Harold Hutchison

Because I'd consider an OF group of Frelick-Wiemer-Mitchell-Taylor-Yelich to be stronger than Frelick-Wiemer-Mitchell-Winker-Yelich. In the first group, the Crew has Frelick-Mitchell-Wiemer starting in the OF, Taylor as the 4th OF, and Yelich as 5th OF/DH. The second option is Yelich-Mitchell-Wiemer, with Frelick as 4th OF and Winker as 5th OF/DH. I think the first group works better, both in terms of balance and in terms of defense.

If Frelick/Wiemer struggle, they stay in AAA, and the Crew doesn't flip Winker. I'm just saying, if Frelick/Wiemer force the issue with superb play in Nashville, it's foolish NOT to call them up, and to move Winker to get some asset for the future.

To put it bluntly, at some point, Frelick and/or Wiemer are going to force their way to the majors at some point in 2023 - very likely by the All-Star break, if not sooner. The question, therefore, is how to maximize the team's potential down the road? Do we just keep Winker on the bench, and see him walk as a free agent with no compensation, or do we try and get something for him that could help the team? The latter option makes a lot more sense to me. Now, Anderson could stick around, leading to Brousseau's DFA, simply because Anderson does have the positional versatility Winker lacks. But if Frelick/Wiemer are tearing the cover off the ball, yeah, I'd move Winker.

Over the years, the shortstop position has seen some iconic players across Major League Baseball. The Brewers have seen some great ones in their time, and some of that wasn’t so long ago. Image courtesy of © MaryJo Walicki, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Over the years, the shortstop position has seen some iconic players across Major League Baseball. The Brewers have seen some great ones in their time, and some of that wasn’t so long ago. While some dominated the diamond with defense, others overpowered opposing teams offensively. Which shortstops have been the best in Brewers' history? 5. Bill Spiers .256/.306/.338 in six seasons, three as primary shortstop When Gary Sheffield went on the disabled list in 1989, Bill Spiers took over as the primary shortstop and didn’t give the job back. Spiers' calling card was more defense, but he also flashed some speed. The last three seasons in Milwaukee saw Spiers split time with others at shortstop, and he also played in the outfield and infield. 4. Willy Adames .256/.325./.483 with 51 HR and 156 RBI in two seasons Willy Adames has not been in Milwaukee for two full seasons, and he’s already on the charts. One reason is the raw power he displayed – 51 homers and 57 doubles in that time, and he already has displaced a Brewers legend in one statistical category. He’s also provided excellent defense. He could rocket up the charts should the Brewers manage to extend him. 3. Jose Valentin .240/.323/.421 with 90 HR and 343 RBI in eight seasons, six as primary shortstop Jose Valentin was part of the return for Gary Sheffield in a trade before the 1992 season. A switch hitter with power and speed, he held down shortstop for six seasons, a total exceeded by only one other Brewer as the primary starter. The Brewers traded him before 2000, which led to him delivering five more outstanding seasons with the White Sox. 2. J.J. Hardy .262/.328/.438 with 75 HR and 265 RBI in five seasons, four as primary shortstop JJ Hardy was less well-known or as hyped as Rickie Weeks and Prince Fielder, but combined with them and Ryan Braun as a devastating 1-2-3-4 punch at the top of the order from 2007-2008. Hardy provided power and defense and even drew occasional walks before he was traded for Carlos Gomez. Ultimately, Hardy's trade tree brought Josh Hader and Adrian Houser to Milwaukee several years after his departure from the Brewers. 1. Robin Yount .286/.331/.427 with 129 HR and 713 RBI in 11 seasons as primary shortstop .285/.342/.430 with 251 HR and 1,406 RBI in 20 seasons overall Could anyone else claim the title as the best shortstop of all for the Brewers? Yount made three All-Star Game appearances and had four top-20 MVP vote finishes as a shortstop. He posted one of the best offensive seasons of all time in 1982 after his offensive breakout in 1980, but he provided excellent defense from his rookie year in 1973. Honorable Mentions Orlando Arcia was a good-field, no-hit shortstop from 2016-2020, but his 2018 post-season is one of the best in team history. Jose Hernandez delivered two superb seasons at shortstop for the Crew. Pat Listach won the 1992 AL Rookie of the Year award before becoming a utility player after 1993. Bill Hall had a memorable season in 2006 after JJ Hardy was injured but was solid in part-time work. Dale Sveum posted a monster 1987 season before a gruesome injury near the end of 1988 derailed his career. Jean Segura had a great 2013 season for the Crew, but personal tragedy made a change of scenery inevitable. Brewer Fanatics, who are your top five shortstops in Brewer history? View full article

