2024-25 Offseason Ideas

[Scooterfletcher]

Lowe isn’t good enough for a straight up Williams Lowe trade even with the extra year control.

Williams for Boehm works though.

Baty for something like CRod might be doable too.

 

[umphrey]

FA signing candidate Justin Turner? Sounds like age 40 still planning to play and perhaps finally old enough and cheap enough to come to Milwaukee. 

[jay87shot]

16 hours ago, wntrtxn21 said:

Would the Rangers take one year of Williams for two years of Lowe when they are both going to be making about the same money? It would be a heck of a deal for Milwaukee and certainly have to come before they considered moving Hoskins. Sproat is the Mets' top prospect, but he got rocked at AAA last year. Would he be of any help in 2025? Baty has failed too many times in the big leagues to consider him a lock at 3B. Milwaukee would have to sign a guy like DeJong just to have somebody if Baty failed yet again. Morabito is another young OF with no power. Peralta is a reliable starter with a very decent contract. Given the Brewers situation, he would leave a big hole if they traded him. 

I think the Williams for Lowe deal would be pretty close, maybe a smaller prospect/2nd piece either way. I just used the Mets for the Freddy deal because they have the money. I would bet there could be a couple other teams that have a safer 3B/IF than Baty. Sproat has a high end arsenal and could make a nasty pairing with Mis but come with some of the same concerns. I doubt he would do much for the big club but could be a relief option in the last couple months. My thought with trading Freddy is that we could probably replace his 3 WAR with a 3B upgrade and whomever replaces him in the rotation. If we can attach Rhys to him that would give us plenty of money to get a free agent and be able to take back some salary in trades.

I am sure there is likely a better team that could absorb Rhys, want Freddy badly, and has a 3B or 1B and P

[yoshii8]

Are we able to trade Hoskins?

[MNBrew]

On 11/2/2024 at 8:34 PM, jay87shot said:

I have a feeling we are in for a sad offseason. The Rae move today makes me think we are going to cut salary especially with all the $ we owe in buyouts and some deferred money (not much). Hopefully we can fill a hole or 2 with the Devin trade and make it work.

I don't love me a slow offseason -- and it's not like the Brewers ever "win" the offseason -- but when the games start for real, if the moves they made were the right moves and we're a better team as a result, I can deal with that. . . . Maybe that's the same kind of thing you're saying.  I don't know what moves to expect, though a Williams trade, while disappointing, wouldn't be a surprise.  My one "I hope we don't..." move is re-signing Gary Sanchez, whose performance pretty strongly justified my never wanting him in the first place last year.

On a menial note, you do know Colin's last name is Rea, not Rae, right?

[SF70]

20 hours ago, jay87shot said:

I think the Williams for Lowe deal would be pretty close, maybe a smaller prospect/2nd piece either way. I just used the Mets for the Freddy deal because they have the money. I would bet there could be a couple other teams that have a safer 3B/IF than Baty. Sproat has a high end arsenal and could make a nasty pairing with Mis but come with some of the same concerns. I doubt he would do much for the big club but could be a relief option in the last couple months. My thought with trading Freddy is that we could probably replace his 3 WAR with a 3B upgrade and whomever replaces him in the rotation. If we can attach Rhys to him that would give us plenty of money to get a free agent and be able to take back some salary in trades.

I am sure there is likely a better team that could absorb Rhys, want Freddy badly, and has a 3B or 1B and P

Why trade Peralta?

At $8M the next 2 years and still in his sweet-spot prime, he’s perfect for this team. He’s durable and can be counted on for 30 starts/year.

We can ride him for the pick and get another draft with extra capital for our superior domestic draft department. In addition, our farm system has enormous prospect depth to the point we really don’t need to orchestrate any sell-off of individual players unless they are at extreme depth positions (Williams).

Veteran prime-aged, mid-rotation starters at well below market-value are rare and we are fortunate to have one in Freddy.

[jay87shot]

1 hour ago, SF70 said:

Why trade Peralta?

At $8M the next 2 years and still in his sweet-spot prime, he’s perfect for this team. He’s durable and can be counted on for 30 starts/year.

We can ride him for the pick and get another draft with extra capital for our superior domestic draft department. In addition, our farm system has enormous prospect depth to the point we really don’t need to orchestrate any sell-off of individual players unless they are at extreme depth positions (Williams).

