Jake McKibbin

Woody will either sign a multiple year deal or be non tendered... What does everyone think is going to be the outcome?

It's been two and a half years since MLB tried to crack down on the sticky substances darkening pitchers' hands and firming up those hands' hold on the baseball. Corbin Burnes and his mind-boggling cutter were long suspected of being artificially enhanced that way. With his regression since the 2022 All-Star break, questions loomed. Now, however, it's time to prove once and for all that Spider Tack played no part in his success--something that should improve his value both in projected on-field performance next year, and on the hot stove. Image courtesy of © Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports Corbin Burnes is a top-tier, true ace of the rotation, having accumulated more than 200 strikeouts in each of the last three seasons. He pairs durability with the raw stuff of dreams. Grip enhancement or none, he is an outstanding pitcher and should be recognized as such. It’s not an open-and-shut case; there's certainly some ambiguity. However, it’s beginning to appear that Burnes’s success was not fueled by use of any illegal substance; the timelines don’t really match up. The Important Dates June 2021 - The initial crackdown Spin rates decreased quickly in June, but began to rebound as the season went on, particularly in September. That month, the average spin rate was 2,350 RPM, up from less than 2,250 RPM in July and August. It meant MLB had to do more to address the issue in 2022. They believed pitchers had found a way to circumvent checks later in the year, given the routine nature of the umpire’s checks April 2022 - The Updated Methodology New rules came in to begin 2022, allowing umpires to inspect more than just the glove, hat or belt, and instead inspect the pitcher's hand for any evidence of a stickier substance being there. It resulted in some protestations, but for the most part, it's cut down massively on the number of anomalies in the system and been key to evening the playing field. Did the crackdown work? In short, yes. Between Apr. 1, 2019 and May 31, 2021, there were 1,057 fastballs thrown with a spin rate of over 2,900 RPM. Over that time, the man notorious for many things (including his condemnation of pitchers using Spider Tack) Trevor Bauer led the league with 214 2,900+ RPM fastballs. From June 2021 through the start of 2023, this number dropped by 86 percent, to just 146 fastballs league-wide, and the league leader over that time is Trevor Rogers, with 12. It’s a stark contrast, and has resulted in a rise in batting average year on year, for the first time in decades. Corbin Burnes's Role in it All Burnes’s high-spin cutter, which pairs extreme velocity with above-average movement, has been devastating since he introduced it in 2020. He's demonstrated a supreme feel for spin that leavrs hitters confounded at the plate. It made sense why people would be suspicious of this unique offering coming as a result of Spider Tack. In line with the above dates mentioned, here are Burnes's split stat lines: Apr. 1, 2020-May 31, 2021: 2.21 ERA, 1.63 FIP, 13.75 K/9, 2.46 BB/9, 0.34 HR/9 Jun. 1, 2021-Sept. 30, 2021: 2.32 ERA, 1.73 FIP, 11.90 K/9, 2.08 BB/9, 0.32 HR/9 It’s clear to see that, after the initial crackdown during Burnes’s Cy Young year, there was hardly a dropoff at all. In fact, Burnes displayed improved command of his pitches. Given that there was a sag in MLB spin rates in June, July and August, you would expect some level of difference by this point. There was a decline in strikeout rate, but that could plausibly be more as a result of hitters getting a better look at his cutter and a better approach to it at the plate. Apr. 1, 2022-Jul. 15, 2022: 2.14 ERA, 2.90 FIP, 11.40 K/9, 2.30 BB/9, 0.95 HR/9 The underlying stats again show a total contempt for hitters. Burnes churned out quality start after quality start even amidst the extra attention to tacky substances. His home run rate did go up, and has been a concern for him in recent years, but that appears to be due more to his pitch mix, with everything working better down in the zone. It should be noted, too, that although his FIP increased substantially, he drastically outperformed his expected FIP in both 2020 and 2021, while he was actually slightly unlucky in 2022. Using these time periods, and his consistent performance throughout, it appears quite clear that Burnes was not enhancing his pitches illegally. However, if more evidence is needed, here are his spin rates compared to average: It’s all quite subtle, but his cutter actually moved more in 2022 than it did in 2021, and it’s also important to discount the 2019/2020 outliers (given the smaller sample sizes). There is a concern about the dropoff in 2023 that may be worth revisiting, but it should be noted that he also had a downtick in velocity in 2023 that marries up well with the reduced spin. In short, Burnes’s surface-level numbers, underlying performance metrics, and pitch movements demonstrate a consistency that belies the use of any unnatural substances to boost his performance. It means that he still has the Cy Young pitching ability in his arsenal, something he has shown in short spurts since the 2022 All-Star break. Knowing that he can still be the 2021 version of himself increases his value on the field and the trade market massively, and gives some enticing options to the Brewers front office. View full article

