Article: What Should the Brewers do With Luis Urías?

[Hopper]

1 hour ago, Ron Robinsons Beard said:

I previously hadn't considered this, but I like it. Turang appears to have the chops to play SS at an MLB level, and Adames has the power you'd typically look for at 3B. Urias's offense looks much better from the 2B position in the lineup than it does from 3B.

I don't see the difference in where these guys play if they are all 3 going to play everyday anyway.

If we do Adames at 3B, Turang at SS, and Urias at 2B, it's no different than Adames at SS, Urias at 3B and Turang at 2B offensively.

There is no difference offensively, and I don't see there being much of a difference defensively either.  Adames would have to learn a new position at 3B, so if anything, that might weaken the D.

I just don't think Urias is anything more than a guy you can plug in on off days for regular players, assuming we ever sign a true 3B with power.

I think we tend to get attached to these guys, and it allows us to put up with or ignore faults.  Urias hasn't proven to be a regular everyday starter, and I'm not sure that will ever happen, which is why I'd rather see him take over the super sub position and we go look for a real 3B via trade.

[Hopper]

1 hour ago, Ron Robinsons Beard said:

I previously hadn't considered this, but I like it. Turang appears to have the chops to play SS at an MLB level, and Adames has the power you'd typically look for at 3B. Urias's offense looks much better from the 2B position in the lineup than it does from 3B.

I don't see the difference in where these guys play if they are all 3 going to play everyday anyway.

If we do Adames at 3B, Turang at SS, and Urias at 2B, it's no different than Adames at SS, Urias at 3B and Turang at 2B offensively.

There is no difference offensively, and I don't see there being much of a difference defensively either.  Adames would have to learn a new position at 3B, so if anything, that might weaken the D.

I just don't think Urias is anything more than a guy you can plug in on off days for regular players, assuming we ever sign a true 3B with power.

I think we tend to get attached to these guys, and it allows us to put up with or ignore faults.  Urias hasn't proven to be a regular everyday starter, and I'm not sure that will ever happen, which is why I'd rather see him take over the super sub position and we go look for a real 3B via trade.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

12 minutes ago, Hopper said:

I don't see the difference in where these guys play if they are all 3 going to play everyday anyway.

If we do Adames at 3B, Turang at SS, and Urias at 2B, it's no different than Adames at SS, Urias at 3B and Turang at 2B offensively.

There is no difference offensively, and I don't see there being much of a difference defensively either.  Adames would have to learn a new position at 3B, so if anything, that might weaken the D.

I just don't think Urias is anything more than a guy you can plug in on off days for regular players, assuming we ever sign a true 3B with power.

I think we tend to get attached to these guys, and it allows us to put up with or ignore faults.  Urias hasn't proven to be a regular everyday starter, and I'm not sure that will ever happen, which is why I'd rather see him take over the super sub position and we go look for a real 3B via trade.

Define "real 3B". Urias hit 23 dingers last year in 490 plate appearances, and is on pace to hit close to those marks again this year, despite his overall batting numbers not looking as good. He also just turned 25, and is, in theory, on the young end of his prime years. It isn't a matter of being "overly attached", but moreso recognizing value and potential in a player who is still very young and cost controlled. Simply because a player doesn't look like Scott Rolen or Mike Moustakas, it doesn't necessarily mean they aren't a "real 3B".

That said, Adames has the type of larger frame that tends to slow down reaction time as he gets older. He also has the arm for 3B. 

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

12 minutes ago, Hopper said:

I don't see the difference in where these guys play if they are all 3 going to play everyday anyway.

If we do Adames at 3B, Turang at SS, and Urias at 2B, it's no different than Adames at SS, Urias at 3B and Turang at 2B offensively.

There is no difference offensively, and I don't see there being much of a difference defensively either.  Adames would have to learn a new position at 3B, so if anything, that might weaken the D.

I just don't think Urias is anything more than a guy you can plug in on off days for regular players, assuming we ever sign a true 3B with power.

I think we tend to get attached to these guys, and it allows us to put up with or ignore faults.  Urias hasn't proven to be a regular everyday starter, and I'm not sure that will ever happen, which is why I'd rather see him take over the super sub position and we go look for a real 3B via trade.

