Where do we go now?

[Madhawk23]

With the Devin trade today, and the acquisition of Cortes and Durbin - it feels like our only major need now is to find some more pop for this lineup.  Curious for thoughts on how we might get that - and where?  Do we find someone to platoon at 2B with Durbin (maybe a Brandon Lowe?) or is there a power bat that we could potentially get on the FA market with some of the $$ we got back in this deal today?  Maybe someone that could platoon a bit between DH and 1B or 2B?  

[wallus]

I don't think it should be assumed that Durbin will be a starter on this team, at least yet.

I think we need to sign/trade for one of Goldschmidt, Alonso or N. Lowe to play first base. Then we need either Rojas or Moncada or a trade for 3rd. We need to address the power problem in the lineup for sure.

[HarveysWBs]

1 hour ago, wallus said:

I don't think it should be assumed that Durbin will be a starter on this team, at least yet.

I think we need to sign/trade for one of Goldschmidt, Alonso or N. Lowe to play first base. Then we need either Rojas or Moncada or a trade for 3rd. We need to address the power problem in the lineup for sure.

I don’t think it should be assumed that Durbin makes it to spring training in our organization. He could be coveted by a team (oh I don’t know, let’s say the A’s), and we might move him in the next couple months for someone we’re not even thinking about right now, but nevertheless produces like a top-3 player at his position.

That would be a wild ride. Pretty unlikely though…

[umphrey]

I do wonder if we are kind of done. The other move that fits is a veteran infielder though because I agree Durbin probably isn’t an every day starter. Moncada still fits I think. 

[jay87shot]

I could still see Peguero or Payamps moved for the right price. I don't think Durbin is guaranteed a spot but it is looking to me like we might be happy going to spring with Sal/Dunn and Mone/Durbin as our 3B platoon options. If we are going to keep Black to platoon with Rhys I would look at what we can get for Perkins and kind of have Yeli and Black as the 4/5 OF.

[wntrtxn21]

I think Durbin gets a shot at the starting 3B job and the Brewers pickup Moncada/DeJong in case he can't handle MLB pitching. Or they get Moncada to start at 3B and keep Durbin as the 3B/utility guy for insurance. I believe Yelich is slotted as the everyday DH (LF when Contreras DHs) so I don't see any use for a higher priced 1B unless they can somehow move Hoskins. Black would backup 1B, 3B, OF..... 

[nate82]

Durbin doesn’t have the arm to play 3B.  His best position is 2B.  I believe the thought with the Brewers brass is to move Turang to SS and keep Ortiz at 3B.

I wouldn’t rule out a Frelick trade for another starting pitcher.  

[brewmann04]

Durbin is bascially a 2nd baseman  so if he starts move Brice to SS and and have Ortiz  stay at 3rd . my biggest issue where is the power coming from.

[Scooterfletcher]

Im all in on signing Moncada and Durbin fills the Mona role.

[Devinep]

Durbin should be a Monastario replacement/ Turang platoon/mate, not handed an everyday job. That leaves an infield spot (likely 3B) to add to a lineup that needs help. I think there is a redundancy of guys who aren’t great hitters whose best value is playing good CF defense. Maybe sell high on Mitchell? But he’s one of the few above average hitters with pop. So trade Frelick, get a bat at 3B like Suarez, and either let Black play 1B/LF. Or get a 2nd bat as an upgrade to Black like Lamont Wade

[Scooterfletcher]

23 minutes ago, Devinep said:

Durbin should be a Monastario replacement/ Turang platoon/mate, not handed an everyday job. That leaves an infield spot (likely 3B) to add to a lineup that needs help. I think there is a redundancy of guys who aren’t great hitters whose best value is playing good CF defense. Maybe sell high on Mitchell? But he’s one of the few above average hitters with pop. So trade Frelick, get a bat at 3B like Suarez, and either let Black play 1B/LF. Or get a 2nd bat as an upgrade to Black like Lamont Wade

Have faith in the health of the impending Moncada signing my friend.

[Lloyd330]

We need power. I see a trade for Robert

[Devinep]

6 hours ago, Lloyd330 said:

We need power. I see a trade for Robert

We do need power. I just don’t see it coming from another guy best put in CF, even if one is sent back to CHI. I also wonder if they’ll wait to see Robert play better to establish value after his down season. Brandon Lowe, Jonah Bride, Eugenio Suarez, Profar would Be good power sources without having to “pay” for CF defense when it’s not something the team needs

[Austin Tatious]

13 hours ago, Scooterfletcher said:

Im all in on signing Moncada and Durbin fills the Mona role.

Has there been any connection between Moncada and the Brewers?  I’ve seen the Blue Jays and Cubs mentioned.  I wonder what kind of contract he will command?

[Playing Catch]

If Hoskins is playing defense, I just don't see the Brewers moving Turang from 2B.

[Ro Mueller]

I’ve no idea if Ryan McMahon is available, but his exit velocity and defense are solid.

[NOMAAM]

Brewers and other teams are waiting on Bergman then Arrendo market to clear things out.

[sveumrules]

41 minutes ago, Ro Mueller said:

I’ve no idea if Ryan McMahon is available, but his exit velocity and defense are solid.

McMahon's defense would be a definite fit with +50 DRS (2nd) | +28 FRV (3rd) since 2021. Would probably need to be platooned though with a 101 wRC+ vs RHP | 71 wRC+ vs LHP split since 2021.

