Harold Hutchison

A lot of the SS bats are OBP/speed types. Devanney and Baez are clearly potent bats in terms of being power threats, and Pratt could develop into that (not sweating yet due to the small sample size, but even if he's more a Jeff Cirillo type, that's still pretty darn good at short). Baez would definitely be a bat-first SS, but if he is posting a .900-.950 OPS at the position while not being completely atrocious... why not take the OPS and say thank you to the baseball gods?

He's had injuries in the past, so he may be open to getting that security this offseason with a hometown discount (and the Crew could always go to a $7.5 million/$8 million AAV).

The Brewers seemed to be set in the outfield at the end of the 2023 season, with Sal Frelick, Christian Yelich, Joey Wiemer, Tyrone Taylor, Garrett Mitchell, and Blake Perkins already on the roster. Even the trade of Mark Canha hasn’t lessened their depth, really. So, what does the state of the farm mean for the Brewers? Image courtesy of © Curt Hogg / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK The fact of the matter is that the Brewers could be “set” in the outfield in more ways than one. Let’s look over the players on the farm. Jackson Chourio (Double-A Biloxi/Triple-A Nashville) .283/.338/.467 with 26 doubles, 22 home runs, 91 RBI, 43 walks, 104 strikeouts in 531 at-bats Chourio is considered Milwaukee’s top prospect, if not the top prospect in all of minor-league baseball. In his first full season in the upper minors, he didn’t just hold his own (despite the experimental ball that skewed stats for many Biloxi players), he even improved his OBP skills over the course of the campaign. He doesn’t need to go on the 40-man roster this winter, but he could force his way into the Opening Day lineup–in Milwaukee. Chris Roller (AAA Nashville) .364/.493/.618 with 3 doubles, 3 home runs, 20 RBI, 13 walks, 15 strikeouts in 55 at-bats in Nashville .247/.394/.449 with 16 doubles, 15 home runs, 67 RBI, 68 walks, 109 strikeouts in 312 at-bats between AAA Columbus (CLE) and AAA Nashville (MIL) Roller got a 40-man roster spot after a very hot finish in Nashville, and he developed more of a power stroke in 2023, making his bat a legitimate three-true outcomes threat. Roller also adds speed to his offensive arsenal (19 stolen bases). He's entangled a very crowded outfield mix, but trades and injuries could change that. Noah Campbell (Double-A Biloxi/Triple-A Nashville) .244/.361/.391 with 10 doubles, 8 home runs, 40 RBI, 46 walks, 77 strikeouts in 271 at-bats Just calling Campbell an outfielder really understates things. He’s played all four infield positions, all three outfield positions, pitcher, catcher, and handled DH duties in his professional career. In 2023, Campbell stood out by performing well in Biloxi and earned a promotion to Nashville. Once there, though, he didn’t get the consistent playing time he'd enjoyed in Biloxi, and he struggled a little. Campbell’s future could be like that of Hernan Perez, the best utility player in Brewers history–and he could top Perez with his switch-hitting and ability to catch in a pinch. Isaac Collins (Double-A Biloxi/Triple-A Nashville) .263/.419/.421 with 13 doubles, 10 home runs, 44 RBI, 77 walks, 56 strikeouts in 297 at-bats A waiver-wire claim in the 2022-2023 offseason from the Rockies, Collins was an OBP god