Austin Tatious

Sorry if this was already posted but terms of the new international signing policy: http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/new-mlb-international-signing-rules/#p9J5kGlFPx4Xev9t.97 A bit convoluted to unwind.

If that's all you get for Braun, then I'd keep him. He can be a lifer in Milwaukee and I'm fine with it. He's a freakish savant when it comes to well rounded hitting. Speaking only for myself, DeLeon is not the guy I'm most intrigued by. He's fine. But I'd be more interested in Walker Buehler. This would be a fun thread to come back and look at in 3-4 years to see how everything turns out.

Sorry, that was worded vaguely. What I am speculating is that: 1. Ten teams get a competitive balance pick. 2. Five go after round one, and five after round two. The two groupings of five are determined and then grouping one and grouping two alternate years between being after round one and after round 2. 3. The order for the five teams in each grouping is based on inversing their records. I'm speculating because I have not seen a good summary of it yet. I'm on pins and needles about how the international cap will work.

Does anyone have a detailed summary of the new international rules? I heard something about a hard cap. That's fine but I still hoped for a draft. We need to really invest in relationships down there. A hard cap would help so the Cubs, Yanks, Bosox, Rangers and Dodgers don't stack five top prospects for every one Milwaukee gets. But, to get the right guys we need to get in the muck and play with the trainers who have access to the talent. Start making expensive handshakes. It's unseemly in the AAU basketball way. At least this is a professional league. The Brewers can win as a small market. Don't sign Looper, Garza, Suppan, et al. Use money on developing talent. International relationships, scouting, minor league instruction. Invest there and that will be effective.

Good point. We went after the second round last year, so hopefully we can get in after the first round this time. If they are interested in alternating years, you'd think we'd have a shot. By the way, I think getting the lottery part out is better. That was an unnecessary complication. I'm assuming the five picks after each round are ordered in inverse relation to prior year's record.

True, I see your point. But it could benefit us too when we get good again. The year your team is good, you get another draftee who may not help for 4 years or so, and by then, who knows what your record is. Overall, it would help a team like ours offset some of the huge advantages big market teams have in player procurement. Pretty much we can get 3 of the top 70 picks or so every year, instead of two. Year after year, it can increase your odds over the big market teams. I'm hopeful our drafting is turning a corner and we will see dividends.

@JonHeyman 11/30/16 8:05 pm No international draft, but int'l signings are said to be capped to 5-6M per team per year.

I posted this earlier, but Gideon has raw talent and there could be a parallel with Brandon Woodruff, who obviously has emerged as a top pitching prospect. Woodruff had injuries and worked out of the pen at Miss State. But there was raw talent, and the Brewers were able to land him in the 11th round. Gideon did not play much on a talented A & M team but again has raw talent, i.e., big power. Gideon also grew up around baseball as his dad has been a bench coach for the Rockies, a Double A manager, etc. He could have some coach's son intangibles. I liked in the article how Erickson was frank about Gideon getting in shape.

I agree with you. I give you kudos for saying it even though he did fairly well down the stretch. But, with a view of his entire body of work, I think he'd be a better reliever. Your stats for times through the lineup bear this out. Now, we need 5-6 other starters ready to go, but I think that's doable. Davies - possible all star Guerra - let's hope he keeps it up and is not a flash in the pan Nelson - better than his slump showed, I hope Anderson - pitched well the second half Competition between any of a number of young arms, including Jungmann and Lopez to name a couple. If you end up dealing someone like Guerra, hopefully there is the next pitcher ready to step in at, say, the all star break. Perhaps Hader. So, I like the idea of moving Peralta to the pen, but we need to rely on others to get it done in the rotation.

MLB pipeline's Jonathan Mayo has a podcast episode with Brett Phillips and talking about Isan Diaz. You can also get it on iTunes. http://mlb.mlb.com/fan_forum/podcasts/index.jsp?c_id=mlb&podcast=mlb_pipeline

Great post, BCD. Well thought out.

Since I'm a big "admit when you're wrong" guy, wow was I wrong about that. Played good team defense for the first time this season. Also, very encouraging to see multiple guys be able to knock down 3s. If they can continue to so that, they could actually be a really good team. Plus, even though Moose isn't a great fit for this team, he definitely brings something to the table with his work in the post. What do you make of Maker? I saw most of his minutes in summer league, and was surprised he wasn't nearly as raw as people were saying. In fact, as a rookie, he's more advance than Giannis was. Maker can already shoot and had a good handle. All he needs to do is add muscle and learn the NBA game. Could be a real find here. I think Maker has a real chance if he plays the right game. D up, block some shots, protect the rim, get boards. Sure, he's thin. But he has considerable length, coordination, and tenacity. Meanwhile, I love Brogdon's game. He can be a rock solid rotational guy. I'm hoping for an Avery Bradley type. A guy who helps find ways to win games.

The Bucks need perimeter shooting from guards and wings. It's as obvious of a need as you will find. Middleton would help that for sure, but it's not enough. I've seen the first few games and defenses are laying off shooters blatantly. Jabari has potential to shoot. He shows it at times. At other times, he forces the drive. He's an unbelievable finisher but he needs a solid jumper for him to be what we need him to be. Jabari and Middleton as shooters on the wings, now you're on to something. But, you need a sixth man that can light it up from outside. Paging Ricky Pierce. That guy is not on the roster currently and is a major need. By the way, I am not going to sit here and say Jabari cannot ever defend, which people claim is a foregone conclusion. Jabari is athletic and has the ability to be a solid defender. I am sky high on Jabari, and I will be very unhappy if we ever deal him. That would be a novice move. He's a winner. Just be patient with Jabari and Giannis and reap the rewards.

