BrewerFan

Ok...it can be for less than Mis would get at a comparable point in their careers, but Mis isn't at that point. He's hopefully a year away from that point. I guess I just disagree. An Ashby or Peralta-type deal for Uribe is a relatively safe offer at this point. He's a reliever. We also weren't sure what Ashby was(still aren't) at the time of that extension. 6 years and ~25M for a guy with THAT type of stuff who's already shown how dominant he can be, I feel like you're buying early on a stock that's only going up. I guess I'm just not quite as risk adverse to giving a reliever an extension if I think they're unique type talents...

Well...we know a couple of pitchers the Brewers didn't offer contract extensions to(at least from 2020 through now). One of them is now in Baltimore at the moment. Just off the top of my head, along with the 10 players from the last two years, Austin Riley and Sean Murphy should also be on that list. Players like financial security. The question also is less who will accept one and more who should they TRY to sign next.

No, of course not...but I think there could be some value from Dame being "the guy," for a couple of games. He's seemed just a bit too tentative all year. His big game tonight was huge. I want Giannis back if he's healthy, but I think this could be a 5-7 day stretch that it MIGHT be good for the team to play without him(though I suspect he'll be back tomorrow).

If Guerendo is a top-10 back, then this is a bad RB class...especially over a guy like Ray Davis who you didn't have listed. I DO see that Benson is just a few spots ahead of him at 134, so I wouldn't put much stock in that. That's also the site that didn't have a draftable grade on Dillon. And Wright was 54th going into the combine on PFF?

Anyone watch the Badgers close enough to have a strong opinion on him? An athlete like is what we need at Center, but I don't know how good he really is. I thought he looked pretty good at times last year, but I probably watched him specifically for 10 snaps. See a nice hole, rewind, and see the blocking.

I thought it was kinda a running joke. If the Packers interviewed them, they weren't going to take them. Then I think '22 they interviewed Wyatt, Watson, guys like Pickens and...I don't recall exactly who else, but it was more top 60 talent and then players they drafted than they previously had. Now they might just be trying to keep you guessing! Well...Hafley said he'd coach up whoever was out there. I'd love to see the Packers take Fuaga, then trade back up and take Worthy in the first round...if for no other reason than I wouldn't have to hear what the Packers WON'T do. Though taking a WR when they really don't need one would be about the most Packers pick yet. Suamatia does seem like a "Packers pick." Extremely athletic, versatile. He and Morgan are pretty similar in that regard. Suamatia was in some of the "way too early" mocks in the top 5-10. Draft crushes and predicting the Packers are both mostly fools errands, but if they were to get a defensive player in Rd1(Cooper, DeJean...trade up maybe for Mitchell)...there are 3-4 guys who are obvious Packers-type picks in Rd2. Barton, Morgan...again, Suamatia. We're also all looking at this through a pre-free agency lens.

I was talking about BEFORE the combine. There's no world I take anyone seriously who had Guerendo top 10 before(and I'm still not sure I'd take them seriously after). And nobody had Jaylen Wright near 54 before this past weekend. He was ~115 with a 4th-grade grade on most sites. I also forgot about Benson. Even Estime is ~100th on most rankings. So the point is the top of the class was always perceived to be weak which, IMO, then makes people say the RB class is weak.

