Brewcrewin07

The Reds are now the clear favorites to sign Castellanos...wonderful...NOT!

You didn't think Rendon, or Cole or Strasburg were needle movers??

But even though you don't, the rest of the league does. To me, they are renta players for a full year...not a "big" FA signing. No different than acquiring someone at the deadline, only you have them for the full year not half a year. This offseason has been a colossal bust as far as I'm concerned. I was really thinking Grandal and Moose would both be back...no reason I thought they couldn't/shouldn't have been. At least one of them for sure I thought would be back.

With all due respect, I don't consider guys like Moose and Grandal who were only around for a year "big" Free agent signings. Big in name, yes, big in $$ for one year, I guess so. To me(and it's me personally) "big" FA signings are guys you sign for 4-5 years and they are part of your core going forward. Cain was a "big" FA signing. The problem is, the Brewers will probably only have one of these types every 3-4 years. The rest will be cheaper one year guys or "filler" and "hope" type of guys, like we see this year. Which makes your disappointment at the Crew not landing Donaldson really about your expectations that we WOULD sign him. I'm disappointed ScarJo never picked up the phone before she started dating Colin Jost. Again, that's on me, it wasn't gonna happen! No, I didn't expect them to sign him..but I was hoping that they would make a splash like this. I should know by now they just aren't going to do things like that, it sucks, not going to lie.

This is the idea that's been running around in my head for a while. Staying out of this free agent class is like going to the car lot, and just deciding you don't like what's on the lot at that particular time, or lot, and deciding you don't have to buy a car today, at that particular lot. It doesn't mean you are choosing not to spend money, you're just not spending it today, because nothing was the right fit or the right price. I think a lot of fans want their teams to max their budgets EVERY SINGLE YEAR! and even though it means every now and then we'll have a year like this, where we fill the roster with a bunch of value deals, I don't want a GM who just spends spends spends spends to max the budget and makes fans happy with name moves. If he has the foresight to see the future deals that make sense in 2021 or 2022, then sit one off-season out and do your very best to still build a contender. A lot of fans are going to be frustrated by that approach, but when you're operating with a less-than-RedSox budget, it's really not a bad way to be. This is where I am as well. The Brewers are setting themselves up nicely for next offseason when other teams won’t have the buying power or aren’t going to hand out another large contract multiple season in a row. DJ LeMahieu, JT Realmuto, Justin Turner, George Springer, Marcus Semien, Yuli Gurriel, Mookie Betts, Michael Brantley, Joc Pederson, Trevor Bauer, Robbie Ray, Masahiro Tanaka, Marcus Stroman. With that many good to great talents on the market, I see no reason the Brewers couldn’t land one of these guys, maybe even two like last offseason. Especially with Braun’s money coming off the books. And most likely somebody like Knebel’s money as well. Some of these guys are older veteran options, but if Turner, Gurriel, LeMahieu and Brantley continue to be great, I wouldn’t mind them on a nice one or two year deal. Even someone like George Springer could be in play for us since we could be looking at $50-$60 million free again next offseason. Isn’t it at least reasonable to do something like bring in Turner on a 1/$18 million deal, Springer on something like 5/$130 million, and still have $15-$20 million to play with? I don’t see why not. We could realistically be in play for anybody next offseason outside of Betts. But he’s going to get $200+ million from somebody and take them out of the sweepstakes for the other guys. I feel like some fail to realize that if Donaldson is signed now, Donaldson, Cain, and Yelich will be our core for the foreseeable future, two of those guys getting into their LATE 30’s, with them all receiving $55 million or so combined. Cain isn’t exactly a big bat either and is making quite a bit of cash. And this would all but eliminate us from making additional significant acquisition signings during this window. In my opinion, Donaldson is not the guy to cap yourself financially on during this Yelich window. Stearns and Attanasio are always looking at the future. I am sure Stearns knows who is in the free agent pool next offseason. Stearns could have his eye on some targets next offseason already. With what we saw this offseason for the signings and hearing about us linked to Rendon, and prior significant signings of Cain, Grandal, and Moose and Garcia to an extent, I am confident we are players on these type of players and will not be surprised to see us land one or two of the guys listed above next offseason. We are undoubtedly setting ourselves up to make that a real possibility in 2021. With all due respect, I don't consider guys like Moose and Grandal who were only around for a year "big" Free agent signings. Big in name, yes, big in $$ for one year, I guess so. To me(and it's me personally) "big" FA signings are guys you sign for 4-5 years and they are part of your core going forward. Cain was a "big" FA signing. The problem is, the Brewers will probably only have one of these types every 3-4 years. The rest will be cheaper one year guys or "filler" and "hope" type of guys, like we see this year.

