Brewers Acquiring Josh Donaldson (And That’s a Terrible Idea)

I disagree. The terrible idea is keeping Anderson on the roster past today. At least Donaldson has good QOC #s (xSLG .538), is due for some serious positive regression (.076 BABIP!), and crushes lefties. Plus, we can stop playing Turang against LHP. 

Of course, I wouldn't mind a call up of Tyler Black, either...

In the previous discussion on this I didn't know he was still on DL and not even eligible to come off until mid-september.  Just doesn't seem worth at all then.    As said in the article, its not clear if he'd even be ready at that point and even if so that's barely any games to find out if you can trust him in the playoffs.   Hopefully they can find another way to help the IF somehow.   Black seems like the only other move though

3 minutes ago, tmwiese55 said:

In the previous discussion on this I didn't know he was still on DL and not even eligible to come off until mid-september.  Just doesn't seem worth at all then.    As said in the article, its not clear if he'd even be ready at that point and even if so that's barely any games to find out if you can trust him in the playoffs.   Hopefully they can find another way to help the IF somehow.   Black seems like the only other move though

Donaldson has reportedly healed and is ready to play. 

6 minutes ago, Brewcrew82 said:

Donaldson has reportedly healed and is ready to play. 

I guess it depends if what's stated in the article is accurate on not being eligible due to the 60 day IL.   If that goes away once on a new team and you have the whole month to test him out is different to me than coming back with like 15 games left.  Especially when the main thing you'd want him for is to play vs lefties, maybe 4 of the last 15 should be vs lefties. 

Side note, getting one more of those Cubs games to have a 5 game lead really would've been nice on this topic too. Would just feel like more wiggle room to 'experiment' in such a situation.

I guess I didn't even realize that Donaldson was still on the 60 day IL. The Brewers can get the best of both worlds then. Call up Black, release Anderson, and Donaldson isn't taking up a 40 man spot until he is ready Mid September.

They do need to do something.  This isn't it.

They have multiple better options at Triple A.

8 minutes ago, Underachiever said:

I thought you had to be on the 40-man on 9/1 for the playoffs.

40 man or on the IL by 8/31.

A gross, desperate, and ridiculous idea.

Bring up Black, end of story.

The bar is set so low at 3B it would be virtually impossible for Donaldson to not be an improvement. There really isn’t a downside, especially if they simply release Anderson and replace him with Donaldson. 

There is absolutely nothing to lose if they make this move. At least there is some possible upside with Donaldson and if it doesn't work out so what its not like we are getting anything from the position anyway.

Clubhouse chemistry is important.  He would be a risk in that department.

With how fragile the team seemed to be last year when Hader was moved, might they need a cry closet if they add a knob like Donaldson this late in the season?

I get it, he could possibly bring a little lightning in the bottle, but he could also, just as easily, create havoc.

I mean, we have Black, just sitting there waiting, I am going out on a limb and saying he would be just as good as anything Donaldson can do, if not a lot better.

15 minutes ago, TURBO said:

Clubhouse chemistry is important.  He would be a risk in that department.

With how fragile the team seemed to be last year when Hader was moved, might they need a cry closet if they add a knob like Donaldson this late in the season?

I get it, he could possibly bring a little lightning in the bottle, but he could also, just as easily, create havoc.

I trust the FO has a pretty good handle on the chemistry of the clubhouse and will keep that in mind. If they decide he won't sabotage the clubhouse, then I trust them. The Hader thing was more being shocked at trading a key player, whereas this would be adding someone for the final stretch run.

In the end, we're getting next to nothing from the 3B position right now and are also forced to play Turang against LHP. 

JD reminds me of Roger Dorn

8 minutes ago, TURBO said:

Clubhouse chemistry is important.  He would be a risk in that department.

With how fragile the team seemed to be last year when Hader was moved, might they need a cry closet if they add a knob like Donaldson this late in the season?

I get it, he could possibly bring a little lightning in the bottle, but he could also, just as easily, create havoc.

I mean, we have Black, just sitting there waiting, I am going out on a limb and saying he would be just as good as anything Donaldson can do, if not a lot better.

Tyler Black's batted ball metrics in AAA this year.

Avg EV - 85.9 

Sweet spot % - 21.3%

Barrel % - 4.9% (1 of the 3 barrels was off a position player)

Hard hit % - 23.0%

Josh Donaldson's MLB batted ball metrics this year.

Avg EV - 92.8

Sweet spot % - 25.0%

Barrel % - 19.7%

Hard hit % - 51.3%

I don't at all think it's safe to suggest Black who has had horrible batted ball metrics in AAA would be a better MLB hitter than Donaldson who has put up great batted ball metrics in the MLB this year

The stable mediocrity of Jace Peterson's LHB would come in handy right now

1 hour ago, TURBO said:

Clubhouse chemistry is important.  He would be a risk in that department.

With how fragile the team seemed to be last year when Hader was moved, might they need a cry closet if they add a knob like Donaldson this late in the season?

I get it, he could possibly bring a little lightning in the bottle, but he could also, just as easily, create havoc.

I mean, we have Black, just sitting there waiting, I am going out on a limb and saying he would be just as good as anything Donaldson can do, if not a lot better.

What winning team has had chemistry issues? To the contrary, winning consistently in a pennant chase tends to cure chemistry issues. 

1 hour ago, wiguy94 said:

Tyler Black's batted ball metrics in AAA this year.

Avg EV - 85.9 

Sweet spot % - 21.3%

Barrel % - 4.9% (1 of the 3 barrels was off a position player)

Hard hit % - 23.0%

 

Josh Donaldson's MLB batted ball metrics this year.

Avg EV - 92.8

Sweet spot % - 25.0%

Barrel % - 19.7%

Hard hit % - 51.3%

 

I don't at all think it's safe to suggest Black who has had horrible batted ball metrics in AAA would be a better MLB hitter than Donaldson who has put up great batted ball metrics in the MLB this year

Donaldson is a former MVP who’s still a good defender at 3B. Whether the bat has gone cold due to injuries or diminishing skills at 37 is anyone’s guess but, given Montaserio/Anderson or Donaldson, I’m taking him every single time. 

4 hours ago, Jake McKibbin said:

Given how easily the clubhouse chemistry affected them last year, I can't see this without prior approval of the big names in the clubhouse. The only plus for him is that he pissed off Tim Anderson

His underlying metrics look good this year but I wonder if this is a "let's consider it" but not likely to happen thing

How exactly did clubhouse chemistry effect them last year?  Other than media narratives and comments from a few players, they didn't actually play worse after trading Hader.

My guess is …..after last season……Arnold, and Cc would have talked to the team leaders to see if any of the veterans had an issue with this move…….but obviously that is just a guess…..based on that is what they reportedly did with Santana.

Hell yes! Get a few ABs under his belt and let her rip for September!