Eye Black

Axios Sports shared some updated data and information about owners personal wealth (cited Forbes as data source). The new Mets owner, Steve Cohen, is now the wealthiest owner in baseball, and if these numbers are accurate it’s not even close. Below are the reported franchise values in charts separated by AL and NL (this data is listed as from June of 2020 and they cited Forbes on this data as well). As had already been established in this thread the franchise values aren’t directly indicative of what type of cash flow the team has to spend currently. Here is a slightly deeper dive on the specifics of the NL Central owners. The financial numbers listed next to the teams here is franchise value and NOT owners wealth. NL Central Cubs ($3.3B): Tom Ricketts, 57 — His father, Joe, founded brokerage firm Ameritrade. In 2009, he paid $845 million for a 95% stake in the team, 25% of the local sports network and 100% of Wrigley Field. Cardinals ($2.2B): Bill DeWitt, Jr., 78 — He founded an investment firm, which became part of the group that purchased the team from Anheuser-Busch in 1995 for $150 million. Pirates ($1.26B): Bob Nutting, 58 — His great-grandfather founded Ogden Newspapers in West Virginia in the 1890s, which Nutting now runs. Publisher McClatchy bought the team for $95 million in 1996, and Nutting took over as chairman in 2007. Brewers ($1.2B): Mark Attanasio, 62 — The lawyer-turned-investment banker bought the Brewers for $223 million in 2005. Reds ($1.08B): Bob Castellini, 78 — The Castellini family, owners of a 124-year-old produce wholesaler, are a Cincinnati staple. Before leading the group that bought the Reds for $270 million in 2005, Bob owned minority shares of the Rangers, Cardinals and Orioles.

The Brewers are the second oldest franchise to never have won a World Series behind only the Padres (unless you count the year in Seattle, then they're tied for the most years as an established franchise without ever winning a World Series). If the Rays win the World Series we will be down to just five active franchises to have never won one. The Nationals exercised those demons last year, and the Padres appear to be in a good position to make a strong run over the next decade. MLB Franchises to Never Win the World Series (Franchise Establishment Date) Padres (1969) Brewers (1970) Rangers (1972) Mariners (1977) Rockies (1993) Rays (1998)

What about Red Sox 1B/3B Bobby Dalbec? Would others be interested in him as the key piece in a return for the Hader trade? If so, it might need to be a 3-way trade of some sort since I am not sure how motivated the Red Sox are to acquire bullpen pieces.

For the third year in a row the team that ends the Brewers‘ season is heading to the World Series.

Years ago there were rumors that the White Sox were going to move to Florida. Now in my lifetime teams from Florida will have played in 4 World Series. I really hope the Brewers play in a World Series again someday.

From Jon Morosi earlier today: 11 Dodgers on this NLCS roster appeared in Game 7 of the 2018 NLCS in Milwaukee. Any guesses on how many Brewers that were on the 25-man roster for the 2018 NLCS are still in the Brewers organization? (answer in the spoiler below)...

Maybe this is the opposite of what the question is asking, but I think the most likely Brewers to get traded are Arcia, Houser, Gamel, and to a lesser extent Piña. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see anyone from the bullpen not named Devin Williams traded. As far as a guess on who they’ll surprise acquire, I’ll go with either Renato Núñez from the Orioles or Hunter Dozier from the Royals. Until one of those happen I’ll hold out hope for Dominic Smith from the Mets.

I would be more surprised if they don’t trade the Comp A pick. Seems like a bit of a tradition at this point after back-to-back offseasons of trading the competitive balance pick for major leaguers with Claudio (Comp A) and Narvaez (Comp B). I wish it wasn’t the case, but I think they’ll be motivated to move the pick once again. One of the reasons I think they’ll chose to trade the pick (in addition to the trade value) is it will save them approximately $2.2 million in next year’s draft.

As I mentioned the list provided was just all of the prospects listed around the value range of the question that was posed. That being said, many of the players listed are not “years away”. The only reason players like Jones and Larnach haven’t yet played in Triple-A is because there weren’t minor league baseball games this year. Trevor Larnach is 4 months older than Luis Urias. Third baseman Nolan Jones will be 23 at the start of next baseball season and likely be in the majors at some point within the next calendar year. Ramos is likely looking at a 2022 ETA. Others from the prospect list like catcher Luis Campusano made his MLB debut this season despite never having played above high-A ball, and shortstop Andres Gimenez also debuted this season. I agree that I don’t think a Hader trade is likely this offseason, but I wouldn’t be opposed to the Brewers centering a Hader trade around a high upside player on the brink of making their MLB debut if they really believed in the talent.

