Article: Breaking Down The Brewers Payroll: The Infield

[John Bonnes]

You probably don't need me to convince you that the Brewers' primary limitation is payroll. We, as fans, might sort of work by feel, eyeball the roster, and expect a mid-level free agent just based on the team's history, David Stearns is doing what every business manager does: trying to squeeze juice out of every last dollar. So let's see what moves the team's payroll might allow.

 

Step one is to determine where the team sits next year because every team has players that are no-brainers to return. We can't always precisely name their salaries, but we can get close enough at a "back-of-the-napkin" level to get an idea of where the team sits and the decisions they might need to make.

The Infield

Catcher - Victor Caratini is arbitration eligible for one more year. His offensive performance certainly was not outstanding, but he's also reasonably affordable, expecting an arbitration award in the area of $4-5M. We'll add him to the list, especially because Omar Narvaez is a free agent. The Brewers can compete for him, but they can compete for anyone, so he doesn't make the default list. Pedro Severino also doesn't make the list since he was released by the Brewers last week.

First Base – The Brew Crew can offer Rowdy Tellez arbitration next year and in 2024. That will necessitate a raise from his ~$2M salary this year, so we'll also jot down $4-5M for his salary.

Second Base – The Brewers have a big decision regarding Kolten Wong. "Big" as in "$8M big." They can bring him back for $10M, or they can not bring him back and still pay him $2M. We'll add him to the list for $10M until we see how things play out overall, but understand, he's going to be on our list one way or the other: either at the second base slot or $2M in the "dead money" slot.

Third Base – Luis Urias fits into this slot. He was arbitration eligible last year, but he's one of the few players that will get four years of arbitration, so the Brewers can do the same in 2024 and 2025, too. He also fits into the nebulous likely-to-get $4-5M category.

Of course, the player who played the most at third base this year was Jace Peterson, but he's a free agent. We need to leave him off the list.

Shortstop – Like others in the infield, Willy Adames can be offered arbitration, but 2023 will be more expensive than several on this list because he's a more impactful player and made a lot more money ($4.6M) this year. To be safe, bump him up to $7-8M next year.  

So far, we have this:

That's $31M for about ¼ of the team, but of course, we have the big one coming up when we get to the outfield. We'll cover that next time and maybe get to some of the pitching that is growing increasingly expensive.

If you have any thoughts about the decision the Brewers face with Wong or take umbrage (or like) any o the assumptions above, we would love to hear about them in the comments.

 

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[wntrtxn21]

6 hours ago, John Bonnes said:

You probably don't need me to convince you that the Brewers' primary limitation is payroll. We, as fans, might sort of work by feel, eyeball the roster, and expect a mid-level free agent just based on the team's history, David Stearns is doing what every business manager does: trying to squeeze juice out of every last dollar. So let's see what moves the team's payroll might allow.

author-tracker.gif

Image courtesy of © Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Step one is to determine where the team sits next year because every team has players that are no-brainers to return. We can't always precisely name their salaries, but we can get close enough at a "back-of-the-napkin" level to get an idea of where the team sits and the decisions they might need to make.

The Infield

Catcher - Viktor Caratini is arbitration eligible for one more year. His offensive performance certainly was not outstanding, but he's also reasonably affordable, expecting an arbitration award in the area of $4-5M. We'll add him to the list, especially because Omar Narvaez is a free agent. The Brewers can compete for him, but they can compete for anyone, so he doesn't make the default list. Pedro Severino also doesn't make the list since he was released by the Brewers last week.

First Base – The Brew Crew can offer Rowdy Tellez arbitration next year and in 2024. That will necessitate a raise from his ~$2M salary this year, so we'll also jot down $4-5M for his salary.

Second Base – The Brewers have a big decision regarding Kolten Wong. "Big" as in "$8M big." They can bring him back for $10M, or they can not bring him back and still pay him $8M. We'll add him to the list for $10M until we see how things play out overall, but understand, he's going to be on our list one way or the other: either at the second base slot or $2M in the "dead money" slot.

Third Base – Luis Urias fits into this slot. He was arbitration eligible last year, but he's one of the few players that will get four years of arbitration, so the Brewers can do the same in 2024 and 2025, too. He also fits into the nebulous likely-to-get $4-5M category.

Of course, the player who played the most at third base this year was Jace Peterson, but he's a free agent. We need to leave him off the list.

Shortstop – Like others in the infield, Willy Adames can be offered arbitration, but 2023 will be more expensive than several on this list because he's a more impactful player and made a lot more money ($4.6M) this year. To be safe, bump him up to $7-8M next year.  

So far, we have this:

That's $31M for about ¼ of the team, but of course, we have the big one coming up when we get to the outfield. We'll cover that next time and maybe get to some of the pitching that is growing increasingly expensive.

If you have any thoughts about the decision the Brewers face with Wong or take umbrage (or like) any o the assumptions above, we would love to hear about them in the comments.

I see Caratini getting about $3M. Tellez more than doubling his salary to $4M.  Wong is gone, either threw a sign and trade or just let go. Turang ($710K) to 2B unless Stearns can do a better job and get a 3B. Then Urias at 2B, Turang as super utility (Peterson and Wong not re-signed). Urias $4.5M.  Adames $8M. That's  $20.2M or let's say $24M on the high side. 

View full article

 

 

[wntrtxn21]

6 hours ago, John Bonnes said:

You probably don't need me to convince you that the Brewers' primary limitation is payroll. We, as fans, might sort of work by feel, eyeball the roster, and expect a mid-level free agent just based on the team's history, David Stearns is doing what every business manager does: trying to squeeze juice out of every last dollar. So let's see what moves the team's payroll might allow.

author-tracker.gif

Image courtesy of © Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Step one is to determine where the team sits next year because every team has players that are no-brainers to return. We can't always precisely name their salaries, but we can get close enough at a "back-of-the-napkin" level to get an idea of where the team sits and the decisions they might need to make.

