Upcoming Free Agents

[titletownking]

How many utility guys do we want/need?

 

At some point, we have to have starters, you know, good players who specialize at their position, who can actually hit.

 

I can see 1 or 2 all over the field guys, but geez...

 

They desperately need a top of the order bat. Whether that comes today or when the season resumes after the lockout. I would prefer to have added a bat before the lockout but think it’s unlikely with the prices floating around. Bryant is still the dream acquisition. Covers third, and can play outfield and DH when off day needed.

 

Yea, keep dreaming... That isnt happening.

 

Hence the word “dream”

[titletownking]

Chris Taylor and Dodgers headed towards reunion. Hope they overpaid to retain him.

[NievesNoNO]

I hate to say it but this team's big FA signing for the next 7 years is Yelich. They're just not going to make a Rangers-esque type FA splash. Pham makes sense and is an improvement but he's really only replacing Avi, so you're essentially only getting back what you lost on an offensively challenged team. You really have to dream on some improvement across the board on the group already in place if you think it's going to be significantly better. A more healthy Wong and Cain, a Urias and Adames that carry over their 2nd half success, a Tellez that puts together some constancy, Yelich being an above avg contributor, etc.

 

I'd guess as far as offensive improvement via FA, a Pham and Rizzo combo feels to me like about the max of what could potentially be in play.

 

And yes, if you're a dreamer then you could see a case where ownership somehow approves a play at Bryant based on the -if not now then when- stance and throws caution to the wind to "go for it" while their pitching and Urias\Adames are still youngish and affordable. I do actually think that with this ownership and GM there might be a 1-3% chance that could happen, where in the past I would've given it no chance.

 

The good news is because of their pitching, they should be just about able to roll out of bed and win 90.

[brewmann04]

If the Brewers don't get their bats to help the offense and Pitchers this is a waste . I hope they are just waiting for the new CBA to not waste these young Controllable arms

[tmwiese55]

Had MLB on earlier when Buxton press conference was on, they put up the Twins lineup and pitching rotation. Their pitching is very very bad and likely have no chance. Assume the DH comes in, Donaldson by midseason could make a lot of sense as long as they pay some of the money or take back someone like JBJ to balance some of it. Hate to say it but I'd guess a move like that which only commits to a couple years of money is the likely route. Just have to cross fingers something shows up late in the Moose/Grandal mold due to so many teams blowing their wad right now and possibly some new constraint brought in by new CBA.

[titletownking]

Camargo signed with Phillies but I was intrigued by him.

[titletownking]

Hunter renfroe is a brewer!!!!

[tmwiese55]

With the other big SSs signed and/or left in the market. Is there a chance Story ends up going the Semien type route of taking a prove it deal then signing next year for a big contract (assuming he does well). Could be some teams skeptical to give him a big contract due to Col inflation of numbers so might think he could get more after a year if he proves it in another spot. If I'm him I'd just take bigger contract to be safe, but if he wanted to gamble maybe he could be one that falls into the Moose/Grandal mold. Though I'd still assume he'd do this route with NYY (or say Correas goes elsewhere then go to Hous) before us.

 

For us, play 3B. Urias goes to super Util including learning OF/1B.

[DR28]

With the other big SSs signed and/or left in the market. Is there a chance Story ends up going the Semien type route of taking a prove it deal then signing next year for a big contract (assuming he does well). Could be some teams skeptical to give him a big contract due to Col inflation of numbers so might think he could get more after a year if he proves it in another spot. If I'm him I'd just take bigger contract to be safe, but if he wanted to gamble maybe he could be one that falls into the Moose/Grandal mold. Though I'd still assume he'd do this route with NYY (or say Correas goes elsewhere then go to Hous) before us.

 

For us, play 3B. Urias goes to super Util including learning OF/1B.

 

Not a chance, someone is gonna pay him to play SS or 3B.

[tmwiese55]

With the other big SSs signed and/or left in the market. Is there a chance Story ends up going the Semien type route of taking a prove it deal then signing next year for a big contract (assuming he does well). Could be some teams skeptical to give him a big contract due to Col inflation of numbers so might think he could get more after a year if he proves it in another spot. If I'm him I'd just take bigger contract to be safe, but if he wanted to gamble maybe he could be one that falls into the Moose/Grandal mold. Though I'd still assume he'd do this route with NYY (or say Correas goes elsewhere then go to Hous) before us.

 

For us, play 3B. Urias goes to super Util including learning OF/1B.

 

Not a chance, someone is gonna pay him to play SS or 3B.

 

Of course Id' agree and guess the same. But are they gonna give him 6-7 years at 25ish mil? I'd agree probably, or at least maybe. And if I'm him, I know my non Col numbers are blah and I'd just take the 3-4 year deal and never worry about money again if that's all I can get.

 

But if he's disappointed a bit in his market (or market is made different by new CBA) I could see a logic to a 1 year then option on 2nd year type thing where he can try to get the 6-7 year deal next offseason after proving himself like Semien did. If he gets the 150ish+ mil of course he's gonna take it. Just saying with many big salary slots already gobbled up in the last few weeks and a few others still to go who are clearly above him, he might be seeing worse numbers than he hoped. And still like I said, I think if he did go this route he'd still pick elsewhere besides MKE, or elsewhere would still pay a few more mil than we can do

[monty57]

With the other big SSs signed and/or left in the market. Is there a chance Story ends up going the Semien type route of taking a prove it deal then signing next year for a big contract (assuming he does well). Could be some teams skeptical to give him a big contract due to Col inflation of numbers so might think he could get more after a year if he proves it in another spot. If I'm him I'd just take bigger contract to be safe, but if he wanted to gamble maybe he could be one that falls into the Moose/Grandal mold. Though I'd still assume he'd do this route with NYY (or say Correas goes elsewhere then go to Hous) before us.

