Adam Rygg

They did rush Feliciano up when they had no other catching choices, but bringing Turang up might hinge on how long they think they might need a body. Easier to bring up a guy you don't mind risking to a quick DFA than needing to force open a 40-man spot on Opening Day for Turang. Definitely something to watch.

This thread in the forum covers all Hot Stove season news.

Amazing defender. Just needs to play more to have a puncher's chance at the plate.

He is, but he's also the primary backup at SS when they put the 26-man roster together on paper.

There's another thing that needs mentioning so that more people connect the dots. There's a reason the Brewers wouldn't go to a fourth year to keep either Moustakas or Grandal when they left town. They were earmarking money in that year for when Yelich's contract (that they were planning on even though it hadn't yet been signed) would get more expensive annually. The payroll in a smaller market must be viewed with a wide angle lens. Maybe they trade Hader before he could leave as a free agent not because they can't afford Hader but because they prefer to spend that money on Burnes and Woody. Maybe they let Avi Garcia sign his deal with Miami and trade for Renfroe (similar production for significantly cheaper) so that they can use that difference to cover arbitration raises and still add a guy like McCutchen for $8.5 million. It's a tangled web, but after signing Yelich to his extension, they need to be thinking ahead all the time. Cain's money comes off the payroll after this season. That's a healthy chunk to maybe extend Hader...

Relevant to trying to come up with a give for Reynolds, is that Pittsburgh isn't ready to compete in 2022. I therefore think the deal would start with Turang (who is highly regarded and relatively close to a big league debut) and Ashby (who has already shown flashes at the big league level). They might take a couple of lower level guys with high ceilings/pedigrees to fill out the quantity requirement, but I agree that adding in either Mitchell or Frelick is almost certainly part of an ask by Pittsburgh. Relievers are what you supplement for later when you're ready to go. I saw Williams mentioned. The only reason they'd want Williams is to flip him for more upper level prospects. He'll start being very expensive before they're ready to seriously contend, IMO.

In Saturday's non-televised game against the Texas Rangers, infielder Luis Urías exited early after injuring himself while running the bases. Reports came in quickly that Urías strained his left quadriceps muscle. After the game, manager Craig Counsell told reporters in Arizona that they'd know more about the severity of the injury come Sunday morning after some tests were performed. The results of those efforts ended up being that Urías will be out at least two weeks which puts his Opening Day start in jeopardy. If all that has you asking "Who's on Third?" and you respond to yourself with the classic "I Don't Know", you're in the right spot. I won't get into all of the why in this space today, but the immediate options as to who could play third for the Brewers until Urías returns to the lineup include last season's surprise Jace Peterson, new Brewer and natural third baseman Mike Brosseau (who was acquired via trade from the Tampa Bay Rays before the owners' lockout), and 2021's utility man and frequent optionee Pablo Reyes. The Brewers hope that they know what they've got in Peterson. He was a strong contributor at the plate when called upon in 2021, despite being available more than once to every other team in the league. If Peterson approximates the same level of offensive output in 2022, he'd be very viable as strong side of a platoon until Urías is ready. The soft side of that platoon would then come in the form of Brosseau who general manager Matt Arnold brought over in part because of his demonstrated ability to mash against left-handed pitching, an area of weakness for the Milwaukee offense last year. Backing them up -- likely at Triple-A Nashville to open the season unless the league decides to expand April rosters due to the shortness of this Spring Training -- would be Reyes. They're covered at the hot corner, is my point. Urías can take his time and make sure he's healthy before he gets back on the field.

I think a lot of people forget that Hiura has reverse splits. Counsell seemed to at times last year (though obviously he didn't) too. So if both are on the 26-man together, they could platoon at DH despite both hitting righty.

I think I also read that Soler has two opt outs like the Correa contract does.

I'm actually encouraged by Yelich saying his off-season was "normal" as opposed to "my back locked up again" or "I needed my knee cleaned up because it was bugging me." Normal in ballplayer speak usually just means uneventful. His work ethic is top notch by all accounts and the fact that he never lost confidence speaks well for his mentality also being in a good spot. Now we just have to hope that he stays healthy all year so he isn't constantly dealing with crap like he did in '20-'21. (And no, I'm not excusing all of his struggles by way of injury, but they played a part.)

In response to the original question, Taylor isn't suited to 1B. It negates the best parts of his defense which are accentuated in the outfield. He could learn it if he had to, but with the roster constructed as it is today, there are experienced options to give Tellez a blow. That said, adding a guy who can play some 1B as part of a broader defensive toolkit is certainly an option for Stearns, and one he's definitely considering. A guy like Wil Myers fits, for instance, if the Padres are willing to eat a good chunk of money after reportedly shopping him "aggressively." Obviously Luke Voit fits offensively, but having two guys on the roster who only play 1B isn't ideal, even with the DH in play.

The travel back from Pennsylvania for the April game isn't terrible for them. The stretch in September could be more worrisome depending on the standings at that time, but they'll be okay.

The biggest thing that Devin mentioned specifically is that only having the fastball and Airbender left him feeling pinned in certain counts. Having a "slutter" to give him something that moves glove-side will help him if he's able to command it at his standard level.

It's realistic to expect a little bit less success against LHPs, perhaps a touch more against RHPs, and possibly some impact if he's not playing in the field as much. Not everybody takes well to DH-only duties. It'll be worth watching how much he plays in the field early in the season, whether that looks to be affecting him at the plate, and how Counsell reacts to McCutchen adjusting to his new normal.

Brad Miller agreed to a deal with the Texas Rangers as just reported, so he's off the list.

The roster has enough players to be considered full right now. That said, any edge bat addition from here on in has to be able to play somewhere defensively. I'm not a Brad Miller fan (we tried that here once and it didn't go well) but a RHH option to pair with Rowdy at 1B could be a thing worth doing. Ideally that player could play a little 3B and/or corner OF as well.

Should be fun for engagement. I assume it's worked well elsewhere.

Those are excellent bribes.