To me, saying you are okay with the Brewers not signing Donaldson is like saying you don't care if they make themselves better or not. He most certainly would have...make ZERO mistake about that.

Bob Nightengale @BNightengale · 5m The #Twins currently have a $121.8 million payroll for their 20 signed players, the largest in the AL Central.

The Twins must be a larger market team then the Brewers

I guess I'm confused as to why people think this is a harsh punishment?? First of all, the picks are meaningless, the Astros can pretty much just buy players so no loss there. For me, the appropriate punishment and one that would make sure this never happens again would have been a postseason ban of at least one year. That would have gotten people's attention. Think about it from this perspective as well...if you issue a postseason ban, what incentive would fans have to show up knowing their team is basically playing an exhibition season. That hurts the bottom line of the team...$$ I thought this punishment was pretty light. Hell, if that's all the punishment was, to me it was well worth it.

This is all well and good...but it seems you are assuming they are going to hit on every one of these guys..That seems highly improbable. And I don't think it's as easy as saying "well if they bomb, it didn't cost them much". The results are where you take a hit, not financially. And if even 1 or 2 of them bomb, they could be in major trouble. To me, all these guys have pretty low floors, and it's not unrealistic at all to think any or all of them could hit that floor this year. If the do, the results will be catastrophic on the field. It's really teetering on the brink if you ask me. I also wanted to comment on something I have seen in this thread with some saying well a full season of Hiura makes up for Moose etc. Sure, one can look at it that way I suppose, but the way I look at it(and perhaps others as well), is instead of taking those guys and essentially "replacing" those numbers why not ADD to those numbers?? Wouldn't that be a better way of doing it?? Like...saying Hiura is a rarity at 2nd base with his power..sure, that's 100% true, but then why wouldn't you want to "exploit" that by having that be the "stand alone" that it is ,rather then "downgrading a bit at 3rd and 1st" because having a 2nd baseman like Hiura makes up for some of that. I can't look at it like that. Why not have Hiura at 2nd(the rare commodity that he is) and have bring in someone at 1st and third that will be productive enough to make up for what you lost there without having to make up for some of that because now you have Hiura for a full year. Sure, but to me you can/should have that full year of Hiura, plus add to that, not bring in guys you HOPE will produce like what you lost and having a full year of Hiura make up for the remainder.

This is all well and good...but it seems you are assuming they are going to hit on every one of these guys..That seems highly improbable. And I don't think it's as easy as saying "well if they bomb, it didn't cost them much". The results are where you take a hit, not financially. And if even 1 or 2 of them bomb, they could be in major trouble. To me, all these guys have pretty low floors, and it's not unrealistic at all to think any or all of them could hit that floor this year. If the do, the results will be catastrophic on the field. It's really teetering on the brink if you ask me. I also wanted to comment on something I have seen in this thread with some saying well a full season of Hiura makes up for Moose etc. Sure, one can look at it that way I suppose, but the way I look at it(and perhaps others as well), is instead of taking those guys and essentially "replacing" those numbers why not ADD to those numbers?? Wouldn't that be a better way of doing it?? Like...saying Hiura is a rarity at 2nd base with his power..sure, that's 100% true, but then why wouldn't you want to "exploit" that by having that be the "stand alone" that it is ,rather then "downgrading a bit at 3rd and 1st" because having a 2nd baseman like Hiura makes up for some of that. I can't look at it like that. Why not have Hiura at 2nd(the rare commodity that he is) and have bring in someone at 1st and third that will be productive enough to make up for what you lost there without having to make up for some of that because now you have Hiura for a full year. Sure, but to me you can/should have that full year of Hiura, plus add to that, not bring in guys you HOPE will produce like what you lost and having a full year of Hiura make up for the remainder.

I thought this was a great question posed to McCalvy on twitter... Adam McCalvy @AdamMcCalvy · 44m It's an interesting question. It could be a timeshare at catcher, first base, third base and shortstop. Yet the Brewers are adamant that they intend to contend in 2020. Quote Tweet GStone @stonebrenner99 · 49m Replying to @AdamMcCalvy So we're looking at three platoons in the infield? Has anyone ever won with that formula?

I thought this was a great question posed to McCalvy on twitter... Adam McCalvy @AdamMcCalvy · 44m It's an interesting question. It could be a timeshare at catcher, first base, third base and shortstop. Yet the Brewers are adamant that they intend to contend in 2020. Quote Tweet GStone @stonebrenner99 · 49m Replying to @AdamMcCalvy So we're looking at three platoons in the infield? Has anyone ever won with that formula?

