Ron Robinsons Beard

He's likely #1 on the 3B and 1B depth chart currently

Rodriguez strikes me as basically a cheaper Hernan Perez with an option. A lot of power last year in a part time role, but a low average and OBP. Can play anywhere on the infield. So, in other words, an ideal Brewer

Two years in a row the fan base has been stressed out about the starting pitching. But while it hasn't been perfect at times, for two years in a row, they have figured it out and put together solid starting pitching.

I think it’s an important note. That it isn’t just a 3 batter minimum. It’s that or he finishes an inning. He could come in with 2 outs and only pitch to one batter. If he gets that batter out.......which hasn't always been easy fir Alex Actually was pretty easy if that batter was left-handed. What this will do is rescue Counsell from himself expecting Claudio to begin an inning or go multiple innings. I think the Brewers will utilize intentional walks as well.

7 years, $245 million. Good move by him opting out of his current deal, obviously.

Well, it's three batters, or the end of the inning. I could see him coming in in a situation where there's runners on base with two down, and a guy like Rizzo coming up.

He probably won't be used as heavily with the 3-batter minimum, but was still effective for the most part last season, and is great against left-handed batters. Also announced that they have claimed Ronny Rodriguez from Detroit. He seems like a Hernan Perez clone, but at least he has options.

Logical, well-thought-out explanations like this are not, unfortunately, going to stop the "Attanasio can easily pay more, he just doesn't want to" crowd. Those people have already made up their minds. And even if the Brewers decided to open up their payroll to, say, $150-$175 million, it doesn't mean they wouldn't still be looking predominantly for value signings. I personally haven't seen a free agent deal yet that can be considered anything but a top-of-the-market deal for that particular player.

I know Keon Broxton can jump, but I don't think it's that high.

David Stearns is always going to be the dad that walks into the store to buy Christmas gifts, and immediately goes over to the clearance rack, despite the fat Christmas bonus in his wallet. I mean, his kids are going to either hate or stop playing with the toys by Jan. 2 anyway, so why spend the big bucks?

Hah. I fully expected some of that with this deal. Bottom line is he would be making less than a guy like Kyle Gibson and you wouldn't be relying on him to be a TOR arm. I get it. I've always liked Archer as a fit on this team, and have wanted the Brewers to make a play on him for years. Those rumors have made him a pretty polarizing guy on this forum, though.

Cueing up the Chris Archer hate in 5 ... 4 ... 3 ...

If Peralta is anywhere near the starting rotation to open the season I think most will consider it a declaration that they're not serious about competing this year. One pitch guys who can't command even that one pitch typically struggle out of the pen let alone the starting rotation. OR could it be possible that a young pitcher has shown some growth and made strides over the winter. Same for Burnes. I think there are plenty of reasonable people who wouldn't write off the season going with those two in the rotation if warranted in ST over known quantities who have never come close to displaying either of their potential. That's a good point. Remember how many people were ready to cut bait on Brandon Woodruff once upon a time? it's a very good thing that front offices are typically more patient with players than fans are.

I believe of those guys mentioned, Black, Faria and D. Guerra are out of options. They also picked up Yardley as well, but I'm not sure where he is option-wise.

That's the point, though. There is more upside in an arm like Jake Faria than there is in Guerra. Also a much, much lower floor, though. Like it or not, they are going to be taking some risks roster-wise in 2020. Yes, you can shoot for upside, if you have the core of the pitching roster that is set and you have confidence in. How can you have that right now? I don't think we have so many arms that we are parsing between option #14 and #13 on the roster, so lets save the money. Right now we are short and for $2.6M, we could have filled a spot with a known guy, a known guy that can be a starter if need be. And when you have three starters, of which none has pitched two full mlb starting seasons yet, why not buy some insurance? I basically count Woodruff, Houser, and Lauer as the starters right now. I think that's fair. If it were up to me, I probably would have offered Guerra arbitration. The Brewers not doing that, though, tells me that they have more faith in their current middle relief/back-end starter options than I, or pretty much everyone else, does.

I don't know. You have to look pretty far back to find any significant stretch of competence in that guy's career. I suppose he is on the younger side, though, and would come cheap.

