Harold Hutchison

Burnes, Peralta, and Woodruff all are very promising. But keeping them does not preclude the Brewers getting Greinke, especially if they could deal Anderson and Schoop to get him. Keep in mind, during those three years, the Crew will replace $10 million with Hiura getting about $600K a year. Many of the other pitchers will be young and cheap for the most part. Greinke could still be an improvement for the rotation.

Was just gonna make a long-winded post about why I wouldn't do this, but this is perfect. I'll sum up my thoughts by saying that it's true the Greinke is the type of pitcher that usually ages well. The problem is that he already has aged well, i.e., that it usually applies to being productive from roughly ages 32-35. To stay worth ~$15m per year would be more than just "aging well". It would be very unusual in the post-PED era. Still... I see Greinke getting out of Arizona as a boon to him. Add the fact he seemed to enjoy Milwaukee, and getting him for the right price is not a bad thing. Exactly what said price is should be debated, but Greinke, over the next three years is likely to be a more durable Chacin at worst. If he's on the decline - posting 3.20 ERAs in Arizona, it's still worth a lot of money.

Greinke may be worth a package of Anderson (for some salary offset), Schoop (more salary offset), as well as Bickford and Herrera. Crew takes on all of Greinke's 2019 salary, and $20 million of his salary for 2020 and 2021. Greinke seemed to enjoy being in Milwaukee, and to get him back while he could still be very valuable - and in exchange for spare parts - is doable, IMO.

I think you are right in a sense that the Brewers don't have a lot of classic prospects. That said... I'll just point to one Brent Suter, and say that sometimes, the usual suspects in the evaluation world miss. Before he needed Tommy John surgery, he was a reliable part of the rotation. Then look at Quintin Torres-Costa, a 35th round pick. That guy looked like a key part of the 2019 pen until be needed Tommy John surgery. Right now, my eyes are on Cameron Roegner and Scott Sunitsch, a pair of lefty starters in the lower part of the minors, but both of whom are flashing some very good signs, and Clayton Andrews, a lefty looking as dominant as Hader, but who I'd love to see stretched out. Jorge Ortega pitched again after injury, and he still has that control, and I think he could rocket up, and there's a DSL pitcher by the name of Henry Medina, a command-and-control pitcher who got results. On the hitting side, the Brewers have Eddie Silva, David Fry, Jesus Chorinos, and Victor Vargas in the low minors, plus Weston Wilson and Cooper Hummel higher up.

Much will depend on whether he bats behind or in front of Hiura - and that could be as soon as Opening Day. IF it is a Cain-Hiura-Yelich top three in the order, it may be along the lines of .315/.390/.550 (a .940 OPS) with 35 homers a year. A regular contender for the triple crown. If it's Cain-Yelich-Hiura... I think 2018 could be a floor for Yelich in his prime.

Very interesting... that does make getting Zach Thompson less of a reach, and the Crew could go for another pitcher as well.

Great point. Initially his High A ERA got me but you’re right, on a deeper dive he’s got some good deeper stats and upside. He could be a nice weapon out of the pen at a minimum and with his tools you never know. I updated my list based on your comment. Thanks. I thought it over some, but some pitchers either had better performance, had what I consider a higher ceiling, or in some cases, a higher floor. Scott Sunitsch, for instance, really has me excited in terms of the rotation, and I see couple of relievers (Andrews, Olczak) who could become new versions of Hader, although I salivate over the thought of Andrews stretching out as a starter. I know he's only 5'6", practically Tyrion Lannister in terms of MLB players, but I think he could be a real good initial out-getter.

Yelich MVP, Cain 7th, Aguilar 16th. Three Brewers on ballots. WOW.

Looks like Trent Grisham is heating up. Looked like a solo shot. I wonder if he can put together enough of a hit for average tool to go with his OBP skills.

A minor-league deal with a NRI sounds good - maybe a two-year deal like the one Ortega signed. Sam Freeman also looks like an intriguing addition if he could be had on the same basis.

How many of the names did you end up looking up on Baseball-Reference or elsewhere? Shocked that Eddie Silva isn't on your list. After re-evaluating the numbers, I am shocked I left him off, too. I initially didn't feel good based on only 9 walks compared to 203 ABs, but he's got a hit tool, and he has some real pop - and most of that was at Wisconsin. How does the Crew get both Silva and Hiura on the field at the same time?

How many of the names did you end up looking up on Baseball-Reference or elsewhere?