Define "real 3B". Urias hit 23 dingers last year in 490 plate appearances, and is on pace to hit close to those marks again this year, despite his overall batting numbers not looking as good. He also just turned 25, and is, in theory, on the young end of his prime years. It isn't a matter of being "overly attached", but moreso recognizing value and potential in a player who is still very young and cost controlled. Simply because a player doesn't look like Scott Rolen or Mike Moustakas, it doesn't necessarily mean they aren't a "real 3B".

That said, Adames has the type of larger frame that tends to slow down reaction time as he gets older. He also has the arm for 3B. 

[Thurston Fluff]

I could see them trading Adames the same way they traded Grisham. His power over on base profile as a batter is ok on a team that isn't made up of mostly similar types. Turang may not have the power but he hits for average and gets on base.  We need more of that. Adames could very well get us a legit third baseman. He doesn't need to be a 30-40 HR guy.  20ish HR power who can also hit for average fits our offensive needs better. I'd love to see a couple more guys who hit in that .280 range to go along with our power bats. That gives Urias second and Turang at short. Our defense stays strong and we get a more diverse offense.

[Thurston Fluff]

I could see them trading Adames the same way they traded Grisham. His power over on base profile as a batter is ok on a team that isn't made up of mostly similar types. Turang may not have the power but he hits for average and gets on base.  We need more of that. Adames could very well get us a legit third baseman. He doesn't need to be a 30-40 HR guy.  20ish HR power who can also hit for average fits our offensive needs better. I'd love to see a couple more guys who hit in that .280 range to go along with our power bats. That gives Urias second and Turang at short. Our defense stays strong and we get a more diverse offense.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

2 minutes ago, Thurston Fluff said:

20ish HR power who can also hit for average fits our offensive needs better. I'd love to see a couple more guys who hit in that .280 range to go along with our power bats. That gives Urias second and Turang at short. Our defense stays strong and we get a more diverse offense.

If Adames can clean up his approach and mirror what he did last year after coming to the Brewers, he already is that guy.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

2 minutes ago, Thurston Fluff said:

20ish HR power who can also hit for average fits our offensive needs better. I'd love to see a couple more guys who hit in that .280 range to go along with our power bats. That gives Urias second and Turang at short. Our defense stays strong and we get a more diverse offense.

If Adames can clean up his approach and mirror what he did last year after coming to the Brewers, he already is that guy.

[Jim French Stepstool]

There's a lot of different scenarios here, all of them have merit. Who knows if Adames would be cool with moving to 3B, but it would be a nice plug-in there if he was. But I liked Urias' ascent in '21, and still believe in him. His 2022 has been one of the bigger disappointments for me. If Turang gets plugged in at 2B I have no worries defensively. Even w/o a lot of work there I think he'd be fine, although it's a little curious that if they're thinking of doing that you'd think he'd play there some this year. They've moved him around a little but not to 2B that I know of. He can certainly handle SS but I just have a hard time seeing them move Adames & hand Turang the spot.

If I had to guess I'd say the left side of the INF will be the same next April w/ Turang at second. But if there's a trade It'll probably involve getting a 3B, then with the versatility of some of these guys who knows?

[Jim French Stepstool]

There's a lot of different scenarios here, all of them have merit. Who knows if Adames would be cool with moving to 3B, but it would be a nice plug-in there if he was. But I liked Urias' ascent in '21, and still believe in him. His 2022 has been one of the bigger disappointments for me. If Turang gets plugged in at 2B I have no worries defensively. Even w/o a lot of work there I think he'd be fine, although it's a little curious that if they're thinking of doing that you'd think he'd play there some this year. They've moved him around a little but not to 2B that I know of. He can certainly handle SS but I just have a hard time seeing them move Adames & hand Turang the spot.

If I had to guess I'd say the left side of the INF will be the same next April w/ Turang at second. But if there's a trade It'll probably involve getting a 3B, then with the versatility of some of these guys who knows?

[bjkrautk]

The ideal use for Urias may well be in a Bill Hall / super sub role, where he plays every day between 3b/2b/ss based on matchups.  Before that could happen, though, the club would need to find a regular starter at 3b.

Likewise, Urias' splits for this year make that difficult to accomplish....as he actually has a reverse split in 2022.  While that makes him a decent platoon partner for Brosseau, it causes problems putting him anywhere else on the infield (but for Kolton Wong having even worse splits against lefties this year).

[bjkrautk]

The ideal use for Urias may well be in a Bill Hall / super sub role, where he plays every day between 3b/2b/ss based on matchups.  Before that could happen, though, the club would need to find a regular starter at 3b.

