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  • The Brewers Should Target These 1B & DH At The Trade Deadline

    Jason Wang

    By Jason Wang

    It’s no secret that the Milwaukee Brewers are severely lacking quality people for two of the most important hitting positions. With Rowdy Tellez’s IL stint recently extended and his already-lackluster season in mind, it’s time to start looking for other options. And no, a Keston Hiura promotion is not the ideal solution here.

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    1. Brendan Donovan (STL, 1B)
    In an ideal world, the Brewers would strike a deal for reigning NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt, but given his somewhat large contract and Cardinals executive John Mozeliak recently stating that the team has no plans to trade him or Nolan Arenado, we’ll have to settle for the next best thing.

    Brendan Donovan has primarily played second base for the Cardinals this year, but has also served as the backup first baseman and appeared in 11 games as the designated hitter. He’s been a strong offensive bat, slashing .284/.370/.432 for an OPS of .802 and an OPS+ of 120. His contract situation is also not too bad, with him being signed through the remainder of 2023 and not being eligible for free agency until 2028. 

    While not the rosiest of situations, this season is not yet over for the Cardinals, but if they do want to make it to the postseason, they absolutely need to fix their abysmal pitching situation. With a strong pitching staff to exchange, a deal with Milwaukee could be made. Furthermore, the Cardinals are vying for a wild card spot, as winning the division is pretty much out of the question, so trading with the favorite Brewers doesn’t hurt their odds too much.

    There are rumors of Donovan being sent to Boston, so if Milwaukee wants a valuable hitting piece like Donovan, they’ll have to move quickly. 

    2. Brent Rooker (OAK, DH)
    While he’s cooled down significantly from his hot start this season, Rooker is still a meaningful offensive contributor to the Athletics. Primarily serving as a designated hitter, he's slashing .239/.332/.467 for an OPS of .800 and an OPS+ of 127. He’s also spent significant time in the outfield so he has value outside of just being a bat if the Brewers choose to utilize him in that way.

    His contract situation is remarkably similar to Brendan Donovan’s, being signed through 2023 and being eligible to test free agency in 2028. Oakland also needs improved pitching, and has been active in the market, recently trading Shintaro Fujinami to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for lefty prospect Easton Lucas. With one of the worst rotations and bullpens in the entire league, Oakland might be open to sacrificing a power bat for a couple of strong arms. Then again, who knows what Oakland’s front office even wants these days (other than to leave Oakland).

    3. Andrew Vaughn (CHW, 1B)
    Andrew Vaughn is like a slightly less impressive Donovan. On the bright side, he’s a full-time first baseman, but his offense is a little less impressive, slashing .244/..316/.422 for a .738 OPS and 102 OPS+. That being said, he still has much to offer. 

    The White Sox are pretty much doomed this season, projected as having a 1.4% chance to make the playoffs. After a disappointing past few years, the front office is probably more likely to make some moves to revitalize the franchise. Similar to the Cardinals, they also need pitching to bolster a decent lineup.

    The real target should be Eloy Jimenez, but he’s more of a key piece to the franchise than Vaughn and has a much more expensive contract, so Vaughn seems more in line with precedent Brewers front office decisions. He is signed through 2023 and isn’t eligible for free agency until 2027.

    Follow Jason Wang on Twitter: jasonwang7517

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    wiguy94

    wiguy94 2,326

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Rooker is an absolute no for me. Basically a 28 year old rookie who had an insane April and has been bad since. I’m far more inclined to believe who has been since May 1st is closer to who he actually is than his overall season numbers.

    Since May 1st - .202/.283/.365 for an 85 wRC+ with 8% BB-rate and 36% K-rate. 
     

    Might as well just call up Hiura instead of spending prospect capital on that.

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    CheeseheadInQC

    CheeseheadInQC 664

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    This article for me kind of indicates why dealing for a bat is going to be tough. Donovan is going to be the most expensive, and unless the Brewers are willing to give up Peralta or Misiorowski, I don’t know if there is a match (maybe if you deal both Gasser and Rodriguez, but I am not sure). Plus who knows if he will actually be able to play in the field again this season. Rooker has managed to have his strikeout and walk rates get worse each month.

    Vaughn is an interesting idea if the White Sox are just wanting to move on and the prospects involved reflect that. If not, however, you are looking at paying for years of control that you won’t want at higher prices unless his play significantly improves. Given the difference in prospect capital possibly needed, it almost would be better if he was a rental.

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    Jason Wang

    Jason Wang 84

  • Brewer Fanatic Contributor

    • Posted

    53 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

    Rooker is an absolute no for me. Basically a 28 year old rookie who had an insane April and has been bad since. I’m far more inclined to believe who has been since May 1st is closer to who he actually is than his overall season numbers.

    Since May 1st - .202/.283/.365 for an 85 wRC+ with 8% BB-rate and 36% K-rate. 
     

