Hoskins / Santana

[TURBO]

Really wondering if we have at the very least kicked the tires on this guy?

If not, have we spoken to Santana about a possible return in 2024? 

Just really hope we are addressing 1B...

[DR28]

I sure hope so.... Sounds like Hoskins may end up a Cub.

[TURBO]

3 minutes ago, DR28 said:

I sure hope so.... Sounds like Hoskins may end up a Cub.

Figures.

That would be the icing on the cake, lose Counsell to them (I don't really care that he left, but I do care that is was the Cubs that got him), then they sign the one free agent that both fits our needs and that we could probably afford to pay.

[DR28]

18 minutes ago, TURBO said:

Figures.

That would be the icing on the cake, lose Counsell to them (I don't really care that he left, but I do care that is was the Cubs that got him), then they sign the one free agent that both fits our needs and that we could probably afford to pay.

Absolutely agree!

Hoskins would be a perfect fit, power hitting/good OBP 1B that we need! And with Hoskins, I would be more than ok with Black as our everyday 3B.

[brewmann04]

Cubs will over pay for him but i think the Brewers looking to bring back Carlos

[brewers888]

Jake Bauers is most likely the Brewers opening day first baseman.

[DR28]

34 minutes ago, brewers888 said:

Jake Bauers is most likely the Brewers opening day first baseman.

Highly doubt that.

[Devinep]

I hope not Santana. The Brewers don’t need another mediocre bat. They need 2 things: some middle of the order anchor power and a 1B. Might as well do both at once with Hoskins if reasonable 

[DR28]

Arnold said we're open to Santana reunion.

[brewmann04]

3 hours ago, DR28 said:

Highly doubt that.

Platoon guy at best 

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

13 hours ago, brewers888 said:

Jake Bauers is most likely the Brewers opening day first baseman.

Doubtful ... unless he tears the cover off the ball in Spring Training. He's basically this year's version or Luke Voit. 

[SF70]

Pittsburgh vs MKE in signing Santana. 

[Fear The Chorizo]

If Santana still has some tread on the tires, I think he'd be a fantastic fit next season - he seemed to really gel with the clubhouse once arriving in Milwaukee.  Switch hitting veteran power bat that will give you a mid-upper 700s OPS and play a good defensive first base isnt the worst player in the world for this young team.

[MNBrew]

I think Santana returning would be a positive thing.  Something close to last year's production (offense & defense) in a similar salary range as last year would seem like a solid & reasonable deal. Good veteran leadership on a team with a growing number of young position players also seems worthwhile.  I like the Hoskins idea, too, but it seems like there would be more competition for him on the FA market.

[brewerfan82]

11 hours ago, Devinep said:

I hope not Santana. The Brewers don’t need another mediocre bat. They need 2 things: some middle of the order anchor power and a 1B. Might as well do both at once with Hoskins if reasonable 

I definitely prefer Hoskins (proj. 116 wRC+ vs. proj. 103 wRC+), but he's going to be more expensive (~$14-18M per vs. ~$7M per for Santana looking at FanGraphs and MLBTR predictions) and have more teams going after him and we don't know if we'd be a preferred destination for him.

That said, I'd be very happy with a Santana return as plan B. While adding a more dynamic bat would be great, I'm also a fan of limiting holes in the lineup with above average bats whenever you can as well.

Last season we only had five players (one of which was Santana) with at least 50 PAs that ended the year with a wRC+ over 100:

I think this team is probably going to lean on the young'uns developing into the more dynamic bats we need to add (and hopefully an Adames bounce back if he's still here), but re-adding a solid, veteran, switch hitting bat in Santana as well to round out the roster wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

All that said, would love to be surprised and get Hoskins or another big bat in a trade!

[brewcrewdue80]

Savant shows how consistent Santana has been over the course of his career. But the metrics behind him last season did about all lower showing age has hit his production.  He should make less money with less years. A placeholder for 1yr.

Hoskins looks in Savant like a Santana batting only a full tier above and younger. 3years has to be minimum ask by him if not 4.  The money will be higher. Commitment at where he's playing you gotta sell(Trade him next season) you're giving.  I don't know where his defense grades via savant.  Looks BRef as awful and just blah if left to play 1b. A good reason for Milw to be on him as that would work with that bat in this future lineup. 

Lastly. Hoskins missed all of 2023 with an ACL injury with no rehab games to base future play affect. That reduces his Yeats to maybe 1+option/mutual that Milw could load up on buyout.  

 

There's Black to consider for 1b blocking wanting to make a move. The glut of OFs who may acquire a 1b.  

[TURBO]

1 hour ago, MNBrew said:

 I like the Hoskins idea, too, but it seems like there would be more competition for him on the FA market.

Which, in all likelihood, takes us out of the running. 

If we have to fall back with Santana, it could be a lot worse.

If the Brewers have even thought about Hoskins, they better get on it soon, if they wait too long thinking they can get Santana after someone else grabs Hoskins, they may be out of luck if the Pirates are chasing him down.