My bad, completely misread it, thought they were referring to him as a centerpiece for Burnes, evidently glanced over it! Certainly not calling people here stupid my friend, just an honest mistake

That's entirely fair, I actually didn't realise they were talking about him for Alonso too... it'll not happen, though I could see Morel being part of the equation.. I'm not saying he's not valuable, they're trying Morel at first I believe in winter leagues to get him some ability to get 500+ AB's per year, in which case he's a thirty home run guy with a large hole in his bat. Rowdy Tellez is kind of that already (I'm not saying he will be better 2024, but it is reasonable to call 2023 an outlier year for him). The Brewers will want middle infielders with bats, or starting pitching

It's actually the mention in the article rather than Matt's view! It also refers to Horton as potentially the best pitching prospect in baseball by next season

I'd also maybe disagree with this slightly given how much Horton developed towards the end of the season, especially his changeup. Six-seven years of Horton is fair in all likelihood, but the rivalry probably requires a little extra

I definitely can't see Morel being the center piece of this in any way mind, he's probably had a career year with that .821 OPS, but no defensive home limited him to just 1.2 WAR on the season. For Burnes, they'd need somewhere closer to top prospect capital, especially from the Cubs

Well this is fun having just written a handbook piece on it... the Cubs have a very intriguing farm system, and Horton is probably the jewel (for my money even more than PCA). I also wouldn't mind this trade at all if we got to raid their system, and Burnes left after a year, though that compensatory CBA pick would have to be factored into the deal value wise

Anderson intrigues me... he can hit, but it all depends on his mentality. The Brewers could be the perfect place to get more out of him however, it's a real 50/50 coin toss

Chourio with his first stolen base too, nabbing third. It almost seemed as if he wasn't being allowed to run

I feel the same way, I'm unsure if Mendez or Moore would make the big leagues, but they both have undeniable talent in there. Dunn does seem more big league ready at a level it's tough to see Mendez or Moore dominating next season. Dunn had his first full season in the minors last year and has shown burgeoning power coupled with a stroke to all fields, and quality defense (if not Turang level) at second base. I certainly wouldn't be surprised to see him kick on in Triple A and force an opportunity this year, but those strikeouts have to come down. Would be interesting to know if there were any specific pitches/strike zone areas he struggles with but I couldn't find any data on that unfortunately EDIT: Seems he has a particular issue with fastballs up and away from him. Apparently also has above average opposite field power, but also some varying reports now about the quality of his defensive acumen

This seems pretty apt, he does seem to be a late developer in a lot of ways, went very well with the Yankees Double A affiliate in 2022, Phillies acquired him in minor league rule V draft last season too. He's got the ability to drive a ball, and when he does connect it's good, however those strikeouts are worrying, and there wasn't much development in this area last season either. He does take his walks to mitigate a little, but biggest bonus is that as you say, he's not just a bat, he's above average defense at second base