    Might as well just call up Hiura instead of spending prospect capital on that.

    I should have called this out but after a pitiful May and June, July is looking like a rebound month for Rooker, posting a .783 OPS in July vs a .616 and .620 OPS in May and June respectively. 

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    Jason Wang

    Jason Wang 84

  • Brewer Fanatic Contributor

    • Posted

    37 minutes ago, CheeseheadInQC said:

    This article for me kind of indicates why dealing for a bat is going to be tough. Donovan is going to be the most expensive, and unless the Brewers are willing to give up Peralta or Misiorowski, I don’t know if there is a match (maybe if you deal both Gasser and Rodriguez, but I am not sure). Plus who knows if he will actually be able to play in the field again this season. Rooker has managed to have his strikeout and walk rates get worse each month.

    Vaughn is an interesting idea if the White Sox are just wanting to move on and the prospects involved reflect that. If not, however, you are looking at paying for years of control that you won’t want at higher prices unless his play significantly improves. Given the difference in prospect capital possibly needed, it almost would be better if he was a rental.

    100%. It's a tight market and most bats that are worth pursuing are either critical pieces of their respective teams or on legitimate contenders that are likely hoping to preserve their core.

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    CheeseheadInQC

    CheeseheadInQC 664

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    5 minutes ago, JasonWang7517 said:

    I should have called this out but after a pitiful May and June, July is looking like a rebound month for Rooker, posting a .783 OPS in July vs a .616 and .620 OPS in May and June respectively. 

    The power has come back but he is striking out more and walking less than even May or June. That concerns me.

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    Jason Wang

    Jason Wang 84

  • Brewer Fanatic Contributor

    • Posted

    2 minutes ago, CheeseheadInQC said:

    The power has come back but he is striking out more and walking less than even May or June. That concerns me.

    Very true - average and OBP are still quite low, he's being saved by his near .500 SLG.

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    LouisEly

    LouisEly 872

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    1 hour ago, wiguy94 said:

    Rooker is an absolute no for me. Basically a 28 year old rookie who had an insane April and has been bad since. I’m far more inclined to believe who has been since May 1st is closer to who he actually is than his overall season numbers.

    Since May 1st - .202/.283/.365 for an 85 wRC+ with 8% BB-rate and 36% K-rate. 
     

    Might as well just call up Hiura instead of spending prospect capital on that.

    Rooker is no different than Tellez.

    Do people not remember that Tellez had a .886 OPS in March/April and an .830 OPS as late as June 1st?

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    wiguy94

    wiguy94 2,326

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    1 hour ago, JasonWang7517 said:

    I should have called this out but after a pitiful May and June, July is looking like a rebound month for Rooker, posting a .783 OPS in July vs a .616 and .620 OPS in May and June respectively. 

    .322 xwOBA in July with a 43% K-rate in July. Just absolutely not buying it. Just call up Keston Hiura if you want someone with that volatile of outcomes with a crazy high K-rate.

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    bensheeps

    bensheeps 139

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    1 hour ago, JasonWang7517 said:

    100%. It's a tight market and most bats that are worth pursuing are either critical pieces of their respective teams or on legitimate contenders that are likely hoping to preserve their core.

    This is what I keep coming back too.  Bats that are available are either going to be at too steep of a price or not enough to move the needle for us.

    It's why I keep wondering if we instead look at AAA bats that are blocked and hope that we can get a couple good months from them on their call up.  Maybe that is Hiura; maybe it's from another team.

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    Pugger

    Pugger 299

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    2 hours ago, Outlander said:

    Not liking 2 or 3 and find it hard to believe Donovan will be available to the Brewers.

    I can't see the Cards trading Donovan to us either.

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    ClosetBrewerFan

    ClosetBrewerFan 176

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    • Posted

    None of these options are all that exciting and we would have to give up talent to get them.  Just call up Hiura and lets see what he can do.  If not, try Toro and then Black.  I feel that is the best option we have.

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    Jim French Stepstool

    Jim French Stepstool 987

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    3 hours ago, bensheeps said:

     

    It's why I keep wondering if we instead look at AAA bats that are blocked and hope that we can get a couple good months from them on their call up.  Maybe that is Hiura; maybe it's from another team.

    That's basically how we were able to acquire Tellez. I wouldn't be surprised if the FO is scouring other organizations looking for a similar fit.

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    wiguy94

    wiguy94 2,326

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    3 hours ago, bensheeps said:

    This is what I keep coming back too.  Bats that are available are either going to be at too steep of a price or not enough to move the needle for us.

    It's why I keep wondering if we instead look at AAA bats that are blocked and hope that we can get a couple good months from them on their call up.  Maybe that is Hiura; maybe it's from another team.

    If that's the route you are looking for then Jonathan Aranda could be an answer but not sure what you would need to give the Rays to get him though as they likely want MLB pitching in the deal

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