It's still Alt for me. I watched Walker, so while PFF is a decent source, he had so much help that it took Aaron Jones out of the passing game too often(though it worked in Dallas). Of course, the only position you give up 2 1sts PLUS your 2nds for would be a QB. But in this exercise, Joe Alt is still my favorite player in this class...that I think the Packers actually need. If I'm proven wrong and the issues that plagued Walker at PSU don't crop back up and he continues to ascend, then you could move Tom to Center and three most important positions on the OL would be set. I've also said I believe MLF and Rodgers, now Love, really help the OL out. They get the ball out so quickly and their PA game is so good, the other teams edges are seldom just pinning their ears back. So that, the double teams, I just don't put a lot of stock in that ranking. He(and the OL as a whole) really improved from Oct...and they're just not giving up that draft capital anyway. I don't think he was ever you HOPED Alt could become though. I think if you put in there straight off the draft, he'd be an immediate and significant upgrade...and that's not even addressing the run which is a weakness with Walker. You hope Alt is going to be an All-Pro. Walker was graded as an above-average OT for half the season...with help and a lot of quick throws(though again, he clearly did improve). On to more realistic moves though, A 3rd to move up to ~20 though could be interesting. DeJean may end up being there at 25 if he doesn't workout though...and he's that physical ball-hawk we need. Mitchell impressed at his Sr Bowl appearance. One more OL. Tyler Guyton, according to scouts/draft experts, has the highest upside of any OT in this draft AFTER Alt. It's a year later and Brooks surpassed all expectations, but he's another guy who might really benefit from playing more 1-gap. I don't recall the source, but it talked about how Brooks was a much more effective pass rusher and run defender when he played outside. I think that Niche role you talked about could grow. Line him up more as a 6 tech in some odd fronts and he may not be a true edge, but there could be more production yet to come. Meanwhile Wooden, the guy who looks like an edge, he performed better playing inside. Both had really nice rookie seasons(especially for going in rds 6 and 4 respectively) but hopefully with a DC who's more willing to play to his personell's strengths, there's more to their game yet.

No, I don't think it's crazy. If you were absolutely certain this guy would be Randy Moss, but even better as a "possession" WR, then...it'd probably be an appropriate value. I'm also with you on Fuaga. He's a mauler and many think his pass-blocking is underrated. Just physically dominating, but needs to refine his technique(most OTs coming out do, Wright last year was one of the few who was really-really refined). I'm stubborn though. If I was going to go all Madden and trade all that draft capital(and then not have a 1st when the draft is hosted at GB...which MIGHT actually be a tiny factor) it'd still be for Joe Alt.

I can't watch a game with my Dad anymore. Anytime I talk to him about the Bucks or... god-forbid watch a game with the Bucks, I hear how his HS coach taught him to "follow your shot," and that's what good teams do! Yeah, you'll probably get a couple extra rebounds...and when you DON'T get the rebound, they're in transition, and they've got a good shot in the first 6-8 seconds of the shot clock! I loved Doc saying he doesn't have a "system per-say, it's just about ball movement and connectivity." We've watched SOOO much Bucks basketball, even when they were winning when you see 4 guys standing around and one guy dribbling. If they get in trouble, maybe someone cuts, but the ball movement has been so-so much better. Apparently, Pat Bev told Dame he needs to shoot the ball now like he has been. Take those 34-foot shots that he's going to take in the playoffs. Dame kinda deferred and said he'd take them when he needed to, ie, the post-season...and Pat Bev said, "no, we need you to take those now so the guys can learn to play off it, see how the ball comes off when you miss, the long rebounds." Don't remember if that was mentioned on the broadcast or not, but I've long admired Pat Bev, but he really is a team guy. And man, he would piss me off if I competed against him in any sport! He loves to just get in guys' heads and get them off their games. It's a thing of beauty!

I think this will push him up the board between 25 and 41(if not earlier). Watson changes the game and opens up the offense so much when he's on the field, IF Worthy did happen to fall into the 2nd, down to the 50s it'd be an interesting decision. Add to an already-loaded position group to protect against Watson's injuries, or go after a bigger need. That's why I think that's the position they'll aggressively pursue in free agency. Xavier McKinney would be a...perfect fit. He's young, 24-years-old. He'd be able to grow and develop with this group, and he is coming off an All-Pro caliber season. He really fits the type of safety Hafley was describing in his presser. He can play CF, cover a ton of ground, he's a really good tackler coming up, can play in the box. He's not going to amaze people, but I think he could have an Adrian Amos-type impact(while being better in coverage). Dugger or Kurl are also really interesting options for that Big Nickel 3 safety formation. I just don't see enough safety talent to try and go get 3 guys in this draft and then hope they contribute this year. That could also mean Savage is back. I think they'll draft 3-4 DBs, 2-3 OL, a LBer or 2(likely one "LBer" will be a big safety). The only thing remarkable about this safety class is it seems to have more big, physical, in the box type safeties and fewer really good athletes who can play single high. So that's why McKinney would be a perfect signing for them. Spotrac projects his market value to be at 5/53M It projects Winfield's to be at ~5/90 I love Winfield...and Budda who I thought would be a FA(Still could be traded, likely for a 4th-5th if so) but this just sounds too similar to what Hafley was asking for and again, 24, he can grow with this team over the next 3-4 years; I think we'll hear a report about them agreeing to terms on the 13th. Again, Jordan Fuller, Whitehead may be backup plans. Devin White could be a guy on a one year "prove it" deal...but I don't think that'd be as impactful of a signing at this point.

