PrinceFielderx1

93-69 - 1st place in division. Best offense with top 5 pitching staff in baseball, and World Series Champs. Khris Davis, Thornburg, Overbay biggest surprises. Biggest disappointment Mark Reynolds.

Here's his write-up post draft and prior to his playing a game in the Brewer organization, it's subscriber content so I'm limiting it to the applicable text: Please let this go, Fielder and Roache are not comparable in way other than HR power, and for that matter the type of HRs they hit are much different. Prince hit towering majestic type HRs while Victor hits HRs that are out of the ballpark before you're done blinking, they are absolute missiles. Roache's hitting ability has been consistently called into question since his stint on the Cape, no one thinks he's a .300 hitter, not even you, and yet that's what Prince profiled as at a much younger age. I'd be happy if Roache hit .261 in a single season which is Fielder's rock bottom as a professional in 2010, but Fielder also took a career high 114 walks that year against 138 strike outs. Roache on the other hand walked 46 times and struck out 137 in 119 games... not in MLB of course, but in A ball last year as 21 year old. In the same league (Midwest) that Fielder was the MVP of as a 19 year old. Roache can absolutely get better, in fact he must get much better to be an everyday MLB hitter and his 2nd half last year was a good start. However he wasn't drafted for his hit tool, he was drafted for his raw power potential, much like the young 1B the Brewers took last year in David Denson. These are guys with plus-plus power potential, the question is will they ever make enough contact? I'm not disagreeing with you at all. However, I do think he's a better hitter than you do and I think as soon as this year we will see a higher batting average. I don't believe .280 for this kid is asking too much considering that he will be much better this season in my view.

TLB, I edited that post. It will take Roache and extra year to show what he can really do, but I would expect him to do it.

He is absolutely nowhere close to Fielder in terms of hitting ability. He's probably not far away from Prince in terms of raw power, but yikes. Not even close as a pure hitter. Not "yet" anyways. I think he will be a 280 hitter who will hit over 30 HR's. Frank Thomas type raw power. Pure speculation at this point. Brewers wouldn't of drafted him injured like he was if they didn't think he's hit for a higher average.

^ This. and if the Brewers are seriously considering moving Roache to 1B, what does that say about Morris and Rogers? I doubt Morris ever logs an inning with the Brewers. The Brewers made it very clear what they think about Morris. They have also made it very clear of what they think of Victor Roache by drafting him in the 1st round.

Monty of all people here though you do know that was his 1st pro season after his injury. An injury that made folks concerned of sapping what was his true Plus leading to being draft Power/HR ability. I see 22HRs as being a good sign that Roache can get to the status of being his top 10 predraft ranking in 2012. And yeah the team is built around Braun currently. With Davis, that can all the more reason to make a position change with Roache. Since he's blocked. It will turn in to a reverse Hart. 1b to OF...OF to 1b. Now PFX1 I suggested they move Roache to 1b in their minors. Your statement makes it seem like it's been decided by the club to do so? Where did you read that? Oh, I know, and that's why I said "he has upside and I hope he reaches his potential." The injury caused every team that drafted in front of the Brewers to pass on him, so it is far from set in stone that he will be a dominant MLB hitter. As I mentioned, if he steps things up this season and crushes the ball as he moves up through the system, then the Brewers can start to make future plans based on his presence, but they shouldn't be making any MLB roster moves right now because of Roache. As to whether he should be moved to first base, that should be determined by whether or not the Brewers think he can play good defense at a corner OF position. If he can, then I would not move him, but if he cannot, then he should be moved immediately. Just a note, Hart was actually a 1B who was moved to 3B because of Fielder. He couldn't cut it at 3B, so he was moved to the outfield, and eventually came full circle back to first base. Fielder was someone who was certainly going to block Hart at 1B, and Hart was someone who was playing so well they knew they wanted to do something to get him to the majors. Davis isn't someone who is certainly going to be better than another prospect coming up, and Roache has not yet done anything to make the Brewers shuffle things around to fast-track him to the majors. I think the probable scenario would be Roache starting the year in high-A and potentially moving up to AA mid-season, so next season or more likely 2016 is when he would make the big leagues if he indeed plays well enough to make it. During that time frame, we have a plethora of more advanced outfielders to cycle through if Davis doesn't cut it. Now, if Davis plays well this year, and Roache dominates at the plate in the minors, the Brewers may shift gears and get him some time at 1B, but let's wait for that to happen before moving one of our most promising prospects to a lesser valued defensive position. Roache playing OF wont last too much longer and will probably be over in less than a year, 1.) Khris Davis is a player that me and Doug believe will hit 80 Rbi's, 25+ home runs, and hit for a good average. Why would anybody want to move a player like that who can only play LF? Not happening. 2.) Roache will likely be moved to 1B. He is Prince Fielder 2.0 in terms of power and hitting ability. However I expect that average to increase quite a bit from last season. When Roache explodes which is likely IMO he will be expedited to the Majors. 3.) 1B is the only postiton that he can play that isn't blocked. This is the way I see things playing out.

The Brewers will be looking for temporary 1B man for the next couple years, because they are preparing Victor Roache to take it over by then.

I'm calling for a repeat of his 2012 season in 2014. People that think he will go on the go on the DL or regress due to PED's are in denial. This guy is a GREAT hitter.

Considering the type of contracts that are being handed out to players at premium positions I'd pay Segura Castro type money without hesitation or if we can get away with paying less it will be a steal either way.

If we wait another year to see what he has you can bet his price will be higher because this kid will just get better and better. Pay the kid Castro money if you need to, but get him signed. Segura is no fluke and considering how hard it is to find a SS with power and his build this is a no brainer.

