Playing Catch

Over on the Transactions Forum, we've been debating which players to bring in using the farm all winter. Luis Robert? He's a really good player the Brewers could empty the farm for. There were threads about pitching, like the recently traded Jesus Luzardo. I think that many of us are more comfortable criticizing the front office after they make a move, rather than being critical that they haven't made a move. For myself, that has a lot to do with the other teams or players involved. Teams don't want to give up their best players. In your Yelich example, the Marlins were having a fire sale. That's the only reason he was available. In terms of free agents, there are many players that simply don't want to play for Milwaukee (like a no-trade list). Anecdotally, many of us have also noticed a recent trend around the league that MANY teams are hesitant to trade their prospects, not just the Brewers. In terms of decisions the Brewers have made that bug me? I'm still chafed that they traded away Reese Olson for Daniel Norris, and the board universally disagreed that they didn't protect Shane Smith for the Rule 5 draft. I think there are a lot of Brewer fans that still bask in the glow of trading for CC Sabathia, and Zack Grienke. Those two moves allowed the Brewers to make the playoffs a couple of seasons. Of course, the Indians got all-star outfielder, Michael Brantley for Sabathia, and the Royals got Lorenzo Cain and Alcides Escobar, defensive stalwarts to their World Series victory.

If the Brewers lost Mitchell and Perkins, does anyone else think it would take Chourio less than a week to get comfortable out there? I mean the guy played 200+ games in center in the minors. I just don't understand why you @Brewcrew82 need him in center so much. If you think he's better than the other options, that's fine. I guess we just agree to disagree. If you think his playing a corner has hurt his "value," I will also just need to disagree. The Braves moved Acuna to RF in favor of Michael Harris II, and no other team would think twice about putting Acuna back in CF if he was their best CF.

less of a crapshoot, haha.

That sounds awful.

Yeah, I guess what I meant is that he plays like a senior, which is probably too much to ask. I forget, though, that Blackwell played mostly point in high school.

I totally agree with this. But I think the "value" of the franchise is tied up in the viability of the stadium/market. If Attanasio doesn't maintain the viability of both, particularly with the recent extension of the lease, the value of a one-billion dollar franchise (arbitrary number) could dip considerably. Whenever the team is sold, there WILL be a profit, but that doesn't mean the profit isn't variable.

I like this topic. I'll like it more when we have more solidity as to the options. I typed out a long, lame response about tactical switches, but I think based on what we know now, the defensive alignment will look a lot like last season, with Ortiz sliding to short, and DurDunn playing 3rd, with Bauers/Hoskins/Black at first. I agree with sveumrules that Yelich is the primary DH. I think this has more to do with the depth of our outfield than anything. I'd rather have Chourio in left than Yelich, and I'd rather bat Mitchell/Perkins than Bauers/Black. In terms of whether or not Chourio should play center, I don't care to argue about it. My belief is that Mitchell and Perkins are better than Chourio, but if Chourio is in center, fine. He's a great defensive outfielder.

And maintain a profit margin that is acceptable for the rest of the ownership group? And not just MLB, but across all of sports. the ownership group is the most important indicator for future success. That's probably true across most privately held companies. Smart owners aren't going to take for granted that people keep paying for the product. Attanasio knows that the only reason the Brewers have "value" in Milwaukee is because he's offering a good product, so that the fans care and show up. Otherwise you are locked into a long-term lease in an aging stadium playing games in front of 7,500 fans. THAT's not a team you can sell for a huge profit. And it's not just about spending for spending sake. The Washington Commanders fanbase tarred and feathered free-agent spender, Dan Snyder on his way out of town. Now they're playing in NFC championships.

I'm pretty shocked that all the outlets have Made so high. I'm with Law when it comes to believing in DSL kids. However, I'm also with old school scouting+data, which I think is where all this helium is coming from. I'll maintain, too, that I think that scouting+data has made amateur player procurement much less of a crapshoot than it was 10 years ago. I think owners and front offices became sick of giving high schoolers $5M to never make it out of A-ball. They decided that if they were going to invest in amateurs, they were going to get the right ones. Therefore, Made is probably a legitimate top 50 prospect in baseball.