 

For us, play 3B. Urias goes to super Util including learning OF/1B.

 

It could be possible that he ends up signing a one-year deal, but I think he'd sign with a team that would guarantee him a starting shortstop job. Shortstop is a premium position, so putting up the numbers he does at shortstop will get him paid more than putting up the same numbers at third base.

 

So, the question would be whether we'd sign him to a one-year deal and move Adames to third for a season.

[edfunderburk]

… the question would be whether we'd sign him [story] to a one-year deal and move Adames to third for a season.

 

Let me begin by acknowledging my suggestion is far-fetched … but this is what I’d LOVE to see …

 

In a perfect world - the Brewers somehow unload Yelich & his entire contract (to an AL team) & sign Story (SS or 3B) to a 6-year contract. Immediately, they are a much better team. Adames is capable of playing either SS or 3B.

 

This would require both Urius & Story to “learn” to play 1B as well.

 

That’s a lot of “what ifs” that are unlikely to happen … but I’m dreaming today & would be thrilled if we had Story & unloaded the “bad contract” for Yelich.

 

I understand that Yelich’s play in 2020 & 2021 make this scenario highly unlikely - I can’t imagine any team taking his contract … but I felt the same way about Bradley’s contract.

 

If this “dream” option requires including a few more mid-level (or even one elite) prospect with Yelich - so be it … our World Series window is short … maybe 2-3 years.

[sveumrules]

FanGraphs tries to find some fun landing spots for free agent hitters with Schwarber going to the Brewers for 5/80...

 

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/lets-sign-some-hitters/

 

Article also has Bryant going to TOR for 5/90.

 

Assuming those contracts are in the range of what they end up signing for (I have no idea) & the Brewers are prepared to spend in that range (I have my doubts), I would imagine Stearns & company would be more interested in Bryant because of the additional positional flexibility he offers, but would obviously be alright with signing either at around those prices.

[nate82]

FanGraphs tries to find some fun landing spots for free agent hitters with Schwarber going to the Brewers for 5/80...

 

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/lets-sign-some-hitters/

 

Article also has Bryant going to TOR for 5/90.

 

Assuming those contracts are in the range of what they end up signing for (I have no idea) & the Brewers are prepared to spend in that range (I have my doubts), I would imagine Stearns & company would be more interested in Bryant because of the additional positional flexibility he offers, but would obviously be alright with signing either at around those prices.

 

I think the Bryant contract is close to what he will get. I think the Schwarber contract is a year or two to long. I think he gets a 4-year deal max. Something like 4/70.

[wntrtxn21]

FanGraphs tries to find some fun landing spots for free agent hitters with Schwarber going to the Brewers for 5/80...

 

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/lets-sign-some-hitters/

 

Article also has Bryant going to TOR for 5/90.

 

Assuming those contracts are in the range of what they end up signing for (I have no idea) & the Brewers are prepared to spend in that range (I have my doubts), I would imagine Stearns & company would be more interested in Bryant because of the additional positional flexibility he offers, but would obviously be alright with signing either at around those prices.

 

I think the Bryant contract is close to what he will get. I think the Schwarber contract is a year or two to long. I think he gets a 4-year deal max. Something like 4/70.

 

I don't think Stearns would spend $17.5M or more on Schwarber. That would put Schwarber/Yelich at about 1/3 of the estimated total payroll.

[brewerfan82]

As players sign with teams, here's a nice link to stay on top of who's still available:

https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/free-agent-tracker?&sign=unsigned

Quick question, I presume for this year you still have to give up a pick to sign a player offered the QO correct? But that's getting axed starting next year with the new CBA?

[nate82]

With the trade that the Yankees made with the Twins I think that takes them out of the running for Story and Correa.  It may also take them out of the running for other free agents also as the Yankees will be taking on all of Donaldson's remaining contract.  With the Yankees getting their shortstop that they wanted I think this means they are going to be getting Olson as they can now trade Volpe if they wanted to for Olson.  

I think the Brewers could possibly sneak in and get Rizzo if that is who they want.  Not the ideal player that I would want to get but I think he fits inside the budget for the Brewers.  I would rather have Conforto or Castellanos but I don't think Castellanos will fit inside the budget that the Brewers have set up.  

I would really want to get Bryant as I think he fits the best in the Brewers lineup of all of the free agents but I just don't see how the Brewers are going to be able to fit it in their budget.  Maybe MA surprises everyone and opens up and goes after Bryant but I highly doubt he will do this.  

[wibadgers23]

I wonder if Mark A would pull the trigger if he could get Kris Bryant for 4 or 5 years for around $20 million per year? I agree that he is the best fit out of all of the available big name free agents. Cain’s contract is coming to an end after this season so Bryant’s deal would essentially replace Cain’s.

[nate82]

With Olson off the board now that should open up the FA market for Bryant, Freeman, Castellanos, Schwarber, Story and Rizzo.  

My predictions:

Rizzo to the Yankees on a 2-year deal ($24m)

Schwarber to the Red Sox on a 4-year deal ($82m)

Freeman to the Dodgers on a 5-year deal ($125m)

Story to the Twins on a 5-year deal ($110m)

Castellanos to the Rockies on a 4-year deal ($90m)

Bryant to the Giants on a 5-year deal ($105m)