in 2023 and also developed some legitimate power and speed with the Shuckers, notching 25 extra-base hits and 29 stolen bases. While he mostly spent time in left field, he saw significant time at second base and limited action in center field, right field, and third base. Hendry Mendez (High-A Wisconsin/Arizona Complex League Brewers) .258/.324/.355 with 11 doubles, 3 home runs, 30 RBI, 23 walks, 40 strikeouts in 248 at-bats Mendez missed a lot of time with injuries in 2023. The good news was that he seemed to increase his power stroke, with 16 extra-base hits in 248 at-bats in 2023 compared to 17 in 377 at-bats in 2022. At the AFL, he didn’t get regular playing time, but three of his eight hits went for extra bases, and he walked six times in 33 at-bats. Luis Lara (Low-A Carolina/High-A Wisconsin) .286/.373/.359 with 13 doubles, 2 home runs, 29 RBI, 44 walks, 61 strikeouts in 343 at-bats Lara didn’t quite rocket up the minor-league ladder like Jackson Chourio did in 2022, but he showed legitimate OBP skills and speed (30 steals and three triples) in 2023, and made his way to Appleton. Lara has a cannon for an arm, and at 18, could develop a little more power. But the speed/OBP/hit-for-contact combo could make him a leadoff threat. Jace Avina (Low-A Carolina) .233/.373/.442 with 22 doubles, 14 home runs, 50 RBI, 56 walks, 118 strikeouts in 326 at-bats Throughout his professional career, Avina has been a three-true-outcomes bat, offering power (29 homers over two seasons) and posting a career .381 OBP, which makes the 211 strikeouts in 547 at-bats tolerable. Avina also provides excellent defense, notching 16 outfield assists over two seasons. He provides some speed (14 steals and five triples in his career). Hedbert Perez (Low-A Carolina) .216/.288/.345 with 10 doubles, 6 home runs, 29 RBI, 22 walks, 68 strikeouts in 232 at-bats Perez missed time with an injury in 2023, but did improve his walk rate from 2022. He was highly-touted at one point, but has been bypassed by Chourio and Lara, among others. He’s still 21, and could build on his improvement in 2023, but 2024 is looking like a make-or-break season for him. Yophery Rodriguez (Dominican Summer League Brewers 1) .253/.393/.449 with 13 doubles, 6 home runs, 36 RBI, 41 walks, 40 strikeouts in 178 at-bats Rodriguez looks like a left-handed Chourio, with better OBP skills. Obviously, that's an overly exuberant reading, but he's done that caliber of work in his very young career. He broke out in the DSL in 2023, leading the DSL Brewers 1 squad in hits, runs, doubles, homers, RBI, and walks, while sharing the team lead in stolen bases and finishing third in batting average among players with more than 100 at-bats. He could have a repeat of Choruio’s 2022 season in 2024. Brian Sanchez (DSL Brewers 1) .297/.414/.446 with 7 doubles, 19 RBI, 20 walks, 23 strikeouts in 101 at-bats Sanchez led the DSL Brewers 1 squad in batting average, OBP, and OPS while finishing a close second to Rodriguez in slugging percentage. While Rodriguez offers an intriguing package of power, speed and OBP skills, Sanchez offers more of a hit-for-contact, speed, and OBP profile. At 6’3” and 170 pounds, he could add some sneaky power to the mix. Which of these outfield prospects could give the Brewers an even more complicated situation? Are there any you want to learn more about? View full article

