Harold Hutchison

Her tenure with the team was all of 10 months. I'm not sure that is long enough to make any sort of determination on her job performance. I'd say the Astros felt they saw enough to hire her away from the Crew.

That is very intriguing... small sample disclaimers apply, but that is a very fascinating BA/OBP combo working out to a .440 SLG if the .818 is OPS.

I don't pretend the ideas I have are perfect, but the issues of service time manipulation are real. I like the idea of a "restricted" free agency, where maybe there is something akin to either matching an offer, substantial compensation via the draft, and/or making those RFA deals more like a "sign and trade" in the NBA, because MLB can't function if they have 12 good teams and 18 de facto AAAA farm clubs. Maybe a better approach is three years team control, two years of arby and three years of restricted free agency.

I still think I'd be opposed to scrapping #2 but I do like MLBs proposal to have a draft lottery. I just would probably expand it to more than 3 slots. Totally agree on #3. I wish they would use some type of NFL formula. Lost X players to free agency, signed X players in free agency and based on the net loss of talent you get some supplemental pick compensation. I'm not wedded to any specific solution to #2, but the system of richly rewarding teams like the Cubs and Astros for intentionally sucking for a number of years so they could get top picks (and the slot money that goes with them) has to be stopped and stopped now. A lottery like the NBA would help--but teams still tank in the NBA (I'm looking at you 76ers). While it helps a little it does not solve the problem. I think there is a way to deter consistent tanking via low payrolls. What would likely work would be to have a "tanking tax" that reduces CB payouts if someone goes below a salary floor. The tax can be reduced (say by 50%) if the team is at or above .500 (think the 2007-2008 Brewers with the young guns of Hardy, Braun, Weeks, Fielder, and Hart who were either pre-arby or in arby-1). Or a slightly lower threshold can be set, tied to wins. Another idea could be to have a team consistently below the salary floor and consistently below .500 (say three years) be placed at the end of the line when it comes to non-playoff teams in the draft order. That said, sometimes the best way for a team or organization to move forward is to take steps back - shed some contracts, acquire prospects, try to have a better draft proposition, or not rushing someone back from an injury (see RG3 for an NFL example). That shouldn't be penalized. The Brewers did that in 2015 with the Lucroy and Gomez trades. Two years later, they were in the playoff hunt. Three years later, first of four straight post-season appearances (and counting).

Maybe not this spring training, but perhaps in spring training 2025... Binelas did flash a lot of good things this year. He looked to be, at worst, an Eric Thames type, and if he put up the numbers Thames did in Milwaukee, that would be very nice at the major-league minimum. Others hoped he could be a power bat at third base. Hamilton had a definite "steal bases" tool, good OBP skills, and flashed some power. I was hoping the Crew would move him over the diamond and use him as a Hernan Perez-type. Well, to make the JBJ salary dump, the Crew parted with two prospects. Maybe they were throw-ins, but when we go back through Top 25 discussions, or looking to see who made big contributions... anyone remember Brent Suter, a 31st-round pick who very few thought would do much for the Crew? Or how about Manny Pina, an unexciting catching prospect... who will now deliver Pineapple bombs for the Braves and will be missed? Hernan Perez, a nonescript waiver wire pickup... who only proved to be a valuable bench asset on two Brewers playoff teams. Nate Orf, an undrafted free agent who later came up with a big hit or two in a brief tenure. So, it's not about "prospect hugging" to me. It's more about maximizing the Milwaukee Brewers' chances for consistent long-term competitiveness. Yes, Renfroe helps the competiiveness in 2022-2023 with his power bat, but there was a significant chance that Hamilton and Binelas would be key contibutors for the Brewers in the late 2020s that has bene given up.

1. I'd like to have a "tanking tax" as opposed to a hard floor. Maybe a team that misses the salary floor one year loses 10% of the CB tax.If the miss is by a large percentage (or they miss multiple years in a row), they lose 25%. The penalties get cut in half, though, if the team finishes at or above .500. 2. Teams that miss the salary floor in multiple years should have their picks bumped to the end of the first three rounds. 3. I'd go a little differently. I'd award a comp pick ahead of the first-round pick of the team that signed a free agent from another team. Nobody loses a pick, but the teams who can't keep all their free agents need to have more chances for their farm system.

