Welcome to the Show: Luis Lara Arrives, as Brewers Option Blake Perkins to Nashville

[Matthew Trueblood]

Image courtesy of © Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

For many Brewers fans, this move will feel overdue. The Brewers tried to give Blake Perkins time to work through what has effectively been a season-long slump at the plate, but ultimately, they needed more functional depth in their outfield. Perkins, still a fine defender but no longer the elite of the elite in center field and without any offensive value of which to speak, was the odd man out—but the corresponding move is an exciting addition to the 26-man roster.

It will be fascinating to see how rookie Luis Lara fits into the team's plans. He's taking Perkins's roster spot, but he'll need a bigger role than the one Perkins occupied in order to justify being brought to the majors now. The team already demonstrated its faith that he can thrive in a larger role than Perkins had, though, when they signed him to a seven-year deal earlier this season, before he made it to the majors. 

The best role for Lara is one similar to Perkins's best one, in that Lara's best tool might also be his fielding prowess. That makes this move interesting, though, because Garrett Mitchell has a 1.042 OPS over the last four weeks. It seems like this is no time to reduce the playing time of the starting center fielder, so will Lara eat into Sal Frelick's role, instead? Or will Mitchell spend some time in a corner spot or at designated hitter, with Christian Yelich getting more days off—whether he wants them or not? 

This change, like the one the team made when it swapped out Luis Rengifo for Cooper Pratt, makes the team younger and better on defense at the same time. It also affirms the organization's commitment to developing players and building a lasting pipeline. Though no Pat Murphy team will set aside the goal of winning for any meaningful period, these moves accept a certain amount of temporary on-field cost in the service of improving the team's long-term outlook. That's a luxury Milwaukee has afforded itself, with such a comfortable lead in the division and one of the best records in baseball. They'll have to sort through their options and have at least one or two difficult conversations with team-controlled players, but they're going to win the NL Central this year—and doing this, like promoting Pratt last month, just might help them do so next season, too.

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[Trax]

Yes, it will be interesting how they get Lara playing time.

I expect an infielder to be moved up before too long, but then again moving someone down and/or having to make a 40 man move could be tough without some kind of trade.  We have older prospects who at least in a package could be valuable enough to bring a longer term return.

Yelich is a move that is long overdo.  Past time to platoon him for matchups and I'd only begin to do that after he's had a little rest on the pine.  On top of that he'd have to earn back a chance at batting in the top 4, I'd bat him 5 or 6 until he wakes up.   Which he may never do.

I don't understand Murph on this one, you've got to play your best players and everyone should have to earn their spot.

[CA John]

I’m a Yelich fan. However, he looks off and the stats back it up. Ailing back, maybe. Some IL rest will do him good. Vaughn rolls into DH. Maybe a Williams call up?

A couple options to make room on 40:

1. Tyler Black. With no path to majors, it may be time to give a fresh start.

2. Josh Kuhnel injury settlement and release (if doable)

[Snoebird]

I see this as the Brewers entering an experimental period before the trade deadline. They're trying to reduce the number of holes in their lineup. I could envision Frelick being worked out at third base, Hamilton reduced to pinch running and pinch hitting, and Bauers/Vaughn DH-ing, along with Yelich, when they're not playing first base. If Sal isn't a fit as Ortiz's backup at third, Jett Williams could get called up and Sal traded when Lockridge returns. I foresee any trades they make focusing on pitching, the team's cornerstone. 

[Jim French Stepstool]

When I heard Lara was coming up I scratched my head because I thought Hamilton would have a short IL stint & this was the move, which positionally makes no sense. This must mean Hamilton can play which is great news.

I'm good with this, but it must feel odd for Perkins because he survived a really rough stretch & while he still wasn't impactful day-to-day he was playing better. Still fine with it though.

EDIT: Nevermind, Hamilton IL'ed. Greg Jones selected.

[Jim French Stepstool]

38 minutes ago, Snoebird said:

I see this as the Brewers entering an experimental period before the trade deadline. They're trying to reduce the number of holes in their lineup. I could envision Frelick being worked out at third base, Hamilton reduced to pinch running and pinch hitting, and Bauers/Vaughn DH-ing, along with Yelich, when they're not playing first base. If Sal isn't a fit as Ortiz's backup at third, Jett Williams could get called up and Sal traded when Lockridge returns. I foresee any trades they make focusing on pitching, the team's cornerstone. 

If Lara plays like he belongs I think an eventual result could be an OF getting an occasional day off as sort of a rotating DH, with Vaughn & Bauers also filling that role, & Yelich being ILed with whatever malady he has that causes one to swing at pitches that aren't close to being strikes---and way too often missing ones that ARE.

Maybe they're still entertaining the Frelick-3B thing, but I hope not.

[Snoebird]

6 minutes ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

If Lara plays like he belongs I think an eventual result could be an OF getting an occasional day off as sort of a rotating DH, with Vaughn & Bauers also filling that role, & Yelich being ILed with whatever malady he has that causes one to swing at pitches that aren't close to being strikes---and way too often missing ones that ARE.

Maybe they're still entertaining the Frelick-3B thing, but I hope not.

There would be an upside for Sal at third. If he proves capable at the hot corner, he could shove Ortiz back to short and form a better defensive left side than if Pratt stayed there. In the second half of a pennant race, you play your best players. 

[Jim French Stepstool]

7 minutes ago, Snoebird said:

There would be an upside for Sal at third. If he proves capable at the hot corner, he could shove Ortiz back to short and form a better defensive left side than if Pratt stayed there. In the second half of a pennant race, you play your best players. 

Agreed, IF Frelick is capable there. Making that move in the middle of a season, I think it's unlikely but we'll see.

And if/when he's there it moves him off RF, where I still feel he's better than anyone else we can put in that spot.