If anything, I pick up the deal, and think about an extension - maybe in the neighborhood of 3/$19.5 or 4/$26. As a back-end starter, we can do much worse. If Burnes/Woodruff aren't returning... solid starters will have to do.

Shortstop is arguably the deepest position in the Brewers farm system, and it isn’t just because the Brewers have had highly-touted draft picks at the position. Just how deep are the Brewers at short? Image courtesy of © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Every one of the Brewers affiliates boasts at least one shortstop prospect who could be a solid major-league player, at what is arguably the most important position on the infield. Let’s take a look at who they have. Cam Devanney (AAA Nashville) .271/.362/.461 with 27 doubles, 11 home runs, 47 RBI, 46 walks, 71 strikeouts in 336 at-bats As a 15th-round draft pick, Devanney has proven to be a steal so far. He broke out in 2022 after a very rough 2021, following an aggressive promotion to Biloxi. He’s flashed a superb bat, and he has not just held down shortstop, but also saw action at third base, second base, first base, and left field during his professional career. Had it not been for early-season injuries, he might have gotten the call-up after Willy Adames had that scary incident in May. Freddy Zamora (AA Biloxi) .255/.352/.361 with 17 doubles, 7 home runs, 51 RBI, 53 walks, 89 strikeouts in 377 at-bats Zamora was selected in the second round of the abbreviated 2020 June draft, and provided a lot of hope in 2021. His injury-riddled 2022 gave Devanney the chance to stage a comeback. In 2023, he initially struggled due to the experimental ball in AA, but emerged with a very solid offensive season. In addition to some pop in his bat, he stole 17 bases. He and Devanney will likely compete for the shortstop job in Nashville, and with it, a shot at making it to Milwaukee. Ethan Murray (AA Biloxi) .256/.359/.370 with 16 doubles, 6 home runs, 48 RBI, 53 walks, 93 strikeouts in 351 at-bats Murray found himself playing a lot at both shortstop and second base, spending a bit more time at the former position. For a player whose big calling card has been defense, Murray actually had a bit of an offensive breakout in Biloxi, posting his highest OPS at the professional level and improving his walk rate over 2022. Murray’s development marks a very nice problem for Nashville to have in 2024. Eric Brown Jr. (A+ Wisconsin/R ACL Brewers/AA Biloxi) .255/.358/.354 with eight doubles, 6 home runs, 27 RBI, 36 walks, 54 strikeouts in 263 at-bats Brown had trouble staying healthy in 2023, but when he's on the field, he’s generally performed well. Brown’s OBP skills and speed (39 steals in 72 games) provide an intriguing top-of-the-order option. He’s also performed well in the Arizona Fall League (.801 OPS as of November 3). Daniel Guilarte (A Carolina/R ACL Brewers) .284/.387/.325 with 6 doubles, 33 RBI, 36 walks, 68 strikeouts in 266 at-bats Guilarte’s could be called a two-true-outcome profile: he draws a lot of walks and he strikes out a lot. He also has a lot of speed, stealing 31 bases in 63 games. Injuries somewhat derailed Guilarte’s 2023 season, but his game looks to be very intriguing. Guilarte just turned 20, so he could fill out and add some pop to go with his OBP/speed/defense package. Juan Baez (R ACL Brewers/A Carolina) .351/.377/.527 with 19 doubles, 4 home runs, 48 RBI, 10 walks, 27 strikeouts in 222 at-bats Arguably, Baez has the most dynamic bat of the Brewers’ shortstop prospects. His .557 slugging percentage was the second-highest among all players with 10 or more games with the Maryvale squad (only the traded Jhonny Severino’s was higher) and he tied with Severino and Mike Boeve for the team lead in homers. He didn’t just flash power, he also had speed (four triples and 19 steals between both stops). Baez’s big question mark was defense, with only an .833 fielding percentage at short – but that .904 OPS overall may be worth keeping him at short for the long term despite the defensive struggles. Players who post a .900 OPS are rare. Shortstops that do so are even harder to find. Cooper Pratt (R ACL Brewers) .356/.426/.444 with 2 doubles, 8 RBI, 5 walks, 11 strikeouts in 45 at-bats Pratt was a surprise pick in the sixth round, and it was an even bigger surprise when the Crew paid $1.35 million to get him to pass on college ball. But so far, initial returns make this decision look good. Pratt could stick at shortstop, making no errors in nine games at the position. The scary part is what sort of power could develop from his 6’4”, 195-pound frame. Filippo Di Turi (FRk DSL Brewers 2) .282/.414/.354 with 9 doubles, 27 RBI, 38 walks, 32 strikeouts in 181 at-bats Di Turi’s plate discipline was perhaps his biggest calling card--his walks exceeded his strikeouts--and he also flashed an ability to make contact, with his .282 average. Di Turi doesn’t turn 18 until November 9, and so he is likely to fill out some and could add some power. Combined with his current plate discipline, it could make this switch-hitter some bad news for opposing pitchers. What do you think about the collection of shortstops Milwaukee has? Who do you think will rocket up the minor-league ladder? Who will take Willy Adames’s place? Let us know what you think! View full article

Here's a thought: Maybe the Crew get Miley and Houser back on some multi-year deals - say paying $6.5 to $7.5 million a year for 2-3 years, plus options. The Crew gets reliable starters for the back end, and if the farmhands (Rodriguez/Misiorowski/etc.) force the issue, affordable starters can fetch a nice return.

I'm not so worried about Baez's low walk rate in 2023, for two reasons: First, his ACL batting average was .370. Second, the strikeout rate was also low (23 in 192 ABs at Maryvale, 27 in 222 overall). So a strikeout rate of under 12%... that's a guy who can make contact, He can make hard contact, as the SLG shows. The adjustment to full-season ball will be a big one for him... but I'm not super worried. I think he's got a dynamic bat, and the tools are there for him to rocket up the minor-league ladder like Chourio did. Yes, I'd like to see more walks, but those could very well come, see Chourio and Quero this year. I will likely have Baez very high on my lists. I think he could be the Crew's Opening Day 2026 shortstop.