The MLBPA also seem completely fine with letting massive competitive balance exist between big market and small markets. Like if they had their way, the Yankees could run half a billion dollar payroll and just destroy the Brewers and their $100 million payroll consistently. Players like the idea of super teams, which from a fans perspective is bad for so many reasons. It's frankly bad enough the way it is currently. If this is balance, I'd hate to see imbalance. Right now, the system works for the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Dodgers, Angels, and Giants, with the Astros, Rangers, Nationals, Cubs, White Sox, Braves, Guardians (Indians), Cardinals, Padres, and Mariners in a second tier. The rest of MLB? Not so much.

Better idea: Sign Kyle Seagar as the primary 3B against lefties (Urias is there against righties), have Urias spell Adames at short once a week or so, and also have him cover second for Wong if he needs a day off. Yes, I like the idea of Urias being a super-utility player, bouncing between 3B and 2B to keep him in the lineup often. I don’t want to see Wong traded if possible as his defense is amazing and I believe his contract is pretty favorable to the Brewers. I think it's possible to get Urias at least 70-80 starts between off days. Part of me thinks it would make sense to see if he could handle some 1B or LF to help on that front, and maybe to also do the same with Wong (particularly in CF) if it can make room for Turang.

I think it is correct to say that some teams have become media conglomerates that can spend their way to consistent post-season appearances. Others have to scrape their way to a competitive 40-man roster. I worry I am watching the ONLY time in Brewers history they will put together 3+ consecutive post-season appearances. Not to mention, MLBPA has let the minor-league players - future members of that union - deal with some awful conditions. That, to me, is a huge failure. How to fix it? Part of me feels one answer is expansion: Two more teams - one in Las Vegas (AL), the other in New Orleans (NL). Each league with four four-team divisions - AL East (Toronto, Boston, New York, Baltimore), AL West (Angels, Mariners, A's, Vegas), AL North (Minnesota, White Sox, Guardians, Tigers), AL South (Astros, Rangers, Rays, Royals), NL East (Mets, Phillies, Reds, Nationals), NL West (Dodgers, Padres, Giants, Diamondbacks), NL South (Marlins, Braves, New Orleans, Cardinals), NL North (Brewers, Cubs, Pirates, Rockies). 16-team format - 3-game first round (all three games at top seed's home stadium), 5-game LDS (2-2-1), 7-game LCS (2-2-2-1), World Series (2-2-2-1). Larger major-league rosters - 30-man until September (then it expands to 40), a five-man "taxi squad" (paid MLB minimum, must have at least three years MLB service time), and a 50-man roster overall. Teams can sign players from other teams' taxi squad to the 30-man roster for at least twice the MLB minimum. Go with a salary cap, but that alone won't help small-market teams keep players. In some ways, I think we need to make it reasonably feasable/possible for smaller market teams to get that "value" deal. Service time: Each team gets four years of player control (to discourage service time manipulation, a "full year" is considered if a player is called up three times prior to August 1), then for the next four years, a form of restricted free agency (to wit, they can match offers from other teams) that involves massive compensation in the form of draft picks and additional international bonus money ($1,000,000 per RFA signed away), after that, unrestricted free agency (but with "sandwich pick" compensation) and a smaller international bonus comp ($500,000). Draft pick compensation: If the Dodgers were to sign a restricted free agent from the Brewers, the Brewers would get a compensation "pick" before the Dodgers' pick in the first round. If the Dodgers signed multiple RFAs, then they would use tiebreakers (starting with market size) to determine who goes first. The teams also would also get "sandwich" picks between the CB-A and 2nd rounds and between the CB-B and 3rd rounds. For unrestricted free agents, it would be the sandwich picks only, and only after the picks for teams who lose RFAs. In addition, teams cannot try to "unbalance" a deal to deter a team from matching (no massive amount up front or back-loaded). DH: There will be a universal DH, but only for the starting pitcher. If the pitcher is lifted, the DH must be pinch-hit for. Teams will be allowed to "double switch" the DH into the field in that case. Draft: It goes back up to 40 rounds. The competitive balance round picks would go to the teams in the 12 smallest markets (CB-A) and those with the 12 lowest attendance totals (CB-B). Some trading of draft picks will be allowed, but no team will be without a pick in the first three rounds (barring punishment for misconduct). Minor-league teams: Each minor-league team will have 30 roster spots. The R+/Short-Season A leagues will return, and there will be the following minimum salaries: Rookie leagues (including DSL), $30,000; R+, $36,000; Short-Season A, $39,000; Full-Season A, $42,000; A+, $45,000; AA, $48,000; AAA, $60,000. Rule 5 draft is modified so that a player selected in the major-league portion must be on the 50-man roster all year, and spend at least 50% of the time in the majors and cannot be demoted below AAA. The minor-league portion will require that a player selected be kept at the AAA level or AA level (depending on the portion of the draft) or be returned to the team. So, if the Brewers have 2 DSL teams, 2 rookie teams, a R+ team, a Short-season A team, a full-season A, an A+ team, a AA team, and a AAA team, that would come out to a minimum of $11,700,000 for the rosters. That's about 2/3 what they'd pay LoCain this coming season. Honestly, if they did that now, I think they'd get a lot of talent, even those who "slid" down the road. Contracts: Allow contracts to be fully guaranteed at 100% for players under team control an at 50% afterwards. Deferred compensation would be allowed, but no more than 25 percent of a player's salary could be deferred, 50 percent would count against the salary cap, and deferred money is fully guaranteed. For example, Brewers sign Corbin Burnes to an eight-year, $160 million contract, and they defer $40 million over the 20 years after the contract, they have a $1 million charge on the salary cap, and the deferred cash is 100% guaranteed. A player who is released gets the guaranteed money, but only half would be applied to the salary cap. So, say the Brewers sign an unrestricted free agent to a 4-year, $40 million deal, but release him after year 2 - the player gets the guaranteed money of $5 million a year, but the Brewers would only have a $2.5 million charge on the salary cap. That's what I'd do. I don't know if it could prevent teams from "tanking," but it does fix a lot of the issues I see in baseball.

