brosto1

Jesus MadeCooper PrattLuis PenaJacob MisiorowskiJeferson QueroLogan HendersonCaleb DurbinRobert GasserMike BoeveEric BitontiLuis LaraBraylon PayneBryce MeccageCarlos F RodriguezJosh KnothBrock WilkenTyler BlackBishop LetsonErnesto MartinezLuke Adams

Two years ago, who knew where Burnes and Woodruff would be today?

HighHeat, you’re very much appreciated. When I update my dad I go strictly off your information. Thanks

Big meeting could be about how is HighHeat19 getting his info.

Christmas in January

Yelich doesn’t play second, but Castro does, perhaps looking at acquiring both.

I like that Towers isn't afraid to overpay once in a while, but he doesn't have to do it every time. I do not like overpaying for relievers. I have been a big fan of Davidson since he was drafted in 2009. (A pretty good draft year for Rd 1 selections, except for Brewers' fans- Arnett, Davis, Heckathorn) Prospects are fun to hope on, but more often than not don't live up to the hype. Trading them for proven players is often going to be a good choice, but I just don't like dealing them for relievers, especially when there are still some good arms available in free agency.

I would like to see Melvin get something done with the Royals. I don't see them parting with Hosmer since it would weaken the big league roster even if it would result in gaining Hart(whenever it is he is healthy). I would be willing to send them Gallardo in any offer, if that is what would be needed to get Ventura or Zimmer. The guy I would want more than any is Mondesi. I think he will be a top ten prospect within the next 12 months and be major league ready in 2015 at the age of 19. He loves the game, works very hard, is coachable, and makes adjustments quickly. I think he is a game changing talent. I am not sure he would be valued higher than Zimmer or Ventura right now, but that is why I would target him now. A Segura/Mondesi middle infield would be amazing to watch. Packaging Gallardo with Hart/Aoki/Weeks could bring a very nice return of pitching and a high upside middle of the diamond player.

I think Estrada is being undervalued by many. I feel comfortable in him producing 180-200 quality innings next year with an excellent K:BB ratio. I don't feel quite as comfortable expecting Fiers to produce as well since it was his first time facing many teams, but he has also produced at each level good control and high strike out rates so maybe he will continue to prove people wrong. I do think Fiers will be solid, just not expecting the year he had last year. Rogers and Peralta are the two wildcards, Rogers due to health concerns and Peralta due to his youth and inconsistency. If the two of them can combine for 25-28 QS I see no reason why that wouldn't be enough to keep them in enough games to compete next year. The simplest way to put it is they lost Greinke and Wolf and may be replaced by Rogers and Peralta. Neither will be as good as Greinke, but I feel just as confident that neither will be as bad as Wolf. Tale of the Tape may be a push when considering just how awful Wolf was last year for his 24 starts.

Both could be free agents next year so I think a Capuano-Hanrahan would make a lot of sense for both clubs. Capuano does have a mutual option for 2014. If Capuano is healthy he should provide as much value as Hanrahan. It would thin the back end of the Pirates' pen, but without some more starting pitching it won't matter who they have at the back of the pen. A top four of Burnett, Wandy, McDonald, and Capuano would give the Pirates a solid top four. Right now they have two big holes at the back of their rotation. I think they would save money and be better with Capuano, because if they don't trade for a starter they will need to sign one if not two SP for their rotation. I also think they would be comfortable using Grilli as closer and Hughes in the eighth.

I just don't think Thornburg is likely to remain in the rotation short or long term. I think he would have a lot of value as a two inning guy in the pen, much like how the Giants used Lincecum in the fall. With the depth that the Brewers have in starting pitching prospects I think it makes sense to use him now in the pen. If he excels like I believe he would that kind of reliever provides a lot of value.

I don't really trust a lot of the free agent options enough to warrant spending the money they will receive. I like Sanchez the most, and if he actually settles for a 5/75-80 deal I think it would be a good signing, but Sanchez signing with the Brewers is highly unlikely. Other than Sanchez, I would just go with what they have right now. The only other way I would want to sign any of the others is if it is on a one year deal. I would prefer to see the season begin with a rotation of: Gallardo Estrada Rogers Fiers Peralta Use Narveson as a long man or loogy. Sign a vet to a minor league deal with an opt-out clause if not called up by the end of May, by that time the team would know more about what they have with Nelson, Jungmann, Hellweg, Pena, and Thornburg(although I would just use him as a reliever from the beginning of the season).

Cleveland made out like bandits in this deal. They gained a good defensive CF, who could still see some improvement in his offense. Stubbs has posted some solid WAR in his career and is still cheap and controllable. Stubbs could post a better WAR in 2013 than Choo, and it wouldn't surprise me in the least. Cleveland getting Bauer is just icing on the cake. I think they would have been happy just getting Stubbs for Choo straight up when factoring in cost and controllable years. Choo does give the Reds a much needed high OBP to put near the top of their lineup so I can understand their reasoning for the deal. I have no idea what Towers was thinking. I understand the need for good defense, but this just seems like a terrible deal for the D-Backs.

The Choo trade certainly only helps Hart's value as a consistent 3-4 WAR player. I have always liked Hart, but I think he has more value as a trade chip now than signing him to an extension for the next 3+years. However, I think no matter what Melvin chooses to do with Hart that all of the scenarios make some sense.

Espinosa plays a premium position, Gamel does not. The Brewers would have a hole to fill at 1B/RF next year rather than SS for the next 6 years. I would take the drop in offensive production from Gamel to Espinosa in future years if it means having a good defensive SS from 2011 into the future. As a bonus Espinosa does have more pop than Betancourt and isn't allergic to taking pitches and drawing a walk.