Madhawk23

I'm curious to hear everyone's opinion: is it smart/realistic to have two guys on a roster that really can only play first base? I know Thames can be thrown out in the OF every now and then, but let's be honest - that's not something we can do on a consistent basis. So, is it really realistic for us to have two 25 man roster spots locked down for guys that are limited to just playing 1B? Aguilar was a great story this year, and I would have loved to have seen him play even more when Thames was going through his mid-year struggles. But, I do wonder if we caught lightening in a bottle with him a bit this year? With that said though - it's nice to have that righty option to go to when we have to go up against one of those really tough lefties. Just curious to hear opinions on this. I know everyone is probably sick of the Braun/Domingo playing 1B talk, but having one of those guys work a bit at that position next spring (so that they could fill in at 1B periodically if needed) might open up the opportunity to trade Aguilar this offseason? Not sure what type of value someone like Aguilar would really have though? Probably not much.

Fair enough. I guess I'm just hoping that DS exerts a bit more power in pushing back at Mark A. if he tries to force his hand in making deals like this for aging SP's past their prime. I agree with you that these really are probably Mark A. moves, but the fact is - Doug Melvin was the GM when the moves went down - so right or wrong, he gets credit for them.

I just don't see us being a player for Arrieta. I know we have payroll flexibility, but this just seems like too much of a Doug Melvin move to me - giving too much money to a SP past his prime years and regretting it 2 years into the 4 year deal. I don't like the fact that Arrieta has regressed the past two seasons after that phenomenal 2015 season, and he just doesn't go deep into games anymore. Ultimately, I think one of the bigger market teams ends up with him, as they are in a much better position to gamble on a guy like Arrieta.

The problem with us trading Woodruff, is then it puts us in a position where we now only have 2 legit MLB starters heading into 2018. At least only two that we know that we can count on in Anderson/Davies. We have no idea if Guerra will rebound, and we still have no idea what the long term plan will be with Hader (starter or pen)? Suter is a nice 6th rotation/long man, but I'd hate to rely on him to be in the rotation all year. The Jimmy injury really hurts us this offseason as well, as I think it makes it harder for us to deal a guy like Woody if another team was interested in him.

My thinking is they want a starting pitcher at least. Two of their starters were so bad, Matt Garza would be a huge improvement. This does open the door to a Guerra/Wilkerson package, IMO. The Crew could take on all salary, and thus get Gordon without giving up a big prospect. Part of me is tempted to go big, offer Woodruff/Jungmann/Thames for Gordon (at full salary), Justin Bour, a top 30 prospect or two as well (say Albert Guaimaro and Trevor Richards). I guess I'm not sure why the Marlins would do this trade that you've proposed above? Why would they want Jungmann and Thames? I know we'd be taking on Gordon's salary in your proposal, but it seems pretty lopsided to me in favor of the Brewers. I doubt the Marlins would even consider giving up Gordon & Bour for that package, and I certainly don't see them throwing in 2 Top 30 organizational prospects on top of it. For the package you've proposed, I'm guessing we'd have to give up something like Burnes/Erceg/Thames, if we wanted Gordon and Bour in return. Maybe I'm off base though?

Thanks for posting. Very helpful to have this all in one spot.

Now that we know that the offseason will be starting later this evening after Game 7, I'm curious if someone can provide a quick outline on some of the key upcoming offseason dates. Like, when does free agency officially kick in and teams can start signing players? When can teams start making trades? I'm excited at what this offseason might hold (although, prepared to be somewhat disappointed), so I'm just wondering if someone has the key dates handy?

I believe a Villar for Gordon straight up deal, with the Brewers covering Gordon's entire salary, should get it done. Villar has every bit of the speed that Gordon has but has even more power. If I am Miami, I am very interested in that deal. So, that begs the question: should the Brewers be interested in a deal like this? That's a lot of salary to take on for a guy that definitely has some warts (not the least of which is a PED history). And, there's always a chance that Villar comes back in 2018 and puts up numbers more similar to what he did in 2016. As much as Gordon intrigues me as a top of the order bat, I think I'd probably take a pass on this deal and either look at other 2B options or take my chances with giving Villar another chance in 2018.

If we were to eat the majority of his salary (if not all of it), what type of package does everyone think that the Marlins would want in return for Gordon? I'm not sure if this is someone we'd even consider making a run at, but I guess I'm just curious as to what it might cost us in prospects? Obviously, he would help immensely at the top of our order and at a position that we struggled at this past year (at least before getting Walker).