Great discussion. The World Series was very riveting. But, throughout, I couldn't help to think about my Brewers and what it would take to get in there. Next year will be a huge year for so many of our prospects to see how they shake out. Between Woodruff, Hader, Bickford, and Ortiz, I like the potential there as starters. I am not here to knock anyone else, but I have my eye on those four in particular. I'd love to get another couple higher end guys. We have a top ten pick next year and I am going to guess that we have a good shot at another in 2018. We also see how vital the bullpen is. I think we have some other pitching prospects who could project as nice bullpen arms. We will see who emerges here, but we have a number of arms, including Ponce and Devin Williams. Taylor Williams has major potential as a closer if his arm is back. Kirby is another in that camp. But, if you've got a bullpen headlined by Williams, with Ponce, Kirby, and Devin, there is some talent. I am very interested in seeing how all of these guys perform next year. Besides the minor leaguers, we have some MLB pitchers who need to put their big boy pants on. I was spectacularly wrong about Jimmy Nelson. Hopefully he can get his mojo back and become a valid MLB starter.

It would be interesting to know what cities are in line for expansion. Maybe Charlotte? That region is growing so I'd have that at the top of the list. You take a look at some markets that are in the NFL like Indianapolis. I doubt they'd get a team. That would canibalize into the Reds, Cubs, and Cardinal fan bases since big league clubs rely on regional fans making the trek. The Reds, for example, draw into West Virginia, Kentucky, and Indiana. St Louis draws into Arkansas, Missouri, Indiana, Iowa. Montreal already failed. Vancouver is small, and bombed with the NBA. San Antone? Nashville? New Orleans? It's hard to see them as markets to avidly support 81 home games per year. Mexico City?

1. No way would I trade Brinson. He's not "can't miss" in the way a Braun was, but I like the tools too much. I'm willing to ride that out. 2. Candelario is not nearly enough for Thorny. If there is a trade there, I think the Crew give up less. I have no doubt the Cubs would be ecstatic to have Thorny, though. They could use him. You watch the playoffs and you see the value Thorny will have. 3. I'm more worried about 1b and C than I am with 3b. Erceg has a nice hit tool and good athleticism and an excellent frame. I'm really hopeful here. We have a number of C prospects but there isn't much evidence yet to go on that you will get a good or above average MLB catcher out of the bunch. 4. Let's hope Gideon can sort of be a Woodruff version of a 1b. By that I mean, a talented kid who for a variety of reasons didn't get showcased at a major college program. But there is a long way to go before we can start counting chickens with him. 5. There was a recent negative scouting report on Lara. We will see in time whether it's real or baloney. If I recall correctly, there were disparaging comments like heavy legged, slow twitch, etc. Let's just say I am skeptical as to the accuracy of the report. A great fallacy in scouting is the black and white method. That assessment lacked nuance and sophistication. In the end, the writer may end up being right. But, the way it was presented, it's fair to question its merits. As for Lara's performance, after a slow start at rookie ball this year, he came on nicely down the stretch. There were obviously professional scouts who liked his skills. He's still very young.

That's unfortunate. At least it happened now, when he has the offseason to recuperate instead of wiping out a season. He's a high character guy. I'm sure he will work his tail off rehabbing. But I feel for him having to go through all that.

The scouting report I found on McKay indicated mid to back of the rotation starter. Very strong curveball. Average fastball. You can get a mid rotation starter elsewhere. I'd stick with a toolsy or otherwise strong position player over a mid rotation starter any day of the week in the top 10. We already have a number of candidates to fill rotation spots 2-5 and depth behind that. Between Hader, Bickford, Ortiz, and Woodruff, I think you will get at least a couple of mid rotation guys. This is why you have to jump when you have a chance to get an electric, projectable TOR pitching candidate. You don't get the opportunity all the time. Tristan Beck is tricky because he loves Southern California and will have leverage in negotiations. We'd need to do some significant back room work to coax him along. He projects well, though.

The Giants offense is a joke. They could really use Ryan Braun, but they don't have the ammo to get him. Just watch some of these lineups and you can see the value Ryan Braun has. We are spoiled watching a hitting prodigy for the past decade.

Great point, Adam. That speech is one of the best things I've ever seen in sports.

I agree, I think the Louis Ely proposal is more plausible. I doubt you can get Sheffield out of the Yankees. I'd like to see it, though.

Taylor Williams is a guy I've been excited about and waiting for patiently. I hope we make sure he's protected. He's got the type of electric tool I'm always glad to see. Payton Henry has been a guy I hoped we would draft, and I'm eagerly anticipating his progression. Over/under on how many of our 2016 draftees end up Brewers? I'm going to say a whopping five. Ray, Erceg, Burnes, Henry, McClanahan. Those are my favorites. That's not to slight a number of others, including Feliciano.

Heartwarming story. His activity level at his age is great to see. Bless his heart.

I was about to say the same thing. Although, that's still a couple of years out from fully materializing.

Excellent post. I always appreciate your perspective.