Too Early 2023 Ideas (or beyond)

[superfly]

On 12/6/2022 at 11:02 PM, Oxy said:

To take your question literally, it's been 12 years...trading the farm for Greinke and Marcum and holding onto Fielder up until free agency.  That was fun...but the last 5 years and next 5 years is way more fun...if it isn't it's only cuz...somehow...Brewer fans are...spoiled???? that cant be...

Spoiled? Puhlease. Bob Uecker has been calling games for 96 years and has yet to see a ship. It’s been 40 years since he called a World Series game. Apparently you must love securing fake playoff spots (wild cards) because that’s about all that happens around here, save for 1-2 years. I love my Brewers as much as any guy on the board, but I don’t consider anyone to be spoiled around here. That would be Yankees or Dodger fans.

[brewmann04]

This team will have to catch every break to win a WS. They can’t compete with the teams with with unlimited payroll 

[monty57]

15 hours ago, superfly said:

Spoiled? Puhlease. Bob Uecker has been calling games for 96 years and has yet to see a ship. It’s been 40 years since he called a World Series game. Apparently you must love securing fake playoff spots (wild cards) because that’s about all that happens around here, save for 1-2 years. I love my Brewers as much as any guy on the board, but I don’t consider anyone to be spoiled around here. That would be Yankees or Dodger fans.

There are 30 teams in MLB, so if everything was 100% equal, every team should win once every 30 years. Since MLB accepts that some teams get a decided advantage over others, it's a minor miracle that any small revenue teams have won since the dawn of free agency.

I would love to win a World Series, but with the system set the way it is, I'm happy we've been playing winning baseball and getting some "fake playoff spots" recently.

[brewcrewrule28]

Who would be the top 3B targets to go after with some pop? I know the free agent market isn't great but would be nice to slide Turang/Toro to utility roles. 

[Brewcrew82]

1 minute ago, brewcrewrule28 said:

Who would be the top 3B targets to go after with some pop? I know the free agent market isn't great but would be nice to slide Turang/Toro to utility roles. 

Justin Turner would be the #1 target imo. Especially if we could get him on a 1-2 year deal...

Drury is more of a risk imo as this year was pretty much an outlier for him, and he didn't play all that great for SD.

[DR28]

4 minutes ago, brewcrewrule28 said:

Who would be the top 3B targets to go after with some pop? I know the free agent market isn't great but would be nice to slide Turang/Toro to utility roles. 

Justin Turner, Evan Longoria, Brian Anderson.

[TURBO]

33 minutes ago, DR28 said:

Justin Turner

fixed

?

[jay87shot]

Turner is the only one that is an upgrade IMO. My guess is that there could be a good trade out there. After the Contreras deal I expect. Tyler Black and Ethan Small  for Rafi Devers.

In reality, maybe Yandy Diaz, his defense is poor and he fit ls better at 1st probably. There are a bunch of 3B mlb ready prospects who could be upgrades.

He is an idea in which Chaim Bloom might get mutanied (that makes a little sense).

We get Sale and Devers for Yeli, Urias, Lauer, and a reliever/Tyler Black. We get out of Yeli for only 2 of Sale, get a year of Devers without giving up a big prospect. The Yeli savings allows us to re-sign Woody and Adames. The Red Sox would get 4 impact players and could really improve there team for 1 year of Devers who it doesn't appear will resign and some long term money to Yeli.

 

[wallus]

Here is what I would do. 

1. Sign Justin Turner 2 years, 24 million. 2nd year is a mutual option with 3 million dollar buyout. (first year, 10 million, 2nd year 14 million) If he tries to play us like he might have done last time, move on to Drury.

2. Sign Cueto for one year 8 million dollars. Honestly, I could be way off here but he wasn't listed as one of the top 50 free agents so I can't imagine he will get a huge deal. The rotation was not as good as we were hoping last year and it would be good to have a veteran.

3. Sign Seth Lugo for 1 year, 4 million dollars. He would take over the Boxberger role.

Rotation

Burnes, Woodruff, Peralta, Cueto, Lauer, Ashby

Bullpen

Williams, Lugo, Houser, Bush, Guerra, Milner, Varland

Lineup

Yelich, Adames, Winker, Turner, Tellez, Contreras, Urias, Mitchell, Frelick

Bench

Caratini, Hiura, Brosseau, Taylor

[jay87shot]

Turner would be nice but I am starting to think a team is going to give him around 15 million. His bat would fit in perfect but he only started 59 games at 3rd last year. He is still a decent defender but with Winker at DH, I worry about him holding up for 130 or so games at 3rd. Cueto or Ross Stripling would be nice adds to the rotation but again with the strong years they had last year my guess is they can get a multi year deal over 10 milly. Manaea got 2/25 and both of those guys were light years better. Lugo is a hot name because teams want him to start, with the money some second tier relievers have gotten I'd say Lugo gets 2/16 minimum.

