Article: NEWS: Keston Hiura, Tyler Naquin Will Not Make Brewers' Roster: What It Means, and for Whom

[Matthew Trueblood]

Milwaukee Brewers fans saw the end of one (miniature) era and the dawn of another Friday, as the team set the wheels in motion to bid adieu to Keston Hiura and open the season with one of their top outfield prospects on the roster.

Image courtesy of © Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

With various roster deadlines creeping up on them, the Brewers essentially announced their intention to part ways with former first-round pick Keston Hiura, as well as non-roster outfielder Tyler Naquin. Since Hiura is out of minor-league options, he had to make the team in order to avoid being exposed to waivers this spring, and the Brewers now have the time between Friday and when they set their roster officially next week to either find a trade partner for Hiura or designate him for assignment.

Things are slightly different for Naquin, who won't be added to the 26- or 40-man roster right now but whom Matt Arnold said the team would be open to having play for Triple-A Nashville if he elects to remain with the organization. That seems unlikely, though, because injuries and other roster roulette could open a spot on an MLB roster for Naquin if he chooses to become a free agent again.

Lineup changes:

Brewers vs. Rockies
Tellez at 1B, batting 4th. Contreras now batting 5th.

Brewers @ Dodgers
Vanmeter at 1B, batting 9th. Caratini now batting 5th. Wiemer batting 6, Frelick batting 7, Alvarez batting 8th. https://t.co/jYn0htjuid

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) March 24, 2023

 

With both players out of the picture, we gain some long-awaited clarity about the competition for the remaining roster spots on the positional side. Most notably, this virtually guarantees that either Joey Wiemer or Sal Frelick will head north to Chicago next week. Both have impressed in camp, and while their very disparate styles and skill sets could make it easy to figure out which is the better fit on some teams, the Brewers' highly modular roster makes it less clear. 

If the team envisions Brian Anderson and Owen Miller playing the outfield fairly regularly in the early going, and especially if they think Tyrone Taylor will return sooner than once feared, then it's Frelick who fills the gaps in the roster most neatly. He could platoon with Anderson in right, slide to center field as needed, and balance out the lineup in terms of the shape of offensive value each player brings to the table.

On the other hand (literally), Wiemer's right-handed bat could be the dangerous one the team wants to counterbalance their left-leaning regular lineup, in Rowdy Tellez, Christian Yelich, Jesse WInker, and Garrett Mitchell. Wiemer is probably the better center fielder of the two prospects, at least in the short term, and if the team envisions starting the season with Anderson confined mostly to third base or if they haven't liked what they've seen from Miller in center, then Wiemer makes more sense.

Joey Wiemer launched another big league spring homer. Check it out from all angles 💪

His 2nd HR this spring, 108 EV off the bat#ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/JiLdyzrIju

— Brewers Player Development (@BrewersPD) March 20, 2023

We don't yet have full clarity on the pending Luke Voit situation. He was initially in the lineup for the Brewers' Cactus League contest Friday, but then removed from it, and could opt out of his minor-league deal if not added to the 40-man roster today. We'll update this piece if and when news breaks on that front.

In the meantime, let's hear you. Would you have given Hiura or Naquin a longer look? Would you prefer to see Wiemer or Frelick next week at Wrigley Field? 

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[Ro Mueller]

Hiura had some trade value when we inexplicably burned his final option on July 13 last year instead of trading him.

He even had a little (less) value at the August 2 trade deadline, though I understood that we weren’t trading him based on the foolish July move.

Guaranteeing him $2.2m in wages for 2023 this offseason, instead of trading him like we did with Chase Anderson some years ago, was another interesting decision.

I guess it’s basically like paying damages at this point.

It has seemed like he needs to start afresh with a new set of voices, but I’m not sure he has any value left at the moment.

Who’s going to guarantee $2.2m to a player who can’t field and isn’t hitting? The best move may be to trade him and pay part of his salary at the new club.

Otherwise, we may see Keston go unclaimed via DFA, then stick around in AAA Nashville earning $2.2m.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Bring on the kids, I say. 

[patrickgpe]

I hope this means bring in the kids 

[MVP2110]

I said this in the opening day thread but I don't understand it if we'd bring Wiemer up for OD. Frelick makes sense as the Brewers could earn a draft pick for him,  but Wiemer doesn't qualify so they'd be burning his entire age 31 season for 2 weeks of Wiemer now which for a small market team just doesn't make sense. 