At this point, if I'm Matt Arnold, I'd look to flip Perkins for what I can get (maybe a lottery ticket or two). He's easily the guy who can fetch a decent return, and might even draw an overpay of sorts. Chourio-Mitchell-Wiemer as the starting OF Frelick as DH Yelich at 1B Taylor as 4th OF Roller and Noah Campbell for AAA depth.

More of a June 1 roster vs. Opening Day. Short version - Rowdy is dealt ala Canha for some prospect (maybe going for an Adam Lind-type return). Peguero is also dealt, maybe for a lottery ticket prospect as well. Perkins also goes on the move for a return. Bring back Caratini as the Burnes whisperer, with half an eye towards Jeferson Quero and/or Wes Clarke. Riding with rookies - Tyler Black's the heasy choice for Opening Day 3B. Chourio will likely be up at some point, and I'd say there's a 30% chance he is also on the Opening Day roster. Houser extended for 3 years, $18 million, Adames extended for five years, $75 million, with a team option for $20 million vs. a $5 million buyout. Burnes gets kept, and the Crew will make the QO. Bringing back Suter as a free agent, and having Ethan Small up from the get go to join Bryse Wilson as a long-relief corps, especially if Miley doesn't return (he declined the option). The Houser/Gasser/Rea trio will need to be bridged, and it may take long relief to do that. At some point, I envision flipping one or two of Milner/Payamps/Small/B.Wilson to bring up Misiorowski/Carlos F. Rodriguez to bolster the bullpen the way Woodruff and Burnes did in 2018. C: William Contreras ($0.77M) 1B: Christian Yelich ($26.0M) 2B: Brice Turang ($0.77M) 3B: Tyler Black ($0.77M) SS: Willy Adames ($15.0M) LF: Jackson Chourio ($0.77M) CF: Garrett Mitchell ($0.77M) RF: Joey Wiemer ($0.77M) DH: Sal Frelick ($0.77M) Bench OF: Tyrone Taylor ($1.75M) Utility: Abraham Toro ($1.30M) Utility: Andruw Monasterio ($0.77M) Backup C: Victor Caratini ($3.5M) SP1: Corbin Burnes ($15.10M) SP2: Freddy Peralta ($5.50M) SP3: Adrian Houser ($6.0M) SP4: Robert Gasser ($0.77M) SP5: Colin Rea ($3.50M) CL: Devin Williams ($6.50M) RP: Abner Uribe ($0.77M) RP: Hoby Milner ($1.70M) RP: Bryse Wilson ($1.30M) RP: Joel Payamps ($1.70M) RP: Trevor Megill ($0.77M) RP: Brent Suter ($2.5M) RP: Ethan Small ($0.77M) Payroll is 28.15% under budget

Coop was very good in his day. Me? I think both Richie Sexson and Prince Fielder eclipsed him during their tenures - Sexson twice tied the franchise home run record in his three full seasons with the Crew, and Prince obliterated a lot of the single-season hitting records for the team, so Coop's third on my all-time list. Coop's big advantage will be his longevity with the Brewers, though, in this day and age.

The similarity to Braun is striking - Baez has a dynamic bat at a position the Brewers may have a need for a dynamic bat, but like Braun, his defense is a little shaky. Do you keep them at that position where the bat could stand out (third base for Braun, shortstop for Baez) or do you move them and risk leaving a hole in the lineup (recall the merry-go-round at third since 2007)? My instinct says keep Baez at short - ride a .900 OPS there. Shortstops who post that are very rare, and it shouldn't be passed up. Not that the Crew doesn't have other good shortstop prospects (Devanney, Zamora, Murray, etc.), but Baez's bat is something else, particularly for that position.

I'd go six years, $45 million. Counsell's a good manager, he's handled the clubhouse well as the team has evolved from the slugging dynamos of 2017-2019to the pitching-heavy teams from 2020-2023. He's worked well with rookies and veterans. The Crew may be well-served to not just pay Counsell, but to also open the checkbook even more for the minor-league system, including paying the players.