You watch any Ray Davis from UK? That kid reminds me a lot of Jones. Shorter, great vision, quickness. Doesn't have great high end speed, but enough(4.52). And he's a good pass catcher. Re'Mahn Davis, Ray Davis... Blake Watson isn't an every-down back, but I like him as well. I think it's a good RB class, but people generally seem to deem it a good or bad class based on the top-end talent. This class, the top backs are...Brooks, injured. And then? Shipley? He's not an every-down back. Bucky Irvin is up there, but he's also not a complete back, but could be a great supplemental player in our offense. Seems like a late 2, early 3 though. Rd 4-5 might be an area where you can find a lot of talent.

All fair points. I'm just looking at where I think prices will go for dominant BP arms that I think Uribe is...a near lock if healthy to become. The one point, that'd be more than Edwin Diaz made...technically, but if you adjust the minimum salaries, Diaz makes more. And I'd also say if you were looking at closer salaries 6-8 years ago, two guys making 100M and 20 AAV would have sounded absurd. So...I think there's more upside to it than you're inferring and then the option to keep him is...huge. But I guess it comes down to betting on Uribe reaching his upside vs the downside.

Again, agree. Now that the Packers have a little money and we know they're itching to upgrade the RB room, which deal would you do, a 2/8 for a good back who's got some potential, but hasn't been a star, or would you rather go 3/27 with 10M GTD for a guy like Barkley? Go for the HR and the big-time difference maker? I'm kinda comparing Gibson and Barkley, but that's because I'm a fan of Gibson, but you can make Pollard or whoever the cheaper one. Barkley is the type of guy who could still have a 2000-yard-type season(from scrimmage) and carry you. I think it's still POSSIBLE you get a CMIII type season from Saquan...or, for that matter, a 1200 yard season from Henry as he just keeps defying the offs physically.

I think you want to do both...BUT this year is a unique year in which there are so many proven RBs who are still just 24-26. That's why I'm saying Antonio Gibson. Fits this offense like a glove as the motion man. Could easily have him and Jones on the field at the same time, he's a slasher. He can lineup at WR. And because Washington turned the RB job over to Robinson, Gibson is coming off a couple mediocre type years. I think he comes to GB and rushes for 500 yards, up to 900 if Jones misses time and he'll give you 35 catches and 400 yards out of the backfield. He can handle a lot of the jet sweeps, or fake jet sweeps and then hit him on the wheel route...and he can block. BUT, I don't think you ignore RB, I just think it allows you to wait for a RB. If Bucky Irvin if there at 126, then it's an easy call. HR speed, could be a Mossert type back in this offense...but you also don't have to go get him at pick 88. So yeah, I'd agree with you. I wouldn't spend more than 4-5M for a year or commit more than ~10M total to a player though.

