wildcat2237

I think the Pirates are going to be pretty crummy in 2019...

Well, I don't think there are hardly any hotels around Maryvale, not much to do either. No reason you need to avoid it though, in terms of going to the games. Where to stay? You'll get different opinions. We usually stay either in Scottsdale or Chandler area. Tucson, Arizona resident here commenting. If its your first time visiting, then you should probably stay in Scottsdale or Mesa. It is a bit more expensive, but both are very nice areas. During your first visit you might find you like Peoria or Tempe and you can branch out a bit more on future trips...

After the Grandal deal, I highly highly doubt that the Brewers have the cash to make a Grienke trade. If the Brewers want to do anything major the rest of the off-season I think Thames and/or Anderson need to be dealt first. In fact, if I had to guess, I would bet Stearns is trying to shed some salary so that he can fix the 2nd base mess.

I like Ray and Lutz, but no way that happens....

hmm.... no Jacob Nottingham...boy has his stock plummeted....

Gotta think Burch Smith might factor in here as well....

Minor League contract with invite to spring training. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/01/brewers-sign-burch-smith-minors.html Likely a AAA rotation piece. But maybe a bullpen option at some point. Mods: Please move to minor league forum if appropriate.

Oh Yuck. This is the one guy I don't want. IMHO he sucks.

Dude hasnt been good since 2015. Lets hope Stearns and his staff see something we dont.

+1. Madbum is a shell of his old self with one year of control left and a big salary. I'm interested in him as a possible rebound, but there is no way you pay the 2014 Madbum price for 2019 Madbum.

You always negotiate by starting high. If you want Ray+..... then you start with Burnes+.... IMHO the Giants hand is overplayed here. They waited way too long to rebuild. IMHO they are in a place where they absolutely must trade Madbum before the season starts. He has way more value if a team can make him a QO.

I like both Howell and Turang. However, neither is likely to hit for power. As a result, I keep them both at SS. Maybe later on one moves to second, but not until at least High-A.

I’m with ya on this one. Agreed with both of you. Sorry, don't see how Harrison is an upgrade at all from some combination of Perez/Spangenberg/Dubon at 2B until Hiura is ready. Dubon isn't talked about much but I see some possible intrigue and upside there. He was one of the best and hottest hitters in the PCL before his injury, which yeah I know, PCL, so take it with a grain of salt. Count me in on not wanting any part of Harrison. He is very very average and will cost way too much for such an average player.

Yeah. I read that and thought the same thing. He pitched like a #1 or very good #2 in 2019. MLBtraderumors.com usually produces a better product. The Brewers could use a TOR pitcher, however, what they have is not garbage: 1. Chacin 2. Nelson 3. Anderson 4. Peralta/Woodruff/Burnes/Guerra/Davies 5. Peralta/Woodruff/Burnes/Guerra/Davies 6. Longman/#6 Starter: Peralta/Woodruff/Burnes/Guerra/Davies Waiting in the wings: Zack Brown The only pitcher there that I would classify as a #5 is Davies.

MLBtraderumors.com has posted its 3 remaining needs for the Brewers: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/12/3-remaining-needs-nl-central-2.html Here is the Text: Milwaukee Brewers Address second base. The keystone was a black hole for an otherwise prodigious lineup last year, with midseason acquisition Jonathan Schoop performing so badly at times that 6’4, 230 pound Travis Shaw was asked to learn the position. With the likely impending departure of 3B Mike Moustakas, Shaw will slide back across the diamond, leaving a gaping hole at second. Top prospect Keston Hiura is on the way, but may still be a year or so off, and the options at hand are, in the interim, woefully insufficient. The club has been connected to free agent Jed Lowrie, but may prefer a short-term stopgap to keep Hiura’s spot warm. Add a proven arm to the rotation. Milwaukee’s rotation consists, at current, of three number-five starters, three rookies vying for the fourth and fifth spots, and a rehabbing Jimmy Nelson set to make his return at some point early in the season. Ideally, the club would be a perfect fit for a top-end hurler, but seems to have neither the financial nor the prospect capital to make such a deal happen. Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, and Freddy Peralta all had promising debuts last season, but the Crew would do well to somehow slot a proven commodity into the mix. Find a legitimate backup shortstop. Former top prospect Orlando Arcia’s 2018 season was, to put it mildly, not a good one. The purported defensive wiz was anything but magical on that side of the ball last season, to say nothing of his league-worst 54 wRC+. If he again slumps out of the gate, the club can’t exactly look to Tyler Saladino or Hernan Perez to hold down the fort, especially given its question marks at second. A veteran backup capable of handling the bat against both sides (and, perhaps, handling second-base duties in a pinch as well) would be a perfect fit for the reigning division champs.