The Infield

Catcher - Viktor Caratini is arbitration eligible for one more year. His offensive performance certainly was not outstanding, but he's also reasonably affordable, expecting an arbitration award in the area of $4-5M. We'll add him to the list, especially because Omar Narvaez is a free agent. The Brewers can compete for him, but they can compete for anyone, so he doesn't make the default list. Pedro Severino also doesn't make the list since he was released by the Brewers last week.

First Base – The Brew Crew can offer Rowdy Tellez arbitration next year and in 2024. That will necessitate a raise from his ~$2M salary this year, so we'll also jot down $4-5M for his salary.

Second Base – The Brewers have a big decision regarding Kolten Wong. "Big" as in "$8M big." They can bring him back for $10M, or they can not bring him back and still pay him $8M. We'll add him to the list for $10M until we see how things play out overall, but understand, he's going to be on our list one way or the other: either at the second base slot or $2M in the "dead money" slot.

Third Base – Luis Urias fits into this slot. He was arbitration eligible last year, but he's one of the few players that will get four years of arbitration, so the Brewers can do the same in 2024 and 2025, too. He also fits into the nebulous likely-to-get $4-5M category.

Of course, the player who played the most at third base this year was Jace Peterson, but he's a free agent. We need to leave him off the list.

Shortstop – Like others in the infield, Willy Adames can be offered arbitration, but 2023 will be more expensive than several on this list because he's a more impactful player and made a lot more money ($4.6M) this year. To be safe, bump him up to $7-8M next year.  

So far, we have this:

That's $31M for about ¼ of the team, but of course, we have the big one coming up when we get to the outfield. We'll cover that next time and maybe get to some of the pitching that is growing increasingly expensive.

If you have any thoughts about the decision the Brewers face with Wong or take umbrage (or like) any o the assumptions above, we would love to hear about them in the comments.

I see Caratini getting about $3M. Tellez more than doubling his salary to $4M.  Wong is gone, either threw a sign and trade or just let go. Turang ($710K) to 2B unless Stearns can do a better job and get a 3B. Then Urias at 2B, Turang as super utility (Peterson and Wong not re-signed). Urias $4.5M.  Adames $8M. That's  $20.2M or let's say $24M on the high side. 

View full article

 

 

[wntrtxn21]

I see Caratini getting about $3M. Tellez more than doubles his salary to $4M.  Wong is gone, either threw a sign and trade or just let go. Turang ($710K) to 2B unless Stearns can do a better job and get a 3B. Then Urias at 2B, Turang as super utility (Peterson and wong nor re-signed). Urias $4.5M. Adames $8M. That's $20.2M or let's say $24M on the hgh side. 

[wntrtxn21]

I see Caratini getting about $3M. Tellez more than doubles his salary to $4M.  Wong is gone, either threw a sign and trade or just let go. Turang ($710K) to 2B unless Stearns can do a better job and get a 3B. Then Urias at 2B, Turang as super utility (Peterson and wong nor re-signed). Urias $4.5M. Adames $8M. That's $20.2M or let's say $24M on the hgh side. 

[Hopper]

If we have to pay Wong 8 million even if we cut him loose, why on earth wouldn't we spend the extra 2 million to keep him?

Is this even true?  Do we have to pay him 8 million even if we don't resign him?

[Hopper]

If we have to pay Wong 8 million even if we cut him loose, why on earth wouldn't we spend the extra 2 million to keep him?

Is this even true?  Do we have to pay him 8 million even if we don't resign him?

[John Bonnes]

Ugh, my bad. That was a typo. They need to pay him $2M if they opt out. Sorry. 

 

[John Bonnes]

Ugh, my bad. That was a typo. They need to pay him $2M if they opt out. Sorry. 

 

[Hopper]

35 minutes ago, John Bonnes said:

Ugh, my bad. That was a typo. They need to pay him $2M if they opt out. Sorry. 

 

Ok, that is what I thought.

[Hopper]

35 minutes ago, John Bonnes said:

Ugh, my bad. That was a typo. They need to pay him $2M if they opt out. Sorry. 

 

Ok, that is what I thought.

[John Bonnes]

2 hours ago, wntrtxn21 said:

I see Caratini getting about $3M. Tellez more than doubles his salary to $4M.  Wong is gone, either threw a sign and trade or just let go. Turang ($710K) to 2B unless Stearns can do a better job and get a 3B. Then Urias at 2B, Turang as super utility (Peterson and wong nor re-signed). Urias $4.5M. Adames $8M. That's $20.2M or let's say $24M on the hgh side. 

Yeah, that's certainly close enough at a back-of-the-napkin level. Basically the same except subtract $8M for Wong, so about $23M. 

I think was we get further down this list, we're going to see that the Wong money is really going to be needed if ownership doesn't decide to boost payroll for the next two years of this competitive window. 

[John Bonnes]

2 hours ago, wntrtxn21 said:

I see Caratini getting about $3M. Tellez more than doubles his salary to $4M.  Wong is gone, either threw a sign and trade or just let go. Turang ($710K) to 2B unless Stearns can do a better job and get a 3B. Then Urias at 2B, Turang as super utility (Peterson and wong nor re-signed). Urias $4.5M. Adames $8M. That's $20.2M or let's say $24M on the hgh side. 

Yeah, that's certainly close enough at a back-of-the-napkin level. Basically the same except subtract $8M for Wong, so about $23M. 

I think was we get further down this list, we're going to see that the Wong money is really going to be needed if ownership doesn't decide to boost payroll for the next two years of this competitive window.