Brewers and Chourio: Heyman reports 8 years, $80 million + 2 club option years

[Outlander]

To me it doesn't even matter what the option year numbers are. Get two more years in his prime 20s if he is a superstar without further commitment.

[titletownking]

10 minutes ago, Outlander said:

To me it doesn't even matter what the option year numbers are. Get two more years in his prime 20s if he is a superstar without further commitment.

Agreed, if he’s what they think he will be, you got an elite prime slugger on a 2 year deal for somewhere between 40-60 million total. Well worth it even for the Brewers. 

[MrTPlush]

The option years will probably be pretty reasonable, that is the whole purpose of them. If you are a good starter they are no brainers to pick up. Probably around $20mil or so...maybe less. Acuna Jr. has a VERY similar contract at 8/$100mil and his options are only $17mil. I can't imagine...even if they negotiated amazingly, that Chourio was able to make those options elite level money. 

[Redd Vencher]

8 years around $80 M probably breaks down to something like 1.5/3.5/5.5/8/11/14/16/18 and the buyout in the $3-5 M range for the first option.

[jonescm128]

Does this guarantee he is our starting CF on opening day? You would think so...

[monty57]

So, if Soto was paid $83M for his "control" years, the Brewers get eight years for less money. That extra year+ of "free" service is the price Chourio accepted in order to get an $80M guarantee from the team. 

Even though I know there's risk to the team, I'm very excited about this signing, and I hope it leads some of the other young guys to extend as well. 

When Burnes is traded, we'll have more young talent, and a lot of room in payroll to add FAs to fill holes, so we can "retool" on the fly while still remaining competitive.

I've always loved early extensions, so this has me happy and optimistic as we head into the meat of the offseason.

[monty57]

3 minutes ago, jonescm128 said:

Does this guarantee he is our starting CF on opening day? You would think so...

I would be surprised if he was not standing in the MLB outfield on opening day. The rest of the OF will be figured out around him.

[Redd Vencher]

5 minutes ago, jonescm128 said:

Does this guarantee he is our starting CF on opening day? You would think so...

Going for that PPI draft pick if he wins ROY.

[StearnsFTW]

Assuming the reporting is accurate and assuming the options are in the $20MM range, this is a grand slam in my opinion.

[DR28]

11 minutes ago, jonescm128 said:

Does this guarantee he is our starting CF on opening day? You would think so...

I'm thinking so.

Yelich in LF, Mitchell/Wiemer or Taylor platoon in RF.... I'm really thinking that one of Frelick, Mitchell, Wiemer is dealt now.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

13 minutes ago, jonescm128 said:

Does this guarantee he is our starting CF on opening day? You would think so...

I know the scouting reports indicate that Chourio is very good in CF, but both Mitchell and Wiemer are potential Gold Glove-caliber defenders in CF, and Frelick is no slouch out there, either. It's a big ask for a fresh-faced 20-year-old to patrol an MLB CF on opening day, especially when you have other very good options. My guess is, if he performs well in Spring Training, he begins his career in RF or LF if they project Yelich as a DH or possibly shift him to 1B.  

[DR28]

So Yelich, Chourio 1, 2 in the lineup??? Really think that would be a very nice combo at the top!

[patrickgpe]

40 minutes ago, jonescm128 said:

Does this guarantee he is our starting CF on opening day? You would think so...

yes. no incentive to hold him back. if he wins ROY, brewers get an extra 1st round pick basically. 

[nate82]

12 minutes ago, DR28 said:

So Yelich, Chourio 1, 2 in the lineup??? Really think that would be a very nice combo at the top!

Frelick 1 then Chourio 2 is probably a better top of the lineup.  Probably just move Yelich to the 5 or 6 spot in the lineup. 

[Fear The Chorizo]

18 minutes ago, Ron Robinsons Beard said:

I know the scouting reports indicate that Chourio is very good in CF, but both Mitchell and Wiemer are potential Gold Glove-caliber defenders in CF, and Frelick is no slouch out there, either. It's a big ask for a fresh-faced 20-year-old to patrol an MLB CF on opening day, especially when you have other very good options. My guess is, if he performs well in Spring Training, he begins his career in RF or LF if they project Yelich as a DH or possibly shift him to 1B.  

