bensheeps

Way to pitch out of it!

Almost a great play from Turang

Cubs lose too

Interesting conversation with a fellow fan yesterday and interested in thoughts of other posters... If you were promised that one of the Reds or Cubs would fall out of the race immediately, but with the caveat that the other would be neck and neck with the Brewers until the very end - which team would you choose to fall out/be in it? We went back and forth on the fact that the Brewers/Cubs still face off 6 more times, who we think is the stronger team between the Reds & Cubs, etc. What's your take and why do you pick the way you do?

Slamtana with big insurance

Assuming this is for a modest return, I like the deal. Now time to get greedy and get one more bat in the next 100 minutes.

Oh, I know. There was a reason I listed it 3rd and why I made sure my wife wasn't over my shoulder as I posted. 😀

Thoughts on what the corresponding roster move will be? A. The easiest is to send Perkins to AAA B. Or, is it time to jettison Tyrone Taylor with another RH bat added to the mix C. Or, do they delay the move by sending Joey Wiemer down for a couple of weeks (work on his approach and get an additional year)?

Don't forget Jahmai Jones as a 26-man option (and a 40-man as well I guess)

Or is it just clearing a spot for for a 60-day IL guy (Justin Wilson)?

This is what I keep coming back too. Bats that are available are either going to be at too steep of a price or not enough to move the needle for us. It's why I keep wondering if we instead look at AAA bats that are blocked and hope that we can get a couple good months from them on their call up. Maybe that is Hiura; maybe it's from another team.

My family and I traveled to Cincinnati to watch the first place showdown this weekend. After viewing game 1 of the series and seeing that we were starting Monasterio and Miller at the infield corners (I know it was supposed to be Anderson at third, but still), I'm even more ready to find a 3rd/1st/DH addition in the next two weeks. The sooner the better. My preference would be J. Turner, but I don't think the Red Sox will move him as they hope to add to stay in the WC race. I'm afraid J. Candelario is headed for a bigger price tag than we want to pay. This leads me to blocked AAA-type player. I've brought up Bobby Dalbec before and think he would be an interesting get to see if his stellar bat at Worcester can carry over for a couple of months in the bigs. Any other options of similar player would do. Maybe a deal with Boston to get Adam Duvall and Dalbec to add two bats. Duvall has really cooled off since his wrist injury, but sounds like he is available as Boston looks to buy and sell.

Thinking the same thing until this from McCalvy this morning.

MVP: Christian Yelich CY Young: Corbin Burnes Rookie of the Year: Garrett Mitchell BA Leader: Sal Frelick HR Leader: Rowdy Tellez ERA Leader: Corbin Burnes SO Leader: Corbin Burnes WAR Leader: Corbin Burnes Breakout(s): Freddy Peralta, Garrett Mitchell, Sal Frelick Disappointment(s): Eric Lauer, Brian Anderson Bold Prediction (s): Two pitchers added at the trade deadline...one at the backend of the rotation and one for the 8th inning role. Record: 89-73 Playoffs? Yes, NL Central Champs

Does time away for the World Baseball Classic make Frelick's path to opening day in the big leagues easier or tougher?

https://www.mlb.com/news/hitters-likely-to-be-affected-by-shift-ban mlb.com article saying that the Brewers have 3 of the 11 players that would have gained the most hits last year without shifts. Taylor, Tellez, and Toro.

I've felt that improvement vs LHP was one of the two ways (an 8th inning RP being the other) to finish out the off season. Contreras should help greatly, but would like to have someone to share time with Rowdy and/or Winker if needed. On the free agent side, maybe that means a guy like Trey Mancini or Wil Meyers. Or as mentioned in other threads recently, maybe it's a trade for Eduardo Escobar. While Owen Miller wasn't a bad get, I'm not so sure he is the answer to this problem especially after looking at the splits in this article.

Ok. Here's my (plan) wish list for the rest of the winter. Know it won't happen, but I can dream as this represents the Crew "going for it". Trade Lauer and Mitchell for Danny Jansen. Not because he's from Wisconsin but due to the fact that he'll keep Rowdy happy. Sign Mancini to be your right handed bat to play 1st against LHP and right field at other times as well. Maybe his clubhouse vibes will rub off on Winker. (Wil Myers if Mancini wants too much) Sign Robertson to be the 8th inning guy. I thought about a lefty, but think Robertson has decent numbers against left-handed bats over his career. Like having a guy with closer experience. Sign Wade Miley (or similar pitcher) as Starting pitching depth. Expect Ashby and/or Junk to make plenty of starts throughout the year. Considered leaving Turang at AAA to start the year and giving Toro a chance to win the 3rd base job, but really like Turang range at 2nd with no more shifts. C: Danny Jansen ($3.50M) 1B: Rowdy Tellez ($5.30M) 2B: Brice Turang ($0.70M) 3B: Luis Urias ($4.30M) SS: Willy Adames ($9.20M) LF: Christian Yelich ($26.00M) CF: Sal Frelick ($0.70M) DH: Jesse Winker ($8.00M) Bench OF: Tyrone Taylor ($0.70M) Utility: Abraham Toro ($1.30M) Utility: Mike Brosseau ($1.40M) Backup C: Victor Caratini ($2.80M) RF: Trey Mancini ($7.00M) SP1: Corbin Burnes ($11.40M) SP2: Brandon Woodruff ($11.00M) SP3: Freddy Peralta ($3.50M) SP4: Wade Miley ($5.00M) SP5: Adrian Hauser ($3.60M) CL: Devin Williams ($3.20M) RP: Peter Strzelecki ($0.70M) RP: Matt Bush ($2.00M) RP: Javier Guerra ($0.70M) RP: Hoby Milner ($1.10M) RP: Jaron Junk ($0.70M) RP: Aaron Ashby ($1.00M) RP: David Robertson ($8.00M) Payroll is 5.54% under budget

Patience is the key! Only 2 years out from getting Toro to the Brewers.

I like the idea of trying to get Jansen. Would Houser get it done? (similar salary, same years available) Toronto may want something to add to the major league team as opposed to minor league guys.

Yes, while the goal is always to make a deep playoff run...I would be close to satisfied with passing the Padres for the 6-seed and then traveling to St. Louis to knockout the Cardinals.

Yes, while the goal is always to make a deep playoff run...I would be close to satisfied with passing the Padres for the 6-seed and then traveling to St. Louis to knockout the Cardinals.

I don't think we're giving Arnold and Stearns enough credit. Waiting to get Bell (and/or Soto) until Monday so Washington can beat up on the Cardinals this weekend...pure genius.

I don't think we're giving Arnold and Stearns enough credit. Waiting to get Bell (and/or Soto) until Monday so Washington can beat up on the Cardinals this weekend...pure genius.

So if you had to make the choice between Ramon Laureano or Michael A. Taylor to add to center field, which would you choose and why?