Seems like a fringe guy. Given the lack of regard many here have for Zach Davies (who's stuff is better), I don't see this guy with his stuff being a prospect most would embrace. Regardless of this report in November, his fastball is typically 88-91 as a starter but in a strict pen role he'll sit 93 consistently with some movement. His change is above average and seems to be his second best offering followed by his curve, which seems to be decent and usable as a 3rd pitch. He's always had really good control and can pitch multiple innings. Whether it's here or elsewhere he's a MLB pen arm In other words, a middle-relief role - a bridge to the back end of Jeffress/Knebel?

Not to mention a higher spot in the draft order...

1. LHP Cameron Roegner (1 in mid-season poll) - Dominated, and looks to be a late-round find on the order of Brent Suter 2. LHP Aaron Ashby (NR) - 1 HR in 37 IP, and an 11.33 K/9 ratio in Wisconsin. 3. OF Troy Stokes (3) - proved 2017 was no fluke. 4. 2B Keston Hiura (4) - Imminent arrival in MLB makes for some interesting options. 5. OF Corey Ray (8) - Full season proved he is legit. 6. RHP Zach Brown (6) - Very solid numbers in Biloxi. 7. 3B Lucas Erceg (5) - Good news: Improved walk rate a bit. Bad News: .688 OPS. 8. RHP Trey Supak (11) - A clone of Brown. 9. OF Tyrone Taylor (9) - Earned a 40-man slot in AAA. 10. UT Weston Wilson (24) - An eventual replacement for Hernan Perez. Played all four IF positions and LF/RF. 11. IF Eddie Silva (NR) - Delivering a high-average bat at Wisconsin and Helena. 12. C David Fry (15) - Huge power bat. Not as close to the majors as Hummel, but this bat is special. 13. LHP Scott Sunitsch (30) - A 1.71 ERA in Wisconsin can't be ignored. 14. LHP Clayton Andrews (NR) - Has Hader 2.0 written all over him, but could he stretch into a starter? 15. C Cooper Hummel (17) - Showed some versatility in the OF. Good OBP skills, good bat. Best catcher in the system. 16. OF Tristan Lutz (16) - A .742 OPS is not bad, but he was so much better in 2017. 17. C/1B Jesus Chirinos (33) - Looks like a big bat and advanced OBP skills at 16. 18. OF/1B Ryan Aguilar (NR) - All of a sudden, he seems to be emerging as a Thames-ish bench option. OBP skills, some pop, and speed. 19. RHP Jon Olczak (NR) - Right-handed Hader. 20. UT Jake Hager (18) - Earned a NRI with 2018 performance. 21. SS Brice Turang (NR) - Intriguing OBP skills and speed. Can he develop power? 22. 2B Victor Vargas (NR) - A good hit tool, OBP skills (17 BB to 96 AB), and speed. May move Hiura elsewhere - on the diamond. 23. RHP Jorge Ortega (25) - Very low walk rate - came back from injury. Could rocket back to previous highs. 24. RHP Henry Medina (NR) - Eye-popping numbers in the DSL. Looks like a command/control artist. 25. OF Trent Grisham (14) - Still had 63 walks, but average not cutting it. 26. IF Dallas Carroll (10) - Good OBP skills are nice, but the average is not cutting it. 27. OF Joe Gray (NR) - Love the OBP and power, hate the sub-Uecker average. 28. C Jacob Nottingham (26) - His best service to the Crew could be helping land Realmuto. 29. RHP Conor Harber (NR) - Some good numbers, but BABIP leads to possibility of luck. 30. OF Micah Bello (23) - Decent OBP and speed, but not much average. 31. C Payton Henry (NR) - Good OBP, some pop. But is he eclipsed by other catchers? 32. RHP Nate Griep (34) - Could be a closer. 33. RHP Cody Ponce (31) - Just not up to past seasons. 34. LHP Cody Beckman (23) - Solid, but Andrews is eclipsing him. 35. C Alex Hall (NR) - Aussie pickup could be intriguing. 36. UT Jess Williams (NR) - Decent average, speed, and versatile. Australia's answer to Hernan Perez? A number of new players. Leaving off QTC, Gatewood, and Dubon for injury concerns. One thing about DSL players - they can be like playing roulette. Vargas and Chorinos, though, both look very impressive. Medina, while old for the DSL, is someone I think could do well. Andrews, Ashby, Roegner, and Sunitch look like excellent lefties. Of these four, three were drafted in the 17th round or later. EDIT: Adjusted list - adding Eddie Silva, dropping Dallas Carroll to 26 after LouisEly's suggestion. I'm still for trading Arcia and moving Braun to third. Anyone want to see if Shaw can play short. j/k - or am I...?

