RollieTime

Yes, this was the exact situation I mentioned earlier in the thread. If Utah, Georgia, and Oklahoma all lose, it’ll most likely come down to Baylor or Wisconsin getting the last spot. I do think the committee will look past the Illinois loss if the Badgers can take down Ohio State tomorrow night. The Badgers will be rewarded if they take care of business against a team as dominant as Ohio State, but Georgia and Oklahoma need to lose as well to make the Badgers’ CFP dreams alive. Ohio State and LSU are locks in my opinion regardless of their games tomorrow. Maybe even someone like Clemson could be looking on the outside in if they lay an egg, giving both Baylor and Wisconsin a chance to squeak in. Obviously a lot more needs to go right, but the first domino has fallen in the Badgers’ favor with Utah losing tonight.

I don't know that the Brewers ever made a serious offer for Darvish - I think they may have been just leaking it to punk the Cubs into spending big on him. Might be the case here too - they could be leaking it to punk the Reds into signing him for a big contract so that they can get the Reds to overpay and then get the guys they really want. This is what I think too. With how concerning his home/road splits are, I don’t think Stearns will have too much interest. Especially if he’s asking $15+ million per year. I would guess it’s a ploy to get the Cubs, Cardinals, or Reds to throw their money at this guy who appears to be trending in the wrong direction similar to Archer’s career path. I would not be surprised to see Bumgarner have the worst season of his career in 2020 regardless of who he’s pitching for.

Can’t recall if people mentioned much about the Padres, but they sure seem like a team putting together a strong core for a 2-3 year run with the guys they’ve been bringing in the last few weeks. Could we match up with the Padres on a deal for Hader? Padres receive: LHP Josh Hader RHP Freddy Peralta Brewers receive: LHP Mackenzie Gore C Luis Campusano LHP Adrian Morejon RHP Jacob Nix Now I know asking for Gore is crazy, but Preller sure seems ready to wheel and deal to put together a strong roster for a few year window. Who better to add to their bullpen than Hader? Brewers also toss in Peralta as a bullpen/back of the rotation arm for the Padres to help them now and to help ease the loss of Gore. Brewers receive Gore who would open the season in AA. By mid season, he could be making an impact for the Brewers. They will finally have their top of the rotation arm in the system that will hopefully pan out and be a staple in our rotation for 6+ years. Campusano is a backend top 100 prospect that destroyed A+ and is a legit catching prospect that will stick at the position. He could open in AA in 2020 and be a possible Pina replacement in 2021. If he has another year like he did in 2019, his stock is going to soar. Morejon could use a little more seasoning in AAA, but could go into the bullpen or rotation right away if needed. He has little MLB experience. Nix is ready to step into the rotation right away. He could be used as a reliever, but with the lack of impact pitching on our staff currently, Nix would be a very good option to slot into the rotation with Woodruff, Lauer, and Houser. All 4 guys will have 6+ years of control. The Brewers receive a lot of controllable impact pitching and a true catching prospect that is at least a year away. Gore and Campusano are the two big gets in this deal, but Nix could be a very good mid-rotation arm for a long time and is ready to help the big club right away. Morejon is on the doorstep of helping the big league club as well. If you’re moving Hader, there will be a highly touted prospect coming back. Whether the Padres have any willingness to part with Gore, who knows. They sure look like they are in win now mode and have no issue moving prospects currently. But if they want to say they have arguably the two best relief pitchers in the game on one roster, they might be willing to do a trade like this. That bullpen would become absolutely filthy and postseason ready.

Bummer. He was probably my top target this offseason. Really would of loved to have his bat in the lineup.

Wanna know what sounds like a Stearnsy move? Lead people to believe that the payroll is going to be lower and then all of a sudden, in a 2 hour span, they sign and trade for a combination of 3 guys that will be big time contributors, add $40-$50 million in payroll at the drop of a hat, and be like “we’re coming baby!”. I love Stearns’ style in how people never really know what he’s doing. And if there’s ever anything public about what they are doing or who they are interested in, it tends to not happen or be untrue. It’s like they are just lying in the weeds waiting, pop out to do a move, and disappear off the map again. Except this time, they might not just pop out. It could be a bombardment.

I agree completely. I’ve seen a lot of people mention going to 3 catchers since we have the 26th roster spot. Why limit yourself with a third catcher when you could bring in someone with pop off the bench or a guy that doesn’t strikeout much instead of a third guy that can only play one position? I would rather have Thames, Cron, Frazier, someone like that for cheap on the bench who might only get 300 at bats during the season, but have a much better chance of being productive if needing to start or getting that occasional home run off the bench pinch hitting. Plus, you have their bat in the lineup for interleague games as well. No thank you on having 3 catchers on the roster.