I wonder if they will be aggressive with Adamczewski, kinda like they were with Luke Adams this year.

In this case, some of it is due to space. I'm also trying to keep the players grouped by where they played the most in 2023, even if they had significant time elsewhere on the diamond. Wes Clarke was a special case, given that first base was his primary position, but there was also a LOT of time spent at catcher and catcher was somewhat less crowded. Boeve, for instance, was covered at second base. Pratt and Baez will be covered at short, where they spent most of their time. Honestly, I think the Crew ought to keep Baz at short - he's got an extremely dynamic bat, and it would be a shame to blow that opportunity at shortstop the way they did with third base in 2008.

Third base was arguably one of the biggest problem areas for the Brewers in 2023, with a combination of injuries and offensive inconsistency from Luis Urias and Brian Anderson leading to the emergence of Andruw Monasterio as a solid bench asset and the late-season acquisition of Josh Donaldson. Can the Crew get help at this position from the farm? Image courtesy of © Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK The situation at third base on the farm has changed the most since spring training this year. Just how much has the situation changed? Let’s take a look. Tyler Black (AA Biloxi/AAA Nashville) .284/.417/.517 with 25 doubles, 18 home runs, 73 RBI, 88 walks, 100 strikeouts in 450 at-bats Black was an exciting prospect the moment he was drafted, based on a high-contact bat that seemed a lot like that of Jeff Cirillo. In 2022, both his regular minor-league season and his Arizona Fall League season were cut short by injuries. However, he broke out in 2023, and it was a doozy – 55 extra-base hits and another 55 steals. In addition, he made the move to third base and held that position down, catapulting him to serious contention to be the Opening Day 2024 third baseman. Patrick Dorrian (AAA Nashville) .238/.312/.466 with 18 doubles, 21 home runs, 65 RBI, 34 walks, 127 strikeouts in 367 at-bats While much of his mark was made in the middle infield for the Sounds, Dorrian was primarily a third baseman in previous years. He has a solid left-handed power bat, and his defense is solid. The strikeout rate is a concern, but Dorrian’s development could be interesting. Brock Wilken (R ACL Brewers/A+ Wisconsin/AA Biloxi) .285/.414/.473 with eight doubles, five home runs, 29 RBI, 33 walks, 47 strikeouts in 165 at-bats The Brewers’ first-round pick in 2023 rose the system rapidly. Wilken could end up at either corner infield position for the team and offer a pure right-handed power bat. He also flashed speed, with four triples and four steals in his smallish sample size. If he has a negative, it is the fact he struck out as often as he got a hit. Conversely, Wilken’s OBP skills are also superb, and he more than held his own in pro ball. Zavier Warren (AA Biloxi) .236/.319/.406 with 15 doubles, 15 home runs, 63 RBI, 45 walks and 86 strikeouts in 377 at-bats While primarily playing first base, Warren still saw significant action at third base in 2023. Warren’s bat flashes a lot of power and can draw walks. While he’s primarily been a corner infielder professionally, he saw action at catcher in 2021. He has occasionally dabbled at the middle infield positions, which could make him an intriguing prospect for the Brewers’ bench. Ben Metzinger (A+ Wisconsin) .226/.344/.321 with 15 doubles, five home runs, 45 RBI, 55 walks, 119 strikeouts in 318 at-bats Metzinger split time at both corner infield positions for the Timber Rattlers in 2023 and displayed excellent OBP skills with some pop. He also displayed solid defense in Appleton. That said, he needs to display more power or improve his ability to hit for average to avoid being bypassed by others. Perhaps his development could hinge on playing some catcher, where he saw limited action in college. Eduardo Garcia (A+ Wisconsin) .208/.280/.326 with 13 doubles, four home runs, 29 RBI, 26 walks and 106 strikeouts in 298 at-bats Garcia had been a somewhat exciting shortstop prospect in 2022, but in 2023, he took a step back after primarily handling third base due to the Brewers drafting Eric Brown Jr. and a host of other shortstops. His defense has never been a question; it’s been the bat that has held him back. At 21, though, he could put it all together, but time could be running out. Luke Adams (A Carolina) .233/.400/.401 with 18 doubles, 11 home runs, 54 RBI, 76 walks, 99 strikeouts in 339 at-bats The Brewers drafted Adams in the 11th round of the 2022 draft – and that $282,500 signing bonus looks like a bargain this year. Adams displayed excellent defense at both corner infield positions and has a legit three-true-outcome bat and the ability to steal bases (30 steals). Adams could be a significant asset for the Brewers. Eric Bitonti (R ACL Brewers) .180/.333/.410 with one double, two home runs, nine RBI, nine walks, 15 strikeouts in 39 at-bats It’s a small sample size, but Bitonti flashed a three-true outcome bat and did pretty well at third base with the ACL Brewers after being drafted in the third round. Lefty power bats have thrived at American Family Field, and Bitonti could join a list that has included Prince Fielder, Geoff Jenkins, and Christian Yelich, among others. The strikeouts will need to come down, but Bitonti has a lot of time to develop. Demetrio Nadal (FRk DSL Brewers 2) .342/.478/.525 with six doubles, two home runs, 20 RBI, 24 walks, 19 strikeouts in 120 at-bats Nadal broke out in his second year in the DSL. While primarily playing third base, he also saw action in the outfield, at second base, and at shortstop. In addition to his defensive versatility, he showcased a dynamic bat, hitting for average and displaying excellent plate discipline. On the basepaths, he also demonstrated real speed (five triples and 33 stolen bases). How do things at the hot corner stand in the Brewers’ farm system? Do you think the Brewers have some answers at this position? Who do you want to learn more about? View full article