[Robocaller]

27 minutes ago, MVP2110 said:

I said this in the opening day thread but I don't understand it if we'd bring Wiemer up for OD. Frelick makes sense as the Brewers could earn a draft pick for him,  but Wiemer doesn't qualify so they'd be burning his entire age 31 season for 2 weeks of Wiemer now which for a small market team just doesn't make sense. 

Being up on OD doesn't mean he'll be up for the whole season. He could be up until Taylor can return, and then an extra year isn't an issue.

 

[umphrey]

34 minutes ago, damuelle said:

Hiura had some trade value when we inexplicably burned his final option on July 13 last year instead of trading him.

He even had a little (less) value at the August 2 trade deadline, though I understood that we weren’t trading him based on the foolish July move.

Guaranteeing him $2.2m in wages for 2023 this offseason, instead of trading him like we did with Chase Anderson some years ago, was another interesting decision.

I guess it’s basically like paying damages at this point.

It has seemed like he needs to start afresh with a new set of voices, but I’m not sure he has any value left at the moment.

Who’s going to guarantee $2.2m to a player who can’t field and isn’t hitting? The best move may be to trade him and pay part of his salary at the new club.

Otherwise, we may see Keston go unclaimed via DFA, then stick around in AAA Nashville earning $2.2m.

2.2M guaranteed is a little bit of a screw up, that's the main one you can blame them for a little bit. This org doesn't care scout sunk cost. 

[MVP2110]

1 minute ago, Robocaller said:

Being up on OD doesn't mean he'll be up for the whole season. He could be up until Taylor can return, and then an extra year isn't an issue.

 

Possible, but performance or injury could dictate that he stays up. If another injury to an outfielder happens or if he performs well the Brewers will have a tough time justifying sending him down.

[Outlander]

They won't have a tough time justifying sending him down when Taylor comes back. As simple as he has options

[MVP2110]

6 minutes ago, Outlander said:

They won't have a tough time justifying sending him down when Taylor comes back. As simple as he has options

You're assuming no injuries occur which certainly isn't a guarantee 

[Jopal78]

41 minutes ago, umphrey said:

2.2M guaranteed is a little bit of a screw up, that's the main one you can blame them for a little bit. This org doesn't care scout sunk cost. 

The salaries for players in arbitration are not fully guaranteed until they make the team. They’ll owe Hiura some termination pay but not 2.2 million. Maybe somebody claims him. 

[MVP2110]

I am curious if they are trying to trade Voit to Philly, seeing if they can get really good value before committing to him as the short side of a platoon at 1b

[Playing Catch]

I'll predict Wiemer makes OD roster.

Many of us were surprised when Mitchell came up last year, even though he was the chronological choice. Wiemer, too, is chronologically, the choice ahead of Frelick. In addition, he is the better defender, bats from the right side, offers more power, and is the baserunning equal.

We keep talking about what GMs do to manipulate service time, and maximize value, but we rarely give credence to the idea that GMs are usually judged by how effectively they help the team win.

Wiemer has yet to experience failure whilst healthy (or one could reasonably say so). Other than prospect lists, why wouldn't bullish Brewers fans like ourselves not consider him to not only be a superior prospect, but also the best current starting RFer in the organization?

[MrTPlush]

1 hour ago, Jopal78 said:

The salaries for players in arbitration are not fully guaranteed until they make the team. They’ll owe Hiura some termination pay but not 2.2 million. Maybe somebody claims him. 

Keaton Hiura agreed to his arbitration contract outside of an arbitration hearing. By CBA 2022-2026 standards, his contract his termination pay is 100% regardless of making the roster.

[cblakework]

Frelick is the higher rated prospect, but Wiemer has the total package. Speed, Power, Defense, and balances the roster.  So while I value them about equally, I think Wiemer is the choice at least for April.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Just now, cblakework said:

Frelick is the higher rated prospect, but Wiemer has the total package. Speed, Power, Defense, and balances the roster.  So while I value them about equally, I think Wiemer is the choice at least for April.

Welcome to Brewer Fanatic!

I think Frelick's hit tool could be really useful on this team but honestly, I can't really get worked up if they call up Wiemer instead. I'm simply happy that one of the kids might make the roster in place of Taylor.

