Cain to Brewers - 5 years/$80M

[Matt Breen]

Is Joshua Kusnick still Lorenzo's agent?

 

If so, the man did good for his client.

[Jenkins5]

I'm fine with Salazar. Huge K pitcher but last 2 years has had a spike in BBs. He has went from 7% a year his first 3 seasons to 10% his last 2. He throws hard but not too much life since his FB values are always low and negative. Luckily it sets up his best pitch the change up well. His slider is decent pitch as well and improved every year.

 

I wish there was a nice lefty to go get. I'm still in for a Duffy and Merrifield deal. Our rotation needs a good lefty in it. Merrifield is interesting for Brewers because he is not an obp guy but then again doesn't K ever either.

[Matt Breen]

Yes, he passed his physical. Just no numbers are out yet.

 

I'm trying to get a feel for how much payroll space we have left to work with to make moves. It's hard to say for sure without knowing the limit, but I don't think we have much left. Trading for Kipnis seems unlikely at this point.

We were at $75M with Yelich. You can say it is $71 when you deduct the $4M of deferred money that goes to Braun down the road. If we own Cain $18M, that puts us around $90M.

 

Some history. The Brewers had a $103M payroll in 2013 - their highest. With inflation, that would be about $125M today. That would leave us with upwards of $25-30M to play with (assuming we are willing to go to $125M - which might be a stretch).

 

The guys at Fangraphs just talked about this: https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/lorenzo-cain-signing-probably-isnt-brewers-last-of-winter/

[82brewcrew82]

Yes, he passed his physical. Just no numbers are out yet.

 

I'm trying to get a feel for how much payroll space we have left to work with to make moves. It's hard to say for sure without knowing the limit, but I don't think we have much left. Trading for Kipnis seems unlikely at this point.

There is a thread in the major league forum that kind of addresses this.

[82brewcrew82]

Yes, he passed his physical. Just no numbers are out yet.

 

I'm trying to get a feel for how much payroll space we have left to work with to make moves. It's hard to say for sure without knowing the limit, but I don't think we have much left. Trading for Kipnis seems unlikely at this point.

There is a thread in the major league forum that kind of addresses this.

Or the keeper of that thread can answer your question in this thread.

[Harold Hutchison]

I don't get this deal still.

 

I can understand working something out with Cain in case the Yelich trade fell through. But trading for Yelich AND signing Cain? We went from a logjam of prospects to a logjam of reasonably proven outfielders.

[mlloyd10]

don’t like the 5 years, but if it’s front loaded, don’t mind it. 20-18-16-14-12

[PeaveyFury]

 

Some history. The Brewers had a $103M payroll in 2013 - their highest. With inflation, that would be about $125M today. That would leave us with upwards of $25-30M to play with (assuming we are willing to go to $125M - which might be a stretch).

 

The guys at Fangraphs just talked about this: https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/lorenzo-cain-signing-probably-isnt-brewers-last-of-winter/

 

If this is accurate (being willing to go to $125m, not your projections of course), that opens up the possibility of two significant acquisitions yet, IMO.

[pacopete4]

I don't get this deal still.

 

I can understand working something out with Cain in case the Yelich trade fell through. But trading for Yelich AND signing Cain? We went from a logjam of prospects to a logjam of reasonably proven outfielders.

 

Man. You love guys who get on base. I thought for sure you would be happy.

[brewcrew42]

I don't get this deal still.

 

I can understand working something out with Cain in case the Yelich trade fell through. But trading for Yelich AND signing Cain? We went from a logjam of prospects to a logjam of reasonably proven outfielders.

 

Clearly Stearns thought Cain is more valuable to the Brewers the next few years than Domingo would, likely due to Domingo's awful defense. He must also be confident in selling high on Domingo and getting value there. Stearns believes Cain's value over Santana and return from trading Santana are better than the cost of signing Cain and Santana's value on the team.

[jjfanec]

I don't get this deal still.

 

I can understand working something out with Cain in case the Yelich trade fell through. But trading for Yelich AND signing Cain? We went from a logjam of prospects to a logjam of reasonably proven outfielders.

 

18 and 28 in offensive WAR for Cain and yelich isn't reasonably proven. It is very good offensive players. Much better than what they are replacing. To put it in prospective Shaw was the best Brewer at 46.

