NievesNoNO

There is money though. You can't really target old people, you have to find a way to engage young people or the sport is gonna be in big trouble. All those old people in FL are really doing a great job supporting those teams. How? Instead of a family section, have a "safe zone" section? Change the rules so there can be a tie in every game? Ha, that's actually pretty funny. If you don't engage young people the sport will die off. It's more on MLB as a whole than the individual franchises I think. The Brewers have a great park with plenty to do and see other than watching the game and a nice party atmosphere outside the stadium. That helps, imo. MLB needs to explore avenues to expose more people to their local teams on more than just cable, which is dying anyway. The Facebook streaming game was a decent start. It's also a tougher sell when fewer kids are growing up playing it. It'll be interesting how they decide to market the game going forward.

I don't think having Kratz would stop the team from pursuing an upgrade. I agree with a few others that he was resigned as insurance and maybe some sort of transition into a coaching role.

This qualifies as kind of a "meh" move to me. He might be able to physically throw multiple innings but I'm skeptical of him really being a multi-inning reliever with his splits against rhb. I think if he can stick as a permanent part of the bullpen and be a reliable loogy then it's a win. They tried for the most part of the season last year to get that guy and it really never panned out. Hopefully he can be that guy. As others have said, the option, team control and small relative salary are appealing to the team.

As many others have indicated, these are not thrilling inductions. Seems like they're being rewarded for longevity as opposed to being the best. Both had nice careers for certain but I wouldn't consider either of them dominant for any stretch of time in their respective careers.

Kluber is the type of pitcher you consider making "untouchable" prospects or young pieces available for. I probably wouldn't be willing to do it but I understand if they pony up what it would take and wouldn't be disappointed. I'd offer Ray, Santana, Peralta +minor league pieces. Idk if that would get it done.

I saw his name brought up in one of the Phillies trade threads. I like the idea of making a move for him. He was about average-ish last season but I still like his potential with 3 years of control left. Not sure how they view him and what it would cost. I read some initial interest by the Padres already. I know the Brewers are in a win now mode(or should be) but I'd still like them to investigate some potential upside moves. I think Franco fits the bill. With his contact ability and some power maybe he's an adjustment away from being a star. At worst he's a nice bat off the bench who can put the ball in play and a platoon partner with Shaw.

Weaver is a very skinny, slight pitcher who averages about 93 MPH on his fastball. I think the Davies comp is a better fit. In stature I suppose. Weaver averages 3-4 mph faster on his fastball and has a couple additional years of control. His K potential is bigger. Whatever, Davies is more accomplished so I can get on board with the view either way but I don't see the Cardinals valuing him as much. It sucks Goldy is a Cardinal. I'd love him in the middle of the Crew's lineup as well. I also like Aguilar just fine, especially at the cost and remaining control. I'm confident the Brewers won't go quietly. They've built a contender and it's time to take a shot at it. I think Mark A would be willing to expand payroll some if needed for the right piece. I look at what he's reinvested in Miller Park and the changes every single year. He takes pride in this franchise. There's also the fact that the Brewers haven't won one. I wouldn't underestimate the appeal of becoming a legend in this city/state.

I wouldn't be opposed. I really think Santana and Broxton still fill that role pretty well for this club. I do think that is the type of talent the Brewers need to add to the mix. Championship teams have really good players coming off the bench. I really had no idea he hit 30 bombs last season!! I wouldn't pay for the cost for last year's out of the nom performace though.

Nice try

I think Woodruff could absolutely be the centerpiece to bring back a good player. I'd consider him on the same tier as Peralta trade value wise. Personally I think he'll end up with the better overall career.

I agree with the Weaver- Woodruff comp. Honestly, I don't think the Brewers are looking at 1B as an area to upgrade. Fair deal on both ends imo. The Central just got more interesting.

