Team Offseason Wishlist

[theavrock]

1. Shore up the defense. This will not likely come from ouside the organization, so Braun goes to RF or LF. Corey Hart plays CF and Bill Hall back to 3B. This gives us an OF in the future for many years of Hart, Braun and LaPorta. I was a huge Braun at 3B supporter, but after looking at the numbers it is obvious something needs to be done to get us better defensively.

 

2. Get an effective bullpen together. With Gallardo, Villanueva, Sheets and possibly Parra in the rotation. The starting rotation will be fairly set and our offense is great, but as we can see if our relievers and defense have cost us many games. Coupled with a new manager, improved defense and better overall relievers I cant help but think the bullpen (and pitching in general) will improve.

 

3. Fire Ned Yost and hire someone from outside the organzation who has managerial experience.

 

4. Release Mench and don't pick up Jenks option. Gross and Dillon will come close to their production at fractions of the cost.

[MadisonBrewerBlue]

i would like to see less negativity from the true brewer fan. negativity breeds negativity resulting in negative results. thats just my opinion of course.

[Blazer25]

1. New Manager

2. Re-sign CoCo

3. Take a run at Jason Bay (you could even dangle Sheets as we'd only have to face him for 1 year because there is no way Pit re-signs him)

4. Sign Bartolo Colon

5. Re-stock the bullpen

[craigharmann]

Does Braun actually project to the outfield? I know he was a SS in college, and he's still learning 3rd. And if Braun would be moved to the outfield do we really want another year with a new outfielder learning the position as he goes and the mistakes that go with it? I think Hall has become a pretty good CF and I remember Davey Nelson saying at the beginning of the year that it would probably take 2 years for Hall to be a top notch CF. He's reading the ball much better than the beginning of the year and making solid plays. There has to be another way. I may get ripped big for this, but what about Gwynn in right, Hart in left and Hall in center? Gwynn did alright in the few times he was out in right and there would be a heck of a lot of speed in the outfield. Then you could look at this as a potential lineup:

1. Gwynn

2. Weeks

3. Braun

4. Prince

5. Hart

6. Hall

7. Hardy

8. Estrada (or whoever is catching)

 

That's a pretty solid lineup and you could either flip-flop Gwynn and Weeks, but think about the potential speed at the top of the order! Just my thoughts.

[TooLiveBrew]

Gwynn in right

 

Ughh. This makes me feel sick. You're right about one thing with Gwynn: a lot of speed. One-tool player, well, to be fair two or three counting his glove & perhaps arm. Unfortunately the tools he lacks are those pertaining to offense. Gwynn in RF would be even worse than TGJ in CF, since RF that post good numbers are easier to find than CFs (hence Hall to CF). Gwynn Jr. is fast. He doesn't excel at getting on base, nor does he hit well. Please no.

 

EDIT: To be constructive, and not just a jerk http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/wink.gif, I think the 2-hole next year will be shared between Gross & Dillon (though I worry about Dillon being able to sustain success), along with LF. Though the quick fix is to move Braun to LF (and perhaps it is correct to do so), the offensive value he brings at 3B cannot be easily replicated, so I'm good with sticking to him there, much as they've done with Weeks. Time will tell, but I do acknowledge many wise people on the topic are convinced Braun will simply never be a good 3rd-sacker.

[Mike Felder]

Yeah, I'm all for keeping TGJ around as a pinch runner/defensive replacement/guy who can get a bunt down when you need it, but no way do I want him starting.

[craigharmann]

It was just a thought. I didn't say it was a good thought, but a thought. I'd much rather have someone else, too, but going with what we've got...it was a thought.

[Thurston Fluff]

-Gwynn traded. If only for the purpose of not having to argue about his value. Since neither are really viable starters Nix would be a better option for a reserve role. He has more power similar defense and better AAA numbers all around. Gwynn is oyung enough that some team rebuilding may want him in return for a decent veteran reliever with a track record of acceptable performance over at least 5 years.