[Matt Breen]

 

Some history. The Brewers had a $103M payroll in 2013 - their highest. With inflation, that would be about $125M today. That would leave us with upwards of $25-30M to play with (assuming we are willing to go to $125M - which might be a stretch).

 

The guys at Fangraphs just talked about this: https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/lorenzo-cain-signing-probably-isnt-brewers-last-of-winter/

 

If this is accurate (being willing to go to $125m, not your projections of course), that opens up the possibility of two significant acquisitions yet, IMO.

Another thing to consider. Every major league team - including Milwaukee - will get a one time $50M payout this spring. This is for the sale of the MLB digital properties to Disney. Who knows, we may take some of this money and use it this year.

[LouisEly]

Why is Salazar such a big thing around here?

28-year-old's with career 10.5 K/9 and 3.56 FIP who are pre-arb and don't cost eight figures don't grow on trees (and rarely are available).

 

The ERA last year, the move to the bullpen - perhaps others have some insight.

He was injured - on the DL from June 4 to July 22. Likely pitched hurt before going on the DL, thus the poor results.

[3and2Fastball]

Look at Josh Reddick to see what Stearns and the Astros value in terms of outfielders. Yelich and Cain are both better than Reddick, but there are some similarities.

[brewcrew42]

I actually think Salazar could be a top 10 pitcher in the league. He certainly has the stuff for it, and as others have pointed out, his peripherals and metrics are quite good for his entire career. Health is a question, but I'm a believer in his breakout potential. One of those guys who's been good, but hasn't had a season where he finally put it together. Honestly, he reminds me of Max Scherzer before he became super elite. The numbers in their first few seasons match up pretty well, and don't doubt Salazar's stuff. Remember, Scherzer didn't break out into elite mode until his age 28 season.

[SRB]

Salazar had the seventh best xFIP in the majors last season (100+ IP), which is a much better predictor of future success than ERA. He's frequently been ace-like in his career, the problem being injuries. I don't think Santana is enough to land Salazar, to be honest.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Back to Cain, I think it's awesome that he's coming back to where it all started for him. Plus, he is a guy with playoff experience and has been consistent his whole career.

 

I kind of wonder if Odorizzi is a potential target in a Santana deal? Cain, Jeffress and Odorizzi back together! A 2010 trade reunion LOL. Wonder if Alcides is interested in playing 2B?

[DHonks]

a little math says that the Brewers just reduced their OF strikeouts by around 150 for the season.

[brewcrewdue80]

a little math says that the Brewers just reduced their OF strikeouts by around 150 for the season.

 

That would add about 50 hits if you give around a .340 BABIP

[MrTPlush]

a little math says that the Brewers just reduced their OF strikeouts by around 150 for the season.

 

That would add about 50 hits if you give around a .340 BABIP

 

I think 150 is pretty bullish, but yah we are talking 100 less strikeouts. That is amazing in just two moves. Props to Stearns for making such a massive difference to such a huge problem on this offense.

[homer]

I am more impressed with the improved OBP and the potentially light years improved defense.

[Matt Breen]

Back to Cain, I think it's awesome that he's coming back to where it all started for him. Plus, he is a guy with playoff experience and has been consistent his whole career.

I was thinking something similar. Just that Cain will be nice role model - a guy who won a World Series, works hard, does the little things right, etc., etc.

[wallus]

Is Joshua Kusnick still Lorenzo's agent?

 

If so, the man did good for his client.

 

He is not his agent anymore.

[TJseven7]

a little math says that the Brewers just reduced their OF strikeouts by around 150 for the season.

 

That would add about 50 hits if you give around a .340 BABIP

 

I think 150 is pretty bullish, but yah we are talking 100 less strikeouts. That is amazing in just two moves. Props to Stearns for making such a massive difference to such a huge problem on this offense.

 

Broxton strikes out over 200 times if he gets the ab cain or yelich did. 150 less yelich cain from broxton santana is pretty accurate.

[FVBrewerFan]

a little math says that the Brewers just reduced their OF strikeouts by around 150 for the season.

 

Call me crazy, but I believe that's contagious as well. Don't get me wrong, it's not going to turn Perez into a walk machine. One of those things that's tough to prove, but I do think there's an effect.