Veteran prime-aged, mid-rotation starters at well below market-value are rare and we are fortunate to have one in Freddy.

I am just looking for ways to improve the team, my line of thinking is that we could get 2 high end players mlb ready players and attach Rhys. Using the money saved we could sign a short term starter that has equal value to Freddy and have the 2 players to improve the team. Then trade Devin for a 3 young player or just possibly the best young prospects. I would much prefer to keep Freddy but if we have almost no wiggle room financially, Freddy has a pretty significant trade value and we could cover for him with a stop gap free agent. Just brainstorming until things get moving.

[jay87shot]

On 11/6/2024 at 7:38 AM, umphrey said:

FA signing candidate Justin Turner? Sounds like age 40 still planning to play and perhaps finally old enough and cheap enough to come to Milwaukee. 

Unless we get rid of Rhys, I don't see it. He doesn't play much 3B anymore and we don't have much DH time for him. If we are looking for a cheaper bat getting Carlos Santana back makes more sense because he can platoon with Rhys. I do like Turner, there would just need to be some moves to open up some time for him.

[SF70]

18 minutes ago, jay87shot said:

I am just looking for ways to improve the team, my line of thinking is that we could get 2 high end players mlb ready players and attach Rhys. Using the money saved we could sign a short term starter that has equal value to Freddy and have the 2 players to improve the team. Then trade Devin for a 3 young player or just possibly the best young prospects. I would much prefer to keep Freddy but if we have almost no wiggle room financially, Freddy has a pretty significant trade value and we could cover for him with a stop gap free agent. Just brainstorming until things get moving.

The team has 24 pitchers they’ve drafted in the last 2 years currently being developed. They have SP in the upper minors, some of which are poised to debut this season. They lose Woodruff and Civale after this season. They have little money to add quality veteran SP. They are capable of winning a title each of the next 2 years provided they have a couple of durable, veteran starters, and imo, Peralta should be one of them. 

Keep Hoskins in his contract year thinking he improves over last season and because he has valuable power and veteran leadership this young team can use.

I like some of your trade ideas, just not this one.

[Madhawk23]

1 hour ago, jay87shot said:

I am just looking for ways to improve the team, my line of thinking is that we could get 2 high end players mlb ready players and attach Rhys. Using the money saved we could sign a short term starter that has equal value to Freddy and have the 2 players to improve the team. Then trade Devin for a 3 young player or just possibly the best young prospects. I would much prefer to keep Freddy but if we have almost no wiggle room financially, Freddy has a pretty significant trade value and we could cover for him with a stop gap free agent. Just brainstorming until things get moving.

I agree with you on this, and brought up a potential Freddy trade awhile back (not sure if it was in this thread or another thread).  I love Freddy, and agree with some on here that maybe it wouldn't seem to make a ton of sense on paper to trade him this winter.  But, if there's one thing that I'm not overly concerned about with this franchise right now - it's developing pitching.  Even the guys we pick up from other teams that appear to be trending in a negative direction (looking directly at Civale and Montas from this past season), we seem to have a knack for fixing some of their issues and making them solid rotational pieces during their time with us.  

Why not capitalize on Freddy's trade value being relatively high this winter (with two cheap years left), and float him out there to see what teams might be willing to offer?  If the offers aren't good (at least two high end, MLB ready prospects - ideally a 3B and P), then you hold onto him of course.  But, maybe a team that loses out on some of the top free agent pitchers this winter (Burnes, Fried, etc.) gets desperate as the winter goes on and eventually offers us a package that is too good to turn down?  

  

[markedman5]

Brewers showing at least some interest in Kim

https://www.mlb.com/news/ha-seong-kim-a-free-agent-possibility-for-giants

[ClosetBrewerFan]

19 hours ago, yoshii8 said:

Are we able to trade Hoskins?

Sure.  How many prospects do you want to give up to dump his salary?  Seriously, it would make no sense. Hoskins has more potential to be good than anyone we could sign or promote.  May as well keep him and the prospects it would take to get rid of him.

[jay87shot]

5 hours ago, ClosetBrewerFan said:

Sure.  How many prospects do you want to give up to dump his salary?  Seriously, it would make no sense. Hoskins has more potential to be good than anyone we could sign or promote.  May as well keep him and the prospects it would take to get rid of him.