May as well make the upside play in Frelick or Wiemer, hoping that they make your decision more difficult when Taylor is ready to return.

[wiguy94]

6 hours ago, Playing Catch said:

Many of us were surprised when Mitchell came up last year, even though he was the chronological choice. Wiemer, too, is chronologically, the choice ahead of Frelick. In addition, he is the better defender, bats from the right side, offers more power, and is the baserunning equal.

Honestly would give the baserunning edge to Wiemer as well. Frelick hasn't been nearly as good as Wiemer stealing bases in the minors.

Wiemer has played 236 games and has 61 SB to 9 CS (87% success rate at .26 steals per game). Frelick has played 154 games and has 36 SB to 10 CS (78% success rate at .23 steals per game). 

[brewcrewdue80]

But Frelick is the 1 who can win a draft pick back.

 

Serious question, which team out there is trading for Hiura to add to their 26man OD?  He's waiver wire material at this moment is he not? Going to be passed around for a few weeks before clearing waivers to be put in that team's AAA. 

The Phillies have a better performing player I believe named Hall to play 1b.

If he is traded it has to be ptnl or cash. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

23 minutes ago, brewcrewdue80 said:

But Frelick is the 1 who can win a draft pick back.

Serious question, which team out there is trading for Hiura to add to their 26man OD?  He's waiver wire material at this moment is he not? Going to be passed around for a few weeks before clearing waivers to be put in that team's AAA. 

The Phillies have a better performing player I believe named Hall to play 1b.

If he is traded it has to be ptnl or cash. 

I doubt anyone will give anything for Hiura at this point. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

18 hours ago, MVP2110 said:

Possible, but performance or injury could dictate that he stays up. If another injury to an outfielder happens or if he performs well the Brewers will have a tough time justifying sending him down.

This is a good problem to have. What’s more likely is that by the time Taylor returns, either Mitchell or Wiemer (maybe even Frelick, too) are struggling to the point that the Brewers want them off the 26-man anyway.

When dealing with rookies, failure is the most likely outcome. 

[jerichoholicninja]

Voit's trade return is nothing. He was available for practically nothing all offseason and even in to spring training before he signed here. 

[TURBO]

23 hours ago, brewcrewdue80 said:

But Frelick is the 1 who can win a draft pick back.

 

Serious question, which team out there is trading for Hiura to add to their 26man OD?  He's waiver wire material at this moment is he not? Going to be passed around for a few weeks before clearing waivers to be put in that team's AAA. 

The Phillies have a better performing player I believe named Hall to play 1b.

If he is traded it has to be ptnl or cash. 

Probably the Cubs, Cardinals, Pirates or Reds so Keston can be a Brewer killer for the next 5 years.

Honestly, seeing him with the Cubs or Cards would be be icing on the cake.

[Lathund]

They're not the kind of team that would pick him up though. Cubs aren't going to be good, but they have Hosmer and Mancini, as well as Mervis in the minors. Cardinals have Goldschmidt. Pirates/Reds probably more likely. But honestly, I don't see that many obvious landing spots in terms of 1B/DH at bats for a player who can't be optioned and earns $2m. I think there's even a chance he goes unclaimed, though I wouldn't bet on it. 

[edfunderburk]

13 hours ago, Lathund said:

They're not the kind of team that would pick him up though. Cubs aren't going to be good, but they have Hosmer and Mancini, as well as Mervis in the minors. Cardinals have Goldschmidt. Pirates/Reds probably more likely. But honestly, I don't see that many obvious landing spots in terms of 1B/DH at bats for a player who can't be optioned and earns $2m. I think there's even a chance he goes unclaimed, though I wouldn't bet on it. 

If Hiura is claimed (hopefully - for him & Milwaukee) … Do the Brewers still owe him the 2.2M or does the claiming team take on his contract?

[Jopal78]

4 hours ago, edfunderburk said:

If Hiura is claimed (hopefully - for him & Milwaukee) … Do the Brewers still owe him the 2.2M or does the claiming team take on his contract?

If Hiura was claimed off waivers the claiming team assumes his contract.
 

I believe if he goes unclaimed he could be outrighted off the 40 man roster to AAA, where he would collect his 2.2 million dollars.