Austin Tatious

30 something pitchers: Brandon Looper Jeff Suppan Randy Wolfe Kyle Lohse Matt Garza Some of those guys were solid for awhile. But none kept it going for the length of their contracts. We have too much data to try to sign big deals for older pitchers. They absorb salary and are progress stoppers for youth. I would have liked Arrieta at 3/75, mainly because unlike the others he has TOR upside. But it’s a risk. At this point, I think Suter is underestimated. And Nelson and Burnes could inject life into the rotation even the second half of this year. Woodruff is still in the mix and developing. Ortiz is considered talented and may put it together. Peralta has talent. Ponce is a nice prospect. Other than Arrieta, I don’t lament not signing anybody, or especially selling the farm for Archer in an overpay.

You’d think he could get 2-3 years at that number. Maybe he’s betting on himself in hopes of getting more next offseason.

He said the wrong thing, no doubt. He probably realizes it and may even regret it. He’s a tad bit eccentric. He also had the suitcase story. But, I’m not going to let that outweigh the overwhelming good he did here as a two-way catcher. Now, behind the scenes, did he burn bridges with the organization? I can’t answer it but I wouldn’t rule it out. He didn’t take the Cleveland deal and we don’t know the back story if he indicated he’d be interested and then backed out. There may be more to the story that we don’t know. As a player, I appreciated him.

Guerra with three scoreless in his last outing. Don’t be shocked if we break camp with Miley and Guerra in the final two spots, with Suter making the team and ready in reserve. Woody goes to triple A, which gives us a seventh viable starter, and that’s before Nelson comes back. I’d send Yovani packing. Burnes and Ortiz are coming along too in the next wave. If we have key injuries or a couple of starters really struggle, then we can look at a mid-season acquisition. I’d still like a pitcher, but I’d be in the camp where it’s a top guy or bust. Top guys command cash. I can’t figure the Brewers being a big factor in 2019 free agency. I think if you can meet Arrieta halfway, it might just work. He’s obviously been unreasonable and Boras has misread the market. With all the analytics on pitchers over 30 and all the lessons learned, that looks like a pipe dream now. How about 3/$80? If no one gives him 5/$130, maybe we work something out.

Suter hasn’t pitched late into games yet, but I still think he’s been very underestimated. This guy could linger for years and have a solid MLB career. I think he finds a niche.

I think Santana can have a monster year. I’d say he’s under appreciated nationally. He’s not a Red Sock or Yankee and people are misled by his demeanor. Didn’t he take Kershaw deep in a 1-0 Brewer victory? He’s got the confidence to handle himself in tough situations. Decent average for a power hitter, good OBP, can hit against good pitchers, good arm. Stearns should wait for the right return or heck we can win with him. The notion that guys like Santana can be found anywhere is pure folly.

Jett - Don't forget your bat (out of hell) this year then. And Jett I thought the only lonely place was on the moon! Great song. Nice reference.

I’d love to make pitchers and catchers a priority. We seem to get a lot of middle infielders and athletic outfielders. Most likely, if we peeled back the onion, we are probably getting guys with links to our contacts and pouncing where we have that advantage. I will say, probably due to Matt Arnold, we’ve done way, way better the last couple of years internationally. I think we are on a good track. I perceive a big uptick in our recent acquisitions. We did pick up Arcia in years past, and I suppose Wily Peralta, but the volume seems higher. We may reap some rewards in a few years. It doesn’t hurt that there’s a cap now so that we have our fair chance instead of watching Boston, NYY, Texas, Cubs, Cards and Dodgers get everybody. Our share is becoming at least more fair, and I think we have improved our scouting and contacts via Matt Arnold.

I don’t know if there’s some sort of weird behind the scenes issue or not due to his past departure, but Lucroy is a good match right now. He’s been “off” in performance but he’s more than likely still decent and may have a resurgence. He knows the organization. I like Pina for what he is but we could use help there. I think it’d be naive to think catcher is in good shape. With the toll it takes, I think we need multiple guys, and Lucroy is a good idea to me. I like some of our long range prospects, Feliciano in particular, and am very curious how Harrison fares defensively. Then you have others like Peyton Henry. But, I’d like to see more immediate juice at the position and even in the upper minors. My first choice of all would be to work something out to get Mejia but that’s just made up speculation.

Bickford falling all the way out of the top 30 seems like an overreaction. I get the concerns about his velocity last year and his makeup. But he’s young and may mature. Based on potential alone, I’d keep him in the top 30.

I liked the Kirby pick at the time and am curious to see how he turns out in a starter role. His story is similar to Walker Buehler. Both were considered top five type of talents and fell due to injury concerns. I’d say it’s a long shot that Kirby builds back up to a Buehler level (elite prospect) but he may still end up an effective starter. We just have to see. I take your point about his age, but when you’re a college guy who ends up with TJ and lose two years, it’s inevitable that you’re going to be older by the time you get to the show. It’s not like he’s scuffled and gotten older. He may make it by 26, if he regains his form. He’s on my very short list of intriguing guys for this year. Maybe he shows himself to be a reliever. But, just maybe, he thrives as a starter and his original top 5 pick talent shines through. He’s an unknown to me.