I don't think it would have to cost any prospects, we might have to eat 5-8 million or add him into with another player (Devin). We could also take back a contract to make things work. The problem with Rhys is that he is probably a guy who should primarily be a DH and with Yeli there and the OF jam it reduces Rhys value . I do think Rhys will be better next year but with poor defense and baserunning even if he his career averages he is probably only a 1-2 WAR player. He could also be worse, it isn't like he got better as the season went on (I hope not).

[ClosetBrewerFan]

9 hours ago, jay87shot said:

I don't think it would have to cost any prospects, we might have to eat 5-8 million or add him into with another player (Devin). We could also take back a contract to make things work. The problem with Rhys is that he is probably a guy who should primarily be a DH and with Yeli there and the OF jam it reduces Rhys value . I do think Rhys will be better next year but with poor defense and baserunning even if he his career averages he is probably only a 1-2 WAR player. He could also be worse, it isn't like he got better as the season went on (I hope not).

If your eating money, what's the point of trading him.  Your trying to dump salary.  Or if you include him with Devin then your getting less prospects back.  Its really the same thing.  We need a 1b or a DH.  Hoskins fills that role well.  If he plays poorly next year, I'll eat crow.  I get there is a risk he could be worse, but you could say that about anyone.  I just feel he has a better chance to be better next year.

[jay87shot]

59 minutes ago, ClosetBrewerFan said:

If your eating money, what's the point of trading him.  Your trying to dump salary.  Or if you include him with Devin then your getting less prospects back.  Its really the same thing.  We need a 1b or a DH.  Hoskins fills that role well.  If he plays poorly next year, I'll eat crow.  I get there is a risk he could be worse, but you could say that about anyone.  I just feel he has a better chance to be better next year.

Here is my thinking

Let's say Rhys has a modest improvement to a 1 WAR player hits like .240 with a few more HR. If he was able to DH and not have to play the field that could be around 2 WAR but he actually loses value since he will have to play a lot of 1st.

If we trade him and eat say $8 million (and get just a lotto style prospect) and then sign a guy like Carlos Santana to say like 7.5 million, I think that it is pretty likely Santana gives you 2.5 WAR. That means We improve the team by 1.5 WAR and save $2.5. We could even go bigger and try for a 1B like Goldy or Walker who have the upside to be 3-5 WAR players or trade candidates like Yandy Diaz as well. We could even just give Black the 1B job save $10 and role the dice on his defense. I would guess Black could hit .250/.350/.400 if things went right with 15-20 bombs and 20+ SB if the defense is even close to average he would be over 2 WAR easy.

[umphrey]

Not sure if already posted but there is a rumor swirling that Brewers and Rays are 2 teams willing to pay up for Bieber. 4.8 WAR 2 years ago but out until June due to TJ, and probably looking at 2 year offers. 
 

I like it in theory, we could get a good playoff pitcher this year plus a full season and maybe even a comp pick. But practically I don’t get it because it’s not the biggest need, we have limited budget and already took the risk with Woodruff. 

[wallus]

3 hours ago, umphrey said:

Not sure if already posted but there is a rumor swirling that Brewers and Rays are 2 teams willing to pay up for Bieber. 4.8 WAR 2 years ago but out until June due to TJ, and probably looking at 2 year offers. 
 

I like it in theory, we could get a good playoff pitcher this year plus a full season and maybe even a comp pick. But practically I don’t get it because it’s not the biggest need, we have limited budget and already took the risk with Woodruff. 

Can you post the tweet/article?

[Scooterfletcher]

Bieber will probably cost more than we are willing to pay.

 

 

[Playing Catch]

What would Hoskins cost as a FA this season?

[umphrey]

3 hours ago, wallus said:

Can you post the tweet/article?

https://sportsnaut.com/milwaukee-brewers-news-shane-bieber-free-agency-speculation/#:~:text=Shane Bieber a likely target,Tampa Bay Rays this offseason%3F&text=“Even coming off Tommy John,would do%2C” McDaniel wrote.

[MNBrew]

A couple thoughts -- more points of view on current Brewers than outside acquisitions, but still pertinent to the offseason:

- Not sure the financials work, but I'd love to see Paul Goldschmidt in MIL.  He & Hoskins could split 1B & DH.  Huge upgrade over Gary Sanchez.