I still really hope we could pry Yandy Diaz from Tampa and move him to 1st, then I guess we would move Rowdy or Winker. Possible add a young 3rd baseman who is mlb ready and blocked, I am getting more and more interested in Rafi Devers just for the year or maybe hang with Urias and trade for Devers at the deadline. Boston has done nothing and looks like a broken team. 

Trade Tyler Black, Carlos Rodriguez (P), and Russ Smith for Yandy Diaz (I am feeling so good I'd check on Glasnow)

Trade Urias, Lauer, Payames, and a lotto prospect say Daniel Guillarte for Devers

Trade Winker for a prospect

Sign Stripling 2/24 and Aroldis Chapman 1/12

Yeli, Diaz, Devers, Contreras, Rowdy, Willy, Mitchell, Turang, Frelich    Bench)Caratini, Toro, Taylor, Brosseau

Burnes, Woody, Peralta, Stripling, Hauser, Ashby

Williams, Chapman, Bush, Cousins, Guerra, Milner, Strez/Peguro/Junk/Topa/Varland

 

[TURBO]

5 hours ago, jay87shot said:

 

Trade Tyler Black, Carlos Rodriguez (P), and Russ Smith for Yandy Diaz (I am feeling so good I'd check on Glasnow)

Sign Stripling 2/24 and Aroldis Chapman 1/12

 

No

No

[Jopal78]

13 hours ago, wallus said:

Here is what I would do. 

1. Sign Justin Turner 2 years, 24 million. 2nd year is a mutual option with 3 million dollar buyout. (first year, 10 million, 2nd year 14 million) If he tries to play us like he might have done last time, move on to Drury.

2. Sign Cueto for one year 8 million dollars. Honestly, I could be way off here but he wasn't listed as one of the top 50 free agents so I can't imagine he will get a huge deal. The rotation was not as good as we were hoping last year and it would be good to have a veteran.

3. Sign Seth Lugo for 1 year, 4 million dollars. He would take over the Boxberger role.

Rotation

Burnes, Woodruff, Peralta, Cueto, Lauer, Ashby

Bullpen

Williams, Lugo, Houser, Bush, Guerra, Milner, Varland

Lineup

Yelich, Adames, Winker, Turner, Tellez, Contreras, Urias, Mitchell, Frelick

Bench

Caratini, Hiura, Brosseau, Taylor

I hope the Brewers stay far away from Cueto. He had a nice start to the '22 season but completely ran out of gas, and gave up 25 earned runs over his final 39+ innings. With the mileage on his arm, and that he will be 37 by opening day, Cueto is a real risk to be effective. 

[Brewcrew82]

6 hours ago, jay87shot said:

Turner would be nice but I am starting to think a team is going to give him around 15 million. His bat would fit in perfect but he only started 59 games at 3rd last year. He is still a decent defender but with Winker at DH, I worry about him holding up for 130 or so games at 3rd. Cueto or Ross Stripling would be nice adds to the rotation but again with the strong years they had last year my guess is they can get a multi year deal over 10 milly. Manaea got 2/25 and both of those guys were light years better. Lugo is a hot name because teams want him to start, with the money some second tier relievers have gotten I'd say Lugo gets 2/16 minimum.

I still really hope we could pry Yandy Diaz from Tampa and move him to 1st, then I guess we would move Rowdy or Winker. Possible add a young 3rd baseman who is mlb ready and blocked, I am getting more and more interested in Rafi Devers just for the year or maybe hang with Urias and trade for Devers at the deadline. Boston has done nothing and looks like a broken team. 

Trade Tyler Black, Carlos Rodriguez (P), and Russ Smith for Yandy Diaz (I am feeling so good I'd check on Glasnow)

Trade Urias, Lauer, Payames, and a lotto prospect say Daniel Guillarte for Devers

Trade Winker for a prospect

Sign Stripling 2/24 and Aroldis Chapman 1/12

Yeli, Diaz, Devers, Contreras, Rowdy, Willy, Mitchell, Turang, Frelich    Bench)Caratini, Toro, Taylor, Brosseau

Burnes, Woody, Peralta, Stripling, Hauser, Ashby

Williams, Chapman, Bush, Cousins, Guerra, Milner, Strez/Peguro/Junk/Topa/Varland

 

Aroldis Chapman is a huge no for me, especially at $12 million. Not only is he radioactive and a potential cancer in the clubhouse, but his velocity and peripheral numbers are on a sharp decline over the past few years. All he really has going for him at this point is past performance and reputation, which is quickly becoming a distant memory.

If you're shelling out that kind of money for Chapman (and Stripling), why not just bring back Taylor Rogers, whose underlying numbers are a lot more promising than Chapman's?....