Oh, and by the way, @reillymcshaneasked a hypothetical question taking our 1st 3 picks and using the old chart to see what their trade-up value was. The top 3 picks got us up to #7. I said I'd take Alt there. I THINK #25 and #58 got us up to #15...and I said there wasn't a player there I thought was worth it for us to move up for. If you move up, it should be a player you love AND is a big need(see Jaire). Well...Holy Toledo! Quinyon Mitchell has changed my mind...a bit. He's ~6 200LB, he's physical, and a good tackler. The scouting reports say he's more of a zone CB, but 4.33 says otherwise. He didn't do the agility testing and the Packers do emphasize that over just pure speed, but his splits were outstanding, he's long, and he's explosive(38 vertical). In this mock, I DID have to part with a future 2nd and a 4th(but I got back a 5 and a couple 7s). Obviously an unrealistic trading guide, but...it's draft season, I'm bored, I don't care. These are the players are I want. DeJean went ONE spot ahead of Guyton. That...would have been interesting. Then my other two favorites, Jahiem Bell and Amegadjie, the uber-talented LT(who can play Guard) from Yale. But I'd be very happy with this. (Not in the picture...picks 245 and 250 which were; Renardo Green and Nathaniel Watson. Watson is a really nice backup MLBer, good size, speed. Don't know much else. Watch FSU, so Renardo Green being available past rd 4 is stupid. He's a top ~100 player...but he IS also an ideal fit for GB. He's long, he plays sticky coverage, is a slot, and he's tough). I got a few of my main draft crushes. Guyton. Cooper obviously. Blake Fischer is a better run blocking version of Rasheed Walker. He was the starting LT at ND and a 5-star recruit. Then this TE moved to OT, beat him out and he started at RT the last two years(Alt was the TE who beat him out). But he has Day1 upside...just not sure what's up with him. Inconsistent. Bullard is not ideal, but I think we sign a marquee FA safety. Fiske is just a stud and too good to pass up. He had an outstanding combine. I know @CheezWizHedthinks it's too many, but I'd start with a DL of Gary, LVN, Smith, Wooden, Clark, Wyatt, Brooks, Slaton and Fiske and just let Hafley play with multiple fronts. Carlies is a WLB. I think he's 6'2 230. He's a Tariq Carpenter type(much more physical, but a STer and a flier). Blake Watson is a very Aaron Jones-esque type back. Doubt he has the leg strength or runs as physically, but he's versatile. Spann-Ford is just a 3rd blocking TE who I think is really underrated as a pass catcher. BUT, you get a starting CB in Mitchell, a easy starting MLBer in Cooper. Guyton competes at both OT spots. Keep the heat on Walker and if Guyton is as good as people say, he'll either beat Walker out, or they'll have to move Tom to C/G to keep the best 5. Fischer, he'd compete at RG and RT right away.

Man, I've heard a lot of KSU fans talking about him, but I did not think he was this type of athlete. My two TE crushes have been Jahiem Bell who is more of an H-Back, but he's played RB, WR, FB...everything...and just LOOK at how he tracks the deep ball at ~1:00 in. He looks like DK Metcalf! My other was Jared Wiley out of TCU. Nearly 6'7, 260, but a mean, physical blocker who can also get down the seem. But Sinnott was portrayed as a receiver only, a sure handed, smart player, but not this ELITE athlete! I think I still lean toward a Theo Warren or Wiley as I have a little trouble seeing them using a pick on a luxury, an athletic TE who can block...but I'm sticking with Bell. I could see him going at 126 or the Packers moving up for him. FINALLY filling that Deguara role with an absolute animal.

It's guaranteeing him 25M dollars and it's over 6, then the Brewers would retain the options. And yeah, I think so. Peralta and Ashby took less. Maybe he doesn't accept it, but it's a pretty reasonable offer. You're giving him financial security. He's not a pitcher without risk. Emanuel Clase just took a very similar deal(though before two pitchers got ~9 figures in Free Agency, so the price may have gone up). He'll make ~2.2M the next 3 years. That's roughly 23M for the last 3 years of arbitration and then a couple of team options. He'd do that because he's not yet made anything. Maybe he gets a 2M signing bonus? Maybe just to ensure no matter what happens, he makes 25M dollars? IDK, I feel like you can always ask these guys why they took the deals they took. The Acuna Jr, Albies, Peralta(as on and on) type players, but it's likely easier for us to project out how much they COULD make if things went right than it is for the players to turn down life-changing money. Lucroy WAS offered and signed a contract extension at pretty much the exact same age as Lucroy. And it's not a "new" contract, it'd be when his extension starts. Lucroys went through age 31, Contreas here, hypothetically would go through age 32. Having the extra years of team control with Lucroy led to the Brewers getting a top-20 prospect where they would have otherwise watched him walk for nothing. They turned down Lucroy who wanted an extension on TOP of that, but that's not what we're talking about here. We're talking about buying out his remaining team control and adding a year or two(with 4 years left, likely two years) of team control. Not the Ryan Braun extension years out. The Brewers don't offer 30-year-old FA's contracts usually because you end up paying them through their 30s and their decline...but in this case, you're not doing that at all. You're simply tacking on a couple of years of team control for financial security. I'm not sure how the Brewers have flatly refused to offer these types of players extensions. What's the worst-case scenario in signing him to an Ashby/Peralta-type extension? Ashby? 6 years 25M. He has TJ surgery and you've got a guy making 4-5M in the middle of the deal unavailable? That's one year of Yelich. What's the upside? He becomes a truly dominant reliever and now in 3-4-5 years if you have a bunch of BP arms, his contract is that much more valuable, OR they don't have to trade their closer in a playoff race because they're worried about losing him for nothing. Contrast that to what we've seen with Hader and now Williams? 5/100M dollar extensions and you got a lot less for him when you traded him than you'd have otherwise gotten...and now we're talking about trading Williams. I guess I'll just have to agree to disagree here. The guy is an Clase type arm and that justifies a deal that...at that price would be extremely team-friendly. I gotta say, for the people who think Uribe is too risky, you HAVE to think Misiorowski is too risky as well...right?