The Brewers are trying to compete in 2019. As a result, I have a hard time believing Stearns will go with Perez and Cory Spangenberg. It is more likely one of the following happens: #1. Brewers sign Lowrie and include Hiura in a trade for Realmuto or pitching. #2. Brewers sign Harrison, Dozier, or Tulo to a short term deal as a bridge to Hiura. #3. Brewers sign a 3b and move Shaw to 2b. #4. Brewers include Hiura in a trade for a long-term 2b or 3b. There is a lot of off-season left and if the Brewers plan to compete I have faith that Stearns has a plan.

Steve Adams and Jeff Todd from MLBtraderumors posted on Realmuto today. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/12/3-remaining-needs-nl-east.html Here is the text: "Marlins: Find a trade partner for J.T. Realmuto. Last winter, the Fish played coy on Christian Yelich but ultimately dealt him.They nevertheless held Realmuto — a decision that actually seems to have worked out. While he’s now just two years from free agency, Realmuto also firmly established himself as the game’s best overall catcher in the interim. Now, we’re seeing more talk about hanging onto him entering another rebuilding season. That seems only to be cover, though, because the risks greatly outweigh the upside (if any) in holding on to Realmuto to open the season. Several suitors have moved on, but others remain. The Marlins ought to pick the best bid in the coming weeks." Seems that they think the Marlins should act and should do it fast.

Here is a link to a MLBtraderumors.com article passing on the Morosi report: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/12/corey-kluber-trade-rumors-padres-indians.html And here is the text: "The Padres are among the teams discussing a trade for two-time AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber with the Indians, reports Jon Morosi of MLB.com. Morosi further tweets that several other NL clubs — the Dodgers, Reds, Phillies and Brewers — are also involved in Kluber talks to varying degrees. San Diego, he notes, is not believed to be any sort of favorite at the moment." I gotta say that I really hope the Brewer don't pull the trigger here. Kluber has been excellent, however, i just don't see him keeping up the success in his mid 30's. Gotta believe the cost will be huge with the 3 years of control left.

Seems a bit steep for a very average pitcher. However, as other have said, a one year deal cant be THAT harmful.

At age 32, I have to agree with you in that Klubers best days are likely behind him. Maybe he puts together another solid season or two but I cant see him continuing to put up ridiculous numbers into his mid-30's. Especially after he looked gassed in the playoffs last year.

I would do the deal. However, I don't think the Indians would do the deal. If they wanted Santana I think they would have already swung a deal. Moreover, Santana's value is pretty low right now. I don't think he nets a mid-rotation or front end starting pitcher. Just not happening after his 2018. If anything I think Santana would be more likely to bring back an Adam Lind type package of lottery tickets.

Initial thought is that the deal is a good one for the Cardinals.

Excellent post. The Giants did screw up royally. However, sadly, because they have money they will be able to buy their way out of it eventually. But I hope they stink for a few years in the meantime.

Ha! Stupid Chubs. Love it!

Arrieta pitches in a band box (Philadelphia). I'm glad the Brewers didnt sign him but he hasnt been terrible considering where he pitches.