Can we not turn another thread into a cheap ownership/payroll debate please?

We acquired a top 20 prospect to play SS and you said how he’s just another Arcia. You complained that the Brewers are being cheap because they didn’t break the bank to bring Moose back on a long term. You then complained yesterday and said that the Brewers need to do something (because acquiring a solid rotation arm with 5 years of control and a starting SS for 6 years three days earlier is nothing?). And now today, we bring in a guy that is a top 5 offensive catcher in the game, arguably top 3. Who will also hit .275 with close to 25 homers. And gave up essentially nothing. Yet, you complain saying we should of brought back Grandal. We will be getting arguably the same offensive production for only $3 million instead of $18 million, keeping financial flexibility in the future, while opening up $15 million to be spent on other upgrades RIGHT NOW. Yes the defense will be worse, but you need to give and take a little to bring in additional talent for other places on the roster. And who’s to say he won’t improve defensively? What in the world would make you happy?? Obviously young, controllable MLB talent isn’t it.

I would be hesitant to sign Donaldson to a 3 year deal because I don’t think he’s going to remain as productive as he has been. He doesn’t have much to fall to really be a terrible contract. What if he becomes a .240 hitter with 30 home runs? May as well have Thames here for $7 million to do that. Different positions, but you get the point. Moose at $16 million per year would make more sense in my opinion than a 3 year deal for Donaldson at a much higher AAV. Donaldson is a good defender right now, but how will that look as he turns 35, 36, 37? He’s a pass for me unless it’s a 2 year deal at the most. But I would assume somebody will give him 3 years.

Perhaps the Brewers have identified over-inflated defensive value as a market inefficiency? The moves so far do point in that direction. This is a team that is always going to be thinking outside the box, and these may very well be another way of doing that. I mean, we are talking about a team that has put two lumbering 3B at 2B two years in a row, and they were just fine. Plus, with the addition of Lauer (a higher strikeout guy than Davies) and Woodruff who strikes out a lot of guys, the amount of ground balls infielders see continues to decrease. Maybe we are targeting a big name pitcher that strikes out a lot of guys as well? Launch angle, more fly balls, more home runs, more strikeouts, defensive positioning all come together to point towards getting by easier with weaker infielder defenders. Turning double plays is becoming more uncommon because guys just don’t get on base. It’s home run or strikeout. Yes of course there are guys that walk a lot. That will probably be followed up by an additional walk, a strikeout, or home run though (numbers wise) with the infielders having no outcome on that play. The opportunities of infielders needing to be athletic has been decreasing a ton the last few years. This could be the Brewers trying to find another unique way to win by having a below average defensive infield and an outfield of very good defenders that cover ground like Cain, Yelich, and maybe an additional of a guy like Avisail Garcia, all while getting Braun more time at first.

The Brewers are currently a hair under $77 million including the move from today adding $3 million to the payroll. Currently, they have around $50 million to reach last year’s payroll.

Rendon would make our lineup look dreamy. We lack that big bat to protect Yelich and with Rendon being right handed and being one of the last big holes we have left to fill, it makes so much sense. I also think this could set us up nicely to take on someone like Justin Turner from the Dodgers, which is a much likelier option. Only one year left on his contract as well. You could bring in Turner and Kendrick for under $30 million and have a lot of money left to go after a couple starting pitchers.

Stearns with another fantastic trade! Narvaez is a small step behind Grandal with the bat, but they are definitely comparable. Narvaez is a poor defender and even with Grandal being a very good defender, he did not pass the eye test. Not saying that they are the same defensively, but it might not be as significant as it’s made out to be. Pina was a much better receiver than Grandal and it wasn’t particularly close in my opinion. Maybe Narvaez has some warts, but I’m definitely interested in seeing how he looks back there. His bat will play. Our roster is coming together very nicely with still roughly $52 million below payroll from last season. Whether they spend all of that remains to be seen. But they are starting to put forth a pretty dang good lineup with only a couple spots left to fill. CF Cain 2B Hiura RF Yelich 3B (Leaving open, but man would Rendon fit perfectly now) C Narvaez LF Braun 1B SS Urias P With how much money they have saved so far, man oh man could they make this offense something special. Bring in Rendon and Kendrick and this offense could literally be top 3 in the game. Talk about RUNS!

