1B/DH

[wallus]

With the Hoskins signing, it appears as though the Brewers will hang onto Burnes and Adames heading into the season. It is my opinion that we need another veteran bat to have a serious lineup heading into the season. Speculation is that Hoskins will be the first baseman for 2024 but we still need a DH as I do not believe Bauers shouldn't be guaranteed a starting spot and Yelich doesn't appear to be wanting to be a full time DH yet.

Options

Lots of free agents available yet that could fit in this space. (I was shocked when I looked at the list honestly) Some I would consider would be: Santana, Turner, Belt, Soler, Cooper, Cron, Pederson, and Martinez.

My number 1 option (assuming we can still spend): Sign Soler to the same contract we just signed Hoskins to. (2 years, 34 million with player option. Not sure of the details on Hoskins yet but I would do 14 million this year and 20 million in 2025) He is projected to sign for 3 years and 45 million so this would be in the same range. I assume this would push our payroll and be our last move of the offseason, so be it. Best case scenario is Soler is awesome and opts out. We offer him the QO and get a pick. Soler take his walks and provides another right handed power bat on the team. The goal is to keep him from playing the field where he is bad. (Would like to consider Turner and JD Martinez but I do not believe they would be interested in us.)

My number 2 option (assuming we are mostly tapped out): Sign Garrett Cooper. He isn't a big name but he should reliably give production. If the team likes Bauers, this would be a reasonable soft platoon as Cooper hits left handed pitching quite well. Garrett made 3.9 million last year and I have not seen any estimates for what he should expect as a free agent. I am going to guess he would sign for 1 year and 6 million. There is so much competition that I highly doubt he will get a big payday by any means.

My number 3 option (assuming we are tapped out): Sign Josh Donaldson to play 3rd base and have Black be the DH. I was impressed by Donaldson's defense at 3rd and he could be a decent one year option. This would also allow Black to just focus on hitting and would make sure our infield defense would continue to be above average. I would offer Donaldson a 1 year and 3 million dollar contract (put some incentives that could raise this significantly). He might say that isn't worth it but with his clubhouse reputation and age, it might be this or retire.

As you can tell, I feel strongly that we need another veteran right handed bat to fill in the lineup. With the current free agents available, the Brewers absolutely need to make sure they get a bat to help lengthen the lineup and avoid relying too much on young players. Assuming we can get Soler, our lineup would be much improved. I also like the strategy of valuing draft picks if we aren't going to trade our upcoming free agents. (not saying you couldn't do that at the deadline if we are out of it)

LF Yelich

C Contreras 

DH Soler

1B Hoskins

SS Adames

RF Frelick

3B Black

CF Mitchell

2B Monasterio/Turang/Dunn/Miller

I'm sure I will hear it from not having Chourio in the lineup but I am fine with him being in AAA for a bit and then called up after some success. 

 

 

[wallus]

For those that are saying Yelich should be the DH, his stats there have not been great. I can not find the article but I thought I remember that he does not like doing it as well.

2021 DH: (wRC+) 22 vs. 108 in LF

2022 DH: (wRC+) 76 vs. 118 in LF

2023: DH (wRC+) 90 vs. 129 in LF

[jay87shot]

22 minutes ago, wallus said:

For those that are saying Yelich should be the DH, his stats there have not been great. I can not find the article but I thought I remember that he does not like doing it as well.

2021 DH: (wRC+) 22 vs. 108 in LF

2022 DH: (wRC+) 76 vs. 118 in LF

2023: DH (wRC+) 90 vs. 129 in LF

Interesting, I still think it should be Yelich should play there alot. In my opinion we just split DH between a bunch of players, Yeli 60, Hoskins 40, Contreras 20, Black 20, 22 extra OF/hot bench player. If we add someone Justin Turner would be perfect 3B/2B/1B/DH obviously money would be an issue but maybe we could shed some money by dumping Bauers, Rae (not sure if he can be traded), bullpen extras. On the cheaper end Gio Ursheala might make similar sense, trading an OF like Weimer or Mitchell for a IF would make sense to maybe Jorge Polanco and a prospect or a blocked young player who is ready. 

[Ro Mueller]

Adding Donaldson may work and hopefully not cost much:

Against RHP

• Yelich - LF
• Contreras - C
• Frelick - DH/RF
• Hoskins - 1B
• Black - 3B
• Adames - SS
• Mitchell - CF
• Chourio/Bauers - RF/DH
• Turang - 2B

Against LHP

• Yelich - LF
• Contreras - C/DH
• Hoskins - 1B 
• Adames - SS 
• Frelick - RF
• Donaldson - 3B
• Black/Haase - DH/C
• Chourio - CF
• Monasterio - 2B

[wallus]

Another option would be to upgrade 2nd base. Something like Jorge Polanco for Garrett Mitchell.

