long-term solution at 1B.

[brewtank34]

Matt Arnold is our GM. Not Strearns.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Matt Arnold is our GM. Not Strearns.

 

Matt Arnold is a GM in name only ... simply because the Brewers didn't want to lose him to another club. Stearns is still calling the shots.

[sveumrules]

Really was hoping for a legitimate answer for first base not more garbage. Stearns just doesn’t value the position at all.

 

Since Stearns and company arrived in 2016, Brewers 1B are 12th in both wRC+ (115) and WAR (9.2).

 

They've gotten pretty good value out of a position they apparently don't value at all.

[damuelle]

 

What I meant is the Brewers were 51-33, and 6.5 games up at the outset of July in 2014 only to collapse during that month and never recover (see also 2007, 2009)

 

Understood and thanks. I think we’ll pick up some bullpen arms later this month. Happy to see us try to improve the offense. I think we’ll ultimately need Yelich to mash if we’re going to make real noise when it matters most.

[Lathund]

Matt Arnold is our GM. Not Strearns.

 

I would be very surprised if much changed in the decision-making process when Stearns went from GM to President of Baseball Ops and Matt Arnold went from assistant GM to GM. It's a title bump to prevent other teams from poaching them, and recognition (And a salary bump) to Stearns/Arnold to reward them and to show that the team wants them to stay around.

[markedman5]

Stearns says he has “ options remaining “

 

[Austin Tatious]

We have kicked around Rowdy's name in the transactions forum for at least three years. I am not going to go berserk either way on this one.

Yeah, I remembered mentioning Tellez at one point so I went and looked it up but then realized it was as part of the discussion about possible Hader trade returns… so I probably won’t be bumping that one.

 

While the similarities aren't totally symmetrical, there are quite a few between Adames and Tellez. Both are former heralded prospects that have graduated to MLB, and have had some success at the MLB level, only to be overshadowed by uber-prospects in Wander Franco and Vlad Jr. Tellez was once considered the Jays' 1B of the future, back when Vlad Jr. was considered to be a 3B. He was never as high up on the Jays' prospect lists as Vlad, Bo Bichette or Biggio, but he was always a Top 10 guy, and a Top 5 guy once those other guys hit the majors. Perhaps not the same prospect pedigree as Hiura, but not as far off as one would think.

 

Well said, both of you. I feel like we kicked around some Bluejay names like Groshans, Tellez, and a pitcher or two (names escape me right now). I think a big righthander.

[wntrtxn21]

Is this Stearns' way of saying bye-bye to Vogelbach, Shaw, and Hiura? Tellez is almost an exact clone of Vogey. Both bat left and play 1B only. Both had some success in 2019, hitting with power but low BA. 2020 the same. Both were struggling in 2021, although Tellez much worse than Vogey. Both have negative Rtot and dWAR, with a positive oWAR. When Cain comes back the OF is Cain, JBJ, Yelich, Garcia. Pina is the back-up catcher. Due to Wong's problems I think CC has to keep Pederson(also 5th OF/1B) and another infielder (unless CC adds a 14th pitcher) on the bench. That leaves only one spot for Hiura/Vogelbach/Tellez/Shaw.

[markedman5]

Hiura can be sent down if needed. ..they can see how Tellez does in the next month before they have to.make a decision on Vogelbach or Shaw.

 

Always the possibility of more injuries as well.

[brewcrewdue80]

Stearns says he has “ options remaining “

 

 

Darn. I actually hoped they would just send Hiura back down to the minors. Make the most out of your new 1b. Maybe there's an Adames made Urias play better competition on Hiura vs Tellez getting starts. Either way 1b is what this team needs the most right now.

[Underachiever]

Have there been any updates on Vogelbach? I know the initial report was six weeks.

[MrTPlush]

Matt Arnold is our GM. Not Strearns.

 

I would be very surprised if much changed in the decision-making process when Stearns went from GM to President of Baseball Ops and Matt Arnold went from assistant GM to GM. It's a title bump to prevent other teams from poaching them, and recognition (And a salary bump) to Stearns/Arnold to reward them and to show that the team wants them to stay around.

 

Matt Arnold is the operations guy. He does all the boring every day functional stuff while Stearns does player personnel decisions.