Ron Robinsons Beard

These seem the most logical. I'm sure they'll be watching Peralta and Burnes if he throws as well. I hope they had someone watching Corey Ray in AA today.

Likely. Maybe Lopez as a secondary piece. Barnes can't have much value right now. Lopez is still young enough to have theoretical upside. I can never keep track of whether Lopez is even on the 25 man or not. I had to double check, as I was actually surprised to see his name on the 25-man. He was called up July 7, and hasn't been sent down (yet). I imagine it will be either him or Orf leaving by tomorrow to activate Miley, though.

Kratz had his July hit last night! Dang it, missed it by a day!

Likely. Maybe Lopez as a secondary piece. Barnes can't have much value right now. Lopez is still young enough to have theoretical upside.

What players would the Orioles have interest in that they could realistically get from the Brewers in a trade for Machado? Thames, Perez, and Villar are the few that stand out to me. Thames probably makes the most sense since the Orioles could really use a first baseman. I would guess Nottingham and Broxton. Maybe Lopez and Barnes.

Likely no. You have to add assets from the major league roster. Maybe add Arcia and Hader to that list.

15 years in journalism. I've faced my share of criticism. I wasn't judging the publication ... actually I read Brew Crew Ball often, and find it insightful. I was judging the post itself. It is click-baity and irresponsible, obviously with a headline worded the way it was to get views and clicks. And with your journalism background, you know people read the headline and the first sentence, and ran to retweet it as "OMG the Brewers are offering up Burnes!!!" I mean, what else are you going to think when you read a headline that screams "Report: Brewers offer for Machado includes Corbin Burnes"? That's not even an accurate representation of Bowden's tweet. Discussed does not equal a made offer. If you are Mr. Ford, you can do better.

This was a "rumor" from Jim Bowden. Seemed to have been shot down relatively quickly. This proposal is not a thing. I know that ... but now I see people retweeting this Brew Crew Ball article. It's irresponsible to even report on this crap, let alone throw up a click-baiting inaccurate headline. Even Bowden's dumb post didn't mention anything about that offer being submitted to the Orioles, yet the headline and first sentence of the Brew Crew Ball story indicates that. I'm sorry, but that is junk journalism.

Ugh ... this is how rumors get started. Is Brad Ford just trying to get clicks or something? https://www.brewcrewball.com/2018/7/11/17561398/report-milwaukee-brewers-offer-for-baltimore-orioles-manny-machado-includes-corbin-burnes

Like I said, can’t wait for him to get a fresh start elsewhere. And knowing the Brewers, he'll end up with the Pirates or Cardinals, and proceed to crush Brewer pitching for the next 8 years.

Thames Cain Yelich Aguilar Shaw Saladino Perez Nottingham Peralta Did Villar do something to get in Counsell's doghouse again?

Nice to see Ponce with a solid outing today. It would be great to see him reestablish himself as a solid rotation prospect.

I wouldn't say they have zero leverage. It isn't like there isn't competition for Machado's services. That's pretty much the definition of leverage. They aren't going to get near the haul they would have gotten trading him last year or even this past offseason, but they are still going to get a good package. And why wouldn't they try to drive up the price on him? That's just solid business.

Thor, who has pitched what, 90 innings since 2016? Way too risky for me! While Syndergaard would be the flashy acquisition, deGrom is the better pitcher. He's who I'd target and give up a huge haul for.

His trade value is going King Kong as well.

Arcia's 2017 numbers (as a 22-year-old) indicate that is a very incorrect assumption. .277 with 15 HRs and a .731 OPS in 506 ABs. Not world-beating by any means, but when combined with slick defense, I'd take those numbers any day. He wasn't doing it with smoke and mirrors. The blanket statement of "he can't hit" is a proven fallacy. Now give me .300, and 25HR's from the SS position with that Defense, and I'm sold. I'm sold too! And there's a lot of those guys out there!

Arcia's 2017 numbers (as a 22-year-old) indicate that is a very incorrect assumption. .277 with 15 HRs and a .731 OPS in 506 ABs. Not world-beating by any means, but when combined with slick defense, I'd take those numbers any day. He wasn't doing it with smoke and mirrors. The blanket statement of "he can't hit" is a proven fallacy.

Well that's .... something. Of course, "discussed" could mean: Arnold: "Hey David, the Orioles asked for Burnes, Broxton and Arcia for Machado." Stearns: "Where did you hide the camera? I'm on one of those Punk'd shows, right?" Arnold: "No, that's really what they are asking for." Stearns: "Well, ok then. Let's do it." Then Scooby and the gang run in, and pull off the Stearns mask to reveal ... Dave Stewart! Stewart: "And I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for you meddling kids!"

We could offer them Phil Bickford for Smith. Heck I'd even include Jett Bandy! What a deal!

The reason for the post is that all I care about is wins and I think the time off helps with that. They get the recognition anyway whether they participate or not. I think a few days without any travel or playing is good for players. I get that, and it does make some sense. This is a forum for Brewer fans, though. The majority of which feel that Jesus Aguilar deserves a spot on the All Star team. Throwing in a line about how Trea Turner deserves a spot over Aguilar is a pretty blatant attempt to poke the bear.

Smith was awesome in his time here, and having another power lefty in the pen would be a great fit. His personality would also mesh really well with the current group. I really like this idea.

I'm sure this is true. I just don't think there's any way we are going to offer them anything in the vicinity of what would be considered a "knockdown offer." I'm sure any offer would rightfully start with Hiura. Not sure, though, that the Brewers would include any MLB pieces, including Peralta and Burnes. I could see a package headlined by Hiura, with a few high upside arms like Diplan, Brown, Medieros or Houser (pick two), and another high ceiling guy like Ray or Gatewood.

I don't see any other reason for this post other than to trigger fans who are excited to see the team recognized for the great first half they are putting up. Boo!

Well, I am by no means a prospect hugger, but I wouldn't go that far. You need to find a compromise of which prospects to build around, and which can be used as currency to improve the major league club. I'm sure that's what they are weighing right now. Personally, while Machado is the superior player, I'd give up a much larger package for someone like Realmuto, as he is under team control for several more seasons at a position of need. The chances of the Brewers keeping Machado beyond this year are probably just barely over 0%. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have the guy this year (obviously), but some caution needs to be exercised as well when it comes to just how valuable the package they give up is.

Good point. However, as someone who was very critical in real time with the Brewers' approach for years with the draft, and for good reason as has been proven, I think you will see a dramatic upturn with results from the draft starting with the last couple of years. You don't need to go underslot in the first round. You can go over, and still manipulate other signings to snag some mid top ten round talents later (past round 10) by saving money on seniors, injured, etc. I have no problem at all with picking up more upside guys even if the total number of guys being signed is much lower. I like the quality over quantity idea. There is a huge uptick in the Brewers' savvy in manipulating the dollar value of drafted (or internationally signed for that matter) guys, to the benefit of getting more upside guys while concomitantly signing fewer filler players. Any individual player may boom or bust, but if you get the numbers right, you can hit on some percentage of the guys, and you're going to succeed by having more legit talents developing. I think our draft results will be a 180 degree turnaround going forward, and we will have some more talent in the system, enough for trades and to rejuvenate the roster with youth every year. That's the sweet spot we are headed into going forward. That's why I continue to say that the posters worried about "gutting" the farm system through major trades are off base. Prospects are replaceable, especially now that they actually have a solid scouting staff and good draft decision makers in place. Just look at how much talent has been brought in since 2016 ... it's astonishing.