At this point, I think Frelick is in AAA, until they flip oneof Hiura/Winker. As things stand now, here's how my 26-man breaks down the position player starts: c: Contreras (95), Caratini (67) 1b: Tellez (135), Hiura (27) 2b: Turang (110), Urias (25). Toro (15), Hiura (12) ss: Adames (135), Turang (17), Urias (10) 3b: Urias (85), Anderson (67), Toro (10) lf: Yelich (110), Hiura (15), Winker (25), Anderson (7) cf: Mitchell (115), Taylor (37), Turang (10) rf: Taylor (95), Anderson (60), Yelich (7) dh: Winker (80), Hiura (35), Contreras (25), Yelich (22)

Harper really was an incredible offensive asset - and I'd have loved to have seen a player with that profile on the 2017-2022 Brewers.

At times, the Brewers have seen some of their best players man the hot corner. At other times, it has been a revolving door where nobody nailed down the position. Image courtesy of © Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports At times, the Brewers have seen some of their best players man the hot corner. At other times, it has been a revolving door where nobody nailed down the position. The recent signing of Brian Anderson, a one-time Marlin, brings into focus the best the Brewers have had at third base over the years. 5. Tommy Harper .264/.354/.410 with 54 HR and 175 RBI over three seasons Harper was arguably the first superstar of the Brewers. During his three seasons manning the hot corner, he posted one 30-30 season while also leading the league in steals (with a record that still stands today in Brewers history) with the Seattle Pilots in their lone 1969 season. Harper brought outstanding on-base skills to the table and handled second base and all three outfield positions. He was dealt to Boston in the deal that brought George Scott to the Brewers. 4. Aramis Ramirez .284/.342/.473 with 65 HR and 262 RBI over four seasons Ramirez was a free-agent signing, and for most of four seasons, he held down the hot corner for the Crew. His first season was the best by far, but he provided solid offensive production during the rest of his tenure until he was traded for Yhonathan Barrios. 3. Don Money .270/.338/.421 with 134 HR and 529 RBI in 11 seasons, five as primary third baseman Don Money was the primary third baseman for five years, held down second base for another, and was a valuable utility player for five other seasons, playing all over the infield. He brought power to the table. Two of his four career All-Star Game appearances came as the Crew’s primary third baseman, along with a top-30 finish in MVP balloting. 2. Jeff Cirillo .307/.383/.449 with 73 HR and 418 RBI in 8 seasons, five as primary third baseman Jeff Cirillo had two stints in Milwaukee. In his first, he proved to be one of the best pure hitters the franchise had ever seen. He made contact, and while he never was a home run threat, he hit many doubles and was able to coax walks before his involvement in a fateful three-team trade before the 2000 season. In his second stint with the team. He saw a return to that form and proved a valuable utility player for two years. 1. Paul Molitor .303/.367/.404 with 160 HR and 790 RBI in 15 seasons, six as primary third baseman The Ignitor ranks as one of the iconic players in franchise history, with a heartbreaking departure via free agency. Injuries robbed him of the 1984 season and parts of others, but when he was on the field, Molitor could crush a home run but also made his mark on the base paths with a franchise record 412 steals. Molitor also held down second base for three seasons, then spent time at first base, center field, and designated hitter. Honorable Mentions While his decision to let Molitor walk in free agency was infamous, Sal Bando served as the primary starter at third base for three seasons for the Crew. Travis Shaw averaged four wins above replacement as the primary third baseman in 2017 and 2018. Ryan Braun posted one outstanding offensive season as the primary third baseman. Since his move to left field, the Brewers had seven primary starters throughout his career, plus others who rotated in. Until Shaw’s arrival, Braun outproduced every primary starter at third base on offense. View full article