Oliver Dunn is a breakout left-handed bat from the Phillies, playing second base and hitting .271 with 21 home runs, acquired in exchange for outfielder Hendry Mendez and infielder Robert Moore. Image courtesy of © Dave Nelson-USA TODAY Sports Oliver Dunn is coming off a season in which he has just won the breakthrough player award for Scottsdale in the Arizona Fall League, off the back of a year in which he slashed .271/.396/.506 for the Phillies Double-A affiliate. A patient bat results in a 27.5% strikeout rate, which will need to improve, but he's a high-end lottery ticket with a bat that could take off. Robert Moore and Hendry Mendez struggled in 2023, Moore with both bat and glove and Mendez regarding his power. Mendez is just 20 and could still grow into his potential, but the Brewers will feel they've gotten the better end of this transaction. The Brewers got into this deal due to the impending deadline for the Rule 5 draft, and the Phillies expected to lose Dunn at that point anyway, so both sides will be happy with what they've obtained. Dunn's profile has developed massively. However, it's important to note that at 25, he was old for Double-A and playing in a hitter-friendly park in Philadelphia. Keith Law, upon seeing him in the AFL, said, "All I saw Dunn do was hit, run, and work the count." He's competent at second base, with a smattering of time at third base, shortstop, and left field since turning professional, on top of being an above-average runner. His contact issues are concerning, and it remains to be seen if the Brewers see something they can work on in this area. He has power and a good eye at the plate with solid defensive chops. There's a lot to like here. On the other side of the coin, shortstop Robert Moore, the 72nd pick in 2022 with smooth fielding actions, never quite loved up to his potential in a Brewers uniform, albeit there is undeniable talent there. For someone of his speed, he is caught on the basepaths a little too often and recorded a .682 OPS in 123 games at High A Wisconsin, showing flashes of excellence with the glove but just not making the type of contact he or the Brewers hoped for. Mendez has potential, too, but he is another player the Brewers may have been hoping for more from by age 20. Currently playing in the winter leagues, Mendez got off to a hot start with the Brewers in the DSL but hasn't had an OPS over .700 since he came stateside in 2022. There would have been hope for him to progress on his five home runs as a 19-year-old in 2022, but he regressed in the power department. It's possible the Brewers saw both of these prospects struggling in double-A next year and figured they could get a long shot at a position where they would love a competent bat. We at Brewer Fanatic wish them all the best in their future careers and are incredibly excited to see what Oliver Dunn can do in Nashville and maybe Milwaukee next season. Law also said of Dunn at the Phillies: "I think they've got a big leaguer." View full article

The Brewers' top prospect is making some loud noise in one of the world's top winter leagues. More than ever, it feels like the team's 2024 hopes depend substantially on him, so this is worth close watching. Image courtesy of © Curt Hogg / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK Jackson Chourio is playing against professionals in a league generally compared to being similar to Triple A, but it doesn’t seem like anyone told him. Over his last eight games he's slashing an astounding .526/.697/1.223 and has shown exactly what Milwaukee can dream of next season. Alongside him, there are several other notable performances from Brewers prospects, one of whom may also be on the fringes of the 40-man roster next season. Chourio’s appearance this offseason was something of a surprise, given his full-season escapades in the Brewers minor leagues this year, and with very little to prove. As a youngster aged just 17 and 18, he played for Águilas del Zulia, so it stands to reason he may have pushed this to the Brewers front office, who permitted him to play 15 games for them. Here’s how he’s been getting on: The 12 Games So Far After a relatively unlucky start wherein he had just three hits across his first four games (all of which came in his debut), Chourio looked a bit weary. Many could be forgiven