Ron Robinsons Beard

The Indians want all the 1B!

Brewers did not make a pick. No Brewer players were drafted either. Means Gatewood and Olczak are still Brewer property.

While he isn't junk overall, his defense is. I don't see what he's going to give you that Aguilar doesn't. Highly doubt the Cardinals trade him within the division.

Don't we already have an older version of Schrock in Nate Orf?

I don't get people's confidence in the Packers winning out. It's actually amazing to me. This is a team that lost to ARI at home and very nearly SF at home. Have they won 2 games in a row all year? I don't think they have. Even if they pull that off, I agree most of the other criteria is likely to happen, except for Minny losing two. Don't think that will happen. I agree the chance is extremely remote. But don't underestimate how bad the Vikings actually are. That team has been a bigger disappointment than the Packers this year, considering they were once again the preseason darlings. I could easily see the Vikings falling to Miami and Chicago, and going into Detroit isn't a cakewalk either. It's just nice that the games are still somewhat meaningful in what's turned out to be a pretty lost season. But if something funny happens, and the Packers go into Chicago and upset the Bears this weekend, while the Vikings lose to Miami, people are going to be excited.

I agree in that I also think the ultimate play will be to find the cheapest serviceable option. Daniel Descalso for instance could likely be signed on a one year deal for around $2 million. In the past two seasons he has played every position across the infield, he has played in the outfield, and he has even pitched. You aren’t likely going to want him hitting higher than 7th in the lineup, but he is a left-handed bat that will likely give better overall production than Saladino and much better on-base skills than Perez. Aren't we past finding the "cheapest serviceable option" though? This team is a World Series contender right now, and with the improvements the other teams in the NL Central have made so far, it's shaping up to be a close race, and every game is important. I don't want to see another "warm body" signed just because they need a guy to throw out there at 2B. I mean, if we are going to throw a short-term deal at a guy like Descalso, we might as well just hand the job to Saladino and chalk up the 2B spot as an easy out at the back of the lineup. With so many solid bats available at the 2B spot, I think it would be prudent to grab one and maybe pay a little more for it.

That makes a lot of sense. He's a good fit for their pitching philosophy. Would have been a solid fit in Milwaukee as well ... but the Brewers probably have more depth in that department than the Rays do.

Agreed completely. If they acquired Realmuto, they could use Barnhart as part of a trade for Kluber or Bauer. All depends on how high the Indians are on Mejia, but Barnhart would be a solid option for them. Mejia got traded to the Padres at the deadline.

I think it sounds like an overpriced pulled pork sandwich you'd find on the menu at TGI Friday's.

The Reds are a weird team. They are in baseball purgatory, with an ownership group that can't decide if they want to rebuild or go for it. They should probably rebuild. I don't think they are a contender, but they are just dangerous enough to do some damage to teams that are.

So it's ok to disregard that Tulo did nothing last year due to injury, and use his 2016-2017 stats to determine his value, while ignoring Arcia's 2017 stats? I think that's a strong case of cherry picking.

Pomeranz's best pitch is his knuckle-curve, which would work quite nicely I think in Milwaukee. He also has a cutter he's thrown well in the past, and a decent change.

While the Brewers are in a better spot starting pitching-wise this offseason than they were last year, I wonder if they may be targeting another Chacin or Miley-type signing - i.e. a pitcher in his theoretical prime years who is coming off either a solid but not overwhelming showing, or was bad last year but has been successful for long stretches in the past. I think that Chacin was overlooked on the free agent market last year, and fortunately Stearns and the Brewers front office was able to identify him as a durable starter who fit their pitching philosophy well. Miley was simply a flyer I think who maybe was identified by Derek Johnson or someone in the front office as a bounce-back candidate. I think there are several pitchers on the market this year who fall into both categories: 1. Kendall Graveman - RHP - Only 27 years old, and put up solid numbers for the A's somewhat recently. 2. Drew Pomeranz - LHP - Was terrific for the Red Sox in 2017, and is only 30 years old. Fought injuries last year. 3. Shelby Miller - RHP - Was once the next big thing for the Cardinals. Has fought injury lately, but is still only 28. 4. Martin Perez - LHP - Nice buy-low candidate, as he was a durable starter for the Rangers in 2016-17. Only 28 years old. 5. Matt Shoemaker - RHP - Hasn't been able to recapture his early career success for the Angels. A little older at 32. 6. Jeremy Hellickson - RHP - Great in his early career with Tampa, and has settled in as a durable innings eater since. 32 years old 7. Trevor Cahill - RHP - Not a world beater, but had solid numbers last year. 31 years old. All of these guys should be very affordable and could provide solid depth. It's hard to see many open spots in the rotation unless they trade guys like Anderson, Davies or some of the younger guys, but I wouldn't be surprised if they take a flyer or one of them. Personally I'd love to see Pomeranz sign a affordable 2-3 year deal in Milwaukee.

