Cutting off four percent on swings outside the strike zone is enormous, particularly throughout an entire season. By not chasing those pitches, hitters can enjoy numerous benefits within a plate appearance.
You forgot the qualifier—provided that Angel Hernandez is not calling balls and strikes… 😉
The cost increases are permeating most every aspect of professional baseball, including spring training. I cannot imagine what playoff tickets will be going for at the current trajectory of ballpark admittance. MLB Extra Innings remains a pretty substantial bargain, thank goodness.
It’s still possible to be a Brewers fan attending live events-have fun by going to one of their minor league affiliates’ games. Of course it might just be a matter of time before that outlet no longer becomes affordable for a family of four, either.
At the end of your post you touched on what I believe is the crux of his turnaround-his health. With a back that seems to be in much better shape than the past couple of seasons that should translate, along with pitch selection, into a more productive season!
I was not aware of the ramifications of the Competitive Balance pick, and I admit to being clueless about analytics. What you have said makes sense to me now-thanks.
It’s not as though the Orioles would not gain an elite player in Devin. If they are going to make a run to the Series, there can never be enough first-class arms.
So far I have yet to hear about where Mayo ranks as a defender at the hot corner. One only needs to look a at a trade the Milwaukee Bucks made when they acquired Damian Lillard. Instant offense (most of the time), but the defensive vacuum created by the loss of Jrue Holiday has arguably made the Bucks worse, not better.
I hope the corollary makes a bit of sense...
Seeing your last sentence-that's where I was going with Hader. He was approaching a point in his career where he would command too much for the team’s budget.
The Brewers have had a history of selling low, and one does not have to go very far back to see that. For example, if Josh Hader had been traded even one year earlier the return would have, IMO, been far greater than what actually transpired.
This is the time to capitalize on an opportunity, and the Yankees have proven that a team will go all in, even if the player it seeks is currently a one-year rental.
There’s another reason I am proposing Wiemer at first, but from an entirely different perspective. Ever since the days of Doug Melvin I have never felt there has been a consistent long-term plan for the team. Go veteran, or explore the possibilities within the farm system? Perhaps this is the time-even at the risk of not making the playoffs in 2024-to go all in with the latter strategy, especially if Corbin, Willy, and/or Devin are traded. There should be a fairly substantial haul of prospects from those transactions.
If the Brew Crew keeps Wiemer what would the chances be (slim and none, perhaps) to consider him at first base? He does have great reflexes and leaping ability. On top of that he has more of the prototypical build than Yelich for the position. I realize he has no previous experience there!
I’m ready for the incoming messages that are sure to follow… ;-)
How about an even wilder choice than Rosenthal proposes? That candidate certainly would have to command respect from everyone in the clubhouse, and be able to communicate bi-lingually with the roster. Most importantly, he would have to have an intimate knowledge of the pacing of the game, particularly with respect to the handling of the pitching staff.
My out-of- left-field nomination is therefore-drum roll-Yadier Molina (if he can see himself outside of the Cardinals' organization)!