It is a shame, in a sense, that a decision as GM overshadowed his playing time in Milwaukee.

I'm thinking of him as playing some at third, some in left field, and some in right field. He's even seen limited action at second and third. So, part of me wonders if Anderson isn't the new Jace Peterson. cf: Mitchell ss: Adames lf: Yelich c: Contreras dh: Winker 3b: Urias 1b: Tellez rf: Taylor 2b: Turang bench: Caratini (C), Anderson (3B/LF/RF/1B), Hiura (1B/LF/2B), Toro (2B/3B/1B)

Having really only followed the Brewers from 1984 on, I never felt impressed by Gantner. Weeks, far and away was the most impressive. You just KNEW something good could happen at the plate in any given AB. Vina was scrappy. Molitor... well, imagine if he'd never moved from second. The rest... hard to really set anyone apart. Urias could be one contender. Turang another. Hiura had a shot after 2019... but slumped a lot in 2021 after showing power in 2020 (wonder if he'd not fallen for the launch-angle fad, if he'd have been better).

I don't think so. Ideally, the Brewers are in a situation where they can bolster the team's long-term prospects by flipping Anderson and Winker for a couple of lottery tickets and/or PTBNLs, and not miss a beat because Frelick/Wiemer/others force their way to the majors due to excellent performance. It's not just about 2023 - it's also about finding the next Freddy Peralta, Fernando Vina, or Manny Pina - all of whom provided or key contributions to the Brewers.

Best case - Anderson hits well, but Wiemer/Owen Miller/Toro also do so well they make it easy for the Crew to flip Anderson at the deadline for a lottery ticket or two - even in a pennant race. Middle case - Anderson hits well, holds down RF and/or 3B. Worst case - Anderson slumps, Brewers DFA him.