You mean 10 players from a 2019 team that you literally gave up on in August as they hovered around .500? Remember that? You completely gave up on the team and announced to everyone that you were done and that it was time for Packer season. You denounced the acquisitions of Lyles and Pomeranz big time, while in reality those two turned out to be the "needle movers" you were so upset with the team for not acquiring. You refuse to acknowledge anyone who tells you to be patient and have a little faith in the guys that are running this club. Like I said before ... not a good look. At all. Excuse me?? I like the Pomeranz move..But anyway, whatever you do you and keep on keeping on...you just said that you like how fast FA is moving this year..as someone above pointed out to you...and I will again, because you maybe don't get it...every FA that signs now without the Brewers signing one, means that player won't be playing with the Brewers next year. Got it?? 10 players is a lot to fill...the longer you wait, the less available players you have to choose from. Simple concept. That's okay if you only need to fill a spot or two, but they NEED a 3B, a 1B, a competent offensive starting catcher, at least TWO starting pitchers, bullpen arms and some bench depth. But...you and many others are comfortable with the Brewers "dumpster diving" because that appears as what they will be doing. I mean I see people gettng excited about the possibility of signing a 37 year old Howie Kendrick to play 1B...really?? Because you are all absolutely certain he will repeat at 37 what he did this last year?? If he does...great signing, but it's more likely he doesn't. I mean, all of you didn't want to sign Moose or Grandal to 4 year deals because they would be to old right?? Yet, would be fine with signing 37 year old Howie Kendrick. The difference is one will almost certainly be a 1 year deal for under $10 million while the other ones are locking us in at over $15 million per season for 4 years, even if they have major injuries like Tommy John or tear a hamstring. Plus, if they regress, you’re locked into that contract for years to come, destroying the future ability to spend to remain competitive.

Go back and look at the fierce offense we had in 2018. It was not impressive. It had no Grandal. It didn't have Moose until the deadline. Shaw was playing well but 2b wasn't Hiura. Grandal and Moose were needed to save the rotation from their youth last year. Then the pen got shook by Knebel. It never settled in until Houser Lyles and Pom stabilized it towards the end. We obviously can't go into the season without a 1b or with Arcia at 3b. I highly doubt that's what they'll do and it doesn't take a big signing to replace Villar/Perez/Sogards 2b production at 3b. It doesn't take a big signing to replace Aguilar and Thames, they weren't big signings themselves. 2018 was about stability. 2019 had a complete lack of stability. This team can win a lot of games and go a long way on merely bringing back stability. Absolutely. Yelich will be Yelich. Braun is Braun. Urias will be an upgrade at SS. Hiura up all season is an upgrade at second base. Cain will at the least do what he did this year, but will most likely rebound SOME. So essentially, we’ve upgraded two positions, will see improvement from one, and downgraded at catcher. Starting pitching, we are about even with Lauer brought in. At this point, I would say they are sitting pretty good. The offseason has been pretty successful to this point. Oh, and all of this has been done while also trimming $55 million in payroll to be put towards other upgrades, which I’m sure will include “proven” talent being brought in.

Well the Brewers could add a bat like Howie Kendrick or Castellanos and that would be a pretty big get that would be a big addition to our offense. Only takes one move like this for the offseason to go from “ehh” to “good”. They could even afford both of them if they want to go that route. Plenty of quality arms like Ryu, Keuchel, or Bumgarner realistically available for the Brewers as well. I would have no issue with adding one of these guys to the rotation. And even if you don’t believe it, I feel like Strasburg is an option for the Brewers. Realistic or likely? No. But they could afford giving someone like him $27 million per year or so, leaving plenty of room for other upgrades this offseason. And with Braun’s contract coming off the books next offseason, a big deal like this is possible knowing that there is a nice chunk of payroll coming off next offseason to address needs and ease the payroll crunch. The Brewers will need to get lucky to win the whole thing. If he stays healthy and effective, they will have a great duo at the top of the rotation of Woodruff and Strasburg and can round out the rotation with guys like Lyles, Lauer, and Peralta. At some point, they may need to go all in on that big ticket guy, knowing that someone like that could make all the difference. Maybe this offseason is the time they do it.

This Justin! More moves to come...