That said, you also can't put a value on the ability to tank for the Mariners. Also to be added is the potential signing or acquisition that the Mariners do make with their savings in 2021 or 2022. I know that that is somewhat baked into the surplus value but it's clear in 2018 that many GMs/owners have decided that "you're winning or you're tanking." That can suck for fans at times, but unless there was a much better offer waiting out there for the Mariners or one thinks it was worth waiting out, what's the difference? Are the Mariners fans going to be weeping over the fact that they won 65 games instead of 70 this year without Segura? Yes, I think clearly the Mariners are trying to not be good and that's fine. Making good personnel decisions is more important than the tearing down. Based on the initial moves I question whether or not this is going to work for Seattle. I would agree, I would rather see what can happen with a fully committed rebuild as opposed to being stuck in mediocrity. Whatever plan you use to get there, the model pretty much includes 1. creating an army of prospects either to keep as your own players or use to acquire talent. 2. Align, the infusion of young talent through your minor league system up with financial flexibility in the payroll to fill in the gaps with above average talent from FA. You still have to supplement the top picks "earned" from sucking with other acquisitions for it to work. Obviously the more FA dollars you can use when the time is right, the more leeway you have with step 1. Sorry.. getting off topic at bit here So I guess obviously for them step one is create future payroll space. It's too early to really make a judgement yet I suppose. I just think they could've done a better job combining some of their steps. They have a long climb to infuse that minor league system with talent. It's pretty bare.

The Phillies definitely want to move Franco. I'd have some mild interest in Franco depending on what they want. History says he's pretty much just an average player. I think he might have some untapped potential just based on his ability to hit for some power with keeping a well below average K%. Count me as still intrigued; maybe there's an adjustment to be made yet. It'll be increasingly more difficult to take on these type of speculative additions as expectations rise and even the back end roster spots become highly contested but I think Franco would be a good target. At worst he's a nice bench bat on a contending team that can offer some relief to Shaw from LHP.

I'm not so sure Seager is a realistic fit for the Brewers. If Stearns wasn't keen on paying Schoop for substandard production then I'd be real surprised if he'd see Seager any differently. I do think Seager will rebound some and he's a solid defender but it would seem like too much of a gamble at what appears to be a pretty maxed out payroll.

I'd agree. If I were a Mariners fan I'd be upset as there really doesn't seem to be a plan other than reducing future payroll. I find it hard to believe that Bruce or Santana (assuming he's traded) will suit up for Seattle. I'm guessing they'll be moved in secondary deals. .............. Reducing future payroll is a plan. It does not guarantee anything, but the Brewers, Astros, Cubs, and countless other teams had to start there. Now, if 3 years from now the Mariners have a promising core and refuse to go above $90 million, then we'll talk. You may see it as reducing payroll now as some ownership slashing move to throw away Cano and toss Diaz in to do it, but the 2021 Mariners will be thanking the 2018 offseason team if there is any sort of a promising team...maybe they can sign the next guy that helps get them into the playoffs. Well I guess saying they don't have a plan is a bit out of line. I'm sure they do have a plan. I guess I'm just unimpressed with the deals they are making. Yes, I expected more. I understand they're trying to reduce future debt so there's a cost to do that. I would've traded Diaz by himself. I don't like the return for Paxton. I know Sheffield has a nice prospect number and all but I don't see much about his minor league stats that would indicate to me he's anything other than just another guy. Dito for JP Crawford. I think at this point Segura has proven himself as a top flight SS. His remaining salary for his production is very good. I think they could've done better and not had to take on the additional salary of Santana. I do like the additions of Narvaez and Mallex Smith. Kelenic seems pretty highly regarded. So I guess I retract my "doesn't seem to be a plan", in favor of " I don't agree with what has been revealed of their plan so far". They may make me eat my words down the road or by the end of the off-season even, but to this point I'll agree with owbc, it feels rushed.

I'd agree. If I were a Mariners fan I'd be upset as there really doesn't seem to be a plan other than reducing future payroll. I find it hard to believe that Bruce or Santana (assuming he's traded) will suit up for Seattle. I'm guessing they'll be moved in secondary deals.

Sorry, I don't see the comments by Stearns as disrespectful. I think that's digging into it a bit much. He also said this: “There’s a level of production that’s going to make a salary like that justifiable and ultimately we determined our resources were likely going to be better spent elsewhere. We understand there is a real possibility that Jonathan Schoop could bounce back and be closer to the player he was in 2017. He’s a really talented player. That’s why we traded for him." JSOnline You could put together a pretty interesting team with some of the names non-tendered. Schoop will have a job before too long. He's all but guaranteed to hit .280 with 30 bombs now

Dang, oh well. On to the next option. I'll take the Padres as the landing spot.

