Under the Radar (3B, 2B, SS) Targets

[DR28]

5 minutes ago, wallus said:

Okay, so what is the solution here? The infield as it currently stands is not good enough.

Arnold needs to do something because Durbin, Dunn, Mona arent gonna cut it.... All good UTL players, but definitely not everyday starters.

[jay87shot]

1 minute ago, wallus said:

Okay, so what is the solution here? The infield as it currently stands is not good enough.

3/4's of the infield are fine/settled it really is just like 1 spot and in reality we have 4 passible options. I really wouldn't mind Durbin, Dunn, Mone, and/or Collins (Sal maybe) at 2B but the issue for me is that none of those guys are worth moving Turang off 2B. As 3B that group gets a lot more iffy, there are lots of potential solutions but really I don't see one option that is a clear path unless MA decides to pony up for Bregman which would seems almost impossible to me since we didn't make a real run at Willy.

[wallus]

Just now, jay87shot said:

3/4's of the infield are fine/settled it really is just like 1 spot and in reality we have 4 passible options. I really wouldn't mind Durbin, Dunn, Mone, and/or Collins (Sal maybe) at 2B but the issue for me is that none of those guys are worth moving Turang off 2B. As 3B that group gets a lot more iffy, there are lots of potential solutions but really I don't see one option that is a clear path unless MA decides to pony up for Bregman which would seems almost impossible to me since we didn't make a real run at Willy.

Bregman isn't happening as he will get at least a 5 year deal. Latest report says a team has offered him 6 years.

The team needs to find a third baseman for this season. I am confident that someone will take the job next year, possibly Boeve.

[jay87shot]

2 minutes ago, DR28 said:

Arnold needs to do something because Durbin, Dunn, Mona arent gonna cut it.... All good UTL players, but definitely not everyday starters.

I still think Dunn has some upside, we saw some clear power, speed, and defensive potential from him. Combine that with with solid average and walk rates in the minors and there is a potential gem there. Durbin is in that same boat for me, especially since he really hasn't stayed fully healthy and his fall league performance was epic. Add in the potential of Sal giving the IF another shot in spring and Boeve starting in AAA (likely) and not being to far away and my overall worries aren't huge. Between those 4 with Collins and Mona who I agree are likely just utility big leaguers there is enough upside. My biggest worry is that it could take half the year for one of those guys to take over and prove to be an every day option. The free agent options other than Bregman and maybe Iglesias are all platoon/utility guys at this point as well. 

[Ro Mueller]

Emmanuel Rivera has a solid exit velocity and throwing arm. Also somehow posted a .318 xwOBA in the majors last year. His BB/K ratio is mediocre, but not as bad as Moncada or De Jong.

Maybe we’ll take him for $1 million, though not if it prevents us from finding an impact hitter. Oh, and Rivera can’t run. 

 

[Scooterfletcher]

I think I sell myself on Drury signing a team friendly deal at this point .

[True Blue Brew Crew]

Jose Iglesias still just sitting out there ready to perfectly (and cheaply) fit the one remaining glaring hole on the Brewers major league roster for one year

[ClosetBrewerFan]

19 hours ago, Ro Mueller said:

Emmanuel Rivera has a solid exit velocity and throwing arm. Also somehow posted a .318 xwOBA in the majors last year. His BB/K ratio is mediocre, but not as bad as Moncada or De Jong.

Maybe we’ll take him for $1 million, though not if it prevents us from finding an impact hitter. Oh, and Rivera can’t run. 

I would be fine if the Brewers claimed him. He would have more value than Capra on this roster and at least he has a good glove at 3b with some pop.  His $1M salary should help him sail through waivers to us.

[Scooterfletcher]

I am liking the prior posters idea of Iglesias more and more.   Should be cheap enough and even if he can OPS .775 and have the above average glove at SS, we can let our infield lie as it stands and because I believe Pratt can be ready in 2026, it’s a move that makes a lot of sense.

[sveumrules]

4 hours ago, Scooterfletcher said:

I am liking the prior posters idea of Iglesias more and more.   Should be cheap enough and even if he can OPS .775 and have the above average glove at SS, we can let our infield lie as it stands and because I believe Pratt can be ready in 2026, it’s a move that makes a lot of sense.

Iglesias has a career OPS of .710. In the ten seasons he has gotten at least 150 PAs he has cracked a .775 OPS twice.

The last time Jose had an above average glove at SS was in 2019 when he posted +5 DRS | +11 FRV. Since then he’s posted -29 DRS | +2 FRV.

Odds are much greater that Iglesias is a .700 OPS 2B at this point than a .775 OPS SS.

[True Blue Brew Crew]

Gimme someone that can get a simple hit at a high rate once in awhile. Iglesias has done a pretty good job of that. Hitting his way to a .312 success rate since 2021 and a .293 success rate since 2019.

Besides, you're not getting some .800+ OPS guy who can play every infield spot left of 1B for cheap at this stage anyway.

[TURBO]

IF we make any kind of addition between now and spring training, I'm expecting it to be someone that no one saw coming.

That would be our typical move.

I won't be surprised in the least if we just roll into the season with what we have right now either.

[Jopal78]

6 minutes ago, TURBO said:

IF we make any kind of addition between now and spring training, I'm expecting it to be someone that no one saw coming.

That would be our typical move.

I won't be surprised in the least if we just roll into the season with what we have right now either.

The last few years February is when the Brewers made their moves. I am sure they have any number of offers out to players with what they’re willing to pay and they are content to wait those players out. They’ll likely land a couple.