Several Brewers have dazzled at second base in the 54 seasons the franchise has existed. Some of the fans’ favorite Brewers held down the keystone of the infield, whether it was outstanding offense, dazzling defense, or just solid standbys. Which ones were the best? Image courtesy of © Benny Sieu, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via Imagn Content Services, LLC Several Brewers have dazzled at second base in the 54 seasons the franchise has existed. Some of the fans’ favorite Brewers held down the keystone of the infield, whether it was outstanding offense, dazzling defense, or just solid standbys. Which ones were the best? Without further ado, we should jump into the list. 5. Jim Gantner .274/.319/.351 with 47 HR and 568 RBI in 17 seasons "Gumby" was the primary starter at second base for nine seasons and added two more as the primary third baseman for the Brewers. Gantner made contact and provided web gems decades before YouTube existed, but his offensive limitations were evident simultaneously. He never won a Gold Glove or made the All-Star Game, and for three full seasons (1988-1990), he did not hit a single home run. But Gantner’s longevity puts him in the top five. 4. Ronnie Belliard .263/.341./.396 with 30 HR and 170 RBI in 4 seasons In three seasons as the primary starter at second base, Ronnie Belliard delivered a lot of doubles and very solid on-base skills. Belliard wasn’t flashy on offense, but he was solid. His biggest problem – he followed Fernando Vina, a fan favorite. The Brewers let Belliard walk as a free agent after the 2002 season, and he ended up providing solid production for the Rockies, Guardians, Nationals, and Dodgers after he left Milwaukee. 3. Paul Molitor .300/.349/.428 with 24 HR and 144 RBI in 3 seasons at 2B .303/.367/.411 with 160 HR and 790 RBI in 15 seasons Brewers fans can always wonder what would have been had Paul Molitor never been moved from second base. In the three seasons he played at second base, he was second place for Rookie of the Year, 20th place for MVP, and received the first of five selections for the All-Star Game. While his greatest glory for the Brewers came at third base and designated hitter, Molitor was an excellent second baseman. Brewers fans can only wonder what might have been had he not been moved to center field and eventually third base. 2. Fernando Vina .286/.349/.389 with 22 HR and 164 RBI in 5 seasons Fearless Fernando – best known for taking on Albert Belle in an infamous collision – was no slouch at second base. Acquired as a player to be named later in the trade that sent Doug Henry to the Mets, his superb on-base skills and speed (26 triples and 57 steals) provided the offensive spark, and he secured an All-Star Game appearance. He secured two Gold Gloves following a trade to the Cardinals, where he posted a .794 OPS in three consecutive postseasons. 1. Rickie Weeks .249/.347/.424 with 161 HR and 474 RBI in 11 seasons Rickie Weeks and Prince Fielder famously hit their first major-league home runs in the same game, and for 11 seasons, Weeks provided outstanding offense for the Brewers. Injuries limited his overall success with the team, and he had only one All-Star appearance. The second overall pick in the 2003 draft, Weeks could obliterate opposing pitchers at the plate or burn other teams on the base paths (126 stolen bases). Far and away, Weeks was the best to play second base for the Brewers. Honorable Mentions Ron Theobald delivered outstanding OBP skills during two seasons as the primary second baseman before a sudden retirement. Willie Randolph was a one-season wonder for the Crew in 1991. Kolten Wong provided two outstanding seasons for the Brewers before being traded to Seattle. What are your thoughts, Brewer Fanatics? Give us your top five second basemen in franchise history. View full article

lf: Yelich ss: Adames dh: Winker c: Contreras 1b: Tellez 3b: Urias/Anderson cf: Mitchell rf: Taylor/Anderson 2b: Turang/Urias bench: Caratini, Perkins, Toro, Turang/Anderson/Urias/Taylor rotation: Burnes, Woodruff, Peralta, Lauer, Houser bullpen: Williams, Strzelecki, Cousins, Milner, Guerra, Varland, Payamps, Ashby, Miley

Burnes, Woodruff, Peralta, Lauer, Ashby, Houser, Miley, Junk, Small, T. Miller as the top 10 SPs. Alexander might be almost expendable.

Yelich, Mitchell, and Taylor as the starting OF, Perkins as 4th OF, Winker, Anderson, and Hiura (LF) as corner OF backups. Turang as emergency CF, based on who is/will be on the 40-man. Frelick and Wiemer will make things very interesting, and by interesting, I mean difficult. I could see the Brewering having to DFA Perkins for one, and probably DFA Hiura/Brousseau/Owen Miller to make room for another - barring a decision to deal Winker and move Yelich to DH full time.

I could see things looking like this: C: Contreras (100), Caratini (62) 1B: Tellez (132), Hiura (20) 2B: Turang (100), Urias (32), Hiura (30) SS: Adames (132), Urias (15), Turang (15) 3B: Urias (100), Anderson (62) LF: Yelich (90), Frelick (60), Anderson (12) CF: Mitchell (100), Taylor (62) RF: Taylor (70), Anderson (50), Frelick (42) DH: Winker (80), Yelich (50), Hiura (20), Contreras (12)

I'd probably DFA Singleton at this point. Anderson/Hiura/Winker/Yelich could be backup options at 1B behind Tellez.

Here's a thought experiment... If the Brewers had a starting outfield of Frelick-Mitchell-Wiemer, with Turang at 2B, and each of them hit the way they did in 2022... would there still be a push for signing a free agent or complaints about payroll because the combined salaries would be under $4 million?