for thinking the rigors of a long season, combined with an experienced veteran league in which he struggled last season, would make this a tough ask. Laughing in the face of this thought, he’s currently sporting a 1.037 OPS, with just five strikeouts in 53 plate appearances. He's approaching a .500 on-base percentage. It’s truly remarkable, especially when you consider that, after a jaw-dropping 2022 season, Chourio hit just .256/.291/.354 last year in 21 games. This is not an easy league, and it shows just how much Chourio has improved in terms of his strike zone coverage. Last night’s game was, perhaps, his most raucous so far, as he went 3-5 with a double (smoked down the left-field line) and a triple whammed to the opposite field, highlighting both his plus-plus speed and the supreme bat speed that makes him such a coveted prospect. His athleticism just bursts off the screen. Here's another double in which every inch of his speed was needed: His power has been sufficient to clear the fences, too. To wit: a frozen rope that got out of here in a hurry: Are there any drawbacks? There have been some continuances from the regular minor-league season, in that (for all the incredible exit velocities) Chourio’s power hasn’t come to the fore quite so much as one would expect, with an ISO of .174 and five extra-base hits in total. It’s not to be sniffed at, but the propensity to chase pitches he can’t do damage on early and make poorer contact or hit ground balls seems to have migrated south with him. However, it should be noted that four of the extra-base hits have come in his last five games. He can elevate the ball with authority and regularity, it’s merely a pitch selection issue, which hopefully he can resolve quickly. He also doesn’t seem to have been permitted to steal bases--understandable, from the Brewers perspective, given the number of freak injuries they had on the basepaths this season (Keston Hiura, Garrett Mitchell, and Sal Frelick, to name but a few). Chourio has been a human highlight reel, and it’s uncertain at this point whether that will be played out over 15 or 20 games. That may be the biggest drawback: that he can't play more games down in Venezuela. More extra-base power would just add fuel to the fire, but in reality all you’d hope for is to finish his time unscathed and injury-free, with an offseason to further develop physically. At just 19 years old and listed at just 165 pounds, he has a lot of growth to come in this regard. Who else has been on show from the Brewers? Carlos D Rodriguez - .303/.411/.368 Rodriguez has continued where he left off in the minors, showing incredible bat-to-ball skills over his 19 games for Navegantes, and also some premium center-field defense, including a sensational catch to rob Chourio of extra bases earlier last week. The question (as always) with him is whether or not he can show more power, which at age 22 and just 5-foot-8 may be a pipe dream at this point. He can use his speed to leg out doubles and triples on occasion, and does have four extra-base hits so far in Venezuela, as well as 13 walks to just seven strikeouts. The Brewers eschewed their chance to add Rodríguez to the 40-man roster and protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, adding only Jeferson Quero and Bradley Blalock. The deadline isn't until Tuesday at 5 PM Central, though, so maybe Rodríguez will either be added at the last second or traded to a team who is willing to take that step and put him on their 40-man list. Hedbert Perez - .222/.222/.222 Injury curtailed Pérez just as he started to show some signs of accessing the power that made him a much-hyped prospect two years ago. At just 20 years old, he has significant strikeout worries, but has only gone down once so far in nine plate appearances. He showed up late, hence a relatively small sample size, but that represents a promising development for a player with a career ponche rate of significantly over 30 percent. His first start came on Sunday evening, and he recorded two hits from his five at-bats. Hopefully, he'll garner more playing time as the Venezuelan league comes to its conclusion. Does Chourio's outburst have you even more excited for his 2024 debut? It's hard to tell how much winter league success matters, but this can't be a bad thing. View full article