Will that put them in a position to stock some unique items? I mean I'm willing to pay more for something if it's got some special quality to it but typically that's not the case in a professional team sports shop.

Saw that. I'm not sure that it is the right move for Seattle. As bad as that contract is going to turn out, to include a guy you could deal by himself for a haul seems not smart, unless they're getting rid of the full contract. I'm guessing it's directive being handed down by ownership; even if they get rid of half the contract it's a lot of money on the bottom line for sure. From a pure baseball decision it's not good, imo. Having the contract on the roster doesn't stop you from rebuilding. From the Mets perspective, does it mean they're shifting positions on trading a pitcher? It would seem to me like they're "going for it" instead of reloading.

This is simply not the case. If teams are in a position to contend come mid-July they are more willing to overpay via trade for a postseason run. Because of this, there is generally a hotter market for the rental player amongest contending teams. Also, in Bumgarner's specific case, he's coming back from a injury/decline, so if he has a monster, bounce back to form first half, his trade value will skyrocket from where it's currently at. "I am willing to give up more for 15 starts and no draft pick than I am for 32 and a draft pick." You understand my skepticism. I can see the debate from both sides. I think it's more of a value vs supply and demand thing. I do think there are scenarios that Bumgarner could fetch more at the deadline. It's not so much black and white with him. Right now there's a lot of pitching available via FA and trades (supposedly). Based on recent performance and years of control, Bumgarner quite frankly isn't as appealing as some of the other options for teams looking for a sure fire front-line guy, looking for young controllable talent, or for teams just wanting to cheaply fill a rotation spot. ....Fast forward to the trade deadline. Should Bumgarner come through the 1st half healthy and regain some of his peripheral stats, then he very well could be the best available at the deadline. With the added WC spots there are typically fewer teams selling at the deadline these days so the teams that are can sometimes leverage that situation. Any team sitting at the deadline with a high probability to make the playoffs would love to acquire something close to the pre 2017 version of MadBum. If I'm the Brewers I'm absolutely trying to buy now as yes, 32+pick > 15. If I'm the Giants, I have to believe it's a tough sell to get what his career accolades might suggest he should be worth. Not completely dissimilar from the Brewers and Braun to the Dodgers (if you believe the Brewers overplayed their hand a bit). I think the Giants will ultimately decide to hold Bumgarner as I don't see a team meeting what they believe his value should be.

1. Yelich 2. Hader 3. Burnes 4. Hiura 5. Arcia 6. Shaw 7. Cain 8. Woodruff 9. Peralta 10. Aguilar 11. Knebel 12. Ray 13. Jeffress 14. Santana 15. Nelson 16. Brown 17. Turang 18. Ashby 19. Lutz 20. Taylor Williams

This is pretty much how I feel. You could maaayyybbee talk me into Brown, if they convinced me they did their homework on Bumgarner and have good reason to believe he's going to regain some of his pre 2017 form. Burnes, Woodruff and Peralta have all proven they can get MLB hitters out and all flashed plus stuff at times. They all have a minor league track record to back up their performance regardless of opening prospect status. It would be heartbreaking for any one of them to develop into something special.... maybe we're staring at the next DeGrom, Fulmer, and Bauer.? As others have stated, Brown maybe enters into the bullpen equation this season. Bumgarner is a legend, but I'm not letting that cloud my current view of him. I'd gladly take him at the appropriate price. A Santana-Bumgarner swap would make a fair amount of sense, imo.

I don't think Woodruff is being overvalued. I personally wouldn't move him for Bumgarner. He's at least proven to be an excellent bullpen arm; I guess the jury is still out on his full ability to become a good starter. I'm reluctant to let go of a potential starter that throws mid-90's and is able to generate ground balls in what's become a flyball hitting leauge. I'd be on board with moving Santana for him as he's a bit out of place now on the Brewers. I'd agree, the Brewers are in a position that they should be willing to take on some risk to make a run at the WS. Outside of Hiura, I'd be willing to move any prospect for him.

Agreed. There's really not a lot of risk here as long as the payroll can support it for a year. The only risk is the roster spot that could've been filled by somebody else. Not that he wasn't motivated last season, but a vet looking to secure what will likely be his last multi-year big deal is a decent place to gamble, imo.