Do we know why Erceg hasn't played since last Thursday? Seems odd to get a full week off from playing in a game, unless if something was wrong?

I think the Cubs proved this summer with their trades around the deadline that they are certainly all-in on trying to win another WS during this window that they have right now. So, I'd be shocked if they aren't a player these next two winters on the F/A market. The good news for us and other NL Central teams is that they do have two contracts which are albatrosses in Lester and Heyward that aren't going away anytime soon. And as others have pointed out, they have some other key guys on their roster that will start to get more expensive in the next few years. With that said - they should still have plenty of money to throw around with free agents these next two years to improve their team, and I'd be surprised if they don't do that. Especially with their farm system being pretty bare at the moment, which means that they'd have to use MLB depth to trade instead of prospects if they want to improve their team via trades. If they go out and try to re-sign an Arrieta or sign a Darvish, that's another 25+ mil a year that they'll have allocated to one guy, so we're talking about 75+ million eaten up by three players on their roster. Lester isn't getting any younger, Heyward might be the worst contract in baseball, and Arrieta/Darvish probably aren't going to be worth near as much as some team is going to pay them.

Speaking of a trade idea with the Royals, did anyone see the following proposal: https://reviewingthebrew.com/2017/10/12/milwaukee-brewers-perfect-trade-royals/ Thoughts on this? Personally, I don't see any way that the Royals would make a trade like this. Not sure why they'd be motivated to move a young, controllable 2B for two guys in (Villar and Broxton) who have been wildly inconsistent so far in their first two years with the Brewers. I think we'd probably have to throw in another prospect to this deal - maybe an Isan Diaz?

The fact of the matter is - Knebel may never have as much trade value as he has right now, and if you are the Brewers (as a small market team) - do you try to reap the benefits of that trade value while it is potentially at its highest? The flip side is though - what are you telling your fan base that is going into 2018 with a lot of excitement when you then go ahead and trade away one of your best players. I'm sure that would be PR nightmare for Mark and David. However, if you do then turn around and sign Wade Davis and Anthony Swarzak, I'm guessing most fans would come back around pretty quickly. Personally, I think this would be a genius move to make. I love what Corey did this year and I would be worried that we might be trading away a perennial Top 5 closer in baseball too soon. However, I think there are legitimate concerns on the opposite side that perhaps he falls back a bit next year or an injury happens due to being overworked this year. Again though - the only way you even consider moving a guy like Knebel is if some other team comes in and absolutely knocks your socks off with a package of players that you simply can't turn down. I just brought up the Braves because they have an abundance of Top 100 prospects, and I think they are going to be very hungry to win soon at the MLB level with that new stadium. It may be the time to strike a deal with them when their desperation level might be high?

Soooo, back to my original post - would any of you pull the trigger on an offer of Soroka, Wentz and Pache straight up for Knebel, if the Braves put that on the table? That would be two Top 100 prospects (and both SP's) and then one guy who has the potential to maybe crack into the Top 100 in the next year or so if he continues to develop. I know this is all hypothetical and something the Braves would have no interest in, but I guess I'm just trying to gauge what everyone thinks Knebel's value is. I agree 100% that I don't trade Knebel unless if it is an offer that you simply cannot refuse.

If you're not a fan of Vogt's defense, then Susac probably shouldn't be in the competition next spring. OK - I guess I didn't realize that Susac was that poor behind the plate. So, apparently he must bring nothing to the table since he also can't hit the baseball either!

If we are just looking for someone to job share with Pina, then I guess I'd prefer either finding someone off the scrap heap (that we wouldn't have to trade much for), or create an open competition next spring between Bandy and Susac. I like Vogt's bat, so I wouldn't be completely opposed to bringing him back, but man his defense leaves a lot to be desired.

It's been 24+ hours since I put this idea out there, and not a single response? I thought for sure this idea would spark either outrage or intrigue. Instead, I get nothing! Ha.

Do people really not think Pina is capable of being our starting catcher next year? I guess I'm a little surprised that we'd need to go out and find an every day catcher like Knapp? Now, I wouldn't be opposed to finding someone that can help share the job with Pina by catching 1-2 days a week, but I guess I'm not in the boat that says we need to replace Pina.

I'd love for your Phillies trade to come true, but I don't think there is any way that the Phillies give up on their only good young pitcher when that is specifically what they are going to be looking for this offseason.