I wouldn't give up hope. It will depend on how the Marlins value these prospects, not how arbitrary 3rd party prospect rankers value them. Plus, we really have no idea how much value the Braves, or the Brewers, place on Realmuto. The Brewers definitely have the ammunition to get a deal done if they want to, and they determine that Realmuto is worth the cost. One thing the Brewers offer that the Braves do not is a set of upper-end prospects that are closer to Major League ready. I would agree. They also have some players who could fill holes for the Marlins as well. The highest I'd so would be Anderson, Aguilar, Nottingham, and Dubon for Realmuto.

I think giving up Peralta as the second key player to get the deal done is something many here may consider a worthy sacrifice but I can't get past 102 K's in 84 major league innings as a 22 year old. That's enough of a sample size for me to say he shouldn't get moved unless it is part of a package for a TOR starter. You are right Burnes should be untouchable and Woodruff is a flame throwing horse, again just a player I wouldn't give up unless it is for a pitcher. We have struggled for so long to develop our own pitchers I just can't stomach the thought of moving any of these guys for a 2 year rental catcher but I can see the other side of the argument as well. To me Hiura at the top of the trade should be enough to get it done with some other pieces, be it Lutz/Supak/Nottingham type prospects or maybe a mix of prospects with some major league guys like Davies or Santana. If someone tops that we move on. If the Brewers can't get it done with near-MLB ready pieces like Dubon and Nottingham packaged with Aguilar, then they ought to walk. I'd rather try other options, like bringing back Lucroy, going 4/$40 for Wilson Ramos, or picking up Mazieka via the Rule 5. The Brewers have a decent #1 catcher in Pina, who becomes an outstanding backup if they get a better one. If a good #1 or #2 catcher emerges, the Crew can flip Nottingham for help elsewhere. But the Crew can walk.

Semi-serious. Yelich is as close to untouchable as you can get... but at the same time, if someone were to tell you, "Name the price for Yelich," what would you demand?

In light of the absurd offer of Syndergaard and Nimmo for Christian Yelich, I figured I'd ask this. Every player DOES have his price. For me, if the Mets wanted Yelich, they'd have to package Syndergaard, deGrom, Jeff McNeil, Nimmo, AND Michael Conferto, plus all their international bonus slots.

Brach? No, thanks. A more expensive Matt Albers. Hard pass. Instead, in that case, go with Miley, and try to get Ramos for 3/30.

That's why the baseline of the Brewers package needs to be Aguilar and Nottingham. The Marlins get an All-Star first baseman, they get a young, controllable catcher. Two of their biggest needs are met. Being on a contender with a good friend may help the Crew extend Realmuto. Give the Marlins an answer at first base and a ready-made replacement for Realmuto, and then Dubon and some secondary pieces will be as good. But a Thames rebound and the continued development of Erceg/Gatewood compensates.

They may have had a player # requirement and didn't have any younger/truer prospects that they felt needed more innings and were ready to face quality competition, too. It's great using the AFL to develop youngsters, but it needs to fit withing individual player needs. There's actually a good chunk of AFL players who are what I would consider to be some combo of "expiring prospects" that likely profile as AAAA roster filler. Wilkerson's profile is very similar to 1-2 Brewer pitchers sent to the AFL on a consistent basis each year, so it's not really a surprise. He could be pitching to try and get himself a contract overseas for all we know, because he sits pretty low on the depth chart for Brewer arms moving forward. Or, perhaps to make Wilkinson a more attractive trade target? He's pitched well in some MLB exposure and the AFL might give teams enough of a look to say, "OK, we'll take a shot at him in the back end of the rotation - and here's a couple of Rookie ball prospects in return." Or, maybe Miami takes him in a Realmuto deal. Probably more the former than the latter.

If that prediction is right, if I'm DS, I offer Moose 4 years and $35 million and make Erceg available for the right deal.

Damn straight. I hit .406 this year. Almost won the battling title. I've still got it, my friends. Show me some love. http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/mlb/players/full/6218.png&w=350&h=254 I'm not opposed to a NRI with an invite to spring training - and an opt-out if he doesn't make the roster...

Huh? A solid defensive catcher with an OPS+ more than 90 for 4 of the last 5 years sounds pretty solid as long as you don't break the bank for him. Especially if the upside is 120+ OPS. The prediction was $12 million a year for three years. That's a lot of money, and he's coming off a big year in his contract season. I've been burned by the Jason Kendalls the Brewers have picked up. Lucroy won't be as big a risk, and I'd bet a return to Milwaukee could revive his bat. It worked with Jeff Cirillo.