How you view the Brewers’ farm system’s state at second base depends on how you answer this question: What do you think about Brice Turang and Andruw Monasterio? Image courtesy of © Curt Hogg / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK Brice Turang and Andruw Monasterio ended 2023 by splitting time at second base. They combined for 2.9 Wins Above Replacement – much of it fueled by defense (Turang posted 1.7 dWAR, Monasterio 0.9 dWAR). Turang’s struggles at the plate were profound – a .585 OPS is hard to justify, even with Gold Glove-caliber defense. Monasterio’s bat is better, and he can produce when he’s on a hot streak. He became a bit of a cult hero for the Crew, but his overall offensive production is still slightly below average (87 OPS+). Who might be available for the Brewers at second base down on the farm? Let’s look and see who is potentially available for the team. Patrick Dorrian (AAA Nashville) .238/.312/.466 with 18 doubles, 21 home runs, 65 RBI, 34 walks, 127 strikeouts in 367 at-bats Dorrian spent the most time at second base in 2023 but played all over the diamond. He was purchased from Baltimore in the middle of the 2022 season. His bat has flashed a lot of extra-base power, and his versatility is also a bonus. His 21 homers for the Sounds were second only to Keston Hiura. The one concern offensively is his 127 strikeouts – slightly more than a third of his at-bats. Felix Valerio (AA Biloxi) .224/.286/.345 with 10 doubles, six home runs, 31 RBI, 19 walks, 54 strikeouts in 264 at-bats Valerio came to the Brewers in a 2018-2019 offseason trade with the Mets. He was decent in 2022, but the offense dropped off a cliff in 2023. The good news? He only struck out in 20.4% of hit at-bats and delivered extra-base power. But his walk rate also dropped from 2022 and 2021. Was it the ball used early in the season that caused struggles for a lot of hitters? Valerio is still very young – he will be 23 in 2024, so a rebound cannot be ruled out, but he faces competition from more recently-acquired players. Robert Moore (A+ Wisconsin) .233/.321/.361 with 33 doubles, eight home runs, 62 RBI, 55 walks, 108 strikeouts in 490 at-bats Moore followed up his monster winter season in Brisbane with some solid work in his first full professional season in Wisconsin. Moore flashed excellent on-base skills with some solid pop (44 extra-base hits out of 114). He also added 26 stolen bases, making him a solid offensive threat. He’s probably two years away, and the big question will be whether he can improve in his second full season of professional baseball. Jose Acosta (A+ Wisconsin) .225/.282/.419 with 10 doubles, five home runs, 19 RBI, 10 walks, 45 strikeouts in 160 at-bats Acosta was an under-the-radar acquisition in 2022 and has an interesting power bat. His big issue has been hitting for average, and his OBP skills declined slightly as he related with Wisconsin in 2023 and struggled to get consistent playing time. In addition to second base, he saw action at third base, first base, and corner outfield spots. Mike Boeve (A+ Wisconsin/R ACL Brewers) .300/.400/.529 with six doubles, five home runs, 30 RBI, 14 walks, 25 strikeouts in 102 at-bats In a small sample size, Boeve showed flashes of the hit tool that made him an exciting draft pick for the Crew. Even when he scuffled in a smallish sample size in Wisconsin, he drew ten walks out of the 72 at-bats and delivered 18 RBI. While initially drafted as a third baseman, Boeve spent most of his time at second base in the Brewers system. He could rapidly rise if he can adjust to pro pitching. Jadher Areinamo (A Carolina) .306/.333/.407 with 26 doubles, four home runs, 52 RBI, 17 walks, 52 strikeouts in 396 at-bats Areinamo brought a high-contact bat with a lot of doubles to the plate in 2023 while primarily playing second base (he also saw action at third base and shortstop over his professional career). Areinamo saw a decline in his ability to draw walks (11 fewer walks in 146 more at-bats), but his power increased, and his strikeout rate declined. He’s not the most spectacular prospect, but then again, Andruw Monasterio wasn’t either, and Monasterio turned out quite nicely for the Crew. Dylan O'Rae (A Carolina/ACL Brewers) .349/.491/.395 with eight doubles, no home runs, 23 RBI, 57 walks, 37 strikeouts in 218 at-bats O’Rae, a third-round pick in 2022, has shown a very exciting hit-for-average/walk-drawing/speed combination in his professional career. In 218 at-bats, he stole 44 bases. He spent a lot of time at second base, with some time in center field and shortstop in 2023. While some might view his lack of power as a red flag, he’s shown that he can get hits and get on base. His defense was also superb, with only two errors in 33 games at second base. Josh Adamczewski (R ACL Brewers) .000/.125/.000 with one walk and three strikeouts in seven at-bats Don’t be worried by the very small sample size. Adamczewski, a 15th-round pick whom the Brewers defied the odds by signing for $252,200, similar to the way the Crew secured 2022 12th-round pick Luke Adams, could be a late-round steal for the Brewers akin to Brent Suter, Brandon Woodruff and Lorenzo Cain. What do you think about the state of second base in the Brewers farm system? Are there some players who warrant more attention this year? Could any of them force their way to the majors in 2024? View full article