- Eric Haase as the backup catcher makes a lot of sense if he'd be willing to return on MIL's terms.  I doubt too many other teams would pay his estimated arby number & give him a 40-man slot.  Having him would also take any immediate pressure off Quero as he returns from a injury-lost season.

- Andruw Monasterio v.2023 would be nice to have, while v.2024 didn't do a whole lot of anything.  I wonder if there's a budget-friendly upgrade from him.

- I don't understand dumping Colin Rea and wonder if it was his decline over the last 6 weeks that raised red flags for the FO.  Durable arm.  If not him for 2025, then who?  Maybe Civale essentially replaces Rea.  A healthy Miley is good & I'd say worth a low-base, incentive-laden deal if he'd be up for it -- a bonus if he actually contributes.

- As for outside SPs, the Bieber idea is intriguing -- esp. if both he & Woodruff would regain their pre-injury form.

- To the idea of trading one of our OFs, I'm not crazy about that.  We have 5 bona-fide MLB OFs.  One won a Gold Glove and another was a GG finalist.  One's potentially a future superstar.  One's a former superstar who had regained that form.  One has lots of potential & adds a lot if he can stay healthy. . . . All are solid contributors.  All have excellent speed.  Most are good hitters, though they don't have have the same offensive strengths.  Between Yelich & Mitchell, there are injury histories, so really, trading any of the five doesn't seem prudent at all.  Wiemer was the only realistically expendable young OF and we've already traded him.

[Scooterfletcher]

Any chance we can get Josh Smith and Mark Leiter for Devin Williams?  If not, what’s the smallest type piece we’d need to add?

[Scooterfletcher]

2 hours ago, MNBrew said:

- Eric Haase as the backup catcher makes a lot of sense if he'd be willing to return on MIL's terms.  I doubt too many other teams would pay his estimated arby number & give him a 40-man slot.  Having him would also take any immediate pressure off Quero as he returns from an injury-lost .

Haase is locked in as our second catcher.  We kept three catchers for this precise reason so as not to lose him.  He is under our control so will return as the main backup to Wild Bill.

[Redd Vencher]

Roki Sasaki is getting posted. I know people think he's a lock for a big market, but that ignores what teams have to spend.

$7,555,500 Reds, Tigers, Marlins, Brewers, Twins, Athletics, Mariners, and Rays.

$6,908,600 Diamondbacks, Orioles, Guardians, Rockies, Royals, and Pirates

$6,261,600 Braves, Red Sox, Cubs, White Sox, Angels, Mets, Yankees, Phillies, Padres, Rangers, Blue Jays, and Nationals

$5,646,200 Astros and Cardinals

$5,146,200 Dodgers and Giants

Bonus pool money can be traded, so I don't know if these have changed since April.

Curt Hogg posted 3 top 50 IFA expected to sign with Milwaukee. (#35 Kenny Fenelon, #41 Brailyn Atunez, and #44 Christopher Acosta) Assume $2.5-$4 M of our pool is locked up there. Depending on how much the other Sasaki suitors have locked in, we could still be sitting on the most money left to spend on him.

[SF70]

12 minutes ago, Redd Vencher said:

Roki Sasaki is getting posted. I know people think he's a lock for a big market, but that ignores what teams have to spend.

$7,555,500 Reds, Tigers, Marlins, Brewers, Twins, Athletics, Mariners, and Rays.

$6,908,600 Diamondbacks, Orioles, Guardians, Rockies, Royals, and Pirates

$6,261,600 Braves, Red Sox, Cubs, White Sox, Angels, Mets, Yankees, Phillies, Padres, Rangers, Blue Jays, and Nationals

$5,646,200 Astros and Cardinals

$5,146,200 Dodgers and Giants

Bonus pool money can be traded, so I don't know if these have changed since April.

Curt Hogg posted 3 top 50 IFA expected to sign with Milwaukee. (#35 Kenny Fenelon, #41 Brailyn Atunez, and #44 Christopher Acosta) Assume $2.5-$4 M of our pool is locked up there. Depending on how much the other Sasaki suitors have locked in, we could still be sitting on the most money left to spend on him.

I would be flabbergasted if he doesn’t want to play baseball in LA and for the Dodgers with his fellow countrymen Yamamoto & Ohtani.