Ron Robinsons Beard

I agree ... yet they are continuously brought up here when we talk about prospective trades and when people claim how the Brewers farm system is now garbage. It's all lip service.

How exactly do you know this? I find it hard to believe they were as desperate as you suggest to move a guy coming off a .875 OPS in his age 24 season and even harder to believe that nobody wanted him. I have zero doubt Cleveland would want him as the best and main piece back for a pitcher like Bauer....both things can be true without this level of hyperbole. I would guess that they made him available, probably even actively shopped him and then determined that they couldn't get back what THEY deemed equal trade value. That's just me guessing because I never read definitively from anyone anywhere that they were trying to even trade him. But again, don't think they said he was available and just nobody wanted a cost controlled 25 year old player who just had a 3.3 WAR season. I was going to respond with this same idea last night, but you were much more eloquent in your response than I would have been. Just because Santana was rumored to be on the block last year and wasn't dealt doesn't mean that no one wanted him. It simply means that no one wanted him enough to meet Stearns demands on a return. And we have absolutely no clue what that was. I know that if Stearns was determined to trade Santana last year, and didn't care what he got back, Domingo would no longer be Brewers' property. Last year I questioned why the Indians didn't trade for Domingo, given his perceived fit in that lineup. Well, they suffered though a year of junk OF production other than Brantley, and he won't be back in 2019. Their need for OF help is now even greater than last year. Will this persuade them to make a deal for Santana? It could certainly be argued that they probably should, but we'll see what happens. But as an outside observer, the Brewers have several guys under their control, including Santana, Broxton, Taylor, Stokes and Ray, that SHOULD be highly appealing to a team that trotted out absolute crap in their OF for much of the year, and doesn't have a whole heck of a lot in the pipeline to improve that internally.

Hey he was 35th ranked prospect by BA. Unfortunately that was 11 years ago. That's an example why ranking low level arms so high is pure folly, especially from big market organizations like the Mets. I think that's an example, too, of these ranking services disproportionately ranking guys for big markets higher than similarly talented players in small market organizations. The big markets can spend money to market the heck out of their younger prospects, which puts them on the national radar sooner, making them more valuable to idiot GMs who take national rankings seriously. If Guerra would have been in the Brewers organization 11 years ago, dollars to doughnuts says no one knows who he is, perhaps even guys running his own organization. This is another case where baseball is unequal.

For me it is Bauer since it is two years of control versus just one, and I also would bet on Bauer having a better season next year than I would on Bumgarner away from the Bay and working with reduced stuff. Even if the Indians trade Bauer they would still have Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Mike Clevinger, Danny Salazar, and Shane Bieber to fill out the rotation with top prospect Triston McKenzie likely starting the season at Triple-A. Assuming some injuries occurred to those starters, Davies would likely be considered among the next tier of starting pitching options for the Indians which also includes Adam Plutko and Cody Anderson. Not that they couldn’t use Davies when injuries inevitably occur, but I don’t think they are going to place much value on him in any trade since he would be more of an insurance piece than anything. You are right I think. The Indians may be one of the only teams in baseball, in fact, that I suspect wouldn't demand one of the Brewers' young starters in return in a deal for Bauer. I could see them asking for Santana, Ray and perhaps a couple of high upside younger guys like Lutz, Joe Gray, Payton Henry or guys like Rodriguez, Ernesto, Fernandez or Garcia. If Kipnis is packaged in the deal, then I think Bauer and Kipnis for Santana, Ray and maybe a relief option like Houser makes sense.

If both are on the table for similar relative packages, I'd rather have Realmuto than Bauer. But Bauer would be the legit #1 pitcher this team is lacking.

I love that deal! I think the only one who may love that deal more is Tyrone Taylor

That deal makes absolute perfect sense for both teams, which means it 100% won't happen, unfortunately. I'd love Gray, but I think he likely ends up going to the Reds for junk.

I feel like you need a PhD just to understand NBA salaries and cap structure. There has to be a way to make it easier. It's like they just handed it to accountants and lawyers and said "have at it!"

Can't beat that name, that's for sure. Isn't he basically a poor man's Eric Kratz (who is already basically the poor man's version of an MLB catcher)?

Career OPS of 0.850 against LHP while playing most of his games at pitcher-friendly Target Field would be an interesting add to the club as a 1-year stopgap. I like LeMahieu, but it's impossible to not be cautious about Coors field park effects on his #'s and I'm sure he would be looking for more than what the Brewers are comfortable giving a 2nd baseman in free agency considering their best prospect is on his way soon at that position. I don't understand all the cautiousness about the "Coors Field" effect. It's isn't like Miller Park is like hitting at Ebbets Field. Sometimes guys are just more comfortable hitting in their home park, regardless of where that park is. A LeMahieu signing would provide a solid buffer that enables the team be patient with Hiura, instead of rushing him up. I personally want to see him put together a few months of solid play at the AAA level at the very least before I hand him the everyday 2B job on a World Series contender. If he proves ready, LeMahieu will either serve as a trade chip, or slide into a high-leverage utility role. While he doesn't have as much time at other positions as someone like Marwin Gonzalez, he is a Gold Glove-level defender at 2B, and has seen MLB time at SS and 3B. It's my belief that he hasn't played all around the diamond on a regular basis simply because he's been an All Star Gold Glove 2B for the Rockies, so there hasn't been any reason to move him around.

Dozier was pretty much just as bad for the Dodgers as Schoop was for the Brewers. But he has a better track record for consistency, too. He's known as a great leader and clubhouse guy. As a bridge 2B, you could do much, much worse. I'm hoping for a two-year deal for LeMahieu, but I could see them make a play for one year of Dozier.

