Ron Robinsons Beard

This is one of the problems, I think...DS doesn't strike me as the type of guy that wants to literally rake someone over the coals for a player like Hader, rather he seems like the type that would want to make a "fair" deal for both sides. For some reason I can't see him even asking for someone like Gleyber for example, figuring there's no way he'd get him. I could be wrong on that, but to me, DS should be asking for the moon and hold firm on that. No one says trades have to be fair for both sides. You figure Stearns isn't the type that wouldn't even bother asking for Gleyber type prospects because he'd just automatically assume the other team wouldn't offer them anyway, but also think he should ask for the moon in a trade, and stand firm to it? (which he should) I'm confused. This would be called creating a negative, combative narrative in your head simply to create one. He is waiting for a deal to go down so he can be massively underwhelmed with the return and have ammo to crap on Stearns and Attanasio some more. I suggest we just wait and see what happens before tar and feathering the GM before a move even happens.

There's a very good possibility that we enter the season with Hader as a Brewer. If the trade packages being floated out there are anywhere close to accurate, I predict this will be the case. I'm not interested in trading for the Yankees spare parts and/or teenagers/overhyped prospects like Florial.

Sure, anyone could be a TOR ace. In Roegner's case, I'd say it's less than a 1% chance though. I agree, he'll either be very good (<1% chance) or filler (>99% chance). In all honesty, a guy like Cam Roegner is probably lucky to still be being paid to play baseball. Sorry, optimism thread ... so Yay for the Brewers continuing to give a guy likely to never make a major league impact a chance to continue earning a paycheck.

You are wrong. Defense does matter. By signing Castellanos, they'd definitely be taking a hit on defense. Doing it would have to be with the hope that his bat would be that much of an upgrade to make up for it. The alternative would be signing someone like Todd Frazier, would would theoretically offer a much lighter bat but substantially better defense. Say whatever you want, but if we made Travis Shaw passable as a pseudo SS/2B/3B life would go on in miller park with castellanos doing the same. Oh, I agree. I'd love a Castellanos signing, and I think the Brewers are smart enough to make him work defensively. I'm just pointing out that someone telling others that they worry too much about defense and "who really cares" is just a fallacy. You don't sign Castellanos to simply throw defense to the wind. That is irresponsible. You sign him in the hope that you can help him improve defensively, while putting him in the best situation to do just that. You sign him in the hope that the bat will make the defense palatable.

Calling Castellanos a train wreck defensively, but then calling for signing Cabrera is a pot calling the kettle black. Cabrera is an absolute terrible defender wherever you put him as well, and his athleticism is bad.

You are wrong. Defense does matter. By signing Castellanos, they'd definitely be taking a hit on defense. Doing it would have to be with the hope that his bat would be that much of an upgrade to make up for it. The alternative would be signing someone like Todd Frazier, would would theoretically offer a much lighter bat but substantially better defense.

There’s absolutely no way he can play 3B. The numbers on him or so bad there, the Tigers have been toiling away for a few years now and could’ve lived with him trying to figure it out there and they pulled the plug. I really don’t see him as a fit for our roster at this point now that Garcia was added and they seem to have 1B figured out. The only way I would really see adding him would be somehow moving Cain and then signing NC and putting Yelich in CF. Which that seems like an incredibly unlikely plan or realistic set of moves. If they were to sign Castellanos, I get the feeling they know what they could do with him on defense. Also, his career numbers are skewed by one outlandishly bad defensive season. That bat would look pretty superb in the lineup, that's for sure. He's never going to be a good defender anywhere, but I think with shifts and late game substitutions, they could make it work with him as the primary 3B.

Take it for what it's worth, but this "rumor" account has the Brewers as one of the teams in on Castellanos. I would think they are looking at him for the 3B vacancy ... or could be using the perceived interest as a ploy to move a trade along

I've been wrong here a bunch of times, but I would be extremely surprised if the Brewers enter the 2020 season with Eric Sogard penciled in as the starting 3B. Backwards? Perhaps Stearns was waiting for the dust to clear on the crazy overpriced FA deals in December before he finds his mark. I do think the market has been stronger than expected, so the choices are more limited. make no mistake, though, there are good choices out there to fill out this roster, and keep us from seeing Eric Sogard in the everyday lineup.