 

-Ned's option gets picked up but no extension. Next year should be make or break but with the option picked up he won't be on lame duck status.

 

-New bench coach. The major complaint about Yost is game strategy. I've really never seen any critisism about how he handles egos and the demands of players over the course of the year. In fact all I've ever seen or heard was he is really good at that. Some of the in game stuff could be solved by an experienced bench coach there to help him. It would perhaps be the best of both worlds to have a guy who handles players well like Ned does and have someone to give better advice in the game than he currently gets. I would love to see an older guy who doesn't want the top job but still loves to be around the game and has wisdom to share. If we could get Jack McKeon or someone like him it would be awesome.

An addendum to that is Ned learns from his mistakes and accepts his weakness and listens to the advice of others.

 

-Melvin actually taking defense into account when looking for players to add this off season. If there is one major complaint I have about DM is his constant overlooking of defense. From drafting guys like Weeks, Braun and LaPorta to free agents like Stairs to trades like Estrada, Lee, and Mench defense doesn't even appear to be an after thought.

[brewizard]

PITCHING!

[jaybird2001wi]

The Brewers need to seriously explode the entire outfield core and pitching staff and start over. The infield is fine to me, but if Braun needs to convert to the outfield, here is what I would expect.

 

1. 2B Rickie Weeks

2. RF Corey Hart

3. LF Ryan Braun

4. 1B Prince Fielder

5. CF Bill Hall

6. SS JJ Hardy

7. 3B (Via trade or FA)

8. C Johnny Estrada

 

They also need to solve the logjam in the outfield. We have too many of them. In no particular order combining the ML team and AAA players.

1) Corey Hart

2) Bill Hall

3) Gabe Gross

4) Laynce Nix

5) Tony Gwynn Jr.

6) Geoff Jenkins

7) Kevin Mench

8) Charles Thomas

 

Then again, I suppose the Brewers won't renew Jenks and Mench during the offseason.

[Milltownhooker]

1. Yost Fired

2. Hire Joe Girardi

3. T-blow, Jenkins, Estrada, Mench, Vargas-- gone in what ever fashion

4. Braun to LF/RF & Hall back to 3rd

5. stronger defensive catcher

6. Bullpen improvement

7. Add one solid hitting OFer

[dadofandrew]

I think it's safe to say Chuck Thomas' presence will not hinder the decision making of the braintrust.

[razzzorsharp]

1) Keep Ned around and start a new trend in MLB having the pitching coach, Mike M, make all pitching decisions. Kind of like having two coordinators.

2) Resign Coco, I know it's tough but it is affordable in my mind.

3) Re-Up Sheets coming off a down year for a resonable price.

4) Try to resign Jenkins for 3.5 million. If he does not take it, go with Gross/Mench platoon.

5) Try and trade either Bush or Cappy for pen help or OF help.

6) Trade Vargas or put him in the pen as a long man,

7) Hire someone, personal trainer type, to help Braun work on his defense during the offseason.

8) Trade Counsell for peanuts and keep Dillion in that role.

9) Find a catcher/first basemen so we can have three on the roster (so we can get Estrada out late in the game)

 

LF-Gross.............Mench

CF-Hall................Gwynn

RF-Hart

3B-Braun............Dillion

SS-Hardy

2B-Weeks

1B-Fielder.............Backup 1B/C

C-Estrada.............Miller

 

SP-Sheets

SP-Gallardo

SP-Soup

SP-Villanueva

SP-Cappy or Bush

 

Long Relief: Vargas

MR: Shouse (Not the Loogy anymore)

MR: King (Resign as a Loogy)

MR: Wise

MR: FA/Traded for

SU: Turnbow

CL: Coco

 

In my mind not much needs to change. The team was solid and a lot of flaws will be fixed internally. Ideally, the relief pitcher we get would be a solid setup man who will replace Turnbow after or during this year. I know having Maddux in charge of pitching choices would be unorthodox but I feel this would help as he knows the pitcher better than Yost. I do think that would help though I know it would never happen.

