Thames, Choi, Aguilar and Yankees Potential

[TooLiveBrew]

If Thames had mental issues in Milwaukee can’t imagine him in New York.

What mental issues? Is there a story here I missed?

[Matt Breen]

Didn't Bird miss some time with an injury last year?

Yes. Missed almost the entire year with an injury to the same foot.

[pacopete4]

If Thames had mental issues in Milwaukee can’t imagine him in New York.

What mental issues? Is there a story here I missed?

Too tired to link up some stories but he’s talked about being mentally drained during the season a year ago and how he needs to learn how not to freak out and such. There’s probably a really good connection to his slumping mid year. He’s also talked about turning to English literature to try to help him relax his mind.

[Pugger]

Trade Thames to NYY and make Braun the everyday 1B. Choi could be a fine backup there because he's a lefty and can play 1B and LF which is nice for late game substitutions.

 

But is Brauny ready to be the everyday 1st baseman?

[Mudville9]

If Thames had mental issues in Milwaukee can’t imagine him in New York.

What mental issues? Is there a story here I missed?

Too tired to link up some stories but he’s talked about being mentally drained during the season a year ago and how he needs to learn how not to freak out and such. There’s probably a really good connection to his slumping mid year. He’s also talked about turning to English literature to try to help him relax his mind.

 

English Lit always stressed me out more. I could barely even read Shakespeare and don't get me started on Chaucer. Could he be speaking of English poetry possibly? I'm much more of a Sophocles and Dostoyevsky fan, although they are not very relaxing in their own right I suppose.

 

In order to stay on topic, I will say that no one is going to give us what we want for Thames and teams will just wait for us to drop Choi or Aguilar or both if they have interest.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Another case of the Brewers having an overabundance of corner OF/1B-types, but for some reason wanting to hang on to all of them. Trading one of our 18 first basemen to the Yankees makes almost too much sense, which means it won't happen. At this point I can't figure out if it's the market that is shutting the Brewers out of making a deal, or if Stearns is scared or hesitant to pull the trigger on one. I don't believe for a second that there isn't interest out there in guys like Santana, Broxton, Thames, Aguilar and even Choi (to a lesser degree).

 

It isn't like these guys aren't moving. Souza got a pretty nice return back. I'd love to have Anthony Banda in the upper minors, or even in the #5 spot in the rotation.

[pacopete4]

What mental issues? Is there a story here I missed?

Too tired to link up some stories but he’s talked about being mentally drained during the season a year ago and how he needs to learn how not to freak out and such. There’s probably a really good connection to his slumping mid year. He’s also talked about turning to English literature to try to help him relax his mind.

 

English Lit always stressed me out more. I could barely even read Shakespeare and don't get me started on Chaucer. Could he be speaking of English poetry possibly? I'm much more of a Sophocles and Dostoyevsky fan, although they are not very relaxing in their own right I suppose.

 

Thames turns to literature to aid consistency ---- "currently working on Alexandre Dumas' adventure novel "The Count of Monte Cristo."

 

Thames given time off to clear mind at plate ---- "Oh my god, yeah," Thames said. "I had a good talk with Counsell. My mind's been working way too much. This gives me a few days to kind of relax and be able to breathe. When you start to slump a little, you start doing more work, and so it's going to be the opposite for me -- read, relax, take a step back and breathe, and then take on the Marlins."

[JohnBriggs12]

Thames has had an awful spring. Even with a fairly modest contract he might not be easy to move without taking money back. That being said he's nothing if not streaky but I can't see the Yankees taking him with Walker available. That's another reason to be upset the Brewers didn't keep Walker around especially after his market fell apart. Stearns has kind of painted himself into a corner. If Thames and Santana hit, they are obvious trade candidates, but both were awful in Arizona but need to restore interest in them from other teams. It's possible both were working on something in Arizona that led to the poor results, who knows? We're all anxious to see how this plays out. I'm just hoping this doesn't result in them getting off to a slow start. The top 4 in the order seem set, but they need the 5-7 guys in the order to produce and that's where the question marks are. If it were me, I'd be inclined to move Arcia up a few spots.

[jerichoholicninja]

Another case of the Brewers having an overabundance of corner OF/1B-types, but for some reason wanting to hang on to all of them. Trading one of our 18 first basemen to the Yankees makes almost too much sense, which means it won't happen. At this point I can't figure out if it's the market that is shutting the Brewers out of making a deal, or if Stearns is scared or hesitant to pull the trigger on one. I don't believe for a second that there isn't interest out there in guys like Santana, Broxton, Thames, Aguilar and even Choi (to a lesser degree).

