2024-25 Offseason Ideas

[jay87shot]

Sorry this is obviously to early but I always am looking for interesting transaction ideas.

[jay87shot]

The big part of the offseason for me is if Rhys picks up his option or not. At this point, I can't see him hitting free agency. However if he has a strong last 2 months and is hitting close to career averages .245/.350/.450+ 30HR he probably will decline.

I think from there getting a solid return for Devin will be key. I doubt we have much money to do any thing big outside of that. It would be nice to just pick a spot for Black and give him a shot, otherwise I would be getting something for him while he has value.

With Freddy, Woody, Rea, Civale, and Tobias there is the start to a nice rotation (to bad Gasser is gone for 2025). With Hall, Patrick, Misi, CarRod some likely vet depth adds for depth we don't necessarily need a big add.

The only other thing I would bring up is the idea of trading Freddy. He has 2 affordable years left after this year and has been solid. However if we can get a highend return (two top 100 prospects and 2 other solid pieces) I think it might be worth thinking about. Minus the big strikeout numbers he has just been a slightly above average starter his entire career except 21. 

[Soupbone]

We might have some money to spend depending on some other contracts:

Adames-$12 million if/when he doesn't sign

Miley-$7 million I doubt he will be back

Sanchez-$3 million-Again doubt he is resigned

With the previously mentioned Hoskins and Williams also clearing up payroll perhaps

I will agree that there will be some raises to be paid but I think there will be some money to spend

 

[jay87shot]

On 8/7/2024 at 10:04 AM, Soupbone said:

We might have some money to spend depending on some other contracts:

Adames-$12 million if/when he doesn't sign

Miley-$7 million I doubt he will be back

Sanchez-$3 million-Again doubt he is resigned

With the previously mentioned Hoskins and Williams also clearing up payroll perhaps

I will agree that there will be some raises to be paid but I think there will be some money to spend

 

We could have money especially if Hoskins leaves and we trade Devin. However Freddie will get a raise, Ashby makes 3-4, so does Chourio I believe. We also owe a decent amount on buyouts for guys. 

[TURBO]

Hoskins isn't leaving. 

We can stop thinking he is, he's not.

[nate82]

27 minutes ago, TURBO said:

Hoskins isn't leaving. 

We can stop thinking he is, he's not.

He probably won’t opt out but there is a possibility that he does.  He would need to get to above his career norms.  I don’t think that will happen so he is more than likely back for next year.

[MNBrew]

9 hours ago, jay87shot said:

We could have money especially if Hoskins leaves and we trade Devin. However Freddie will get a raise, Ashby makes 3-4, so does Chourio I believe. We also owe a decent amount on buyouts for guys. 

Freddy's raise is already clearly specified in his contract, just like all the other guys already on long-term contracts.

I'm not good at guessing, let alone this far in advance, but... 1) I hope they don't trade Devin.  2) Freddy's greatest consistency this year lies in two areas: availability and inconsistency on the mound.  I think he's been mostly way too ordinary.  He's probably still here next year, but his relative durability, his potential despite too much ordinary-ness, and his affordability may also make him a candidate to be moved for the right return.

[Dave_Not_Here]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/04/2024-25-mlb-free-agents.html

 

Here is who MLB Trade Rumors has for free agents (and potential free agents) for next season.

[nate82]

40 minutes ago, Dave_Not_Here said:

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/04/2024-25-mlb-free-agents.html

 

Here is who MLB Trade Rumors has for free agents (and potential free agents) for next season.

Yuck.  Other than Soto not sure there is anyone I would give a large contract to.  Buehler on a 1-year would be interesting but I think he just resigns with the Dodgers and maybe Soroka as a reclamation project on a minor league contract.  Kikuchi on a 2 or 3-year deal would be good also. 

[Scooterfletcher]

Hoskins returning with his option is fine to me.   I think he will have the same or better year next year and is a leader.

I don’t like the idea of trading Peralta this off season.   He should be kept for a run.   If our starting staff have a good year next year (ie Miso looks really good and Gasser bounces back second half of year) then trade Peralta with a year left on his deal if you wish.   But not this coming off season with the question marks we have in our Sp’s.  
 

