Trade Rumor: Brewers Pursuing Nationals' Josh Bell

[sveumrules]

On 7/29/2022 at 5:37 PM, bensheeps said:

I don't think we're giving Arnold and Stearns enough credit.

Waiting to get Bell (and/or Soto) until Monday so Washington can beat up on the Cardinals this weekend...pure genius.

Bell’s three run HR in the 7th provides the winning run for WAS tonight.

Crew now four games up on STL.

[nate82]

I think Bell might be the best target for the Brewers.  I think CF is fine with Taylor in CF as long as he is hitting lower in the batting order his production is ok.  

Getting an improvement at 1B/DH against LHP and RHP along with having another batter on the bench that can bring some pop from both sides of the plate will also be helpful. 

[nate82]

I think Bell might be the best target for the Brewers.  I think CF is fine with Taylor in CF as long as he is hitting lower in the batting order his production is ok.  

Getting an improvement at 1B/DH against LHP and RHP along with having another batter on the bench that can bring some pop from both sides of the plate will also be helpful. 

[Jopal78]

12 minutes ago, nate82 said:

I think Bell might be the best target for the Brewers.  I think CF is fine with Taylor in CF as long as he is hitting lower in the batting order his production is ok.  

Getting an improvement at 1B/DH against LHP and RHP along with having another batter on the bench that can bring some pop from both sides of the plate will also be helpful. 

Bell is the best rental hitter available. In a perfect world they’d also get a CF, Tyrone Taylor is just a guy,  He cranks just enough  homers to make you forget he’s hitting .230

[Jopal78]

12 minutes ago, nate82 said:

I think Bell might be the best target for the Brewers.  I think CF is fine with Taylor in CF as long as he is hitting lower in the batting order his production is ok.  

Getting an improvement at 1B/DH against LHP and RHP along with having another batter on the bench that can bring some pop from both sides of the plate will also be helpful. 

Bell is the best rental hitter available. In a perfect world they’d also get a CF, Tyrone Taylor is just a guy,  He cranks just enough  homers to make you forget he’s hitting .230

[Austin Tatious]

There’s no way I’d trade Turang for a rental. Not a chance.  And I don’t think Stearns is stupid enough to do so either.  It’s not in his history.

 Turang is an ascending player who is improving and has more room to get better.  

The Brewers may be more apt to deal a resurgent Tristen Lutz or Joe Gray.  Maybe a SS like Zamora or even Garcia although I wouldn’t be inclined to move the latter. 

The Brewers system doesn’t have super depth but their top ten list includes attractive prospects.  You aren’t cavalierly dealing them for rentals or patchwork.  

[Austin Tatious]

There’s no way I’d trade Turang for a rental. Not a chance.  And I don’t think Stearns is stupid enough to do so either.  It’s not in his history.

 Turang is an ascending player who is improving and has more room to get better.  

The Brewers may be more apt to deal a resurgent Tristen Lutz or Joe Gray.  Maybe a SS like Zamora or even Garcia although I wouldn’t be inclined to move the latter. 

The Brewers system doesn’t have super depth but their top ten list includes attractive prospects.  You aren’t cavalierly dealing them for rentals or patchwork.  

[nate82]

40 minutes ago, Jopal78 said:

Bell is the best rental hitter available. In a perfect world they’d also get a CF, Tyrone Taylor is just a guy,  He cranks just enough  homers to make you forget he’s hitting .230

Taylor's production in the 9th spot in the lineup is perfectly fine.  I am not sure what you are expecting of a #9 hitter but what Taylor is putting up is your typical #9 hitter stat line.  

[nate82]

40 minutes ago, Jopal78 said:

Bell is the best rental hitter available. In a perfect world they’d also get a CF, Tyrone Taylor is just a guy,  He cranks just enough  homers to make you forget he’s hitting .230

Taylor's production in the 9th spot in the lineup is perfectly fine.  I am not sure what you are expecting of a #9 hitter but what Taylor is putting up is your typical #9 hitter stat line.  