Better idea: Sign Kyle Seagar as the primary 3B against lefties (Urias is there against righties), have Urias spell Adames at short once a week or so, and also have him cover second for Wong if he needs a day off.

Pros: Renfore is definitely a power bat that balanes the lefties (Yelich/Tellez/Narvaez) in the lineup JBJ is off our books, and Boston will be banking on a rebound Two years of control Cons: Gave up two prospects, each with plus tools (Hamilton's speed/SB totals and Binelas's power) Tyrone Taylor arguably would have produced similarly while getting paid far less. OBP skills are below MLB average. The big difference is that Tyrone Taylor as opposed to JBJ is the 4th outfielder. The Brewers have a higher floor, and arguably a similar ceiling in terms of OF offense. The effective cost was two prospects who were both looking to be solid contributors, something that is a bit of a long-term risk for one of the smallest markets in MLB.

I was not expecting a big signing for a mega deal. I get it. Honestly, I'd rather see the front office come up with a way to retain at least some of Burnes/Adames/Woodruff/Hader down the road if they do have to offer some megabucks deal. But Sullivan and Maile are/were not the best of options when the Crew had prospects of their own. Hummel (pre-trade) was producing and could have been an option if they wanted a third catcher. Fry has a similiar record of production, and again, could play catcher. So why go out and sign those free agents? Why not roll with our prospects?

I thought the Braun, Yelich, and Cain deals were good. JBJ was more... meh, given the logjam in the OF. Suppn, Lohse, and Hammonds were not so good.

This. If they needed a catcher with options remaining, why not simply select Fry's contract? Why sign Sullivan?

The reason why he is getting that extra money is because he and the Nationals agreed to defer some of his earnings………everyone knew this would be happening. Brewers have done this with players as well and my guess is it’s driven more by the clubs then the players. Barring some serious changes... say, a "Grand bargain" where MLB implements a salary floor/cap in the $100 million to $200 million range in exchange for even bigger rosters (30-man active, and upping the "40-man" to 50, and bringing back massively expanded rosters in September), will the Brewers be able to avoid being relgated to de facto AAAA status alongside other small-market teams?

I like the walk rate, and his number of piched per plate appearance has been a hair under 3.9. He also had a .274 BA, about 20 points higher than his career average. Lots of reasons to feel positive about him.

Didn’t you drop Turang down into the 20’s on your most recent Brewers prospect rankings because of his “troubling” decreased walk rate in AAA? That ballot was cast on July 25. At the time I put together the ballot, his AA walk rate was lower (28 in 288 AB in 2021 versus 114 in 632 ABs over 2018-2019), and it was last updated on August 2, reflecting trades. Turang was promoted to AAA on August 3. Turang's two months in AAA did not factor into my ballot at all. Ballots for the BF.net prospects poll closed on August 8, so in any case, Turang would have had all of five days there, probably not enough time to alter my judgement based on the 2021 stats to that date.