So ... where are all those who predicted that the Badgers stood no shot of getting a Rose Bowl bid if they lost to Ohio State? They were pretty vocal.

That's the point, though. There is more upside in an arm like Jake Faria than there is in Guerra. Also a much, much lower floor, though. Like it or not, they are going to be taking some risks roster-wise in 2020.

yes and they wish they could have 14. Isn't the number of pitchers a team can carry capped at 13 though?

Plus a fun personality. If they do end ups signing a guy like Castellanos to play RF, Broxton is the perfect defensive replacement late in games. The guy can run down anything out there, and is a ++ defender at all 3 OF spots.

I find age to be a strange reason to go Ryu over Keuchel Yeah, considering Ryu is actually 10 months older than Keuchel ... MadBum is 1 1/2 years younger than Keuchel. I'd be happy with Keuchel.

Here is where I agree with you to a point. They absolutely could and should add one. I hope it’s Strasburg or Rendon. If they add Strasburg, they have him and Woodruff to start for them 4-5 times in a 7 game series. If you put together a rotation of Strasburg, Woodruff, Houser, Lauer, and someone still looking for a job around Spring Training, they would be fine. You only need 3 starters essentially for the playoffs. And having those 2 up top will lead to a lot of wins in the regular season. If you add Rendon though, the offense becomes elite. CF Cain 2B Hiura RF Yelich 3B Rendon C Narvaez LF Braun SS Urias 1B P That would be a top 5 offense in MLB, but lacking the horses at the top of the rotation. I think a lot of people agree with you in that we could realistically add a big free agent like that, but the way it’s presented comes off as aggressive and condescending. And not every move is going to be a big needle mover. Their moves this offseason of adding a top 20 prospect, back of the rotation arm, and a top 5 offensive catcher in the game only adds $4 million to our payroll. That leaves room to possibly bring in a big name guy like you’re suggesting. Plus these guys have more upside and higher floors than what we’ve been tossing out there the last couple years. These moves will lengthen our contending window, free up money for bigger name guys, and raise the floor of the entire team. It’s basically a win win situation. But I do agree that this is the time to go all in on a big guy like one of the two listed because we have a legit 3 year window with Yelich and need to make a serious run at a World Series by taking a gamble at some point. Adding a big bat like Rendon at age 29 and has at least 3-4 prime years left would do wonders for this offense. Strasburg is 31, but is a guy that I think will be like Scherzer and remain elite into his late 30’s. I think he’s a pretty safe bet as well. Both would be awesome additions for us. Just keep in mind that for us to even have a chance at bringing in one of those guys, we need to save money elsewhere like we’ve done so far this offseason. I love the offseason moves so far and look forward to seeing what they do. Especially next week at the winter meetings. I would guess Stearns pulls off at least one trade next week. And possibly a signing as well. Really looking forward to seeing what happens the next week. My biggest concern is not having seen the Brewers mentioned with any of these guys. I know, I know, Stearns keeps things close to the vest, but when I think about previous trade deadlines for example, we would always see the Brewers interested in someone. There hasn't been anything like that thus far as far as Free agents go. You would think something would leak. I'd love Rendon as well. he or Strasburg are my dreams. I'm interested to see what this week brings for the Crew...I'm HOPEFUL it brings a signing or a trade(just skeptical it will). They have a lot of spots to fill yet. Doesn't look like they are in on Ryu... Jon Heyman @JonHeyman · 10m #MNTwins are in on Hyun-Jin Ryu. Also: Jays and Dodgers (tho his old team is also looking even higher (Cole/Strasburg) There was NO mention from anywhere that they were "in" on Grandal last year until he was signed. Stearns does keep things incredibly close to the vest, especially when it comes to free agent acquisitions.

I would take Flores or Cabrera over Franco. His below average defense paired with his offensive profile isn’t anything I would be too interested in. None of those guys are plus defenders. Cabrera is terrible on defense wherever you put him.

Franco is a talented dude that never lived up to his potential with the Phillies. Only 27 years old, though, so maybe there's something there that can be unlocked. It's an intriguing thought.

Saints/49ers game is nuts. Defense completely optional.