[UpandIn]

On 7/29/2022 at 9:36 AM, Playing Catch said:

Yes. If Turang reaches that stat line that I previously posted as his prospective ceiling, he WOULD be a borderline all-star, and should not be traded for a rental like Bell. But we don't know that he will become that.

Like most prospects, he probably will not reach that ceiling. I would guess that over his first 6 years in MLB, his 6 year slash line would MOST LIKELY look more like .240/.330/.380 (with good defense, speed, lefty-stick). Still a legitimate big-leaguer, but pretty replaceable. If they trade THAT player for Bell, I wouldn't lose sleep over it. But as I previously stated, I'm not sure Bell is even worth it. If the team is dead set on "going for it," (whatever that means), then they need to trade like they mean it. They need to trade whomever it takes to get a guy like Soto/Reynolds/[insert superstar here].

That would not be my preference, as I think I'd prefer that they simply sit tight this year (probably an unpopular opinion).

That floor seems awfully similar to Brandon Crawford though with a bit less power. But I'm probably just more bullish on Turang. I've been a big fan since I saw him in Appleton and I see some Trea Turner in him. I think with his speed, his plate discipline, even if his SLG doesn't go over .400, I have a hard time seeing him hitting .240. Consistent contact, LDs, the balls he'll beat out with his plus speed...

He's the type of guy that if he was in AA and just crushing the pitching down there hitting .300/.400/.400 with his plus defense, even without nice power, people would be MUCH more excited about him...IMO. I think his prospect status is a big the result of his own success. Moving quickly through the minors and being very consistent, but not flashy. Weimer and Mitchell for example, both a year older, both a level lower. We'll see, but 22 years old, ~290/.360/.400 at AAA, 60 speed, 60 defense, 55 hit tool and arm. 

 

As for Soto...yeah, that could be franchise altering, but...I love the way the Brewers are building a consistent contender right now and building their farm system(which I have no doubt would be ranked in the top 10 if it belonged a team in NY or LA). It'd be fun to picture him in this lineup, playing RF. It'd be miserable seeing what I'd guess would be 5 of our top 7-8 prospects heading to Washington and possibly more than that.

[UpandIn]

On 7/29/2022 at 9:36 AM, Playing Catch said:

Yes. If Turang reaches that stat line that I previously posted as his prospective ceiling, he WOULD be a borderline all-star, and should not be traded for a rental like Bell. But we don't know that he will become that.

Like most prospects, he probably will not reach that ceiling. I would guess that over his first 6 years in MLB, his 6 year slash line would MOST LIKELY look more like .240/.330/.380 (with good defense, speed, lefty-stick). Still a legitimate big-leaguer, but pretty replaceable. If they trade THAT player for Bell, I wouldn't lose sleep over it. But as I previously stated, I'm not sure Bell is even worth it. If the team is dead set on "going for it," (whatever that means), then they need to trade like they mean it. They need to trade whomever it takes to get a guy like Soto/Reynolds/[insert superstar here].

That would not be my preference, as I think I'd prefer that they simply sit tight this year (probably an unpopular opinion).

That floor seems awfully similar to Brandon Crawford though with a bit less power. But I'm probably just more bullish on Turang. I've been a big fan since I saw him in Appleton and I see some Trea Turner in him. I think with his speed, his plate discipline, even if his SLG doesn't go over .400, I have a hard time seeing him hitting .240. Consistent contact, LDs, the balls he'll beat out with his plus speed...

He's the type of guy that if he was in AA and just crushing the pitching down there hitting .300/.400/.400 with his plus defense, even without nice power, people would be MUCH more excited about him...IMO. I think his prospect status is a big the result of his own success. Moving quickly through the minors and being very consistent, but not flashy. Weimer and Mitchell for example, both a year older, both a level lower. We'll see, but 22 years old, ~290/.360/.400 at AAA, 60 speed, 60 defense, 55 hit tool and arm. 

 

As for Soto...yeah, that could be franchise altering, but...I love the way the Brewers are building a consistent contender right now and building their farm system(which I have no doubt would be ranked in the top 10 if it belonged a team in NY or LA). It'd be fun to picture him in this lineup, playing RF. It'd be miserable seeing what I'd guess would be 5 of our top 7-8 prospects heading to Washington and possibly more than that.

