Playing Catch

I like Quero, too, but catching prospects flame out all the time, or become just regular players. I don't think Quero has shown nearly enough with the bat for us to be putting 10 time all-star speculation on the kid. Goodness. I just think he'll be an average starter -- which is a great thing!

I'm really looking forward to Pat Murphy's interviews this season. He seems like he'll offer great soundbites for media.

I don't disagree with the idea that the rules need to be changed, but this has been an open secret for years. And what about the big-spending teams? Are all of the Dodgers in AAA truly not "ready" for MLB? Or is it fine for them to not promote guys because they are blocked by better players? If Wiemer starts the year in AAA is it service time manipulation? Or is it justified due to performance? I just think that the whole service time manipulation problem is way overblown, and only affects a handful of players. Again, I think the system can be changed, I just don't think this is as big of a deal as everyone makes it out to be.

Today's Athletic piece from Ken Rosenthal (paywalled) is about how Counsell is really mixing things up in Chicago. The article doesn't go into any depth about his decision to leave Milwaukee. It seemed to me when I read the piece, though, that (A), Counsell was looking for a fresh, energizing challenge, and (B), wanted to have more front office decision-making power than what the Brewers front office was ever going to cede (and why would they, if they've been successful). But these observations are just my reading between the lines.

It's a get-off-my lawn level pet peeve of mine that there are so many court-storms. Maybe we could simply reduce them by making fun of fans that do it against a good, but not great, league rival. This is what should REALLY embarrass Wake Forest. I mean, they're T-Rank #24 beating T-Rank #12... NOT worth court storming.

He's one of my "picks to click," that I'm predicting will be in the Top 20 Brewerfan list sooner than later. If he adds a couple of ticks to the fastball, especially.

I'm not sure I believe what I'm throwing out here, but maybe the Brewers aren't that serious about IF. Maybe it's actually a way to force someone like Sal to take a "break," from baseball. Keep things fresh and fun. Kinda like playing multiple sports in high school.

Oh, I agree. I think he was procured as a hedge against not signing a better first baseman, but I think most of us would rather roll with a Tyler Black/Wes Clarke platoon at 1st than have Bauers enter the season as our primary first baseman anyway.

I never spent much time considering this part of the decision. It is a little underhanded. I can't imagine that David Ross doesn't have hard feelings. But it's also kind of the nature of coaching/managing high-level sports.

Honestly. Every time someone brings up Bauers, it just makes me more and more irritated that they traded for him. Just a waste of a roster spot. Perfectly fine as a minor league FA, or non-roster invitee, but a non-optional 40-man spot?? Just dumb.

Any of us being in the same position as Counsell, and making the same decision he did is irrelevant. Any of us making that decision would know that one of the trade-offs is the love and good will of Brewers fans. I doubt any of us have ill-will toward Craig Counsell, human being... But Craig Counsell, the traitor that left his childhood team for it's biggest rival? That is anathema to sports fans! He deserves all of the derision that comes with it. Why? Because it's just sports. It's meant to be fun and entertaining, and having heels to root against is awesome.

Based on this list, the only guys I'd consider manipulating service time would probably be Wiemer, Gasser, and Ortiz. I don't see keeping Mitchell down two months, unless he really stinks by June, and at that point, the risk of losing the extra year wouldn't matter that much. Wiemer and Gasser because it's only 2 weeks, and Ortiz because I can picture him becoming Adames-level good, where an extra year is pretty nice to have. I've avoided making many predictions about the opening day roster/total ABs this season because it seems to me that the scope of possible performance outcomes are so, so broad, and of course... injuries. But I would predict Wiemer will need to put together a month or two of strong AAA production with his new swing before the Brewers would consider him for the 26-man. I also think that Gasser and the rest of the pitching depth will be shuttled in order to manage all of their innings/inconsistent performance. Ortiz, however, I expect to be a regular rotation guy. A soft-platoon guy. However, I'm also looking at all of the IF depth they've brought to Spring Training, and feel like if Ortiz and Turang look good this Spring, they'll move Adames.

Do you think that the Brewers have given up on the idea of Turang, Mitchell, and Wiemer as full-time hitters, or do you think the Brewers still hope/expect them to develop into everyday guys?

Even if one conceded that in their rookie seasons there was mismanagement, at what point does a playoff contending team need to consider what is in the best interests of the team? Hypothetically, if Chourio is batting .180 vs. righties, and .250 versus lefties at a certain point in the season, when would it be appropriate for the team to consider platooning here and there, or pinch-hitting versus RH relievers?

I presume you believe Hiura was mismanaged, but what other top prospects contribute to your opinion.

For experts on Rule 5 eligibility... I didn't think Low was eligible until December '25 (Fangraphs says '24, but I don't think that's right)?? What am I missing?

Thanks for all of your contributions, Joseph.

It was clearly meant to get clicks and reaction. Considering that was the point of the opinion piece, I'm sure USA Today is thrilled with the contribution.

I love a good Ranwell Smith reference, if for no other reason, that it has me looking up the Bluefields "in" Nicaragua. I mean, a former pirate colony named after a Dutch-Jewish pirate? Who knew?

I was thinking Mark McGwire.

I totally agree with this. It's fine to say he's in LF everyday... until he isn't.

While this is all true, there are players that are too stubborn/fearful to change, particularly this early in their career. I'm excited about the change most of all because it demonstrates humility, courage, and work ethic from Wiemer. That's a really positive sign for a guy who is so gifted athletically.

It's kind of funny to me that that at least one projection system assigns the lowest batting average in the starting lineup to... Rhys Hoskins (and of course I know average doesn't tell the whole story), and 3 of the lowest 4 projected batting averages go to new signings.

This is actually really reassuring for me, because you're right. There's no doubt the rotation isn't as strong, but the team should be better at nearly every position -- and a deeper bench, too.

No question that forcing the player's hands is the primary motive -- and particularly putting pressure on them to lower their demands. But teams also have the obligation to put a team together. Cody Bellinger could be a big part of putting together a team. I'm sure that part of this deadline talk is that team execs are frustrated that they don't know, one way or the other, if they can plan on Bellinger being a part of the team. This has all sorts of trickle-down effects for roster construction. Does Team X need to make a trade in order to complete their outfield or not? Does Team Y need to sign a lesser player just to cover their bases? So yes, it is "all about the money," but it really isn't. It's about GMs needing to make sure they can put a lineup out there on opening day. They would like to know if Bellinger is in that lineup or not, and if they can trade their CF prospect for pitching. The promotions staff need to know if they can order the Cody Bellinger bobbleheads, or if they need a bunch of Bellinger shirzees. Season ticket holders want to know what the team is going to look like before committing to buying. It's perfectly reasonable to believe that none of that stuff really matters. And I'm not sure I care that much about it, either. But having a deadline does clean up a lot of those annoying details, I think I also disagree that players are the only negotiator that would feel pressure to change their number due to a deadline. I'm not convinced that a deadline doesn't make Brian Cashman up his bid on the last day simply to have the assurance of knowing who's on the team and ready for the season.