Let's see ... a player with a similar bat to Hiura, plays a more valuable position, and isn't a Little Leaguer on defense. No, they would not.

No ... Yes. I'd rather roll with Healy at 3B than sign Russell to play there. Russell just isn't very good, on top of all his baggage.

Flores has pretty major knee concerns. Arthritis in both of them. As a 28-year-old. I want no part of that.

No matter which lineup you choose, it would be one of the weakest in baseball. 6-8 is horrible either way. Not only is that claim incredibly pessimistic, it's also more than likely very wrong. Don't believe me ... just take a look at the projected lineups the Orioles, Marlins, Tigers and Pirates are projected to be putting out there. Also, I'm going to make a pretty safe assumption right now that Eric Sogard will not be the team's everyday 3B.

That's why it's doubly a bummer why it appears that Robert Murray won't be covering the Brewers anymore. He was really good at that portion of the job.

Hmm ... not sure where Frazier would fit given the current makeup of the team. Not sure I believe this one.

Nah, I've followed him for awhile. He's does miss on a few, but his track record is pretty legit. He's nailed a lot lately too. I haven't seen anything he's posted as a sure thing over the last few months not happen. It's pretty obvious he's got some pretty good sources. The only thing I'm not a fan of is the pretty constant patting himself on the back.

I wouldn't necessarily agree with it, but I can see how and why they might do it.

I don’t see much of a chance that Hudson signs for $5 million over 2 years though.

Yay. Todd Frazier. Inspiring!

Yeah I’m guessing that was fabricated and that conversation never happened.... it’s incarcerated bob. The guy nails a ton of rumors. It wouldn’t surprise me if this one had legs. Would be interesting to find out who the “highly-rated” prospects were.

It isn’t just “Brewer Goggles” adding legitimacy to that claim, though. The guy has been the recipient of the specific award given to the best reliever in the game two years running. Yes, I realize that there are some metrics out there that may not agree, but winning the actual award is solid enough evidence to continue calling him that.

This exactly. I don't want to trade Hader for a "fair" return. I want a team to pay through the nose for him. If they don't, I'm hanging on to one of the top relievers in the game. If a team really wants him, they'll meet the asking price. Of course, we have no idea what that asking price is, but it better be dang high. I just don't see the Yankees as a match, despite what the national pundits think. Their system kinda sucks, and a lot of their higher ranked guys in their system are super young. I don't care how well Dominguez is ranked. I just don't have any interest in waiting around for a 16-year-old "Maybe". Andujar is a decent piece, but he's coming off a lost year, and has defensive issues. I don't think anyone on this board would disagree with this sentiment form either of you. I think the difference here is the definition of "paying through the nose". DS has a very strong track record of NOT settling and exchanging the asset he wants for the price he wants. I trust that if he does deal Hader, the return he gets will be one he considers to have been paid "through the nose". Whether that meets fans expectations is another story. I am of the opinion that the fan version of "paying through the nose" isn't realistic. You are right. Just because I might not be as high on a guy like Garcia doesn't mean that Stearns doesn't see him as a potential TOR starting pitcher. We need to remember that the Brewers have their own value system, and it doesn't necessarily align with what national pundits or MLB Pipeline prospect lists dictate. I would just prefer the Brewers acquire players who are going to make an immediate MLB impact, rather than teenagers to dream on.

I don't think one has anything to do with the other, though. Andujar is very cheap for the next few years. He has a lot of value. I just think if you are trading Hader, it's for a legit, proven, complete major league bat or legit blue chip prospect. Andujar is neither of those things. I'd love to have that upside bat in the lineup, just not as the main piece coming back in a Hader deal.

This exactly. I don't want to trade Hader for a "fair" return. I want a team to pay through the nose for him. If they don't, I'm hanging on to one of the top relievers in the game. If a team really wants him, they'll meet the asking price. Of course, we have no idea what that asking price is, but it better be dang high. I just don't see the Yankees as a match, despite what the national pundits think. Their system kinda sucks, and a lot of their higher ranked guys in their system are super young. I don't care how well Dominguez is ranked. I just don't have any interest in waiting around for a 16-year-old "Maybe". Andujar is a decent piece, but he's coming off a lost year, and has defensive issues.

I'd be down with that. Just not sure I want to give up the best reliever in baseball for him as the centerpiece.