If Georgia, Oklahoma, and Utah lose, I could see the Badgers getting the 4 seed. Kirk Herbstreit mentioned something like this today as well. If all of that happens, even though Baylor would take down Oklahoma, he believes the Badgers would jump Baylor and get the 4 seed because of beating a team like Ohio State. Clemson is a team that could fall out of the top 4 as well if they lose to Virginia. If Clemson, Oklahoma, and Utah lose, that’s a possible way in for the Badgers as well. Those are probably the only two outcomes that could give the Badgers a chance to get the 4 seed.

Loved having Shaw on the Brewers the last three years. He seemed like a great clubhouse presence and teammate even though he was a relatively quiet guy. I wish nothing but the best for him and his family.

I totally agree. The more I think about it, the more I want Castellanos locked up long term. Locking in a core of Yelich, Hiura, Castellanos, Urias, and possibly a young guy for first or third through a trade and we will have a good foundation to compete for a long time.

I rate Hummel very high - honestly think that he is a contender at 1B/OF in the very near future. He’s an intriguing guy to watch. Hopefully he opens the year in AAA and tears it up. It would be good to have some competition between Ray, Taylor, and Hummel for the 5th outfield spot. Maybe it’ll open up a possible Gamel trade with these three all knocking on the door in 2020.

The issue with Castellanos is what is his worth? He's likely looking at very similar money to what Moose signed for (4 years/$64 million). Moose just turned 31, and is a solid if unspectacular fielder at 3B, and capable but below average at 2B. I'm sure Moose would be fine at 1B. Offensively, Moose doesn't have super drastic splits, but is decidedly much better against right-handed pitching. Castellanos will be 28 in March (so 3 1/2 years younger than Moose). He's a hack as a fielder at 3B, so he likely wouldn't/couldn't be the answer there, other than in spots. He doesn't have a ton of range in the corner OF, but can handle it. He'd also likely be fine at 1B. He has been pretty solid against both righties and lefties throughout his career, with a slight edge against lefties. Both bring similar power numbers. If he were to sign with the Brewers, I see him as a guy who would likely see time in both left field and at 1B, and probably some limited time at 3B as well. He'd be a prototypical #3 hitter behind Yelich. Given his youth and hitting ability, I'd be willing to give him a similar deal to what Moose signed for. I think there is a much better chance that Castellanos stays productive throughout the life of that deal, and he'd have another bite at the apple as a 32-year-old. Would you be comfortable doing a 6/$84 million contract (AAV $14 million)? I’m thinking that might be what he’s going to be approaching in this market. If he’s a first baseman, is he worth that? If he could just be below average in right and not be a total butcher, I think we would be okay. Of course he could fill in a handful of games at third as needed, but that definitely isn’t something they would do regularly.

I really hope we bring Spongebob back in that utility role. He’s really the only arby guy I’m disappointed we non-tendered. Especially for only ~1.5 million.

I wouldn’t mind doing this either. You take on a contract of $10 million for only one season and hopefully get your first baseman of the future locked up for 5 years? With 2 years being cheap where you can put your finances toward other holes? Sign me up! You get a core of Urias, Hiura, and Smith for a long time and cheap during this Yelich window to go out and get some good starting pitching If the Brewers went this route right now, they would add $10.5 million to the payroll for those 2. They would then have roughly $45 million (if they go up to last years’ payroll) to make big strides in upgrading the rotation. Bring in Ryu and Keuchel for $30 million combined or so and pair them with Woodruff and we would be looking at an above average rotation. The rest of the money can be put toward a bullpen arm, a cheap backup catcher, and a bench bat or two to round out the roster. The lineup would see massive turnover and would be a real wildcard with how productive they will be with so many new young faces, but the solid rotation will keep them in most games even if the offense struggles. Cain ® Lowrie (S) Yelich (L) Hiura ® Smith (L) Braun ® Urias ® Pina ® P Hopefully a rebound from Cain, a big upgrade at third in Lowrie to start the season compared to what we got from Shaw, Yelich, Hiura at second for all season, Smith who could be similar to Thames’ production, Braun, Urias who is at least going to do what Arcia did, and then a downgrade at C. I could see this offense being similar to last years while being much much cheaper. If someone like Urias blossoms or Smith plays like how he did last season but for a full season, this offense would be absolutely fine. And on a side note, $23 million would be coming off just between Braun and Lowrie alone for the 2020 offseason. Someone like Knebel would most likely be traded at that point as well and Hader if he isn’t moved this offseason. Stearns would have plenty to play with once again.

In the far northern reaches of the state, nobody says bubbler. I have not heard it called that even a single time up here. When I lived in Appleton, I was thrown off and didn’t know what people were talking about the first few times I heard it mentioned. It is strictly water fountain up here.