[clancyphile]

13 hours ago, Austin Tatious said:

There’s no way I’d trade Turang for a rental. Not a chance.  And I don’t think Stearns is stupid enough to do so either.  It’s not in his history.

 Turang is an ascending player who is improving and has more room to get better.  

The Brewers may be more apt to deal a resurgent Tristen Lutz or Joe Gray.  Maybe a SS like Zamora or even Garcia although I wouldn’t be inclined to move the latter. 

The Brewers system doesn’t have super depth but their top ten list includes attractive prospects.  You aren’t cavalierly dealing them for rentals or patchwork.  

Agreed.

I see Turang as Wong's replacement next year at second. The question is, does the Crew extend Adames, or move him when Tyler Back is ready to bump Turang to short?

[clancyphile]

13 hours ago, Austin Tatious said:

There’s no way I’d trade Turang for a rental. Not a chance.  And I don’t think Stearns is stupid enough to do so either.  It’s not in his history.

 Turang is an ascending player who is improving and has more room to get better.  

The Brewers may be more apt to deal a resurgent Tristen Lutz or Joe Gray.  Maybe a SS like Zamora or even Garcia although I wouldn’t be inclined to move the latter. 

The Brewers system doesn’t have super depth but their top ten list includes attractive prospects.  You aren’t cavalierly dealing them for rentals or patchwork.  

Agreed.

I see Turang as Wong's replacement next year at second. The question is, does the Crew extend Adames, or move him when Tyler Back is ready to bump Turang to short?

[brewerfan82]

13 hours ago, nate82 said:

Taylor's production in the 9th spot in the lineup is perfectly fine.  I am not sure what you are expecting of a #9 hitter but what Taylor is putting up is your typical #9 hitter stat line.  

This is true and I'd be okay with Taylor being the primary CF the rest of the year. That said (and the other poster did say "in a perfect world"), the fact that Taylor's hitting 9th shows he plays the position that we have the most room to upgrade offensively. Move the CF from the 9th position to anywhere higher in the lineup and you're adding some nice length to the order. Not to mention, the upgrade from Davis to Taylor as the 4th OF is a huge jump offensively as well.

In a dream world, we'd find a way to get Bryan Reynolds, but even getting someone like Ian Happ would be a pretty significant upgrade to the starting lineup. Any other possible CF additions would be at least a clear upgrade from Davis and add some good depth and flexibility to the roster:

Spoiler

2020-22 vs. RHP:

2020-22 vs. LHP:

 

[Playing Catch]

I think you all have changed my mind on Turang. Now I'm all excited about him again!

[Playing Catch]

I think you all have changed my mind on Turang. Now I'm all excited about him again!

[clancyphile]

23 hours ago, brewerfan82 said:

This is true and I'd be okay with Taylor being the primary CF the rest of the year. That said (and the other poster did say "in a perfect world"), the fact that Taylor's hitting 9th shows he plays the position that we have the most room to upgrade offensively. Move the CF from the 9th position to anywhere higher in the lineup and you're adding some nice length to the order. Not to mention, the upgrade from Davis to Taylor as the 4th OF is a huge jump offensively as well.

In a dream world, we'd find a way to get Bryan Reynolds, but even getting someone like Ian Happ would be a pretty significant upgrade to the starting lineup. Any other possible CF additions would be at least a clear upgrade from Davis and add some good depth and flexibility to the roster:

  Reveal hidden contents

2020-22 vs. RHP:

2020-22 vs. LHP:

 

Even the best lineups have a #9 hitter.

The question that is worth asking is whether the cost of Reynolds or Happ is worth the gain.

The Crew already has Yelich/McCutcheon/Renfroe/Taylor in the outfield and DH. Personally, I'd promote Turang, and have him rotate a bit between SS/2B/CF, get Hiura up and make him full-time DH, and go with either McCutcheon/Yelich or Yelich/McCutcheon in left/center as appropriate. the Crew could even use Wong in the outfield (he had limited OF time in 2016, and didn't do horribly). 