 

It isn't like these guys aren't moving. Souza got a pretty nice return back. I'd love to have Anthony Banda in the upper minors, or even in the #5 spot in the rotation.

 

There are still plenty of unemployed 1B/OF that could be had for peanuts. No reason for the Yankees or any team to trade one.

[chuckiehacks]

don't get me started on Chaucer.

 

It goes without saying, but even despite an interesting off-season on this board, I'm fairly certain this is the only Brewer forum with this level of sophistication!

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Thames has had an awful spring. Even with a fairly modest contract he might not be easy to move without taking money back. That being said he's nothing if not streaky but I can't see the Yankees taking him with Walker available. That's another reason to be upset the Brewers didn't keep Walker around especially after his market fell apart. Stearns has kind of painted himself into a corner. If Thames and Santana hit, they are obvious trade candidates, but both were awful in Arizona but need to restore interest in them from other teams. It's possible both were working on something in Arizona that led to the poor results, who knows? We're all anxious to see how this plays out.

 

I think that there is probably a .005% chance that other MLB teams care about Thames' and Santana's spring training stats. I think the only time those come into play are for rookies trying to make their first MLB roster, or reclamation projects. Thames and Santana are neither. Thames is on a cheap deal, provides some positional flexibility and give you power, albeit streaky power. Santana is younger and cheaper. Both have a year of 30+ HRs that is much, much more valuable than a handful of Spring Training at-bats.

[Brew Crew Buster]

It is more likely that they sign Adam Lind

[MadThinker88]

The Yankees could always slide over Neil Walker to 1B and use any number of internal options that 2B while Walker holds down 1B.

I highly doubt the Yanks make a deal let alone a significant 1 where they give up young pitching...

[TooLiveBrew]

Thames turns to literature to aid consistency ---- "currently working on Alexandre Dumas' adventure novel "The Count of Monte Cristo."

 

Thames given time off to clear mind at plate ---- "Oh my god, yeah," Thames said. "I had a good talk with Counsell. My mind's been working way too much. This gives me a few days to kind of relax and be able to breathe. When you start to slump a little, you start doing more work, and so it's going to be the opposite for me -- read, relax, take a step back and breathe, and then take on the Marlins."

Thanks -- I had missed that. Interesting.

[DocLuna7]

Thames has had an awful spring. Even with a fairly modest contract he might not be easy to move without taking money back. That being said he's nothing if not streaky but I can't see the Yankees taking him with Walker available. That's another reason to be upset the Brewers didn't keep Walker around especially after his market fell apart. Stearns has kind of painted himself into a corner. If Thames and Santana hit, they are obvious trade candidates, but both were awful in Arizona but need to restore interest in them from other teams. It's possible both were working on something in Arizona that led to the poor results, who knows? We're all anxious to see how this plays out. I'm just hoping this doesn't result in them getting off to a slow start. The top 4 in the order seem set, but they need the 5-7 guys in the order to produce and that's where the question marks are. If it were me, I'd be inclined to move Arcia up a few spots.

 

I seriously doubt that anyone cares at all about spring training statistics for veteran players

[superfly]

Thames has had an awful spring. Even with a fairly modest contract he might not be easy to move without taking money back. That being said he's nothing if not streaky but I can't see the Yankees taking him with Walker available. That's another reason to be upset the Brewers didn't keep Walker around especially after his market fell apart. Stearns has kind of painted himself into a corner. If Thames and Santana hit, they are obvious trade candidates, but both were awful in Arizona but need to restore interest in them from other teams. It's possible both were working on something in Arizona that led to the poor results, who knows? We're all anxious to see how this plays out. I'm just hoping this doesn't result in them getting off to a slow start. The top 4 in the order seem set, but they need the 5-7 guys in the order to produce and that's where the question marks are. If it were me, I'd be inclined to move Arcia up a few spots.

 

It's spring training. Who cares about their numbers.

[Roderick]

Thames has had an awful spring. Even with a fairly modest contract he might not be easy to move without taking money back. That being said he's nothing if not streaky but I can't see the Yankees taking him with Walker available. That's another reason to be upset the Brewers didn't keep Walker around especially after his market fell apart. Stearns has kind of painted himself into a corner. If Thames and Santana hit, they are obvious trade candidates, but both were awful in Arizona but need to restore interest in them from other teams. It's possible both were working on something in Arizona that led to the poor results, who knows? We're all anxious to see how this plays out. I'm just hoping this doesn't result in them getting off to a slow start. The top 4 in the order seem set, but they need the 5-7 guys in the order to produce and that's where the question marks are. If it were me, I'd be inclined to move Arcia up a few spots.