I'm with you there. But I also have no doubt that Stearns kicked the tires on him. I have a sneaking suspicion that Knebel may just be on the trade block in the right deal (Kluber or Realmuto).

I can't fathom the Crew not protecting him. Let Cedeno/Jennings go to free up the spot, but this was just poor roster management. They obviously have a plan, whether it's signing free agents, making trades or taking a Rule 5 guy of their own to fill up their 40-man roster. Olczak is a marginal relief prospect. He may eventually turn into something, but there's probably a lot better chance that he won't.

Add another guy to the pile of middle infielders looking for work. I have no idea if Tulo would sign a 1-year deal, let alone move to 2B. That would be the only way he'd be a fit for the Brewers I imagine.

Phillies seemingly have a lot of holes to fill for a team that a lot are calling a playoff contender.

Another possibility I believe has been floated is Knebel could be part of a trade with a team like the Indians. They would seemingly value bullpen help. Yeah, that was me that floated that one LOL. Sign Kimbrel, and including Knebel in a deal for Kluber makes a lot more sense. Knebel's overall numbers in 2018 aren't super, but everyone in baseball saw his dominant September and playoff run. Given his contractual control, his value should be extremely high.

According to the guy that broke the Moose deal, the Brewers met with Ramos yesterday, and are considering a run at Kimbrel. Ramos obviously makes sense. Kimbrel is a little more of an odd fit, unless you feel that perhaps the top starters are out of their price range, so they are attempting to assemble a super pen instead.

Add in the fact that a lumbering 6'4" 3B took most of the reps at 2B during the stretch run, and it would appear that the team is willing to sacrifice defense at that position to get another potent bat in the lineup. Arcia is such a strong defender at SS that I imagine they'd be willing to compromise a bit at 2B.

Jon Morosi ‏ Verified account @jonmorosi 7m7 minutes ago More Source: #Reds among teams showing interest in free-agent starter Wade Miley, who worked with current Cincinnati pitching coach Derek Johnson during his breakthrough 2018 season with #Brewers. @MLB @MLBNetwork That makes a lot of sense. Would like to see Miley comes back, but I can't imagine he's a very high priority given the starting pitching depth they have. Would be a bummer to see him stay in the division, though, unless he reverts back to pre-2018 Miley.

I wonder what the over/under is on Nova being a Brewer on Aug. 1, 2019?

The "Chris Archer to Brewers" talk never really dies, it just fades into the background LOL

Well the Vikings just fired DeFelippo after another abysmal performance last night, so we can probably go ahead and cross him off the list. LOL, that's awesome! As a Packer fan, I take solace in the fact that the Vikings are apparently more dysfunctional than the Packers. That team's 40-year run of paper championships is continuing.

Counsell said the very same thing yesterday regarding 2B. Yes they could wait and get "someone" but the last two years Murphy was healthy, he posted OPS's of .928 and .985. Those aren't just "someone" type numbers. Even assuming age has started to hinder his performance, an .800+ OPS seems very likely. I agree. This team is a World Series contender. I think we're past the point of signing guys to be placeholders. If they make a 2B move, it's going to be for a guy they feel can be the man there for the bulk of the 2019 season. If Hiura hits his way into consideration for a call-up sometime in 2019, great! But at least the pressure won't be as great to get him up as it would if they planned on something like a Saladino/Perez platoon there.