Not at all too soon. Some people (analysts) think he's a top 5 SS right now. Lock him up Doug.

Considering on how sure DM is of Davis hitting abilities and the fact that he raves about K Davis there's no room or need for Kemp in our OF or need for our line-up.

The payroll can actually be way higher in my opinion. However, they will do it for only a special player. I ABSOLUTELY agree and have been saying so for the last several years. There is really a LOT of money being poured into MLB right now. Of course the TV bubble is going to burst according to some and that money may be sucked out, but whatever. I think the payroll would have been higher in recent years had there been players worthy of paying. Even if you have the money like Detroit, the Prince deal was never a smart one. Greinke may have been. But lets say the Brewers are winning this year and a 1st basemen becomes available. I could see the Brewers adding 7-8 million dollars and reaching 110 in total payroll rather easily. The problem is I don't think this team is that good and that they would have been much better served going through a small rebuilding effort, but that's not what Mark A wanted. I've been saying it for quite a few years also. People on the boards said we operated in the red and lost money and that it's unsustainable, we'll reading Mark A comments it sounds like he is willing to do just that should we put together a WS team and do it for multiple years to keep the team in tact. Also, I believe we can actually support a 120 million payroll easily and stay in the positive and go to 125-130 million should be have a WS team even thought that could very well mean red ink on the ledger. Remember guys, you combine the Brewers new team TV deal, with the revenue sharing money from all of these teams above the top luxury tax bracket plus the New MLB tv deal which is 25 million all by itself and you get more than 25 million in additional revenue. This team is being very cautious with it's additional money which is very smart and isn't going to waste it on a old nobody. They are waiting for that additional superstar that they either develop or trade for. Also, you say what about having money to extend guys like Segura, Peralta, Gallardo, and possibly Khris Davis should he do what Melvin said he could do? Take Ramirez and Weeks salary's off the books and you have an immediate 25 million freed up on top of the 25 million in additional freed up revenue. 50 million to do all of that. Then the next year we get 10 million more by Lohse being gone. The Brewers are in a great position financially right now. I'd expect a Segura and Gallardo extensions sometime this season. Depending on what Peralta does I'd expect him should he have a good year to be extended as soon as 2015 season. I see the Brewers capitalizing on these young home grown players and keeping their talent like Mark A stresses the team to do. Wouldn't surprise me if they add more years to Gomez's contact in 2015 should he repeat. I'm going to politely disagree with you Hi and Tight and predict that the Brewers have the second best team in the NL Central this season but a top 3-4 team in the NL. Top offense in baseball for sure, and the pitching will be much better than people think it will be. I've heard analysts say the Brewers are the most underrated team heading into 2014.

The payroll can actually be way higher in my opinion. However, they will do it for only a special player.

To be honest, if they can sign Burnett I'd trade Nelson, Thornburg, Estrada and Tyrone Taylor and anybody else in the minors to start trade negotiations with the Marlins for Stanton, then we match up very well with the Cards and can win the division. We'd have to go 3 years for Burnett guaranteed to entice him. Money is the most important thing. I agree with the other poster that if it was a geographical thing he would have signed already. That wouldn't even get the conversation with the Marlins going I don't think. If I am the Marlins, I'm calling the Mariners add asking for Walker plus some hitting prospects to see if I can pair Fernandez with Walker long term at the top of my rotation. A package of Thornburg, Taylor and Nelson might get you...Matt Kemp and $30ish million of the 6 years $128 million he is still owed but not Stanton. Hmm...Matt Kemp at 6 years $90ish million might be a package I'd be interested in as the Brewers will need a #4 hitter to replace Ramirez after this year or next. Yeah I figured I was dreaming, but it was fun while it lasted! Point is by signing Burnett it without question opens the door up for a major trade for an offensive really good player. I'd look 1B or 3B.

To be honest, if they can sign Burnett I'd trade Nelson, Thornburg, Estrada and Tyrone Taylor and anybody else in the minors to start trade negotiations with the Marlins for Stanton, then we match up very well with the Cards and can win the division. We'd have to go 3 years for Burnett guaranteed to entice him. Money is the most important thing. I agree with the other poster that if it was a geographical thing he would have signed already.

Can they afford him?

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/02/phillies-orioles-unlikely-to-sign-burnett.html Looks like Phillies and Baltimore are out. Would the Pirates/Nats sign him? and if not he will have to expand where he is willing to go. Money talks, though.

I heard 1 GM on mlbnetwork radio say that the Brewers are better than the Reds and Pirates and that the Cardinals are the best team, but that the Brewers should sign Burnett to a 1-2 years deal, because he's an ace. This would be a good move because it creates even more pitching depth and it take our rotation up another level. The Brewers from what I hear seem to have plenty of money to spend. I say why not. Let's take a run at the Cards.

This is going to be a year where fan graphs and pretty much all preseason win indicators will be wrong about the Brewers. Based on the good RP that I know DM will get and not including a 1B man I'm predicting 90 wins and everybody being healthy and going off of 2012 numbers. Should we get a good 1B man I predict over 90 wins.

2 He's a FA after 2015.

Thank you. Yes I know the Brewers will add a bullpen arm with closer material, because he said he would. I just didn't know who was available.

Peralta in he can continue where he left off in the second half of last season in 2014, in the next couple years he could very well be a true Ace pitcher.

What are the bullpen arms available in FA? I do believe this is the final step for DM this off-season heading into ST.

What are my thought's? We are going to give the Cardinals a run for their money in the next few years, that's for sure. :>)