edfunderburk

I’m going to hang in there with Vinny as he settles in to do his podcast. He’s adding a new partner - Dom Controneo. Hopefully they will have plenty of exciting Brewers news to share with all of us in the coming months.

To clarify … I’m actually disappointed that the “one” daily podcast is such poor quality - not worth listening to

I would trade Yelich straight up for Meyers today, tomorrow, next week (or as soon as the lockout ends) … he would be a defensive & offensive improvement & would cost far less $$$. He could be the primary LF & spell Tellez at 1B. That would give Taylor some well-deserved OF time too. I can’t imagine either team making this trade, but one can dream! The greatest benefit to me would be shedding 8 years at $26M with Yelich … I might even include a top prospect to make this deal happen. BTW - I love Yelich as a person … he has been a great face for the franchise - a truly likable person with good character. His play however has been terrible - both offensively & defensively - his arm is weak & his confidence is shattered. So - I’d love to make this swap!

Let me begin by acknowledging my suggestion is far-fetched … but this is what I’d LOVE to see … In a perfect world - the Brewers somehow unload Yelich & his entire contract (to an AL team) & sign Story (SS or 3B) to a 6-year contract. Immediately, they are a much better team. Adames is capable of playing either SS or 3B. This would require both Urius & Story to “learn” to play 1B as well. That’s a lot of “what ifs” that are unlikely to happen … but I’m dreaming today & would be thrilled if we had Story & unloaded the “bad contract” for Yelich. I understand that Yelich’s play in 2020 & 2021 make this scenario highly unlikely - I can’t imagine any team taking his contract … but I felt the same way about Bradley’s contract. If this “dream” option requires including a few more mid-level (or even one elite) prospect with Yelich - so be it … our World Series window is short … maybe 2-3 years.

I know there are many on this board that believe Yelich will somehow bounce back from his incredibly bad seasons & return to something resembling his MVP level of 2018 & 2019. I don’t share that enthusiasm. I would be DELIGHTED if somehow Stearns could trade Yelich away in a similar deal where his entire salary is covered by his new team - ideally an AL team. While that may not be reasonable or likely - one can dream. I would love to see the Brewers replace Yelich with one of the big free agent bats - but I’m aware neither scenario is likely. I would never have thought it possible for Bradley’s terrible contract to vanish - even though it costs the Brewers a few mid-level prospects. I’d gladly send a few more similar prospects to any team that would take Yelich & his worse contract. A fresh start may be what he needs & it would allow Milwaukee to spend that $26M (per season for the next 8 years) on one or more “good” bats to help them take advantage of their World Series window in the next 2-3 years. Again, I’m sure there are MANY of you who disagree & will suggest that this is a terrible idea. I fear Yelich’s best days are in the rear view & his contract will be untradable … which will prevent Milwaukee from competing for a championship. For those who want to attack my view - let’s visit this topic a year or two down the road. I surely hope I’m wrong & would be THRILLED if Yelich has a great 2022 season - but nothing I’ve seen in the last two years gives me any reason to believe that is likely.

I’m not interested in any Locked On podcasts other than the Brewers. Does anyone else listen to the Brewers Locked On podcasts? Am I the only one who thinks it is lame? I literally learn nothing & have found there to be no benefit from Vinny’s podcasts. I enjoyed the latest Cold Brew podcast … but I’d love for someone to offer a daily or more regular option. I’m surprised & disappointed that there are so few options available

Can anyone suggest a daily or regular Brewers podcast other than Locked on Brewers? I love Vinny Rottino as a scout, but he is brutal as a podcast host.

Does that leave our 40-man roster at 36? I agree with both non-tenders … Tellez is a tad better offensively & much better defensively than Vogelbach - & I prefer Nelson Cruz at DH

What a shame to see the pitching talent go to waste this year … & likely next year too A small market team like the Brewers can’t afford to sign good players for 1B & 3B while carrying bad contracts like Cain, JBJ, & most of all Yelich I fear 2022 will be a similar year as 2021 - good pitching with unbearable offense Milwaukee will likely be competitive in a mediocre NL Central, but to win the World Series they must have better bats Anyone who thinks Yelich will “bounce back” next year is more fan than realist … he’s been terrible for two years since the kneecap incident Yes, he was remarkable in 2018 & 2019 … he should have been MVP both years … but today he is terrible - not bad, not in a slump, but terrible … no confidence, no power Taylor is currently the better player - offensively & defensively I can’t imagine any scenario where the Brewers are able to unload any of these bad contracts No team would be willing to take on Cain at his age … & he’s the best of the three when you consider his defense & average bat JBJ has been indescribably good on defense but equally bad offensively Yelich … I have no words … nice guy, great smile … washed as a player How can Milwaukee overcome these three bad contracts to add quality bats without giving away their strength & parting with one of their ace pitchers What a shame

For a team that prides itself in defensive flexibility, it amazes me that so few of the current Brewers can adequately play defense at 1B. If Escobar - who had never played there before - can adapt to be adequate there, why can’t the Brewers test Urius at 1B? He has proven that he is not an MLB SS … He would be as good as Hiura no doubt. It seems Escobar would be the better choice as a fill-in SS for Adames until he’s healthy. My hope is that during the offseason, the Brewers encourage Yelich, Taylor, & (if re-signed) Garcia to learn the position as well. I’m disappointed that Milwaukee recalled Maile as a 3rd C rather than bringing up Nunez from Nashville to be a RH bat & 1B during the final few weeks of the season. Tellez is adequate defensively, but I don’t like seeing Vogelbach play there.