[Devinep]

53 minutes ago, wallus said:

Another option would be to upgrade 2nd base. Something like Jorge Polanco for Garrett Mitchell.

I’ve thought of the very same trades since it could help both sides. Mitchell has more value than Polanco so the twins should throw something else in.

The Brewers could use one more bat if we’re being extra hopeful, and the only open spot would be a multi-position infielder (with some DH at bats available also).  So polanco makes the most sense as that 2B/3B/DH and good bat addition.

If not Polanco, other options for that role would be Luis Arraez, Brandon Lowe, or maybe Isaac Paredes.  Maybe Justin Turner as a free agent if they feel like black can play some 2B

 

[tmwiese55]

Said in the Hoskins I would guess if they do sign another somewhat name of a FA it would make more sense to be a 3B type rather than 1B.   Have to think a ton of DH starts are planned for Contreras so you would want the other guy to be able to play somewhere other than 1B (overlap with Hoskins).    

Running through the FA list. Donaldson seems to be the cheaper route and as I think someone said he seems to still be able to play good D (not sure if advanced stats back it, but eye test did).    Justin Turner would be the next level up and in theory a safer step up on O, but seems he's trailing off on D.

Gio Urshela seems to be flying under the radar but you'd think he's be very cheap too. Less power but better BA type. I'd guess if they were in on him they wouldn't have signed Arroyo though.  Can cover all positions as backup too, including SS. 

I suppose if the FA market is going badly (somewhat supported by Hoskins taking a 1 year) then maybe Chapman isn't getting what he wants either and one posters wet dream could come true (but on short term deals, which we all would like).  I still doubt the market is bad enough he'd try for a 1 year prove it deal too but hey it happened with Moose/Grandal so who knows. 

Assume Chapman is not possible.  Assume a 1 year deal, I probably go with Turner planning a mix of DH/3B. He has still hit when healthy the last few years.  I'd go Donaldson 2nd assuming one year cheap and that locker room stuff was all good (never heard a negative last year).  Assuming 1 year, I would've taken Urshela over Arroyo even if you had to give him an MLB contract. 

[wallus]

Justin Turner is strictly a DH now as his defense is terrible. I get that Boston played him in the field a little bit last season but the stats are ugly.

[tmwiese55]

10 minutes ago, wallus said:

Justin Turner is strictly a DH now as his defense is terrible. I get that Boston played him in the field a little bit last season but the stats are ugly.

Gotcha.  I saw in 22 he still played 3B quite a bit so figured 2-3 times a week when Contreras is at DH could be do-able.   But yea if he's viewed that way now then he's like the other 1B/DH types.  Due to our awfulness on O though I would sacrifice some D for it though. Who knows, he might view himself as being done with 3B and it would be a negative if we pushed him to it though.    So then you're essentially left with the others mentioned.  

[MNBrew]

On 1/25/2024 at 6:24 PM, tmwiese55 said:

Said in the Hoskins I would guess if they do sign another somewhat name of a FA it would make more sense to be a 3B type rather than 1B.   Have to think a ton of DH starts are planned for Contreras so you would want the other guy to be able to play somewhere other than 1B (overlap with Hoskins).    

Running through the FA list. Donaldson seems to be the cheaper route and as I think someone said he seems to still be able to play good D (not sure if advanced stats back it, but eye test did).    Justin Turner would be the next level up and in theory a safer step up on O, but seems he's trailing off on D.

Gio Urshela seems to be flying under the radar but you'd think he's be very cheap too. Less power but better BA type. I'd guess if they were in on him they wouldn't have signed Arroyo though.  Can cover all positions as backup too, including SS. 

I suppose if the FA market is going badly (somewhat supported by Hoskins taking a 1 year) then maybe Chapman isn't getting what he wants either and one posters wet dream could come true (but on short term deals, which we all would like).  I still doubt the market is bad enough he'd try for a 1 year prove it deal too but hey it happened with Moose/Grandal so who knows. 

Assume Chapman is not possible.  Assume a 1 year deal, I probably go with Turner planning a mix of DH/3B. He has still hit when healthy the last few years.  I'd go Donaldson 2nd assuming one year cheap and that locker room stuff was all good (never heard a negative last year).  Assuming 1 year, I would've taken Urshela over Arroyo even if you had to give him an MLB contract. 

Urshela can be a solid, steady bat -- something that Donaldson wasn't.  I wouldn't be disappointed if we signed him.  Given his recent performance, I'd think he's due a major-league deal.