If we do have some money to spend, it should be on a decent starter.   Kikuchi has been the guy I’ve wanted and won’t get a comp pick and should be in our under 20 mil/yr price range.   

Lastly, let’s get Tyler Black penciled in to next year’s lineup at least in a utility role where he can get 3-400 abs.   I want to see what we have there.   Maybe Bauer moves on and/or maybe we deal an OF like Perkins for an organizations 8-12 type prospect or something like that. 

 

Add Kikuchi and Woodruff to this exact same team basically (with Gasser coming back second half) and we have a shot to go far next year without breaking the bank or dealing our prospects. 

[TURBO]

I think we have to be really careful depending on Woodruff to be anything like his normal self.  I can see him coming back and not immediately being the guy we are counting on.  Hopefully by midseason, he is able to have some semblance to his old self, but if we put too much stock in counting on him to be our ace again, I think there is a big chance for major disappointment.  Front office HAS to have a plan other than a wish and a prayer!  They need to address this rotation in the off season.  Going into the 2025 season like we did in 2024 will be truly disappointing.

I am completely omitting Gasser from our plans, and hoping that he is fully back in 2026.

To me, Peralta is just a guy now.  A good #3, but he is not our staff ace this year, in fact, he is our #3 behind both Rea and Myers.  Hard to imagine saying that back in April, but that is what has transpired.

Hopefully our rotation looks something like this when we open the 2025 season:  (I say hopefully, sincerely hoping that we add a legit frontline starter somehow, some way)

1. New starter

2. Peralta

3. Rea

4. Myers

5. Woodruff (I want nothing more than to be wrong about him)

6. Misiorowski added at some point in the first half.

We just can't hang our hat on guys like Civale, Keuchel, and Montas if we are serious about winning a pennant.  These stopgaps and band aid moves just aren't going to get us there.

[TURBO]

One more thing, I am not against signing Adames to a 3 or 4 year deal, but 4 max.  That alone probably takes us out of the running.  In a perfect world, he gives us a nice hometown discount and he signs for 4 years at $15 million per.  Problem is, someone desperate (Dodgers) will probably add another 40 million to that number, or better yet, another 2 years plus 60 million, making it impossible for us to consider.  I can see the Dodgers going 6 years, 25 million per.  Crazy talk, and out of our range.  Imagine those last 3 years with that contract?  *shudder*

I do think that he would give us the chance to match any offer he may get, but in the end, no matter how much he likes it here, money will dictate his leaving or staying...

[TURBO]

I am fully expecting a trade in the off season similar to the Yelich deal a few years ago.  Something that no one is expecting, that costs us some prospects, but gives us a top notch bat to add to the lineup for the next 3 or 4 years.  

Who that is, is anyone's guess, like I said, it will be something out of left field that we never saw coming...

Only problem with this is that it just isn't enough.  We will have to replace Adames bat, plus add another good bat.  I think we are 2 solid bats and 2 top notch starting pitchers away from doing some serious damage in the NL come playoff time.

We know the Phillies and Dodgers will be making big moves this off season.  I fully expect the Cubs to join that party as well.

[nate82]

2 minutes ago, TURBO said:

One more thing, I am not against signing Adames to a 3 or 4 year deal, but 4 max.  That alone probably takes us out of the running.  In a perfect world, he gives us a nice hometown discount and he signs for 4 years at $15 million per.  Problem is, someone desperate (Dodgers) will probably add another 40 million to that number, or better yet, another 2 years plus 60 million, making it impossible for us to consider.  I can see the Dodgers going 6 years, 25 million per.  Crazy talk, and out of our range.  Imagine those last 3 years with that contract?  *shudder*

I do think that he would give us the chance to match any offer he may get, but in the end, no matter how much he likes it here, money will dictate his leaving or staying...

Adames should get a contract similar to Baez.  So I don't believe the Brewers will be able to keep him. 