Likewise, Urias' splits for this year make that difficult to accomplish....as he actually has a reverse split in 2022.  While that makes him a decent platoon partner for Brosseau, it causes problems putting him anywhere else on the infield (but for Kolton Wong having even worse splits against lefties this year).

[monty57]

3 hours ago, Thurston Fluff said:

I could see them trading Adames the same way they traded Grisham. His power over on base profile as a batter is ok on a team that isn't made up of mostly similar types. Turang may not have the power but he hits for average and gets on base.  We need more of that. Adames could very well get us a legit third baseman. He doesn't need to be a 30-40 HR guy.  20ish HR power who can also hit for average fits our offensive needs better. I'd love to see a couple more guys who hit in that .280 range to go along with our power bats. That gives Urias second and Turang at short. Our defense stays strong and we get a more diverse offense.

Adames is a free agent the same year as Woodruff, Burnes, Houser and Lauer, so it is feasible that they look to trade him this offseason. I just figured they'd hold onto him for another year, but if they see Turang as the 2023 starting SS, then they might look to find a young 2B/3B as part of a package for Adames.

It seems that Stearns is trying to mold the team into one that focuses on OBP and contact rather than "all or nothing" power and I think the offense will look a lot different in a couple of seasons. It'll be interesting to see what he does.

I'd certainly only trade Adames if we obtained another starting infielder, whether that came back in the Adames trade, or was acquired elsewhere. Brosseau is a good utility option against LHP, but he's not someone I'd want to rely on everyday, and beyond Turang we're lacking in MLB-ready IF prospects.

That's one reason Urias is valuable to the Brewers. While he might end up being an average player, he's still got some years of cheap control, so there's value having an average player for a below-average price. That allows the team to spend its limited resources elsewhere. Urias isn't a problem, he just may be someone who you look to replace when he becomes expensive and/or you have a better replacement in-house and ready. Plus, he's still young enough that he could take the next step and become a good player, which would be a big win for everyone.

[monty57]

3 hours ago, Thurston Fluff said:

I could see them trading Adames the same way they traded Grisham. His power over on base profile as a batter is ok on a team that isn't made up of mostly similar types. Turang may not have the power but he hits for average and gets on base.  We need more of that. Adames could very well get us a legit third baseman. He doesn't need to be a 30-40 HR guy.  20ish HR power who can also hit for average fits our offensive needs better. I'd love to see a couple more guys who hit in that .280 range to go along with our power bats. That gives Urias second and Turang at short. Our defense stays strong and we get a more diverse offense.

Adames is a free agent the same year as Woodruff, Burnes, Houser and Lauer, so it is feasible that they look to trade him this offseason. I just figured they'd hold onto him for another year, but if they see Turang as the 2023 starting SS, then they might look to find a young 2B/3B as part of a package for Adames.

It seems that Stearns is trying to mold the team into one that focuses on OBP and contact rather than "all or nothing" power and I think the offense will look a lot different in a couple of seasons. It'll be interesting to see what he does.

I'd certainly only trade Adames if we obtained another starting infielder, whether that came back in the Adames trade, or was acquired elsewhere. Brosseau is a good utility option against LHP, but he's not someone I'd want to rely on everyday, and beyond Turang we're lacking in MLB-ready IF prospects.

That's one reason Urias is valuable to the Brewers. While he might end up being an average player, he's still got some years of cheap control, so there's value having an average player for a below-average price. That allows the team to spend its limited resources elsewhere. Urias isn't a problem, he just may be someone who you look to replace when he becomes expensive and/or you have a better replacement in-house and ready. Plus, he's still young enough that he could take the next step and become a good player, which would be a big win for everyone.

[Hopper]

First trade Hader, then Adames in the off season?  The fans will revolt!

[Hopper]

First trade Hader, then Adames in the off season?  The fans will revolt!

[UpandIn]

8 hours ago, trwi7 said:

I think it's far more likely that Turang gets the starting 2B job, Urias keeps the starting 3B job and Peterson and Brosseau are backups.  Peterson to go all around the diamond and take tough RHP from Urias and Brosseau getting starts over Turang against LHP (Urias moving to 2B, Brosseau taking 3B.)

I agree. I think the worst thing they could do with Turang is start him out not knowing if or where he's going to be playing. 

Better glove, I think he's got more offensive upside and he's 22 and the future. If they were both 22 and both in AAA...I guess it'd be a coin flip, but he's not.