At 64 years old, Pat Murphy is getting his first managerial job. Immediately, we must wonder what the Brewers want from him. Is he a stopgap and a bridge, or did they just feel he's the best man for the job? And what kind of roster will he oversee? Image courtesy of © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Throughout the month of November, Brewer Fanatic releases its Offseason Handbook. This publication is funded by Brewer Fanatic Caretakers and is only available to Caretakers, who also receive ad-free browsing across Brewer Fanatic. During the publish period of the handbook, we are offering 25% off all Caretaker packages using the coupon code HANDBOOK. To become a supporter of Brewer Fanatic, click here. 100% of Caretaker funds are reinvested into the content creators of Brewer Fanatic. Please consider supporting the Brewers coverage we provide every day, 365 days a year. During the brief period in which the Brewers conducted a search for Craig Counsell's replacement, Matt Arnold commented that they were looking for “if you’re using the scouting scale, an 80 human.” In other words, personality was the biggest thing on their list, something Pat Murphy fills with abundance. He’s a much-beloved figure in the Brewers clubhouse, having been appointed in 2015 alongside Counsell to be his bench coach, and will avoid some of the distress and uncertainty that could come with a new face in the dugout. That being said, at almost 65 and with recent-ish health issues, there remains a question of how long he will keep going--a question made more compelling by the fact that his replacement as bench coach is Rickie Weeks. What Does Murphy Bring to the Table? With 35 years of experience around a baseball dugout, including 22 seasons as a collegiate head coach, Murphy became the youngest college baseball manager to reach 500 victories. Including four College World Series appearances. In 2010, he joined the San Diego Padres, taking up roles as a special assistant and minor-league coach throughout his tenure. He was named interim manager for the Padres after a midseason firing, going 42-54 before being let go and joining the Brewers as their bench coach. Murphy brings something many newer hires could not: an understanding of how to fill Craig Counsell’s job as close to the original as possible. He will obviously be making slightly different decisions, and will still have that initial pressure and scrutiny, but he knows the ins and outs of the organization intimately, including how much reliance to put on analytics, relative to his baseball instincts. We have also seen (such as with the St Louis Cardinals in 2023) how a different manager can destroy the clubhouse, something that derailed their season before it really got off the ground. Murphy will avoid all of that, providing a significant element of stability and comfort with every other staff member who stayed. Mark Attanasio said he could spend half an hour just listing the names of every person who had made the Brewers’ recent history so successful, and this gives the organization a chance to demonstrate that they have more than just Counsell to laud for their prolific success in close games. Is Rickie Weeks the Manager-in-Waiting? When Weeks’ name came up as a possibility for the managerial job, there was a lot of skepticism about him even being an option. Part of this is due to Weeks’ reluctance to change positions in 2014 to left field-- understandable, in some ways, as it would have severely impacted his value going into free agency, especially asking him to adjust mid-season. It does leave an imprint of a person who’s not so much of a team player, however right or wrong that may be. He also was a quiet, thoughtful type, which despite his vast community efforts could make him difficult to connect with from the fan base side. On Feb. 4, 2022, he was hired by Milwaukee as an assistant to the player-development staff, allowing him to see the inner workings of the whole Brewers system. He later obtained a promotion to special assistant to player development. It feels like his transition to bench coach is an attempt to groom him for the top job at some point in the next couple of years, while also providing a balance between the old-school baseball nous of Murphy and the fresher viewpoints of Weeks that can allow the Brewers to thrive on the field. It’s clear from the interview process that he’s someone the Brewers can see in a managerial capacity. There's one other distinct advantage brought by Weeks. Over the last two years, as an integral part of the player development structure, he will have been in and around the workings of, and potentially forming relationships with, the stars coming through the Brewers farm system, something that may be heavily leaned upon with Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, Joey Wiemer, Jackson Chourio, Jacob Misiorowski, Brice Turang, Tyler Black, Robert Gasser and more impacting the big-league team at some point this year. Understanding how these players work, and how they've developed could be a vital step in helping their transition to the majors go smoother than some of the Freshmen found it last year. Will Anything Change? Murphy may have less of an ability to push back against the front office than had Counsell. However, there have been certain trends in recent seasons that it will be interesting to see play out. One is the use of players with reverse platoon splits against pitchers against whom they’re historically weaker, and a stubbornness to admit that it wasn’t working. It saw an improper selection of at-bats going to players like Luke Voit, Brian Anderson, and (most notably) Keston Hiura over recent seasons, and it could be intriguing to see if this was a front office dictate or a Counsell predilection. It may also be intriguing to see whether or not some bullpen roles change, with Hoby Milner deployed often to face just three hitters and kept away from right-handed bats where possible, despite his ludicrous success in 2023, combined with the management of youngsters like Abner Uribe. Make no mistake: Murphy has a sizable task on his hands, whichever way the Brewers decide to go during the offseason. He must create an environment in which both old and new heads can thrive, particularly the likes of Misiorowski and Chourio when they arrive, while continuing to implement the statistical plans from the front office and developing a potential replacement. It’s a lot of responsibility. Time will tell how he handles it all, and how they start the season will be crucial to his success. At this point, it appears the answer is that Murphy is both exactly who the Brewers want to lead the team, while also potentially bridging a gap to a younger face with front office experience. What direction do you expect the front office to go for the rest of the winter, in light of this move? Do you view Murphy as a viable selection to sustain contention in 2024? Let's chat about this fascinating dual hire. View full article