I would agree - I've felt like Yelich wasn't headed to the permanent DH role for another season or two and wanted the Brewers to sign a RH fulltime DH in free agency or acquire one via trade, but now with Chourio likely destined for Milwaukee on Opening Day I think that roster construction strategy may be shifting.  If they aren't trading multiple other young OFs this offseason it seems to make alot of sense to have Yelich be their fulltime DH starting in 2024 and then give LF to Chourio, With Mitchell and Frelick in center and right and Wiemer in AAA to refine his hitting approach in the batters box.  

[jonescm128]

31 minutes ago, DR28 said:

I'm thinking so.

Yelich in LF, Mitchell/Wiemer or Taylor platoon in RF.... I'm really thinking that one of Frelick, Mitchell, Wiemer is dealt now.

I really hope they find a way to keep Mitchell and Frelick

[monty57]

33 minutes ago, Ron Robinsons Beard said:

I know the scouting reports indicate that Chourio is very good in CF, but both Mitchell and Wiemer are potential Gold Glove-caliber defenders in CF, and Frelick is no slouch out there, either. It's a big ask for a fresh-faced 20-year-old to patrol an MLB CF on opening day, especially when you have other very good options. My guess is, if he performs well in Spring Training, he begins his career in RF or LF if they project Yelich as a DH or possibly shift him to 1B.  

...and this is a very good problem to have. The Brewers' defense had as much to do with their 92 wins as anything, and an OF of Mitchell, Frelick, Chourio (mix and match which one plays where) could be the best defensive OF in baseball. Yelich's defense is so far below the other guys, it seems that his time in the OF will have to be limited going forward. I really hope they're working him out at 1B this offseason.

[Bulldogboy]

Good deal for the kid and great deal for the club. If he gets hurt or something he's secure. If he's Acuna Brewers win big. Put him in the lineup day one of spring and never take him out. This franchise is at a crossroads and him being the new face comes at a great time.

[monty57]

14 minutes ago, nate82 said:

Frelick 1 then Chourio 2 is probably a better top of the lineup.  Probably just move Yelich to the 5 or 6 spot in the lineup. 

We'll see how Murphy handles things. Counsell seemed to like breaking young guys in further down in the order. 

They've got a lot of "bat to ball" guys in the lineup which is great to see as we should have a good team OBP this year. Mitchell and Chourio project to have a bit of pop in their bat, so maybe they end up middle of the order, but the lineup could go a lot of ways.

I'm still holding out hope that they bring in a power bat like Hoskins to hit behind the high-OBP/good speed guys.

[True Blue Brew Crew]

For those who are (strangely) against this, if not now, and for this player, then when?

[DR28]

12 minutes ago, monty57 said:

We'll see how Murphy handles things. Counsell seemed to like breaking young guys in further down in the order. 

They've got a lot of "bat to ball" guys in the lineup which is great to see as we should have a good team OBP this year. Mitchell and Chourio project to have a bit of pop in their bat, so maybe they end up middle of the order, but the lineup could go a lot of ways.

I'm still holding out hope that they bring in a power bat like Hoskins to hit behind the high-OBP/good speed guys.

Hoskins would be a great fit! Just too bad that someone will give him more money then we can.

[Matt]

I really can't imagine being against this in any way, especially if the early reports on years and salary are accurate. 

[wibadgers23]

1 minute ago, Matt said:

I really can't imagine being against this in any way, especially if the early reports on years and salary are accurate. 

Yeah really a best case scenario in my opinion with the 8 guaranteed years plus two team options, even if those options are pricey. This is a great day.

[TURBO]

45 minutes ago, nate82 said:

Frelick 1 then Chourio 2 is probably a better top of the lineup.  Probably just move Yelich to the 5 or 6 spot in the lineup. 

No way CC moves Yelich that low....wait.....errr................ok, yeah, that could happen!

[patrickgpe]

Burnes won the cy young his last year before he was eligible for arbitration and he was rewarded with 6.5 million. last year he made 10.1 which is the average of the deal for a kid who has done nothing above double A. I don't hate the move, but there is risk on both sides by doing it. (Chourio leaving money on the table / brewers getting stuck with  a bad deal).