Sometimes, looking in-house (especially the minors) might be the better option.

[clancyphile]

23 hours ago, brewerfan82 said:

This is true and I'd be okay with Taylor being the primary CF the rest of the year. That said (and the other poster did say "in a perfect world"), the fact that Taylor's hitting 9th shows he plays the position that we have the most room to upgrade offensively. Move the CF from the 9th position to anywhere higher in the lineup and you're adding some nice length to the order. Not to mention, the upgrade from Davis to Taylor as the 4th OF is a huge jump offensively as well.

In a dream world, we'd find a way to get Bryan Reynolds, but even getting someone like Ian Happ would be a pretty significant upgrade to the starting lineup. Any other possible CF additions would be at least a clear upgrade from Davis and add some good depth and flexibility to the roster:

  Reveal hidden contents

2020-22 vs. RHP:

2020-22 vs. LHP:

 

Even the best lineups have a #9 hitter.

The question that is worth asking is whether the cost of Reynolds or Happ is worth the gain.

The Crew already has Yelich/McCutcheon/Renfroe/Taylor in the outfield and DH. Personally, I'd promote Turang, and have him rotate a bit between SS/2B/CF, get Hiura up and make him full-time DH, and go with either McCutcheon/Yelich or Yelich/McCutcheon in left/center as appropriate. the Crew could even use Wong in the outfield (he had limited OF time in 2016, and didn't do horribly). 

Sometimes, looking in-house (especially the minors) might be the better option.

[Jim French Stepstool]

You don't want Yelich in CF. Or McCutchen.

[Jim French Stepstool]

You don't want Yelich in CF. Or McCutchen.

[nate82]

30 minutes ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

You don't want Yelich in CF. Or McCutchen.

It is clancy he wanted to play Braun at SS that should be all that needs to be said about clancy and his weird obsession of playing players at their worst possible defensive position.

[nate82]

30 minutes ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

You don't want Yelich in CF. Or McCutchen.

It is clancy he wanted to play Braun at SS that should be all that needs to be said about clancy and his weird obsession of playing players at their worst possible defensive position.

[UpandIn]

4 hours ago, clancyphile said:

Even the best lineups have a #9 hitter.

The question that is worth asking is whether the cost of Reynolds or Happ is worth the gain.

The Crew already has Yelich/McCutcheon/Renfroe/Taylor in the outfield and DH. Personally, I'd promote Turang, and have him rotate a bit between SS/2B/CF, get Hiura up and make him full-time DH, and go with either McCutcheon/Yelich or Yelich/McCutcheon in left/center as appropriate. the Crew could even use Wong in the outfield (he had limited OF time in 2016, and didn't do horribly). 

Sometimes, looking in-house (especially the minors) might be the better option.

I was on board until the Yelich in CF part. I'd rather bring Kotsay back and stick him in CF. I'd be all for Ian Happ if the Cubs didn't tax the Brewers for the right.

[UpandIn]

4 hours ago, clancyphile said:

Even the best lineups have a #9 hitter.

The question that is worth asking is whether the cost of Reynolds or Happ is worth the gain.

The Crew already has Yelich/McCutcheon/Renfroe/Taylor in the outfield and DH. Personally, I'd promote Turang, and have him rotate a bit between SS/2B/CF, get Hiura up and make him full-time DH, and go with either McCutcheon/Yelich or Yelich/McCutcheon in left/center as appropriate. the Crew could even use Wong in the outfield (he had limited OF time in 2016, and didn't do horribly). 

Sometimes, looking in-house (especially the minors) might be the better option.

I was on board until the Yelich in CF part. I'd rather bring Kotsay back and stick him in CF. I'd be all for Ian Happ if the Cubs didn't tax the Brewers for the right.

[clancyphile]

6 minutes ago, UpandIn said:

I was on board until the Yelich in CF part. I'd rather bring Kotsay back and stick him in CF. I'd be all for Ian Happ if the Cubs didn't tax the Brewers for the right.

If you're looking for better offense in center, Yelich is probably the best bet, especially given his hot streak.