[39Streak]

The way I see it, it’s a good time to look for a Greinke trade (and I have no idea who that is).  Chips we have to build around:

2B Turang

DH Yelich

LF Chourio

C Contraras

1B Hoskins (bounce back year)

3B FA

RF/CF Mitchell/Perkins/Frelick (in that order)

RF/CF see above

SS Ortiz

 

SP

Greinke type trade

Myers

Peralta

Rea

Woodruff

Miso

 

Pen:

Hall

Megill

Hudson 

whatever else - lots of good options for the pen.  (Can Ashby be a good pen option?)

Bench:

Frelick

Haase

Bauer

whatever

Trade Pieces

Anyone not named including Devin.  All prospects not named above are fair game.  They can use Devin, or keep him.  If they can swing a good trade for a Greinke type deal without loading up on prospects from a Devin Williams deal, then good.  I’d rather have Devin back.

 

They need an ace to win the whole thing.  Maybe two more.  Nothing should get in the way of that.  The team is young.  Use some prospects to take another swing.

 

[Playing Catch]

5 hours ago, TURBO said:

I think we have to be really careful depending on Woodruff to be anything like his normal self.  I can see him coming back and not immediately being the guy we are counting on.  Hopefully by midseason, he is able to have some semblance to his old self, but if we put too much stock in counting on him to be our ace again, I think there is a big chance for major disappointment.  Front office HAS to have a plan other than a wish and a prayer!  They need to address this rotation in the off season.  Going into the 2025 season like we did in 2024 will be truly disappointing.

I am completely omitting Gasser from our plans, and hoping that he is fully back in 2026.

To me, Peralta is just a guy now.  A good #3, but he is not our staff ace this year, in fact, he is our #3 behind both Rea and Myers.  Hard to imagine saying that back in April, but that is what has transpired.

Hopefully our rotation looks something like this when we open the 2025 season:  (I say hopefully, sincerely hoping that we add a legit frontline starter somehow, some way)

1. New starter

2. Peralta

3. Rea

4. Myers

5. Woodruff (I want nothing more than to be wrong about him)

6. Misiorowski added at some point in the first half.

We just can't hang our hat on guys like Civale, Keuchel, and Montas if we are serious about winning a pennant.  These stopgaps and band aid moves just aren't going to get us there.

Turbo with some great stuff today, although I respectfully disagree with some of your takes. Firstly, I agree that Peralta is now a JAG. But, if Hoskins finishes strong (as his recent hitting streak may suggest), I'm not sure he doesn't opt-out. I want him back even at that price. Secondly, I'm not so sure the Brewers are going to be investing in any starters -- either in prospect-capital or budget-capital. They're on a 92-win pace with this ridiculous rotation this season. Why not keep that going? I don't disagree that guys like Woodruff, Misiorowski, Gasser, Ashby and/or the minors guys can't be relied upon for squat. But the sheer depth available tells me [them?] that they can pull out another division title and another Tobias Myers. That [they] believe that at least one or two of those options hits.

I totally agree with your Adames opinion. One, he'll outprice the Brewers, and two, the contract will age quickly and poorly.

I predict that the Brewers are going to treat this off-season like the 2024 season was gravy, and that they'll lean into the youth movement.

[Scooterfletcher]

I kinda think the trajectory of this team doesn’t need a bold trade.   Make the playoffs 10 of the next 15 years and we may be in a World Series.   We are set up well.   Don’t go all in. 

[Scooterfletcher]

I’m sorry but you just can’t tell me we can’t lose Adames and get the pick for him, sign say Kikuchi and Lorenzen, and run back the rest of the entire team and not be better set up than a big Greinke style trade would offer us.  

[jay87shot]

Giants sent Camilo Doval to the minors. He could be an interesting buy low candidate this offseason if he would be available.

I doubt we pay for a starter maybe a Junis/Ross type who could be a starter or reliever. I could see a trade for one, it comes down to if the front office believes Tyler Black can be an everyday player defensively. 

I don't think I'd make a huge trade for an ace, if Black for a mlb ready IF or upside starter.

[Scooterfletcher]

Gausman for the Canadian Black might make sense since we’d get two years of him helping frontline our rotation.  