[adamb100]

1. Fire Ned Yost

2. Trade/release Derrick Turnbow.

[trwi7]

7) Hire someone, personal trainer type, to help Braun work on his defense during the offseason.

 

I don't think a personal trainer is going to help Braun make better throws to first base.

[paul253]

One thing I don't understand is why so many people think we can add one, possibly 2 players, keep everyone else, and be ok. The bullpen this year was absolutely pathetic, and we'd better have more than one new face. I think Wise and Turnbow need to be traded or released and either Linebrink or Cordero needs to be re-signed. I also think Jenkins and Mench both need to go and be replaced by someone who can play everyday and bat 5th (see Jason Bay). I'm not opposed to keeping Estrada and Miller, but an upgrade at catcher wouldn't hurt either. Plus, between Vargas, Bush and Capuano, at least one, possibly 2 need to be traded. We have a very solid core with Weeks, Braun, Hart, Hardy, Fielder, Hall, Sheets, Gallardo, Villanueva, and Suppan, and some decent bench guys in Gross and Gwynn, but something else needs to be done to put this team over the top, and flopping Chris Spurling for another reliever isn't it.

[Oldcity]

Jason Bay would be extremely sweet. Not sure how realistic that is, although his price certainly has come down after his down year.

 

Other wishes:

 

Upgrade the manager

Stop employing drastic infield shifts on 45% of all hitters

Trade Vargas, and maybe Capuano/Bush

Trade Estrada (Between Estrada/Vargas try to find a new starting catcher)

Trade for an established reliever or two

Let Doug do some more nugget mining to get the next Kolb/Turnbow/Wise (think back to when they were good)

Don't move Rickie Weeks anywhere (All-Star next season... Book it)

 

Other possibilities, but probably not as likely:

Trade Hall for a power arm or established outfielder (Hall and Bay could be a good match; both coming off down years)

Explore a long-term deal with Sheets, since his price is probably at an all-time low

 

The big issue I am torn on is what to do with Braun. If they don't bring in an established outfielder, I can definitely see moving Braun to left. On the other hand, if the Brewers truly feel he can become an adequate third baseman, I can see why they'd want to leave him there (a third baseman who can mash is more valuable than a left fielder who can mash). On the other hand, there is little doubt that the defense would improve by using Hall at third and Braun in the outfield. I really could go either way on this one.

[Invader3K]

I know I've said it before (repeatedly, many times) that I'd love to see this team get a big bopper type LF to put the offense over the top. I'd love to see a trade for someone like Matt Holliday, though I realize we'd have to give up something good to get a player like that. I doubt it will happen, but if Jenkins is indeed gone, they should be able to afford it, salary-wise.

 

As far as more realistic wishes, I think the team needs to decide if they gamble on Sheets staying healthy, or maybe move him down in the rotation. I would start building the rotation around Gallardo, if I was GM. Maybe taking some pressure off Sheets by putting him fifth in the rotation would help him stay healthy. I know that shouldn't be a direct correlation, but none of his injuries have made a lot of sense, either.

[pogokat]

THis team needs an OBP guy. Badly!

 

Rickie Weeks is a stud lead off man...if his return to form has shown us anything, its that he can be a .250/.400/.450 hitter...those are great numbers at leadoff considering he'll bat with no one on a lot...so the low ba doesn't matter as much...i think his ba will be over .250 next year, so he might be even better...

 

that said, he's the only guy in the lineup that has genuine obp skills, so we need more guys on base...

 

Our power is off the charts, but our OBP is actually crappy.

 

Braun, Hardy, Jenkins, Estrada, Hart, Hall and the whole freaking bench do not walk enough..

 

now, for braun and hart this isn't a huge problem because they are both .290+ hitters with enough power to be pitched around, so they'll get on base...but those other guys are out sponges

 

if anything cost us games this year, it was batting hardy second and playing estrada...

 

this team needs to drop hardy down to 6-7 in the lineup and find a LF that can take a walk...Jason bay or Briaan Giles are good targets because they would fit that 2 hole well...bobby abreu would as well...it's not likely that the team can get any of those guys...so, what do we do?