Martinez had no shown the ability to steal before - he had 11 total steals in 22 attempts over the previous three minor-league campaigns (2017-2019). Then, in 2021, he goes to 30-for-34 in steals? He went from a 50% success rate to an 88.2% success rate. That points to a developed skill in my mind. Similarly, whether he was in center out of short-term desperation or not, I think it would make sense to give Martinez more time in the outfield, especially the corner OF spots, given that in that small sample, he didn't embarrass himself in center.

Some omissions or other contenders: 2B Gabe Holt: 68 walks, 52 strikeouts, .403 OBP, 17-for-19 in SB attempts https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=holt--000gab 1B/OF Ernesto Martinez: .862 OPS, 30-for-34 in SB attempts in 266 ABs. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=martin004ern UT Weston Wilson: .902 OPS, 16 HR, played seven positions, one appearance on mound https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=wilson001wes UT David Fry: .797 OPS, played six positions https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=wilson001wes

If our number one prospect has Eric Thames upside (who's career best season was 1.3 WAR) this system is in serious trouble. Well, to be honest, I left out a couple of things: 1. Martinez also developed his ability to steal bases. Thames never could do that very well. 2. Martinez also can hold down CF. He added those this year. I think he's going to be a very huge asset.

If they landed a 3B, I think it's more likely they move Urias to 2B and deal Wong. Wong would be a perfect fit for the White Sox. Who are the possible call-ups for 2022? One is Brice Turang, who could end up at short. That could move Adames to third and Urias to second. I'm pleasantly surprised at his AAA walk rate, and the stolen base success he showed. If he has a superb glove, a .360 OBP, and 30 steals a season... that could be enough at the bottom of the order. And if the Crew offers Adames a Wander Franco-type extension...

Between Rodriguez, Martinez, Chirinos, and Ferrer, I won't go so far as to say a lost draft class. Martinez shot up to #1 on my top 25 after the Hummel trade because he's coming across as an Eric Thames bat who could (at least briefly) hold down CF, while being a primary 1B. Chirinos's bat has had me intrigued for a while. Rodriguez is still a high prospect for a reason - OBP skills, speed, and I presume, excellent defense. His biggest value will be he keeps the Crew from signing a JBJ. If Ferrer is for real... this is a class that Brewers fans will love. But if all they get is a home-grown version of the Thames/Aguilar platoon of 2017-2018 and a bench OF, then this isn't a lost draft class.

I wouldn't break the bank for a RF. Why? Because I think Tyrone Taylor may be that big bat. He had 12 homers in 243 AB, his defense is quite good. He also comes cheap. The outfied is then in decent shape: LF: Yelich with 140-145 starts, rebounding to an average of his 2016-2019 production, a .934 OPS with 30 HR. CF: Cain probably takes 100 starts, Bradley 50 or so, maybe Taylor with some. Gold Glove defense, and a combined .720 OPS as Bradley regresses to the mean, and Cain stays steady. RF: Taylor with 130+ starts, replaces Garcia's production. Bradley is, essentially, a $9.5 million fourth outfielder. Not what a team like the Brewers can afford. This is also where the Cooper Hummel trade costs the Crew big time. Hummel would have been an excellent 5th OF type to handle some of the LF/RF starts, he could have spelled Tellez/Vogelbach at 1B against lefties, and he'd have been a good 3rd catcher. That's no bad for the major-league minimum, and given how he performed at AAA, I think Hummel would have proven to be very valuable to the Crew, and far more value than the now-departed Escobar. Instead, the Crew either goes FA, and overspends, or they have to hope Corey Ray turns into a left-handed Keon Broxton, with a similar sort of platoon split. Broxton had a .737 OPS career against lefties. If Ray can manage that against righties, the Crew will be OK.

An .800 OPS over the course of his time with the Crew is still useful, especially as an upgrade at first. Plus, there's the fact we traded someone who probably would have been a solid bench option at C/1B/LF/RF and a DSL lottery ticket. The Brewers, in general, can't afford these sort of short-term rentals.

The thing is... Milwaukee does have a need to think to the future. This is where the $2.1 million saved by letting Pina walk and bringing in Severino proves to be a false bargain. With Pina, you'd have continuity - and it would be an easy matter to have him serve as Feliciano's mentor while looking to deal Narvaez. But who mentors Feliciano now? Assuming 2022 is Feliciano in AAA, we're putting a LOT on that rookie for 2023, and we're probably going to let Narvaez walk as a free agent after that season (no chance to replenish the system with a prospect or two).