Is Now the Right Time to Trade Corbin Burnes?

My answer is no, but then I know I am by myself with not trading anyone over the next two years and trying to actually win 90+ games each year.  Right now marginal wins are valuable, in three or four years when these prospects are ready, the Brewers may be struggling for that 75th win.  And this is what these trades are, expected wins today for expected future wins.  Right now there are only 7 or 8* teams trying to win in the NL. That is likely to change in the future as the Cubs and the Nationals are not going to sit on the sidelines forever.  So strike when you have the most to gain and when wins have the most meaning. In two years, you let everyone walk, get a bunch of draft picks, trade Peralta and Ashby (if he has value), trade some of the younger players coming up now (Wiemer if still on the Brewers would make sense given his age and Chourio coming up. Another option would be Mitchell) and go from there.

*Well I think Colorado is also trying but in that special Colorado way which is panful to watch, so there is 9th team technically.

My answer is no, but then I know I am by myself with not trading anyone over the next two years and trying to actually win 90+ games each year.  Right now marginal wins are valuable, in three or four years when these prospects are ready, the Brewers may be struggling for that 75th win.  And this is what these trades are, expected wins today for expected future wins.  Right now there are only 7 or 8* teams trying to win in the NL. That is likely to change in the future as the Cubs and the Nationals are not going to sit on the sidelines forever.  So strike when you have the most to gain and when wins have the most meaning. In two years, you let everyone walk, get a bunch of draft picks, trade Peralta and Ashby (if he has value), trade some of the younger players coming up now (Wiemer if still on the Brewers would make sense given his age and Chourio coming up. Another option would be Mitchell) and go from there.

*Well I think Colorado is also trying but in that special Colorado way which is panful to watch, so there is 9th team technically.

After what happened with the Hader trade if they move Burnes look for a full out player mutiny.  If they are crazy enough to do it put Yelich in the deal as the deal breaker and YES there is a team that would do the deal.  Also, don't count out Stearn's ending up with the Yankee's and not the Met's, that fan base is putting pressure on their GM.

After what happened with the Hader trade if they move Burnes look for a full out player mutiny.  If they are crazy enough to do it put Yelich in the deal as the deal breaker and YES there is a team that would do the deal.  Also, don't count out Stearn's ending up with the Yankee's and not the Met's, that fan base is putting pressure on their GM.

If the Orioles do declare that Rodriguez and Holliday are off limits, then they’re not getting Burnes, a top 3 (if not THE) top pitcher in baseball. It’s as simple as that. 
 

I’m not trading Burnes just for the sake of trading him while he still has two years of control. He’s got a specific value, and a team is going to have to meet or exceed that value. Otherwise, let’s go run it back with perhaps the best 1-2 punch in baseball. 

If the Orioles do declare that Rodriguez and Holliday are off limits, then they’re not getting Burnes, a top 3 (if not THE) top pitcher in baseball. It’s as simple as that. 
 

I’m not trading Burnes just for the sake of trading him while he still has two years of control. He’s got a specific value, and a team is going to have to meet or exceed that value. Otherwise, let’s go run it back with perhaps the best 1-2 punch in baseball. 

Call it a hunch but I don’t think the Orioles would go all out to acquire Burnes. He’d likely be gone in two years and they would have had to trade some major prospects to get him. I’m hoping the Dodgers offers up a deal Arnold can’t refuse as they have both pitching and corner infield prospects that would be very enticing.

Call it a hunch but I don’t think the Orioles would go all out to acquire Burnes. He’d likely be gone in two years and they would have had to trade some major prospects to get him. I’m hoping the Dodgers offers up a deal Arnold can’t refuse as they have both pitching and corner infield prospects that would be very enticing.

40 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

I think you're underestimating the payroll potential of Baltimore once they decide to become competitive. They can pretty easily carry a payroll similar to teams like Philadelphia (maybe just a step below but close) should they decide to do so.

And given their competition and division, Orioles fans should throw a fit if the team doesn't do that. They suffered for a long time waiting for a competitive organization, they should demand ownership to start carrying a payroll commensurate with their market size.

Isn't Baltimore known to be very conservative when it comes to trading top prospects or was that a prior regime? 

40 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

I think you're underestimating the payroll potential of Baltimore once they decide to become competitive. They can pretty easily carry a payroll similar to teams like Philadelphia (maybe just a step below but close) should they decide to do so.

And given their competition and division, Orioles fans should throw a fit if the team doesn't do that. They suffered for a long time waiting for a competitive organization, they should demand ownership to start carrying a payroll commensurate with their market size.

Isn't Baltimore known to be very conservative when it comes to trading top prospects or was that a prior regime? 

Also, why on earth would the Brewers want Santander and/or Mullins? Like this team needs more outfielders, especially ones that are in their late 20s and are already arbitration-eligible. 

Also, why on earth would the Brewers want Santander and/or Mullins? Like this team needs more outfielders, especially ones that are in their late 20s and are already arbitration-eligible. 

I would actually try to buyout the next three years for Burnes something like 3 years $60-80 million dollar range.  Also try to extend Woodruff with a similar offer.  I doubt the Brewers would ever receive fair value for either in a trade so might as well hang on and be a playoff team for a couple of more years.   

I would actually try to buyout the next three years for Burnes something like 3 years $60-80 million dollar range.  Also try to extend Woodruff with a similar offer.  I doubt the Brewers would ever receive fair value for either in a trade so might as well hang on and be a playoff team for a couple of more years.   

I don't know if the Brewers have even figured out whether they're a "soft rebuilds are necessary with our budget limitations" team or if they're a "try and be competitive ever year" team. There's no agreement on this site, either, and to me that seems like the biggest factor on whether folks say trade or keep.

I'm in the "soft rebuild" camp and I think we'd have every ability to push for the playoffs next year even with Burnes gone. Trade from your strength, especially considering there's no need for a mid-budget team to have one or two guys in the bullpen who should be getting starts.

Further, our OF prospects are speed guys, and speed is kinda negated if you're a low-ave/HR offense, so trading Burnes now is a great opportunity to get a better contact hitter or two in to better take advantage of that.

I don't know if the Brewers have even figured out whether they're a "soft rebuilds are necessary with our budget limitations" team or if they're a "try and be competitive ever year" team. There's no agreement on this site, either, and to me that seems like the biggest factor on whether folks say trade or keep.

I'm in the "soft rebuild" camp and I think we'd have every ability to push for the playoffs next year even with Burnes gone. Trade from your strength, especially considering there's no need for a mid-budget team to have one or two guys in the bullpen who should be getting starts.

Further, our OF prospects are speed guys, and speed is kinda negated if you're a low-ave/HR offense, so trading Burnes now is a great opportunity to get a better contact hitter or two in to better take advantage of that.