I think there's a universe, too, where the post-players matchup is a wash. In this scenario, I would like to see Blackwell and Tonje take another step forward. I would like them to play more like McGee. Under control, but aggressive. Smart. Calm. But strong. Be strong. Being strong with the ball is vital in these games, because you know you're going to get raked if you take one step towards the hoop.

You put your parenthetical exclamation after the wrong player.

I think your logic is sound, but I disagree as the current built-in competitive advantages that the biggest central clubs have over the Milwaukees and Kansas Citys are dwarfed by the advantage that the elite coastal teams have over the Cardinals/Tigers.

It's not just the "prospects" either. Teams will randomly run into good players through sheer luck, too. Usually guys that were late bloomers, or had some injury-issues in the minors. Every once in awhile you'll get a good starter or borderline all-star from those types of players, too. I'm not sure they fit the above description or not, but Blake Perkins and Tobias Myers come to mind.

They'll agree to it if other teams vote for a lockout and demand it. The big teams still need little teams to play against. I agree that there won't be any kind of NFL-style salary cap, and that the rich teams will remain the richest teams. But I think there will be a little bit more than a baby step toward better competitive balance. I think this will correspond with the league giving a little on years of team control, perhaps restricted free agency?

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There has been a lot of rumblings around the sport about how the Dodgers are good for baseball. Heck, the Dodgers are good for this site. Over the last calendar year, I'd bet the Dodgers are the subject of more posts than the Cubs. With that said, there's also been a lot of talk, nationally, about competitive imbalance, and the damage that can do long-term, to the sport.

I, too, like how Greppi moves. I'm not a scout, but that's always the first thing I pay attention to with a big. Can they run the floor, and are they nimble enough to set good screens, have some moves around the hoop. I was really excited about Gus Yalden for those reasons... alas. That was a huge knee brace Greppi was wearing. In my humble opinion, the Badgers can play with anyone in the country, 1-4. But it's that 5 spot where the elite teams still give the Badgers a lot of trouble. Michigan gave them fits with Wolf, and particularly Goldin. Illinois with Ivisic. UCLA, in a flukey sort of way gave them trouble with Mara having the game of his life. This isn't to denigrate Crowl or Winter. Since league play started, they've been absolutely terrific. But they are still a bit slight (Winter), or athletically limited (Crowl) to keep up with NBA-like 5s. This Maryland game Wednesday should be a great test. East coast road environment, pressure defense with athleticism everywhere, and a really impressive combo at the 4 and 5 with Reese and Queen. I'm probably setting myself up, but I'm really excited, and I'm expecting a win because the Badgers have the coaching advantage. But both teams match up with each other. The Badger bench will need to be huge, as they have been all season.

My impression from afar with the Granato-era was that he was kind of running a hockey version of Kentucky basketball, bringing in a bunch of future 1st round picks. They would struggle to gel, and to play against men, and then they would leave for the NHL before developing as a team. Is that accurate? Hastings looks like he's running a proper program again?

In the last few years, they've used that deep system to supply their 26-man roster... and the 26-man rosters for 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028.

Maybe take taxed revenue dollars and use them to fund automatic $5M signing bonuses for all free agents? I'm making up the five million arbitrarily, but it would be an easy way to redistribute the wealth to the middle, and lower-income free agents. Although, I suppose, in theory, that is what is already happening when the Brewers sign Hoskins, is that a lot of those dollars come directly from revenue sharing.

The Lawrence Butler comp makes a lot of sense.

Anyone care to explain the difference between the USCHO rankings and the Pairwise to a novice? Fun game last night, despite the shootout loss.

I was really excited about Di Turi. Apparently part of his struggle will be extremely low exit velocities. We know that will be less of a problem for Peña and is a complete non-concern for Made.

Thanks @Joseph Zarr and @Spencer Michaelis for your thoughtful responses to all of our questions. It gunna be a fun season!

I'm with TURBO. Which MLB hitters in the last 5-10 years have had the weirdest/busiest swings?