On a per-season basis, Sexson posted 40 HR and 117 RBI during his time with the Crew. In two of his three seasons, he tied the then-single-season record set by Gorman Thomas. Coop and Scott don't come close on that measure. Coop's longevity was in his favor, but Sexson was just incredible. Prince's 2009 season eclipses those, maybe Yelich's 2018/2019, perhaps Prince 2007. But not many others.

Brock averaged 122 games a season as primary starter, never fewer than 107. Jaha averaged 118, and when he was healthy for a full season, he was good. But in 1994 and 1995, he was in a total of 172 games. I went with Brock by hair for the slightly better reliability. It's really a big four at first of Fielder-Sexson-Cooper-Scott and then...

Coop. Prince. Boomer. Big Sexy. First base has seen some of the biggest icons over the 54 seasons of Milwaukee Brewers' history. If you were looking for some of the best offensive seasons in Brewers' history, they were often posted by first basemen. Image courtesy of © Benny Sieu, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Coop. Prince. Boomer. Big Sexy. First base has seen some of the biggest icons over the 54 seasons of Milwaukee Brewers' history. If you were looking for some of the best offensive seasons in Brewers' history, they were often posted by first basemen. But which first basemen were the best the Brewers had manning the position? Let’s take a look at the top five. 5. Greg Brock .261/.348/.387 with 39 HR and 243 RBI in 5 seasons Greg Brock was acquired before the 1987 season for Tim Leary and Tim Crews. That deal wasn’t too shabby as Brock was the primary starter for four seasons, and he filled the shoes of Cecil Cooper quite well, walking more than he struck out. He didn’t quite provide the power he hoped for, but he didn’t do poorly. He was released in the middle of the 1991 season. 4. George Scott .283/.352/.486 with 115 HR, 463 RBI in 5 seasons “Boomer” delivered a lot of booms for the Brewers in the early 1970s as the franchise sought its footing, including the AL home run crown in 1975. Acquired in a deal that sent Tommy Harper to Boston, he made one All-Star Game appearance and earned five Gold Gloves with the Brewers. After 1976, he was dealt back to Boston for Cecil Cooper. 3. Cecil Cooper .302/.339/.470 with 201 HR, 944 RBI in 11 seasons Cecil Cooper is arguably one of the Brewers' all-time greats. Acquired in the deal that sent George Scott to Boston, all he did was set single-season records for batting average, runs batted in, and OPS at some point in his career. Coop had five All-Star Game appearances, three Silver Sluggers, a Gold Glove, and three top-five MVP finishes, including one in 1982 – and we know who won the award that year. 2. Richie Sexson .276/.366/.566 with 133 HR and 398 RBI in 3.5 seasons Richie Sexson was the primary first baseman for only three seasons. Still, what he lacked in longevity, he made up for by twice tying Gorman Thomas for the single-season record in home runs at 45 and coming close to matching Cooper’s single-season RBI record twice. After the 2003 season, the Brewers traded Sexson to Arizona, landing six players who later played roles with the team in one form or another. 1. Prince Fielder .282/.390/.540 with 230 HR and 646 RBI in 6 seasons The top two single-season home run totals in Brewers history, the top single-season RBI mark in Brewers history. The Brewers’ all-time leader in OBP, SLG, and OPS. Prince Fielder held down first base, made two All-Star Game appearances, and had three top-five MVP finishes, including in 2011, when the Brewers made the NLCS. After that year, Fielder left as a free agent and went on to play for five more seasons before a neck injury ended his career. Honorable Mentions John Jaha was the primary first baseman for four seasons and delivered some big power numbers, but they could only stay healthy for part of the season. Lyle Overbay was known more for hitting a ton of doubles than for home runs but was well-loved during his two seasons in Milwaukee before Prince Fielder’s emergence forced a trade. Eric Thames was the primary first baseman for two of his three seasons in Milwaukee (he divvied up time in the outfield and first in 2018). View full article