[Brewcrew82]

6 hours ago, jay87shot said:

Turner would be nice but I am starting to think a team is going to give him around 15 million. His bat would fit in perfect but he only started 59 games at 3rd last year. He is still a decent defender but with Winker at DH, I worry about him holding up for 130 or so games at 3rd. Cueto or Ross Stripling would be nice adds to the rotation but again with the strong years they had last year my guess is they can get a multi year deal over 10 milly. Manaea got 2/25 and both of those guys were light years better. Lugo is a hot name because teams want him to start, with the money some second tier relievers have gotten I'd say Lugo gets 2/16 minimum.

I still really hope we could pry Yandy Diaz from Tampa and move him to 1st, then I guess we would move Rowdy or Winker. Possible add a young 3rd baseman who is mlb ready and blocked, I am getting more and more interested in Rafi Devers just for the year or maybe hang with Urias and trade for Devers at the deadline. Boston has done nothing and looks like a broken team. 

Trade Tyler Black, Carlos Rodriguez (P), and Russ Smith for Yandy Diaz (I am feeling so good I'd check on Glasnow)

Trade Urias, Lauer, Payames, and a lotto prospect say Daniel Guillarte for Devers

Trade Winker for a prospect

Sign Stripling 2/24 and Aroldis Chapman 1/12

Yeli, Diaz, Devers, Contreras, Rowdy, Willy, Mitchell, Turang, Frelich    Bench)Caratini, Toro, Taylor, Brosseau

Burnes, Woody, Peralta, Stripling, Hauser, Ashby

Williams, Chapman, Bush, Cousins, Guerra, Milner, Strez/Peguro/Junk/Topa/Varland

 

FWIW, Stripling signed with the Giants today for 2/25. Nice job on the contract numbers. 

[monty57]

After yesterday's trade, the team is looking a lot closer to the finish line. 

I have called for a "real" 3B for a while. Urias' wRC+ was 110 last year, so it isn't easy to find an offensive upgrade there, but he's not good defensively on the left side of the infield. If we got a real third baseman, Urias would slide to his natural position of 2B, keeping Turang in AAA to start the season. 

@jay87shot brought up a really good point on Turner, who is one of, if not the only guy who would improve the position offensively over Urias. He only played 66 games in the field last year. He did play 143 in 2021, so maybe he could still man the position on a daily basis, but if not, we wouldn't have a role for him since we have Winker as our everyday DH.

I'm leaning towards believing that we're close to done with position player moves, and I like our lineup with Contreras, Tellez, Turang, Adames, Urias, Yelich, Mitchell, Frelick in the field and Winker at DH. I think the team has done a lot to alleviate worries about the "position player group." 

I do think we'll see more moves in the bullpen. I think they've done an adequate job of bringing in new arms for the bullpen, but I expect that they'll focus any remaining money they have to sign a decent "proven" bullpen arm as a setup man.

I thought going into the offseason that they may trade one of "the big three," but they have added talent around them to put together what looks to be a pretty good team. There will be a lot of big trades next off season, but this year looks to be a lot of fun to watch.

[TURBO]

I see a lot of people saying Turner won't play for anyone else and is just waiting on the Dodgers.

I wonder if the fact that we can offer him steady playing time at 3B would be something that could sway him?  If we could offer him 130+ games at 3B would that be the needle mover he needs, or would he rather play 60 games at 3B and DH for the Dodgers?

Would love to get him, but I'm afraid I agree, he is just waiting on the Dodger's offer, and will probably just take what they offer him to stay home.

[titletownking]

1 hour ago, monty57 said:

After yesterday's trade, the team is looking a lot closer to the finish line. 

I have called for a "real" 3B for a while. Urias' wRC+ was 110 last year, so it isn't easy to find an offensive upgrade there, but he's not good defensively on the left side of the infield. If we got a real third baseman, Urias would slide to his natural position of 2B, keeping Turang in AAA to start the season. 

@jay87shot brought up a really good point on Turner, who is one of, if not the only guy who would improve the position offensively over Urias. He only played 66 games in the field last year. He did play 143 in 2021, so maybe he could still man the position on a daily basis, but if not, we wouldn't have a role for him since we have Winker as our everyday DH.

I'm leaning towards believing that we're close to done with position player moves, and I like our lineup with Contreras, Tellez, Turang, Adames, Urias, Yelich, Mitchell, Frelick in the field and Winker at DH. I think the team has done a lot to alleviate worries about the "position player group." 

I do think we'll see more moves in the bullpen. I think they've done an adequate job of bringing in new arms for the bullpen, but I expect that they'll focus any remaining money they have to sign a decent "proven" bullpen arm as a setup man.

I thought going into the offseason that they may trade one of "the big three," but they have added talent around them to put together what looks to be a pretty good team. There will be a lot of big trades next off season, but this year looks to be a lot of fun to watch.