[Kozlowski Klub]

The more I look at the free agent market for infielders I really wonder if they revisit the Frelick at 3B experiment again. I know he is a great defender in RF but we are fortunate enough to have other elite defenders out there where the drop off wouldn't be significant. Assuming everyone stays healthy (MAJOR IF) we will have Mitchell, Jackson, Yeli, Perkins and Sal to cover 3 spots. I am sure Yeli will DH a lot but he isn't going to exclusively play there, and when he is in the OF he will auto slot into left field. Which moves Jackson to RF likely. I would like to see a little less Perkins starts this year but I am sure he will still get around 200 AB's and should always play center if in the lineup. Mitchell will also get a lot of time in center and probably some in RF as well. Frelick is also going to see a lot of time, mostly in RF but I think the opportunity could be there to make him a third base option as well. A lot of this depends on health of the other OF's, but if Frelick has that versatility, it will make him a much more value player. 

This would give them an opportunity to make the lineup better against right-handed pitching unless you really believe in Oliver Dunn (which i do not). Against lefty's you roll with Durbin to pair with Ortiz & Turang most likely. It doesn't need to be a pure platoon or anything, and I would still expect Frelick to see more time in the OF than 3B this year, but this is something that could really help mend the open hole they have in the infield. 

Frelick in his own right didn't impress at the plate last year, but of the internal options it might be the most intriguing option if he can play an average 3B defensively. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

59 minutes ago, Kozlowski Klub said:

The more I look at the free agent market for infielders I really wonder if they revisit the Frelick at 3B experiment again. I know he is a great defender in RF but we are fortunate enough to have other elite defenders out there where the drop off wouldn't be significant. Assuming everyone stays healthy (MAJOR IF) we will have Mitchell, Jackson, Yeli, Perkins and Sal to cover 3 spots. I am sure Yeli will DH a lot but he isn't going to exclusively play there, and when he is in the OF he will auto slot into left field. Which moves Jackson to RF likely. I would like to see a little less Perkins starts this year but I am sure he will still get around 200 AB's and should always play center if in the lineup. Mitchell will also get a lot of time in center and probably some in RF as well. Frelick is also going to see a lot of time, mostly in RF but I think the opportunity could be there to make him a third base option as well. A lot of this depends on health of the other OF's, but if Frelick has that versatility, it will make him a much more value player. 

This would give them an opportunity to make the lineup better against right-handed pitching unless you really believe in Oliver Dunn (which i do not). Against lefty's you roll with Durbin to pair with Ortiz & Turang most likely. It doesn't need to be a pure platoon or anything, and I would still expect Frelick to see more time in the OF than 3B this year, but this is something that could really help mend the open hole they have in the infield. 

Frelick in his own right didn't impress at the plate last year, but of the internal options it might be the most intriguing option if he can play an average 3B defensively. 

Welcome to Brewer Fanatic!

[Rock hard Brouhard]

I know it’s kind of a been here done that kind of thing but what about Luis Urias? He has had success here, should not cost a lot, short term, I would not mind giving him another try at third base.

[MNBrew]

Per MLBTR today, Moncada's signing with the Angels.  These days it seems like that's just half a step above becoming invisible.

[Scooterfletcher]

Drury I’d bet is the guy for us unless we want Frelick playing at third which is plausible. 

[TURBO]

I am going to blindly continue to assume that we trade for a legit 3B in the next few days.

I am prepared for complete and utter disappointment, but choose to do this to myself...

[bensheeps]

Does the signing of Moncada (and the recent minor league deals for JD Davis and Tim Anderson) make Luis Rengifo from the Angels any more available?

What would it take to get him?

[sveumrules]

7 hours ago, Scooterfletcher said:

Drury I’d bet is the guy for us unless we want Frelick playing at third which is plausible. 

Over the last ten years there are 2,755 individual player seasons with at least 300 PAs.

2024 Drury comes in 2,754th at -2.1 WAR.

The only player worse than 2024 Drury in the last ten years is 2018 Chris Davis at -2.5 WAR.

His 34 wRC+ last year was two points lower than the 36 wRC+ that JBJ posted with the Brewers in 2021.

[Scooterfletcher]

2 hours ago, sveumrules said:

Over the last ten years there are 2,755 individual player seasons with at least 300 PAs.

2024 Drury comes in 2,754th at -2.1 WAR.

The only player worse than 2024 Drury in the last ten years is 2018 Chris Davis at -2.5 WAR.

His 34 wRC+ last year was two points lower than the 36 wRC+ that JBJ posted with the Brewers in 2021.

Ouch!  Ok I have been persuaded to hope for help elsewhere.

[NOMAAM]

19 hours ago, MNBrew said:

Per MLBTR today, Moncada's signing with the Angels.  These days it seems like that's just half a step above becoming invisible.

DeJong for around that seems like a brewer move.

[NOMAAM]

12 hours ago, TURBO said:

I am going to blindly continue to assume that we trade for a legit 3B in the next few days.

I am prepared for complete and utter disappointment, but choose to do this to myself...

Maybe they’ll wait and see what the infield prospects look like in camp.  How far away Pratt, Boeve, and Wilken.  Might encourage them to stall a couple months in year.

[Ro Mueller]

In the wake of the Bucks’ trade deadline lowering expectations, a thought flashed through my dispirited mind: Would we possibly trade for INF Anthony Rendon and how much of his remaining 2-year salary would we be willing to take on?