Adames to 3rd, Turang to SS and Urias to 2B would probably makes sense(Turang has a strong arm, so HIM playing 3B would also make sense) but you'd think the Brewers would have Turang playing some 3rd if that was the plan. That he's been playing some 2nd suggests to me they view him as an up the middle defender. 

 

[UpandIn]

8 hours ago, trwi7 said:

I think it's far more likely that Turang gets the starting 2B job, Urias keeps the starting 3B job and Peterson and Brosseau are backups.  Peterson to go all around the diamond and take tough RHP from Urias and Brosseau getting starts over Turang against LHP (Urias moving to 2B, Brosseau taking 3B.)

I agree. I think the worst thing they could do with Turang is start him out not knowing if or where he's going to be playing. 

Better glove, I think he's got more offensive upside and he's 22 and the future. If they were both 22 and both in AAA...I guess it'd be a coin flip, but he's not.

Adames to 3rd, Turang to SS and Urias to 2B would probably makes sense(Turang has a strong arm, so HIM playing 3B would also make sense) but you'd think the Brewers would have Turang playing some 3rd if that was the plan. That he's been playing some 2nd suggests to me they view him as an up the middle defender. 

 

[Jopal78]

2 hours ago, monty57 said:

 

It seems that Stearns is trying to mold the team into one that focuses on OBP and contact rather than "all or nothing" power and I think the offense will look a lot different in a couple of seasons. It'll be interesting to see what he does.

 

Really? He's sure doing a terrible job then with 3 regulars at. 300 or less, and six more hitters at .326 or below. To be sure, this year's Brewers were built to rely on pitching, fundamentals and three run homers.

What I believe you meant to say is, Stearns is likely to remodel the team into one that focuses on OBP and contact. Which is very likely true. 

[Jopal78]

2 hours ago, monty57 said:

 

It seems that Stearns is trying to mold the team into one that focuses on OBP and contact rather than "all or nothing" power and I think the offense will look a lot different in a couple of seasons. It'll be interesting to see what he does.

 

Really? He's sure doing a terrible job then with 3 regulars at. 300 or less, and six more hitters at .326 or below. To be sure, this year's Brewers were built to rely on pitching, fundamentals and three run homers.

What I believe you meant to say is, Stearns is likely to remodel the team into one that focuses on OBP and contact. Which is very likely true. 

[Devinep]

I remember when Urias was supposed to be an 80-hit guy who could be 1 or 2 in the lineup. Now he has the approach if a power hitter without much power. I wonder how good he could’ve been if he didn’t fight having a contact-oriented approach and rolled with it instead.  

[Devinep]

I remember when Urias was supposed to be an 80-hit guy who could be 1 or 2 in the lineup. Now he has the approach if a power hitter without much power. I wonder how good he could’ve been if he didn’t fight having a contact-oriented approach and rolled with it instead.  

[timpep]

23 minutes ago, Devinep said:

I remember when Urias was supposed to be an 80-hit guy who could be 1 or 2 in the lineup. Now he has the approach if a power hitter without much power. I wonder how good he could’ve been if he didn’t fight having a contact-oriented approach and rolled with it instead.  

Seems like a problem with Adames and Hiura too. They've both evolved to be much more all or nothing. I actually think it's an organizational philosophy to an extent. Especially considering when Wong talked about how he enjoyed the Brewers letting him swing for the fences with two strikes when the Cardinals didn't.

[timpep]

23 minutes ago, Devinep said:

I remember when Urias was supposed to be an 80-hit guy who could be 1 or 2 in the lineup. Now he has the approach if a power hitter without much power. I wonder how good he could’ve been if he didn’t fight having a contact-oriented approach and rolled with it instead.  

Seems like a problem with Adames and Hiura too. They've both evolved to be much more all or nothing. I actually think it's an organizational philosophy to an extent. Especially considering when Wong talked about how he enjoyed the Brewers letting him swing for the fences with two strikes when the Cardinals didn't.

[monty57]

2 hours ago, Jopal78 said:

Really? He's sure doing a terrible job then with 3 regulars at. 300 or less, and six more hitters at .326 or below. To be sure, this year's Brewers were built to rely on pitching, fundamentals and three run homers.

What I believe you meant to say is, Stearns is likely to remodel the team into one that focuses on OBP and contact. Which is very likely true. 

Yes, I was referring to what he’s doing in the minors. The MLB team still has a lot of “all or nothing” in it, but it appears that they’ll gradually be replaced over the next few seasons with some OBP/contact guys.