I think the Brewers wanted and tried to retain Grandal. I get the feeling they were truly disappointed when he signed with the White Sox. They then got to work in an attempt to identify a catcher that could come the closest to replicating Grandal's offensive production. The free agent catching market was pretty barren on offensive performers, though, and the only high-end catcher available on the trade market was arguably Contreras, and there was no way the Cubs were going to deal him to their arch rival. Fortunately the Mariners made their bat-first guy in Narvaez available, and the Brewers were able to swoop in and grab him. While he isn't the defender Grandal is, he'll likely be ok back there. But the benefit is going to be his offensive upside. I think he is a 30 HR, .280 AVG, .850 OPS guy in the making. The fact that he is still in his arbitration years and will be affordable isn't the Brewers' fault, and it isn't a sign of them being cheap. It's just the way the system works. After Grandal left, he was the best alternative available, regardless of salary.