I wonder the same thing regarding Philbin. If they look like a playoff team these next 4 weeks, I could see him making their decision very difficult. Philbin doesn't strike me as a very dynamic, energetic guy, but it appears that Rodgers is a fan of his, and it's tough to hold his time in Miami against him, given the poor roster he was given to work with. I just don't know ...

I'm not advocating tanking. But the odds of being able to grab a difference maker at, say, Pick #7, are much higher than being able to grab one at Pick #15. I see speculation about packaging their pick with the Saints' #1 to move into the Top 5, and I wholeheartedly disagree with that, though. They have the opportunity to draft a difference maker with their pick, and a solid starter with the Saints pick. On a team that needs quality depth, you can't package multiple picks on a whim. I guess the best way to look at it is that these last four games are no-lose situations. If they play well, that is solid growth for next year. If they don't, better draft pick. Just trying to find the silver lining in the whole situation. There's a very good chance that this team's offseason is going to be much more interesting than this last month of games.

Is or was there ever a time where the team had a window where they couldn't sign a player if they didn't offer them arbitration? In other words, they had to wait longer than other teams to sign them as a free agent. For some reason that is something that tickles the brain. I believe once they are non-tendered, they a free agent and can sign anywhere, including the team that non-tendered them. Schoop doesn't have 6 years of major-league service, so I don't think there was any strings attached. It is a confusing system, though. A player with six or more years of major-league service (on the team's 40-man roster) who is not under contract for the following season is automatically a free agent. Teams can receive compensation for the player with a draft pick in the following year's draft in June. To receive compensation, the team must offer the player salary arbitration. It is then up to the player to either accept arbitration or sign with another team. The team must offer salary arbitration to the player by early December or the team will not be allowed to negotiate with or sign the player until the following May 1. After arbitration is offered, the player has two weeks to accept or refuse salary arbitration. If it is refused, the player can only negotiate with the club until Jan. 7. after which no more negotiation can take place until May 1.

You nailed it. Good teams don't get in situations where the game is turned on one play. Mediocre teams do. This team has a mediocre talent level, and when combined with an outdated coaching philosophy, it led to where they are now. Blaming injuries is a scapegoat. Every team has big injuries. The 2010 Super Bowl team had a ton of guys on IR. The truth is, this team has underperformed big time this year, and while they could have grabbed a couple extra wins and perhaps still been in playoff contention had luck gone their way, there is no way this is a team built for a playoff run. All making the playoffs would have done was delay a much-needed new voice and direction at head coach and the soft rebuild they need. It sucks being a fan of the Packers right now, but what is happening is probably the best in the long run. That said, it wouldn't surprise me in the least to see them win their last four, finish 8-7-1, miss the playoffs, and get a draft pick in the teens. And that is going to suck.

Why do you assume the Cubs and Dodgers will get better? We're working in a vacuum where only good moves occur before December 5th, correct? Cubs and Dodgers aren’t afraid to spend money.. Machado and Harper could very easily go to those teams.. You asked that this thread be unlocked so that it could be discussed. So what is the goal you have in mind for the Brewers? Do you think they are going to make some moves, or do you really believe they are going to sit idly by while the other NL playoff contenders improve?

I don't really get where you are trying to go with this. The Brewers didn't respect Khris Davis? The Brewers should have traded Braun in 2011? They are related? What???

It actually makes me very happy he's signing with the Twins, because we will be limited to seeing him only a handful of times a year. He's the type of guy if, had he signed with the Cubs or Cardinals, would have put up an OPS 1.500 with huge clutch power and Gold Glove-level defense for the next 7 years.

This has the chance of spiraling out of control at breakneck speed ...

The money doesn't surprise me, but I figured it would be at least a two-year deal. But he's going to a spot where there won't be much pressure in the hope of rebounding his value. He'll be a prime trade candidate again if he hits the ball better.

Brian Gutekunst is gauging Ray's interest in playing safety before jumping into the bidding.

It depends whether you feel 1st half Jesus or 2nd half Jesus is the one true Jesus. If he is 1st half Jesus, they are fine. If he is truly 2nd half Jesus, he is very much upgradable. My hope is obviously that he's 1st half Jesus, but I think the reality likely rests somewhere in between. Hopefully on the high end of that between space, though.

I kinda figured that his affordability in relation to his results already made him the least likely to be moved. I get the feeling that this increases the likelihood that either Kluber or Bauer is moved, though.

I get the frustration, and have long been a member of the "Anti-Stay the Course" crowd ... which is amplified even more now that we have a team that was once game from a World Series appearance. But making reactionary moves is never, ever the right course of action to take. As a fan, it is frustrating to see other playoff contenders improve while your team sits idle. But it's still very early, and I still believe the Brewers will make some noise this offseason to improve on their deficiencies. Now, if we get to the end of February, and we are still looking at potential holes at catcher, 2B, RF and in the rotation, I will likely be much more frustrated and cynical. But there's a long time between now and then, and I expect a lot to happen. Remember, too, that this team may very well be looking at Jimmy Nelson as the TOR addition they were missing last year, and they would know better than anyone what his 2019 outlook looks like. But the fact that they have been linked to nearly every available starting pitcher out there makes be wonder if that is the case.

Miley pitched well in a very limited sample size due to injury, after several seasons of poor performance. Any GM who hands him a 3-year/$30 million deal should be immediately fired. Jhoulys Chacin signed a 2-year $15 million deal last December coming off a stretch of much higher consistency and results. Granted I know Miley is left-handed, which will increase he value some, but I think he'd be lucky to get a similar contract to what Chacin signed for.