I really hope you’re wrong. I’d prefer not to have Taylor starting in right field, I’d also prefer not to have to trot Urias out at third. Not saying they will add two guys for those spots but at least one. Preferably a 3rd baseman to slot Urias at 2nd. 

[brewcrewrule28]

I've seen some Varsho love today on twitter. I wonder what it would take to acquire him. 

[Hopper]

9 minutes ago, brewcrewrule28 said:

I've seen some Varsho love today on twitter. I wonder what it would take to acquire him. 

Why, because he is a Wisconsin boy?  Let's not over value him because of that.  I felt the same about Jansen, WI boy so let's overpay.  Nope, silliness.

We don't need him do we?  

We just signed our catcher, we don't need him in the OF, and his numbers aren't that great for a corner outfielder to begin with.  His numbers would look great at catcher, but we are no longer in the market.  Be nice to have a guy who could play catcher on Contreras off days, but where would he fit in the OF?  

No way I'm trading any of our top farm pieces for a guy we simply no longer need.

[brewcrewrule28]

12 minutes ago, Hopper said:

Why, because he is a Wisconsin boy?  Let's not over value him because of that.  I felt the same about Jansen, WI boy so let's overpay.  Nope, silliness.

We don't need him do we?  

We just signed our catcher, we don't need him in the OF, and his numbers aren't that great for a corner outfielder to begin with.  His numbers would look great at catcher, but we are no longer in the market.  Be nice to have a guy who could play catcher on Contreras off days, but where would he fit in the OF?  

No way I'm trading any of our top farm pieces for a guy we simply no longer need.

I think part of it is definitely the Wisconsin factor. I do think they could upgrade in RF though. 

[DR28]

With adding Winker and Contreras bats, I think seeing what TT can do as everyday RF is fine.

[sveumrules]

Varsho has essentially done two things well in his career so far.

Hit for extra bases. Among 160 players with 1,000 PA from 2020-22, his 123 ISO+ ranks 55th.

Play defense. Among 113 OF with at least 1,000 innings from 2020-22 he’s notched +26.4 UZR (1st), +23 OAA (4th) and +26 DRS (6th), mostly in RF.

Hasn’t graded out well behind the plate defensively, so think he’d be more of a third catcher than a primary backup there.

Also has a career 112 wRC+ vs RHP compared to a 66 wRC+ vs LHP, so wouldn’t really fit the perceived need for another lefty masher.

[Brewcrew82]

I wouldn't exactly say the Brewers "don't need" another OF like Varsho. Ideally, you would only want to rely on one rookie to hold down a starting spot. Yelich will be in LF, but as of now, we're looking at two rookies taking a significant share of starting opportunities at the other two spots. Varsho would be someone who could provide that veteran experience and would be a significant overall upgrade over Renfroe/Taylor as he produced a 5.0 WAR last season. I disagree that people want him simply because he's a "WI boy". He's just a really good ballplayer period who provides you with GG defense in RF and CF with the potential of a 30/20 season while being under team control for four more seasons.

At the same time, the cost for Varsho will be quite high for these very reasons. And AZ is demanding non-OF prospects/players in return, which cuts against the strength of our farm system. Something like Ashby, Turang, and Quero would likely be required. Too steep of a price imo. 

I think we're better served signing a guy like Wil Meyers, a certified lefty masher, to a one year deal to rotate in the OF and 1B with our outfield prospects and Tellez. Taylor could then be traded for a reliever or two.

[monty57]

4 hours ago, titletownking said:

I really hope you’re wrong. I’d prefer not to have Taylor starting in right field, I’d also prefer not to have to trot Urias out at third. Not saying they will add two guys for those spots but at least one. Preferably a 3rd baseman to slot Urias at 2nd. 

I think Mitchell and Frelick will both be up. One in CF and one in RF. Taylor should be the backup at all three OF positions. 
 

I’d prefer to have a better defender at 3B, it’ll just depend on what’s available. It doesn’t look like there’s a lot. Urias put up a wRC+ of 110, so he’s fine offensively. He’s just a better defender at 2B. 
 

Toro is another option. He was a highly-regarded prospect, but it hasn’t yet translated to the majors. 

[MNBrew]

Taylor hits for some decent power -- good for the occasional grand slam, too -- and is a solid defender, but in general he sure doesn't hit great the rest of the time.  His career line of .241/.303/.442/.756 is pretty ordinary at best & tells me he doesn't walk much and if he doesn't hit the ball over the wall, he doesn't hit too much.... though also oddly, on a team that couldn't buy many clutch hits all September, he hit .296 that month and also hit .311 with RISP for the year.

I don't love the idea of him as our starting RF, though I don't mind him so much as our 4th OF.  If nothing else, having him on the roster is good, cost-effective insurance if any of the young guys struggle or if Yelich or Winker are DHing or injured.