I'll shorten it up for ya. Bad GMs not spending = cheap Great GMs not spending = flexibility I like leaving options open especially when the need for the position, in theory, has been solved without denting our flexibility at all. MKE rolls into the trade deadline with cap space, they can absorb cash dump expirings for PTBNL/Cash. Here's the major problem with the thought that they now have flexibility to acquire guys at the deadline. Sure, you can sit on some extra money with the intentions being of doing just that, however, don't you have to be in contention to even have that happen?? Right now, I don't think this team will be. To me, it would be much smarter to strengthen your team right away going into the season with the thought process being that sure, we don't have any flexibility at the deadline now, but our team is strong enough we shouldn't even need to add anyone of note anyway. Everyone they have signed so far are excellent depth pieces, but that's all they are...they really shouldn't be starters or get significant AB's for a team that legitimately says they want to contend, (I mean no one else was interested in signing them it seems) Too many things will have to go EXACTLY as they hope/think in order for this to work this year...that's asking a lot and almost impossible.

I just think again, what the Brewers are doing in terms of roster building is "well let's sign this guy because IF he...". That's not a sound strategy IMO. They are basically banking on everything going almost perfectly to be successful this year. I also don't think you can say "if so and so bombs, they aren't out anything". That's not true..what you are out is lost production, and that's so huge. Sure, $$ wise they wouldn't be, but if a guy isn't producing that could potentially kill them as far as the type of season they have. This is a VERY risky strategy they are engaging in, especially in Yelich contender years. Not sure how this works, but we'll see.

Judging by what has gone down so far, Todd Frazier or Jed Lowrie might be the best we can expect (yuk), unless a serious trade goes down. I know a lot of people are high on what we've done so far, but I just don't see the team, as it sits today, being better than last year's squad. This is exactly where I'm at. It seems that they are banking on an awful lot of things to go right, if not perfectly, for them to be as good as the last couple years. That's not really a solid strategy.

Not even a top 100 player? They barely got a top 100 pick and Hill's an older lottery ticket. That's likely not even equal to a top 300 player. He is 30 points of OBP shy of replacing Grandal's offense and costs 15 million less this year. Will cost about 13 and 11 less the next 2 years. I'm not sure anyone can justify that difference. 30 points of OBP and pitch framing being worth 39 million over the next 3 years? I guess I don't understand what big is because that was a huge get. Unless the bar for big has been set at Yelich, then big = nearly impossible. I'm sorry but Hader is not the trade chip. I've been around here for years and constantly people are whining about wanting elite arms and crying about never home growing anything out of the farm. Now that we have one of the most dominant arms in baseball, people are ready to sign him over because of a host of excuses. They want 30 million thrown at a starter but grumble about Hader's arby. It makes no sense. Hader is 25. His numbers have been sensational every year. His BB/9 went down. His K/9 went up. Yeah HRs went up for him, like everyone else. He's been solid as a rock yearly. The RPs who are volatile are the average ones. He's not one of those. This talk has been bonkers and I feel like I'm one of the few who remembers Hader in games that weren't the playoff loss to Washington. There's a reason why people think they can get a ton for him. It's because he's worth it and MKE won't be able to replace the massive hole that will leave in the pen. A place where this team has stolen wins for the past 2 years. I'm not in favor of trading Hader...at all...unless it's for a MASSIVE MASSIVE haul. That's why I say, I don't think another big move is coming. They could make another big move, if all they wanted to do is spend some money, without trading a single thing. No offense whatsoever but to me Narvaez isn't a big move. It was a good move for sure, but not big. Big to me would be acquiring a middle of the order bat. Like a Donaldson or a Castellanos. Neither of those things appear like they are going to happen. That's why I say I don't think anything big is coming yet. "Big" is out there right now and they don't seem inclined to go that direction. I personally have no problems with trading the farm to bring in something big to contend right now and the next couple years as well, but I just don't see Stearns doing that. I personally believe as I said, that what we see now, is what they will be going to spring training with(with another small tweak or two possibly). It's unfortunate, I would love to see a big surprise yet, but my gut is telling me that isn't going to happen. 100% hope I'm very wrong.

Most here seem thoroughly convinced that another "big" move for the Brewers is coming..I just don't see it, at all. Because if they do, it would likely be via trade which likely means Hader, and in which case, it likely doesn't improve the major league club right now. Many said they were cutting payroll...they have(substantially), so I think they are perfectly content going with a Healy/Sogard 3B combo. It just smells that way to me. Believe me, I hope I'm wrong...very wrong, but again, just don't see a big move coming anymore. They are essentially done with the roster save for maybe a couple more "tweaks" I think.