[jay87shot]

Here is something close to what I would expect

1) Devin to Texas for Justin Foscue, Winston Santos, and Jonathan Hernandez

2)Luis Lara, Hoby, and Alexander Cornielle for Drew Rasmussen

Foscue gives us another upside infield bat that could platoon with Black and getting Rasmussen back is a risk but he could be a great buy low option with lots of upside.

Sign a couple of cheap veteran arms

C-Contreras 1B-Rhys,Black, Foscue 2B-Turang SS-Ortiz OF- Chourio, Mitchell, Frelick DH-Yeli Bench-Haase(resign), Perkins, Foscue/Black, Collins Hicklen/vet minor league deal

P-Peralta, Rea, Tobias, Civale, Woody

Pen-Megill, Hudson, Koenig, Mears, Payamps, Peguero, Rasmussen,  Wilson/Paredes/Hernandez/Hall/Uribe?/Bauk/Zas vets

[jay87shot]

15 minutes ago, Scooterfletcher said:

Gausman for the Canadian Black might make sense since we’d get two years of him helping frontline our rotation.  

I would be ok with that if the Jays eat about 1/2 of Gausman's contract. I like Gausman but his fastball lost a click and it was the reason for his decline. Black alone is a lot for a 2/44 million 34 year old coming off a down year.

[Lathund]

Adames makes sense at a certain price, but he'll get way more than that, so he'll walk for a QO comp pick. Trade Williams, decent case for having done it this past offseason really. Pick up Rea's option, decline any others. Hoskins opts in unless he improves a fair bit. 

Rough calculations suggests that should leave at least a little room to add payroll, even if it stays at the same level as last year. I'd look to add in three areas; 

- Infielder; Ortiz and Turang can handle SS and either 2B or 3B. Need someone else in there. That could end up being Black, Wilken, Boeve. But that shouldn't be the primary plan going into the season. Trading for Rengifo, even if he's not a good defender, is one option. Not sure who else is available in trade, but probably the best route, free agency doesn't hold much. Bregman will be too expensive. Ha-Seong Kim could be interesting if he doesn't extend. But probably unlikely too. 

- Backup C. Could be Haase if he sticks around. Will eventually be Quero, but need to have an alternative in place. Won't be a huge spend. 

And the biggest one; 

- Starting pitcher. I actually think the staff we're likely to have will be fairly decent; Woodruff (Obviously a question mark, but I have faith), Peralta, Rea, Civale, Myers with Henderson, Misiorowski, Rodriguez behind. Eventually Gasser. But as we have seen this year, you can't ahve too much depth there. So spend most of the money available on the best player you can find willing to sign for 1 or 2 years. Or trade for one. 

Basically, I don't see a ton of movement on the major league roster apart from those spots. I imagine they'll try to upgrade the bench/platoon players; Monasterio/Haase/Sanchez/Bauers. Hoskins opting out will have a bigger knock-on effect if it happens. I think it'll be about opportunistic pouncing. With some versatile players on the team, and an already pretty strong group, a bat in any infield position, or catcher, would work. So whoever is available for less than they "should" be, is a target. 

[nate82]

12 hours ago, Scooterfletcher said:

Gausman for the Canadian Black might make sense since we’d get two years of him helping frontline our rotation.  

The Jays are not trading Gausman unless they are trading Bichette and Vlad in other deals.

It is very unlikely for the Jays to trade anyone this off season until Bichette and Vlad issue is resolved for the Jays.  They are either traded or signed long term.

If the Jays do make trades in the off season it will be to add to their MLB roster not subtract from it.  The Jays are more likely to do what the Brewers did during Fielders final season in 2008.

[Scooterfletcher]

22 minutes ago, nate82 said:

The Jays are not trading Gausman unless they are trading Bichette and Vlad in other deals.

It is very unlikely for the Jays to trade anyone this off season until Bichette and Vlad issue is resolved for the Jays.  They are either traded or signed long term.

If the Jays do make trades in the off season it will be to add to their MLB roster not subtract from it.  The Jays are more likely to do what the Brewers did during Fielders final season in 2008.

While you might be right, Black is not a down the road guy.   He is a guy that would immediately be an impact bat for them.   The Jays always have some money to spend to get a guy like Flaherty in free agency too.