They continue to say that they are going to need to prepare for Jimmy Nelson missing a good chunk of next season. I get the feeling that 2018 might just be a complete lost season for Jimmy. Best case scenario, maybe we get him back for the 2nd half of the season, but I'm not even sure if I'm counting on that at this stage. Shoulder injuries are just so tricky with pitchers. And to think all of this happened on a dive back into 1st base.

I saw an article on ESPN.com that suggested that the Phillies are going to be dangling Hernandez this offseason, but it sounds like they'll be looking for starting pitching in return - so I'm not sure if we match up well with them right now? Would love to find a way to get a guy like Hernandez though.

I posted this in a thread discussing 2018 on the Major League board, but since this is a trade idea I thought I'd post it here as well. What are everyone's thoughts on this idea: Let's say the Braves new GM (who could probably use a lights out closer in the coming years as they start to compete) calls Stearns and offers up Soroka, Wentz and Pache straight up for Knebel? You have to pull the trigger on a deal like that, right? Then, with all of the money we have to spend this offseason, we could use some of that to go shore up our bullpen? I know he won't come cheap, but you could also go out there and get a Wade Davis to replace Knebel. Or, you patchwork the 9th inning and look to pick up Swarzak and maybe bring back a Brandon Kintzler? You could still have a really nice pen if you have the late innings covered with Barnes, Hader, Swarzak and Kintzler. Then, throw in perhaps Jeffress and someone like Taylor Williams - and you might have yourself a much better pen than you had in '17 - while also picking up three big time prospects from the Braves. Now, I realize that the Braves may not want anything to do with giving up three really good prospects like this, but they have a plethora of pitching prospects in their system - so why not use some of that prospect depth to get one of the best closers in baseball? Fun to think about at least. Also, while I cringe at the thought of trading away a controllable, nasty closer like Knebel - I do worry about relievers and their volatility year to year. Just look at Thornburg. The guy was up and down with injuries in Milwaukee, has a really good year last year which builds up his trade value, and we then fleece (not on purpose of course) the Red Sox in a trade as he misses the entire season this year while we get a career year out of Shaw and three other legit prospects in the trade. With as much as we overworked Knebel, I'm just worried that he might be due for a step back next year, or heaven forbid an arm injury. So, wouldn't we be better off taking advantage of his value while it is at an all time high this offseason - assuming of course that someone offers up a package that DS simply cannot turn down?

Also, while I cringe at the thought of trading away a controllable, nasty closer like Knebel - I do worry about relievers and their volatility year to year. Just look at Thornburg. The guy was up and down with injuries in Milwaukee, has a really good year last year which builds up his trade value, and we then fleece (not on purpose of course) the Red Sox in a trade as he misses the entire season this year while we get a career year out of Shaw and three other legit prospects in the trade. With as much as we overworked Knebel, I'm just worried that he might be due for a step back next year, or heaven forbid an arm injury. So, wouldn't we be better off taking advantage of his value while it is at an all time high this offseason - assuming of course that someone offers up a package that DS simply cannot turn down?

OK - just to make things interesting....how about this scenario: Let's say the Braves (who could probably use a lights out closer in the coming years as they start to compete) calls Stearns and offers up Soroka, Wentz and Pache straight up for Knebel? You have to pull the trigger on a deal like that, right? Then, with all of the money we have to spend this offseason, we could use some of that to go shore up our bullpen? I know he won't come cheap, but you could also go out there and get a Wade Davis to replace Knebel. Or, you patchwork the 9th inning and look to pick up Swarzak and maybe bring back a Brandon Kintzler? You could still have a really nice pen if you have the late innings covered with Barnes, Hader, Swarzak and Kintzler. Then, throw in perhaps Jeffress and someone like Taylor Williams - and you might have yourself a much better pen than you had in '17 - while also picking up three big time prospects from the Braves. Now, I realize that the Braves may not want anything to do with giving up three really good prospects like this, but they have a plethora of pitching prospects in their system - so why not use some of that prospect depth to get one of the best closers in baseball? Fun to think about at least.

I understand the hesitancy to trade pitching, but I think you'd have to if you want to get your hands on Stanton. I guess the alternative is we go with a Santana, Phillips, Diaz and Diplan package? But again - I think the Marlins are going to want a top pitching prospect back in return if they are trading Stanton. I'd love to find a way to include Braun in this deal (to help offset some of the $$ we'd be taking on with Stanton), but just not sure how to do that? I guess you could go Braun, Burnes, Diaz and Diplan. Although, I think we'd also have to throw in another top prospect in this deal since Braun is an aging player with a big contract remaining. Might have to throw in an Ortiz?