Bauers Qualifying Offer

[mudbutt]

Just Baseball and some others think he will accept it as well. I think it makes a ton of sense with the QO slightly deflating his market to accept. I think the 23 million plus the contract he will get after next year will very likely outdo what he’d get on the market this year. And if he turns back into a pumpkin, you still got 23 million. Very much hope he accepts and I think people vastly overrate Vaughn. Glad we don’t have to wait long to find out.

[patrickgpe]

Bauers made 2.7MM, that is almost a 10x raise. I don't see why he doesn't. After what happened with Woodruff last year, I am not certain why they would do this. Vaughn is fine at 1st for 2027. They have their MiLB player of they year in the wings. I'm sure they figure that bringing him back helps the chances to repeat, but I think they could work on a deal that is less than that. 

 

[cragi]

8 minutes ago, patrickgpe said:

Bauers made 2.7MM, that is almost a 10x raise. I don't see why he doesn't. After what happened with Woodruff last year, I am not certain why they would do this. Vaughn is fine at 1st for 2027. They have their MiLB player of they year in the wings. I'm sure they figure that bringing him back helps the chances to repeat, but I think they could work on a deal that is less than that. 

 

I would have thought we were too stacked with 1B options, unless they felt Bauers would walk. But I guess one argument is that you want coverage against RHP and Burke/Fischer are likley a year away yet. Adams could replace Vaughn more easily than Bauers. 

If Burke or Fischer prove ready early, you can still trade Bauers i think.

[MrTPlush]

Fischer first needs to learn how to field a baseball. Brewers aren’t rushing a defensive hack to the majors and watching his offensive growing pain while he boots balls all over the place.

[greenlawler]

Vaughn will be gold for whatever team he plays for next year, it takes a year to get the power back from the injury he took. 

Vaughn is a great bat we would miss if he moves on. 

 

 

[OldSchoolSnapper]

1 hour ago, StearnsFTW said:

Eh.

 

That would be much more of a "may be" than an "is definitely " for me.

 

I won't miss Vaughn if he goes. 

 

I hope Bauers gets his bag whether it's this year with the Brewers or the following year with someone else.

He doesn't have the power you'd like but I would definitely take Vaughn at $9mm as an insurance policy. 

[rickh150]

If Bauers accepts, Vaughn is gone. They aren’t throwing $33 million at 1B in 2027. I just can’t see both or neither there. It’s one or another, I presume. One is there to start and a minor leaguer like Burke or Adams will back up. 

[SF70]

8 hours ago, MrTPlush said:

Fischer first needs to learn how to field a baseball. Brewers aren’t rushing a defensive hack to the majors and watching his offensive growing pain while he boots balls all over the place.

Fischer is fine at 1B, it’s 3B where the issues lie defensively.

 

[Outlander]

The Brewers are in a good spot as their first option is clearly Bauers but don't have to make a decision on Vaughn until after Bauers makes his decision. I would expect Vaughn to have an uptick in power next season and a more than capable starter if Bauers rejects the qualifying offer. Appears everything is falling into place with 1B opening up in 2028 and DH in 2029 for the combination of Burke/Fischer/Adams.

[Mr Southpaw]

10 hours ago, MrTPlush said:

Fischer first needs to learn how to field a baseball. Brewers aren’t rushing a defensive hack to the majors and watching his offensive growing pain while he boots balls all over the place.

 

1 hour ago, SF70 said:

Fischer is fine at 1B, it’s 3B where the issues lie defensively.

 

I am with Plush.  He is not very good at fielding ground balls.  Putting him at 1B takes away all the long throws, but you still have to field your position.  Our best left handed 1B fielder in the minors is Burke.  Black and Fischer both have question marks with their fielding.  Long term (if there are no improvements)  Burke is at 1B and Fischer at DH. 

[Fear The Chorizo]

question for those better in the know - would accepted qualifying offers now for next year's season still be paid out if there isn't a season next year?  Or would they simply be extended to apply to the next time there's baseball?

Honestly, with what I think is about to happen with CBA negotiations, I think Bauers should accept the qualifying offer for even just the 1 year financial windfall that contract will bring, whether it's paid out in 2027 or 2028.  

From a roster/baseball perspective, if Bauers accepts the QO, then I think Vaughn gets traded before the next time the Brewers are playing regular season games.  Fischer and potentially Made needing spots on the MLB roster in the next 1-2 seasons, and 1B/3B are the two most likely scenarios for them to break into regular playing time IMO.  

If the Brewers opt to "overpay" and extend a position player a few years past his likely prime, I'd much rather it be for Contreras instead of Bauers, because as much as I love Jake's 2026 and postseason contributions, his production is much more replaceable at this point from within the system than Wild Bill's, and I think Wild Bill is just more valuable to this team.

 

[jay87shot]

I'd love if he would sign it, I don't think he will however. He doesn't have a great track record but ever since he changed up his swing last July/August he has been on of the best hitters in the league. I think with the lack of top end bats and with how many teams need middle of the lineup help 3/60 like Christian Walker got a few year ago is a pretty good bet on his worth somewhere. If he does sign the QO we can helpfully trade Vaughn for a decent bullpen arm or decent prospect (top 20 in our system). Burke and Fischer probably need like a half a season until they are truly ready, I wouldn't have a problem turning 1B over to some combo of Adams, Burke, and Fischer but it might take 1/2 a season to really figure that situation out. With Bauers we can be patient and if/when one of them are ready we can squeeze out some playing time at least as much as Vaughn had this year if we can get some DH time and sneak Bauers in the OF here or there.

[TURBO]

I keep seeing Black's name brought up. 

I see no future here with him at all.  He doesn't have a position, we can't DH him, because of Yelich, so where does he fit? 