I'm guessing it's to try to acquire Arenado..wouldn't that just be great?? NOT

I still believe that the Brewers opening day 3rd baseman will be Eric Sogard. Truly believe they are done making moves, at least as far as anything big goes.

I think this is the core of all the issues you've had, though. You keep insisting, rather bluntly many times, that David Stearns be something that he has proven time and time again not to be. You want him to be impulsive, aggressive and, frankly, careless when it comes to player acquisition. I just think the guy has a long enough track record to prove now that that's just not the way he's going to operate. Every move the guy makes is researched and measured, then measured again. He operates 100% based on value, which means he is hardly ever going to make the big signings and trade for the "bigger" names that you crave. In a lot of ways, I agree with you. I'd love to see the team acquire a proven TOR starter, and a proven high average power bat to play 3B. But those guys are the "name" guys, and they cost a lot in both money and prospect capital, which are things the Brewers just don't have a lot of right now. So what we are left with is a GM that has chosen to build the team by focusing on underappreciated and undervalued players, taking risks in the process. It really is what it is. That's the way they are going to do it for the immediate future. If you don't get on board with that philosophy, you're going to be a very unhappy, frustrated fan. I don't want to steer this off topic, but this brings up, to me, a perfect comparison. Ted Thompson(Who I despised), always blatantly ignored free agency, at least as far as big names go. He built his roster(s), essentially the same way Stearns does, with cheap, young players. Eventually what happened(as I knew it would), is the roster became terrible when injuries hit(they had no veteran depth at minimum) to get them through. They got so bad, they had losing records, and he eventually lost his job. Ironically the few times he did sign "name" guys in Free agency(think, Charles Woodson, Ryan Pickett etc) it worked out great. Fast forward to last year...what did they do?? Went out and revamped the defense by signing big $$ players in Preston Smith, Zhadarius Smith, and Adrian Amos. Andddddd just like that, their defense became a TON better. "Big name" free agency works EXACTLY the way it's supposed to, if you sign the right guys. Very similar in how Stearns mines for bargains, the same theory applies to big name FA's as well. Yes, i get it, the sports are different etc, but the concepts are the same.

This would be called creating a negative, combative narrative in your head simply to create one. He is waiting for a deal to go down so he can be massively underwhelmed with the return and have ammo to crap on Stearns and Attanasio some more. I suggest we just wait and see what happens before tar and feathering the GM before a move even happens. This would be 1000% false, but thanks for making an assumption. It wasn't meant to be anything other then my own thoughts on it. It doesn't make it factual, and it doesn't make it not factual. It's called an opinion. Stearns will do whatever he's going to do, and to this point, he has done a pretty damn good job. My ONLY complaint with him is he doesn't use free agency as much as I would like(I'm talking as far as bigger signings).

This is one of the problems, I think...DS doesn't strike me as the type of guy that wants to literally rake someone over the coals for a player like Hader, rather he seems like the type that would want to make a "fair" deal for both sides. For some reason I can't see him even asking for someone like Gleyber for example, figuring there's no way he'd get him. I could be wrong on that, but to me, DS should be asking for the moon and hold firm on that. No one says trades have to be fair for both sides. So essentially you’re saying DS needs to be a pompous prick so then GMs across baseball know that they can’t deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. That’s not how it works if you want long term relationships and GMs willing to make fair deals for all involved parties with each other but OK. So no GM in the history of baseball has totally fleeced another team, and then never ever made another trade after that?? Ok sure. You have to remember, even if Stearns takes a hardline stance on players and asks for the moon, the other team still has to be willing to give that up, and if they do, that's on them, isn't it??

This is one of the problems, I think...DS doesn't strike me as the type of guy that wants to literally rake someone over the coals for a player like Hader, rather he seems like the type that would want to make a "fair" deal for both sides. For some reason I can't see him even asking for someone like Gleyber for example, figuring there's no way he'd get him. I could be wrong on that, but to me, DS should be asking for the moon and hold firm on that. No one says trades have to be fair for both sides.

There's a very good possibility that we enter the season with Hader as a Brewer. If the trade packages being floated out there are anywhere close to accurate, I predict this will be the case. I'm not interested in trading for the Yankees spare parts and/or teenagers/overhyped prospects like Florial. +1000...I know we are all amateur GM's here, but some of the "packages" people have put together here have been essentially nothing but prospects. That's simply not going to cut it for Hader if I'm trading him. Again, for me, unless you get at least ONE major, major piece back that can be put on the major league roster right now and contribute immediately in a massive way, I'm simply not trading him...period.