Great catch by LoCain to keep the non-no alive. I’m reminded of Robin Yount diving to make a catch to end the Juan Nieves no-hitter … was that 1987?

I love Vogey as a great team character … but he is a duplicate with less ability & defense than Tellez - neither can play anywhere other than 1B I would much prefer to have Nunez as a true right-handed power option for 1B in September & for the post-season

Why Pablo Reyes … surely there is someone else on the Nashville roster … I seldom dislike a Brewers player - but goodness … I’ve seen enough of Reyes

I’m aware that his MLB stats in 2021 have been terrible … but he may be a good option to sign short-term until Escobar returns from his hamstring injury. He has good power & is adequate defensively. https://www.milb.com/player/renato-nunez-600524 He’s still fairly young & would be worth a shot … especially if it keeps Huira in Nashville until Spring Training.

I surely hope there is no return of Pablo Reyes is Escobar lands on the DL

As of today … it appears the answer to the question in this thread is a resounding - NO! So excited to see Yelich hitting the ball so well … not just today, but over the last few games. The grand slam was absolutely crushed.

Hopefully, his on the job learning experience will help him become an adequate defensive 1B by the time the Brewers enter the playoffs … if not, his defense will become a liability - similar to Uris at 3B During the upcoming off-season, I hope Milwaukee works with Taylor, Urius, & possibly Garcia (if he stays) … & even Yelich, as candidates to play 1B next season I believe it would be a mistake to hope that Huira is the long-term option there

It worked … just like that I jinxed Yelich out of his season-long slump His double in the third inning was his 2nd hardest hit ball of the season! Awesome … but [sarcasm]I would still trade him if there are any takers this off-season[/sarcasm]

For all those who continue to defend & believe that Yelich will rebound & that this two-year funk will be reversed soon … I’m wondering if there is even one MLB team that would trade a low-level prospect to the Brewers in the off-season & take on Yelich’s remaining contract hoping for the former magic I say NO … anyone who watches Yelich at the plate these days would be foolish to do so I wish Milwaukee could re-allocate those future contract dollars to acquire a few quality bats or bullpen arms I’m grateful for those incredible, other-worldly years of 2018 & 2019 … but I’m confident Yelich will never approach that level of play again Just like all of you - I hope I’m dead wrong … I hope he stays with Milwaukee & returns to someone close to those MVP-level seasons

I’m a Yelich fan & I believe he has good character. I thought the same of Ryan Braun years ago too. And Altuve as well. It is not my intention to “accuse” Yelich of cheating … I’m simply wondering - like so many - WHY he has regressed so much. It may very well be a combination of reasons - foremost the knee & back injuries. But he is NOT the same player … he has very little power & doesn’t often drive the ball anymore. Not only has his bat regressed, but it seems that his defense has significantly regressed too. He’s not that old … so I’m puzzled as to how he became such an average player after being such an incredible player … almost overnight & sadly AFTER signing such a rich contract extension.

This is so helpful … this gives me hope! Thank you

I don’t believe Yelich is “solid” enough to warrant his current contract He is not anywhere close to who he once was … whether injury or cheating or whatever Unfortunately, his contract extends several more years - a contract that prevents Milwaukee from using that $ elsewhere during the offseason

I’ll bet I’ve been a devoted fan longer than most on this board … I have followed Milwaukee passionately since I was 10 (1971) Your reply suggests that it is odd or not OK to be concerned about a player who has fallen off a cliff stats wise in the past two season just because our beloved Brewers are having a great year I’m thrilled with the amazing year we are having … I was 21 & in college the last time our Brewers went to the World Series … I believe they could do so again this year I’m terribly disappointed in Yelich as a hitter … I prefer Tyrone Taylor when we are in need of a clutch hit I hope that doesn’t make me a “bad fan” or communicate that I’m not grateful for a good season

I see that the Orioles Chris Davis retired today No doubt, an all-time bad decision on his contract extension I’m a devoted & diehard Brewers fan who is perplexed & discouraged by the continued (two-year) slump / mediocre play of Christian Yelich While I hope for better … I wonder if his future will (continue to be) similar to Chris Davis … something that could be challenging for the small market Brewers

Are players released to make room for all of these promotions? If so, when might we know which players?