3/44 (12 - 16 - 16) remaining is probably a little rich for the Brewers though and I'd guess COL would want something like Boeve and Wichrowski coming back? Projections are Steamer (91 wRC+ | 1.9 WAR) and ZiPS (97 OPS+ | 2.6 WAR)

If Eugenio Suarez is really out there he could be a nice one year stopgap. I wouldn't expect another 132 wRC+ like he put up in 2022, but last two years he is at a 109 wRC+ and 7.3 WAR. Defense has mixed reviews over that stretch (-6 DRS but +11 FRV) so that could be a factor.

At 1/15 remaining he'd probably be a strain on the books, but its only one year so shouldn't require a huge prospect outlay. Steamer (104 wRC+ | 2.2 WAR) and ZiPS (101 OPS+ | 2.3 WAR) are both forecasting a win and a half dip from last year heading into his age 33 season.

Best "proven bat" out there might be Brandon Lowe with a 120 wRC+ and 5.1 WAR over 861 PA's the last two years. Has 2/22 left on his contract with a Steamer of 117 wRC+ and 2.9 WAR.

Downsides are he would slot into more of a 1B/DH/2B timeshare kind of role than an everyday 3B that would be a more natural fit and would also require a couple prospects that would hurt. Could see the Rays asking for something like Knoth plus one of Yophery or Bitonti?

For whatever it is or isn't worth, since his name comes up all the time Yoan Moncada has a Steamer of 94 wRC+ over 416 PAs for 1.2 WAR. His deal is all going to hinge on the medicals, but I personally wouldn't go anymore than a minor league deal with an invite to camp.

Steamer likes Ha-Seong Kim for 548 PAs of 106 wRC+ and 2.9 WAR. I'd take the under on those PAs (and probably the wRC+ too coming off a shoulder) but if the market turns into a Hoskins one plus one kind of situation he could maybe be an option.

How about Jake Cronenworth? Has 6/71 left on his contract and Padres need to cut money. Has that all around versatile game the Brewers love. Steamer says 104 wRC+ and 2.2 WAR next year.

Like stalled out former top prospects from down under for a change of scenery? Curtis Mead has a 292/371/499 (122 wRC+) line over 787 PAs in AAA with a 9.5 BB% and 16.8 K% under the hood, but has struggled in sporadic MLB run with 224 PAs of 244/300/312 (78 wRC+). Steamer still likes him to the tune of a 109 wRC+ projection for 2025 though.

[Ro Mueller]

26 minutes ago, sveumrules said:

McMahon

Eugenio Suarez

Brandon Lowe

Yoan Moncada

Ha-Seong Kim

Jake Cronenworth

Curtis Mead

Thanks!

Thinking further, it’s possible that we may not want a new INF on a multi-year deal, given that we expect Durbin to become something special by 2026. So that could limit our interest in McMahon and Cronenworth.

Suarez - The Diamondbacks have so many position player holes to fill that they may not know their plan for Suarez for another 6 weeks, unfortunately.

Lowe/Cronenworth - I feel like we’re too lefty-heavy, still trying to replace the RHH thump of Adames and Sanchez.

Moncada - 52 walks and 221 Ks in 2022-2023 scares me. I’m still scarred by the Schoop trade. Patrick Wisdom fits this mold as well, though with worse defense.

Kim - an 85.9 EV over 4 seasons doesn’t sound like “pop”. I figure someone else will give him a shortstop premium, which we don’t necessarily need to offer.

Mead - I’m not sure if the arm strength is enough. If not, then he’s basically another Durbin.

Unless we make a hard push for Bohm now (or an earth-shattering Bregman signing), I guess we may just have to wait to see what the D-Backs do over the next month before ponying up in a trade.

[Lloyd330]

Luis Robert for Sal Frelick - Who's says no?

Turang (2B)  - Chourio (RF) -  Contreras (C ) - Yelich (DH)  - Robert (CF)  - Ortiz (SS) - Hoskins (1B) - Mitchell (LF) - Durbin (3B)

[sveumrules]

16 minutes ago, Lloyd330 said:

Luis Robert for Sal Frelick - Who's says no?

Turang (2B)  - Chourio (RF) -  Contreras (C ) - Yelich (DH)  - Robert (CF)  - Ortiz (SS) - Hoskins (1B) - Mitchell (LF) - Durbin (3B)

Would guess if the White Sox deal Robert they are going to be looking for guys with zero service time like they got back for Crochet.

[brewmann04]

Can think the brewers are done the need someone to step in and hopefully replace some of Willy RBI and HR. And Durbin not that guy 

[wntrtxn21]

1 hour ago, Lloyd330 said:

Luis Robert for Sal Frelick - Who's says no?

Turang (2B)  - Chourio (RF) -  Contreras (C ) - Yelich (DH)  - Robert (CF)  - Ortiz (SS) - Hoskins (1B) - Mitchell (LF) - Durbin (3B)

NO.  Robert has been on the IL countless times over the years and is too big a risk. He's $17M as a rental or $57M over the next 3 years. I doubt if Arnold wants to exceed the budget for a huge injury risk. 

[Lloyd330]

56 minutes ago, wntrtxn21 said:

NO.  Robert has been on the IL countless times over the years and is too big a risk. He's $17M as a rental or $57M over the next 3 years. I doubt if Arnold wants to exceed the budget for a huge injury risk. 

Robert would immediately be out 3rd best player..you need guys that have top 10 talent. 

[TURBO]

48 minutes ago, Lloyd330 said:

Robert would immediately be out 3rd best player..you need guys that have top 10 talent. 

...that can stay on the field.

This guy would be an IMMENSE risk, especially for that kind of money.