That’s a lot of options with upside. I think we are going to have top notch bullpens for as far as the eye can see. Enough of these guys will pop such that this should be a strength of the team. In a year or two, could I interest you in Knebel Hader Barnes Williams Houser Kodi Derby

Ouch. Not what I wanted to hear. So much for collusion. Lol.

The Brewers offered Darvish in the nine figures. They paid Cain. It’s not collusion and I don’t think such a case would go anywhere. MLB could trot out loads of evidence showing how much money was blown on bloated contracts for declining players in their thirties. No one could take seriously complaints by the likes of Cobb or Lynn, and I’d imagine they will end up with nice eight figure per year deals. I don’t see those guys as nine figure investments and I don’t think a judge or jury would either. The player expectations need to be managed much better. Next year, Machado, Bryce, Kershaw et al will all get big deals. There’s nothing to see here except for unrealistic expectations. Marvin Miller wanted a system where there was a limited supply of free agents every year so that teams would bid up on the few who were available. This year at least, the MLB PA thinks it hasn’t worked so well. But a nine figure offer to Darvish and loads of evidence against paying declining players will hurt any such argument. MLB is lock solid on this, IMO. But, the players need to think about the long game, and the economics will benefit them over the long term.

Great thoughts, Badger. Hope to see more of you around here.

I agree about the big market bias on ranking minor leaguers. It’s always been the case. Just to throw out an example, is Chance Adams a better prospect than Corbin Burnes? Let’s see. Lot of intrigue with the minor leaguers this year: 1. Will Keston Hiura adjust seamlessly to playing defense, including turning the double play with authority on his throws? Will his arm stay healthy? 2. Can Tristen Lutz keep cranking and be on a high end track? 3. Is Luis Ortiz in better shape? Can he huff and puff past six innings and increase his innings? 4. Can Corey Ray make some adjustments and get himself back on top 100 track as a former fifth overall pick? 5. Can Trent Grisham improve his hit tool? While he has had good obp, you’d like to see more hits. 6. With Josh Nottingham succesfully improving his defense last year, can he improve in a more balanced way, both behind the dish and batting? 7. Can Corbin Burnes continue to prove he’s the real deal? There are rightfully high hopes for him. 8. Will any of the foreign teens like Jean Carmona and company erupt? 9. Jake Gatewood took a step forward last year. Can be make another jump? 10. Lucas Erceg is a talented guy who can be inconsistent. Will he put it all together? 11. Will Taylor Williams, Nick Ramirez and Adrian Houser become bullpen assets all the way up to Milwaukee at some point? 12. Kodi Medeiros could be a tough reliever. Will that come more into focus as a former twelfth overall pick in the draft? I have lingering doubts about him as a starter but maybe he will prove himself that way still. 13. Will Mario Feliciano build on his solid year at class A where he was only 18 and acquitted himself nicely? 14. Will Cody Ponce show that he is MLB starting material? Or is he more of a sixth or seventh inning reliever and spot starter? Overall, I’m bullish about our future bullpens as we have a number of guys who are bubbling up who may be able to thrive in that role.

Don't do that Jordan trade. Get a serviceable big who can defend the paint and rebound. No need to expend that much capital on Jordan, both in terms of assets and salary cap space. But, then again, I absolutely knew that OG Anunoby was a better player than DJ Wilson, and yet somehow "professionals" liked Wilson. That does not inspire confidence.

Ditto. I love baseball and the Brewers and this sure is a fun day, especially with some more moves on the horizon.

Agree - I’m excited about Burnes. I thought he was a steal in that draft. For the right deal, I’m ok with dealing Peralta or even Woodruff, assuming a good pitcher is coming back, but Burnes is a guy I’d like to see play out in Milwaukee. Ortiz is another with good stuff and upside I’d rather not lose, but not to the same extent as Burnes. Burnes (and Ortiz) could both be Wily Peralta or Manny Parra but so be it. I’d like to see it play out. The other nice thing that keeps me positive is our really young guys have early signs of potential when you think of not just Lutz but also Carmona, Ernesto, Feliciano, and some others. Grisham and Ray can still develop at higher levels.

Well said. This is where I am. I’m surprised we lost Harrison on top of Brinson, but I still like where we are headed. I do hope we keep Phillips after the dust settles. Left handed bat, insane arm, etc. Now that Harrison is gone, my next great hope is Lutz.

Let me chime in with compliments to HighHeat. Thank you for the intel and your contributions. Money.

Very good info and analysis, Enscheff. Thanks for the info on the Braves' prospects.

I like the setup of the three way trade too, but I suspect Milwaukee may have to concede more. Perhaps add Ray to the deal and swap out Bickford for Ortiz, with both going to Baltimore. That’s still a good deal and Baltimore gets a bit more.

I hope Monte Harrison is still in the Brewer organization after these deals are complete.

If you want to try to get in on the sports side of any team, it may not hurt to be willing to work for free and then try to work up to peanuts. If you’re really bright and shine, it’s a way to show your dedication and then thrive in whatever role to get noticed. You can start with videos, setting things up, etc. I have heard John Hammond mention this with the Bucks and it also is true with football jobs.