 

It's spring training. Who cares about their numbers.

 

In the case of Thames, if I was GM, I would.

 

I don't think he has enough of a book to just assume what his production level is going to be. I would like to know how much, if any, of last April I could expect this year. If you assume you are going to get May-August Thames, with his defense, I don't think he has any positive value over his contract. His September was very good, but I believe he was also more platooned. And that is the way I would look at him - the heavy side of the platoon that I would match up with a righty bat that had more defense that I could also sub in at the end of games.

[bill hAll Star]

Thames has had an awful spring. Even with a fairly modest contract he might not be easy to move without taking money back. That being said he's nothing if not streaky but I can't see the Yankees taking him with Walker available. That's another reason to be upset the Brewers didn't keep Walker around especially after his market fell apart. Stearns has kind of painted himself into a corner. If Thames and Santana hit, they are obvious trade candidates, but both were awful in Arizona but need to restore interest in them from other teams. It's possible both were working on something in Arizona that led to the poor results, who knows? We're all anxious to see how this plays out. I'm just hoping this doesn't result in them getting off to a slow start. The top 4 in the order seem set, but they need the 5-7 guys in the order to produce and that's where the question marks are. If it were me, I'd be inclined to move Arcia up a few spots.

 

It's spring training. Who cares about their numbers.

 

In the case of Thames, if I was GM, I would.

 

I don't think he has enough of a book to just assume what his production level is going to be. I would like to know how much, if any, of last April I could expect this year. If you assume you are going to get May-August Thames, with his defense, I don't think he has any positive value over his contract. His September was very good, but I believe he was also more platooned. And that is the way I would look at him - the heavy side of the platoon that I would match up with a righty bat that had more defense that I could also sub in at the end of games.

 

Thames was less platooned over a lot of the 2nd half. He mashed lefties in his first month in 25 PA. He got 25 PA in June/July each and then got 10-12 ABs for each month after that. I think they basically just left him in later in the game less as the year went by.

 

He also had a good July.

 

I think that even if he's a .240/.330/.460 type of guy like we saw in the 2nd half with random hot streaks, maybe he's not worth exactly $5 or $6 million that we're paying him per year, but I'm not really sure how much better you could do given what we currently have unless one wants to gamble on Choi being this good.

 

I'm willing to keep Choi as a bench bat and eventually make him more of the regular if he continues to be a good hitter and Thames continues his 2017 2nd half.

[MNBrew]

It is more likely that they sign Adam Lind

They've only recently released Lind, and someone noted earlier that may have come after Bird was injured. Anything can happen, but I'd think other scenarios would be more likely than re-signing Lind.

[KeithStone53151]

I'm a bit curious why the yankees and other seem to think Greg Bird is so good. I'm not even remotely convinced he's a better player than Aguilar or Choi based on his years of milb and mlb production. Why is he talked of so highly in baseball and by the Yankees?

[MNBrew]

Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, Cardinals, and Dodgers prospects all seem to start at a higher point in terms of widespread public opinion -- or media hype.

 

It's like Braves prospects in the '90s. Remember how Jose Capellan (R.I.P.) was supposed to have this super high ceiling?

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, Cardinals, and Dodgers prospects all seem to start at a higher point in terms of widespread public opinion -- or media hype.

 

It's like Braves prospects in the '90s. Remember how Jose Capellan (R.I.P.) was supposed to have this super high ceiling?

 

Well, assuming he lived his life right, his ceiling is even higher now

[KCBrewerfan34]

It’s a very well kept secret lol

[brewerswinNLcentral]

the yankees should trade for thames. they have had multiple injuries in the outfield and their first baseman..yes i know...most of you want thames over aguilar and choi, and even more want santana traded...i get it..i just hate thames .180 ave. with RISP.

Thames can play 1rst base, OF and could DH, which is also a good reason for milwaukee to keep him. the way i see it, if we trade him, we have an extra 5 million to throw at trading for a pitcher in july

[coolhandluke121]

I'd be okay with it if the Yankees take on his entire salary and the Brewers use that money elsewhere, but it still wouldn't help them keep Aguilar. It would just mean Choi is on the roster all year. As long as Choi has options, I'd rather they just keep both him and Thames unless the return is intriguing - but I very much doubt that the Yankees would give up anything of value in a 1B market where guys like Mark Reynolds and Adam Lind can't even find a job.