We have kind of given him try-outs, but never really commit to any real playing time.  With guys like Burke, Adams and Fischer possibly knocking on the door sooner than later, I don't believe Black has any kind of future with the Brewers, and probably should be traded at some point.  

[KCBrewerfan34]

It’s time to shelve the Black mentions, not happening, won’t happen, time to turn the page. IMHO :) 

[MrTPlush]

2 hours ago, SF70 said:

Fischer is fine at 1B, it’s 3B where the issues lie defensively.

 

I wouldn’t say he is fine. He is worse than Bauers and that is pretty low bar as is. Bauers provides offense and even with that his defense is bleach in the eyes to watch.

We have watched some pretty bad growing pains over the years with some prospects coming up..,but almost all of them had plus defense to take some of the sting out. Fischer could be a liability all around.

[SeaBass]

16 hours ago, liveforoctober said:

Asking him to play for $23million and then test the market next year ($23 guaranteed+ whatever he signs for in '28 and beyond) and pass up some kind of 3yr/$50mil+ or whatever isn't that much of a crazy 'gamble'. Even if he tanks and doesn't get another deal ... this single year sets him up forever.

As fans it's easy to become desensitized to how much money is paid to players every season but it absolutely would be a crazy gamble.

I think most people when offered a choice between $23M or $50M are taking the $50M.

It's not a foregone conclusion but I think he's very likely to decline unless there's info out there that the high number we're thinking of isn't actually going to happen.

[MrTPlush]

There is no financial risk for Bauers, at least short term. The amount of teams looking to give him a 3+ year deal, debatable. Amount of teams willing to give him like $20mil+ for just next year? Many, many I would guess.

The risk is that no team wants to offer him a multi-year contract and he has to settle for a one year prove it deal. However, by the time that conclusion happens the Brewers are off the NLCS MVP high and decide to just move a cheaper different direction. Then Bauers is stuck taking a one-year deal with an unfamiliar team. That is the nightmare situation for Bauers.

Woodruff had the same situation last year, he probably could have made just as much no matter what, but coming off an injury with a new team and unfamiliar medical staff? Not ideal.

Bauers isn’t declining unless he is very confident that multi-year deal is coming. If not, he will take the guaranteed money with the team he finally found success with.

[Mr Southpaw]

I am sure his agent is shopping him around as we speak.  He has 2 weeks to make a better deal.  I am sure he can get more money than $23 million. It is just a matter how many years it will take and how much Jake wants to get booed.

[liveforoctober]

Re: Black, if I was a betting man I would not put any chips into that bucket as well BUT a little ironic we are casting him away in the same thread that we are all (mostly) happy Jake Bauers just received a QO offer from us.

If Bauers has taught us anything it is that you keep giving guys chances until someone else takes the opportunity away. I'm pretty sure one of Burke or Fischer or Adams will be ready if called upon - but until that is confirmed Black should be in the running.

[StearnsFTW]

13 hours ago, OldSchoolSnapper said:

He doesn't have the power you'd like but I would definitely take Vaughn at $9mm as an insurance policy. 

Fair enough.  I think he's more of a dime-a-dozen type personally.  $9MM seems like a lot of money for a guy that crushes lefties and not much else.

I'll be surprised if he's tendered, but we'll see.

 

[OldSchoolSnapper]

2 minutes ago, StearnsFTW said:

Fair enough.  I think he's more of a dime-a-dozen type personally.  $9MM seems like a lot of money for a guy that crushes lefties and not much else.

I'll be surprised if he's tendered, but we'll see.

 

I am envisioning a scenario where the minor league guys are just clearly not ready and the dime-a-dozen guy we bring in to replace him for $2 million has the kind of year Bauers did 2 years ago. With Vaughn I feel like I know what the floor is.

[Team Canada]

52 minutes ago, Mr Southpaw said:

It is just a matter how many years it will take and how much Jake wants to get booed.

I don't think Jake is getting booed if he leaves. I mean maybe a little from people that would do it regardless, but no one's going to begrudge him seeking a multiyear deal.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

9 minutes ago, Team Canada said:

I don't think Jake is getting booed if he leaves. I mean maybe a little from people that would do it regardless, but no one's going to begrudge him seeking a multiyear deal.

Don't underestimate what this title is going to do to the quantity of quality of fans. I'm not saying I don't welcome new fans, I absolutely do, and most will be great, but when the floodgates open you'll start to see more of that kind of thing.

[CheezWizHed]

Seems like a good gamble for both the Brewers and Bauers, IMO.

A) Bauers accepts the QO (Vaughn is traded or arby declined)

• 1) If Bauers plays anywhere near 2026, you made a good deal.  Adams becomes the RH part of the platoon.  Burke waits until 2027 or is 1B/DH injury backup. 
• 2)If Bauers falls off to previous levels - well, that is the downside of all of this.  But then Adams and Burke get more play at 1B. 

B) Bauers rejects the QO

• Vaughn is retained with Arbitration and you work with Luke Adams (RHB - maybe a bit at 3B too?) and Blake Burke (LHB) as rookies. 

In all of this, I assume Fischer remains at AA/AAA if he follows the typical path for Brewer's rookies (i.e. not the Chourio route). 

[liveforoctober]

23 minutes ago, Team Canada said:

I don't think Jake is getting booed if he leaves. I mean maybe a little from people that would do it regardless, but no one's going to begrudge him seeking a multiyear deal.

I actually interpreted this as Jake can either take a big deal and go somewhere where he will now be scrutinized for being a big contract that has to perform (and will get booed if he doesn't perform in that city) .... or he can stay here and no one will care how he plays because we will all still be drunk celebrating for the next 12 months.