I'd probably have the threshold relatively high - say 320 IP across the two seasons - for the option to vest. One of three things happens: Woodruff either is back to Woodruff - and the Crew gets their 1B ace back; Woodruff adjusts and becomes a different type of solid starter - and is still valuable; Woodruff can't get back to form or adjust - he becomes an expensive mop-up guy. The first two scenarios work out very well for the Crew. The third... we take a hit, but I'm thinking one of the other two are far more likely.

Go 2025-2026, an option for 2027 that vests at a certain threshold of IPs, and a mutual option for 2028.

My thinking is a little different. Keep the current alignments until expansion in 2030. Expansion teams: Las Vegas, New Orleans Four four-team divisions in each league: NL East: Mets, Phillies, Nationals, Pirates NL North: Brewers, Cubs, Rockies, Cardinals NL South: Marlins, Braves, New Orleans, Reds NL West: Giants, Dodgers, Padres, Diamondbacks ---- AL East: Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, Blue Jays AL North: White Sox, Twins, Tigers, Guardians AL South: Rays, Royals, Astros, Rangers AL West: Las Vegas, Angels, Athletics, Mariners Eight Playoff teams - four wild cards, four division titles. Wild Cards play each other in one-game knockouts to advance to a best-of-three series against the two lower-seed division champs at the division champs' parks. After that, League Divisional, League Championship, and World Series as they are currently done. This way, the wild card teams gets "punished" by having to go a knockout game before they get to the three-game set. They don't have their ace, and their best relievers are going to probably have to work, too. Division champs get an extra couple of days to rest their pitchers, reset their rotation.

I have begun to wonder if his future isn't more akin to Josh Hader's - dominating MLB closer after being a multi-inning fireman his first couple of seasons.

Maybe Miley comes back after declining the option for something like 2 years/$15 million or 3 years/$21 million.