 

Well, for starters, gabe Gross is a good left handed obp guy---not great--but good...his obp potential outweighs jenkins power potential at this point...now we need a a lefty masher to compliment Gross...dillon is a possibilty, but i don't trust him in a big role...

 

so, to round off my rambling, i think this team needs more people on base, and the place to fix thaat is in Left field...so hopefully the brewers can find a solution...

 

oh, and one more thing...this team will be fine on offense next year, so i want to work on defense in a few areas...we need a better catcher...i don't care if this guy is henry blanco in 20011 bad at the plate, we need a better defensive catcher...I'd love to seee infield defense improved, but you just can't replace one of those sticks with a glove...and i don't think the brewers will movee any of those guys to the outfield...

 

one possible solution that's off the ttop of my head: Weeks to left field, castillo to second...or something like that...

[Fatter than Joey]

The bullpen this year was absolutely pathetic, and we'd better have more than one new face.

 

If we had a better manager -- the players we have may be more effective

[Roscoe Chill]

How about Aaron Rowand as that OBP guy pogokat? Rowand in CF, Braun in LF, Hall at 3B...that's just too easy, it'll never happen.

[pogokat]

yeah, that'd be alright...

 

want a one year solution? Lofton in Centerfield...

 

An OBP guy in Center would work, but honestly an OBP Corner guy would let you move Hart to Center, braun to the other corner and Billy back to third...

 

i just dont think the brewers are as fickle about the defensive stufff as we are..

[twobrewers]

One thing I don't understand is why so many people think we can add one, possibly 2 players, keep everyone else, and be ok. The bullpen this year was absolutely pathetic, and we'd better have more than one new face.

The bullpen this past month has been absolutely pathetic. The beginning of the season the bullpen was a real strength. So overuse very likely played a role.

[paul253]

The bullpen this past month has been absolutely pathetic. The beginning of the season the bullpen was a real strength. So overuse very likely played a role.

 

I think it was inconsistent, at best, pathetic at times. Anytime you blow something like 15 three run leads though, it tells me that you have pitchers that don't know how to pitch with a lead. Turnbow walked way too many people, which allowed for big innnigs. I agree, Yost mishandled the pen numerous times, and in all honesty I hope Yost doesn't return, but he can't make the pitches for the guy.

 

I mentioned this in another thread, but I don't think there is a whole lot I wouldn't trade, prospect wise, for Jason Bay. I would give up any one pitching prospect and any one fielding prospect to get him, so I was thinking something like Parra and Cain or Jeffress and Gillespie, or maybe Escobar and Gillespie. Jason Bay would excel in our lineup and give very good protection to Fielder and Braun, but even when he draws his walks, you have Corey Hart hitting behind him and Hart has shown good ability to drive in runs. He is very affordable and could bring in a lot in return in a few years if we had to trade him. Pittsburgh is going nowhere and I think he could be had if we are willing to make a good offer.

 

As far as moving Braun to outfield. I am not opposed to it 100%, but does anyone else think his value would go down? I think premium 3rd basemen are extremely hard to find, and in a year or two he'll be one of the best in the game. His defense can only get better, just like Weeks. I guess if we can't find a left fielder, moving him to left, Hall to 3rd, and Hart to center would make sense defensively, I just worry about it affecting Braun's offense.

[jhart05]

I don't care who the manager is, these things will make Yost or someone else, look like a great manager.

 

1. Improved defense. With more experience for the kids, I believe this one will come.

2. Improved bullpen. Which if #1 comes about, it will help improve this one some just by itself. Outside of that, finding someone for the 8th inning.

3. Consistency all around. Again, with more experience for the kids, I believe this one will come.

4. Hall finding his 2006 bat. If he doesn't then you need to replace him.

5. Finding the Ben Sheets from 2002 to 2004, and/or getting him a 24/7 babysitter to make sure he is working on his conditioning.