Below are the prospects on the site closest to the $32 million value and just below. Listing them all and not editing out any teams for likelihood as an actual trade partner. Luis Campusano (C, Padres): 32.1 Andres Gimenez (SS, Mets): 32.1 Brailyn Marquez (LHP, Cubs): 31.3 Heliot Ramos (OF, Giants): 31.0 Nolan Jones (3B, Indians): 30.9 Nick Gonzales (2B, Pirates): 30.9 Jasson Dominguez (OF, Yankees): 30.5 Kristian Robinson (OF, Diamondbacks): 30.4 Trevor Larnach (OF, Twins): 30.0 Matthew Liberatore (LHP, Cardinals): 29.8 Forrest Whitley (RHP, Astros): 29.7 DL Hall (LHP, Orioles): 29.3

IIRC, he had an opt out clause in his contract for June 15th (if he wasn't on the 25-man) where he would've become a free agent if he chose. They traded him on June 10th, 5 days before that deadline.

So I’ve been wondering... The Brewers first three games next year are at home against the Twins (they play Thursday, Saturday, Sunday). Is there any chance the team would entertain working out a deal with Braun where he came back for a swan song at home in front of fans to start the season (assuming fans are back in the stands), with the understanding he would retire following that first weekend? It doesn’t happen very often, but has occurred before (Ichiro’s Mariners retirement at the start of 2018 is the most recent example I can think of). I don’t think it’s likely, but I guess could be a creative way to bridge the gap. Another more organic way to approach it is they could bring him back with clauses allowing for contractual adjustments if he decides to retire mid-season.

The best part about when Choi initially signed with the Brewers in January of 2018 is he turned down an offer with a roster spot from the Rays in order to compete against Aguilar and Thames to be the Brewers first baseman. Then the Brewers just eventually traded him to the Rays anyway.

So this MiLB retraction and reshuffle has been one of my blind spots as I haven't paid much attention thus far. For those following it more closely, is Beloit in any danger of losing out on an affiliated team despite currently having a new stadium under construction? I know there were conflicting preliminary reports about their status, and I think their ownership group also owns Pensacola which would seem to help their cause. Just curious if they've publicly stated assurance of having an affiliated team?

That's great news! I'm in!!

The MLBPA’s National League Rookie of the Year finalists were announced: Alec Bohm, Jake Cronenworth, and Devin Williams The MLBPA Players Choice awards are voted on by the players. The winner will be announced October 22nd.

The Braves ultimately got to Tony Gonsolin, but he looked good early. It’s sort of fun that both Gonsolin and Corbin Burnes were starters together at St. Mary’s and both drafted in 2016 (Burnes in 4th round, Gonsolin in 9th).

Billy Beane is reportedly going to leave the Oakland A’s in order to work for Red Sox owner John Henry. Apparently he would no longer work in baseball, but instead would assist on other sports ventures including assisting with the Henry owned Liverpool Football Club of the English Premier League. I knew he was into soccer, but sort of a surprising move after a long career in baseball.

In game one of the NLCS the Dodgers bullpen gives up four runs in the 9th inning of a game that was tied.

Profar is a switch hitter that has a strikeout rate among the very best in the league, can play all of the infield positions as well as the corner outfield, and is at the peak of the aging curve where plenty of players have their career years. If they could get him on a short-term deal then Jurickson Profar isn’t a bad gamble. I’d certainly rather have him on the roster than Gamel next year.

Using the term “disastrous” is hyperbole. A disastrous offseason is one that sets an organization back years. Signing Madison Bumgarner to a 5 year, $85 million deal is borderline disastrous. Giving tens of millions to relievers that immediately go in the tank or succumb to chronic injury problems is disastrous. The only way last offseason could prove to be truly disastrous is if Christian Yelich never bounces back towards his career norms. That’s the lone true disaster that could possibly linger from last offseason, and for now I’ll bet on Yelich making a course correction over a typical season.

MLB confirmed today that they will indeed use only 2020 records for the 2021 MLB Draft order (Link). The Brewers will have the #15 overall pick. If they don’t trade their competitive balance round A pick, the Brewers should have three draft picks in the top 55 selections.

From FanGraphs: Ha-seong Kim Has Big MLB Aspirations and Projections (by Dan Szymborski)

I agree in that I don't expect much free agent movement until there is more clarity on what the future looks like. We don't even know when they'll find out the future of the DH in the NL, let alone knowing whether games will be played in front of paying customers next season. Aside from a team or two that might want to make a splash early in the free agency period, I expect the majority of the player signings to drag into sometime in January or beyond. I hope we're wrong, but it seems the most likely reality at this point.