That sounds good, but I think he'll be getting 12m AAV or so on the market so can't see him taking that unless he has an injury plagued season. He does get outs, and as you said, a solid back end starter, but that'd be awesome if they got him on that deal

I'd agree if he gets 120 IP but he's definitely more injury prone than I realised pre writing this. I think his ARB 3 number being low is exactly where his value comes from, in that for 120 innings he's worth 12-15m, and that brings the trade value.

Brewers pitcher Adrian Houser had a good 2023 season, pitching 111 ⅔ innings with a 4.12 ERA. Going into his final year of arbitration, Houser is estimated to receive a value of $5.6 million. Should the Brewers consider that a fair price for his services? If they traded him, what kind of haul could they get in return? Image courtesy of © Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports Whatever his warts, Adrian Houser has been reliable for quite some time for the Brewers. They know that they’ll get a large number of ground balls from him for their defense to eat up, and that occasionally, he'll get on hot streaks that can shut down even the most prolific offenses. His sinker is one of the best in baseball, but on the other hand, he’s historically struggled against left-handed batters, who own an .824 OPS against him in his career. Houser can oscillate in terms of quality throughout a season. What, exactly, should the Brewers do with him in 2024? What Houser Brings To The Table Houser has his aforementioned high-quality sinker, but he also showed significant improvement this year against lefthanders in his use of the four seam fastball, which he aimed up and in to prevent them leaning out over the plate to get on his sinker. They had an xBA of .180 and xSlg of .288, vastly better than the .282/.447 numbers on his two-seamer. Behind this, however, his curveball and changeup got destroyed, preventing him from accessing the full benefits of his modified arsenal. The changeup, in particular, saw a big downturn from its 2022 level of effectiveness, and is a worry going into next year. Houser has struggled to get through serious innings over the course of a season, too. He’s only pitched over 112 innings once, back in 2021, when he recorded 142. He won’t be able to be relied upon to make every start, and his injury-prone nature will affect his value. The Burnes Dilemma A potential trade of Corbin Burnes in the offseason has big repercussions for both the Brewers (generally) and Houser (specifically). He instantly becomes more valuable, as starting pitching will be at a premium in his absence, barring a strong Brewers presence in the free-agent starter market. They wanted to have seven or eight competent starters for depth going into 2023, and if they intend on competing, they may well need that same level of depth in 2024. Houser can provide versatility, with the capacity to move between the bullpen and the starting rotation, and allowing other non-optionable starting pitchers onto the 26-man roster. Burnes will be central to everything the Brewers do this offseason and have a mighty impact on their decisions regarding their goals for the 2024 season. Houser’s own role will depend heavily on this, as either someone who can get outs and get through a lineup, or someone that can give flexibility to the starting rotation if he remains in 2024--both of which would be more than worth his current contract should he remain injury-free. Sign and Trade? Baseball Trade Values estimates Houser has a surplus value of around $7 million, which could fetch some enticing prospects on the trade market. Up-and-coming players include: Conor Norby Second Baseman, Orioles - .290/.359/.483 at Triple A, with 21 home runs A powerful second baseman with solid fielding skills at the keystone, Norby could be tough to pry away from the tight Orioles front office, but with a packed infield and Jackson Holliday motoring through the minors, he may find himself redundant on a team in dire need of pitching. Roansy Contreras Starting Pitcher, Pirates - 6.59 ERA in 68 ⅓ innings Contreras struggled mightily last season, but his raw movement on every pitch (save the rarely-used changeup) is above-average, and the Pirates have a history of seeing pitchers go away and become better almost overnight, due to issues with their pitch mix and getting the most out of their spin rate. The Brewers could turn Contreras into a gem controllable for many years after a down year in 2023--but this all assumes the Pirates consider themselves ready to trade up and compete next season. That’s probably the most unlikely part of this deal. Gleyber Torres Second Baseman, Yankees - .273/.347/.453 The Yankees have spoken openly about their desire for Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe to be their middle infield going forward, which could make Torres expendable. His estimated $15-million contract brings that value on the market down somewhat, but this could be a very attractive option for the Brewers if they want to compete next season, particularly if Willy Adames gets traded and Brice Turang moves to shortstop. Torres has hit 49 home runs over the last two seasons, while not quite being as mobile as the Brewers would prefer defensively, but an .800 OPS would massively upgrade what they got from Turang last season. He also struck out at just a 14.6% clip, good enough for the 91st percentile in baseball. In short, Houser has enough trade value to assist the Brewers in obtaining either several lottery tickets, or some MLB-ready players, which could be something they look into for 2024 should they go down the route of a reset. Should The Brewers Pick Up His Contract Houser’s excess value on the trade market, combined with the uncertainty over the Brewers' own rotation needs coming into 2024, picking up this contract is a no-brainer. I would lean toward then trading him away, should a suitable offer come in from some team who needs starting pitching depth, but the Brewers would be okay with rejecting subpar offers and taking a $5.6-million contract into 2024 and hoping for 120 innings of solid work. What would you do with Houser? How can the Brewers best fill out their rotation, and sustain depth, while addressing their needs this winter? View full article

Freddy peralta on his current cotract is worth an absolute fortune. Easily comparable with a high end prospect at least, such as Jordan lawlar plus one other, or even in the realms of a junior Caminero potentially (although the Rays wouldn't do that) Certainly brings you either a top 5-10 prospect in baseball, or multiple top 50 players

Yeah I think the Brewers have talked openly in the past about how no-one is untradeable, and they'll always have to take calls, but that certainly doesn't imply they want to sell them. And to be fair to Arnold, every deal so far he's been on the winning side of, and again I could quote the Brewers as saying something along the lines of trying to get the better part of every trade in their eyes at the time