Maybe. Or maybe Wilson is that guy? He's a big back at 230. I saw someone with a pretty large account declare definitively he's "now a boundary CB." A few posts later he'd said he had watch much of his tape. If you're going to write articles or present yoursrelf as some type of Twitter Mel Kiper Jr, then watch the tape. Otherwise admit you're like the rest of us and save for a few guys, you don't watch these prospects enough to be making these absolute statements. DeJean seems like he can cover, play the run AND Cover. Just because he's physical enough to play the run and hit like a LBer doesn't take away from what he did outside. Wish he could have participated in the combine, but you still have a whole lot of tape to go off of and you KNOW the guy can play.

I like the analogies But I also see why people like Walker as a WLB. There's more freedom there and you can use your athletic ability a little more without having to sift through the wash. More running, reacting, less reading the play. But that assumes you have drafted another big, athletic LBer who can play SLBer. There may only be a couple in this draft class. Jaden Hicks is still a guy I think makes the transition to WLBer. Could be a demon on STs, they could also play a big nickel with him, Walker and another LBer on the field. That tweener(Jaylon Carlies is apparently another, as is James Williams, a really interesting player in this draft). Fewer LBers and more just versatile players...which again, Hafley talked about wanting a "positionless defense." Presumably so you don't have a lot of pre-snap movement and you can matchup with the motion without your own pre-snap movement.

I think so. If you have a guy who demands double teams, then you're making the game that much easier for the rest of the front 7. Again, not that Sweat is Vita Vea, but...take him for example. He makes it SO difficult to run on TB. They also have a great LBer in David and then White is an overrated LBer, but he's so fast, he can be effective vs teams that try to run outside. I also really don't think Sweat is just a run stuffer. He's not Slaton as a pass rusher. And Clark is more than fine in that role. Slaton is also fine in that role. They're both pending FAs and we've also relied far-far too much on Clark in the past. It's just too important of a position to wait until it's a pressing need. Then you're kinda SOL. Philly had a great DL, they still drafted Jordan Davis and then drafted Jevon Carter. I also don't think 6 is too many to keep at DT. Especially not with guys like Wooden in particular who can play Edge. Wyatt would be another guy who can play there. And to reiterate, I don't think this is a "need," or that they'll take a DT, but I do think it's a position they should always consider. I also agree it'll help Wyatt and Brooks against the run. Wooden is already pretty solid vs the run, but obviously 1 gap is going to make things easier for him. I think this makes a lot of sense actually. It frees Walker up in the base to blitz more, maybe play in space a little more than the SLB. Plus, with so many teams now running that outside zone scheme and the Shanahan offense, he's there to clean up and fill in those cutback lanes. McDuffie is more physical. As for who we'll draft at LBer...I know about Cooper, the seemingly #1 overall off-ball in this class and then Peyton Wilson. I think Wilson is really good, really tough and an incredible athlete. He reminds me of Campbell in Detroit. Those are the only guys I've really watched, Wilson because of his Wrestling background, I've long been a fan. ~6'5, 235, 4.43 40? I thought he had pretty questionable medicals though. I'm not nearly as concerned with getting a guy who fits the prototype of a 43 MLBer as I am just getting another athlete similar to Walker as...again, we'll be in nickel more. More physical as you still have to stop the run to get into your sub package, but there are a lot of guys it seems fit that role. Trevin Knight from Kentucky is a big thumper who can run(240-something). Ty'Ron Hooper from Missouri. I read one scout say he could be a Bolton type LBer...but that he'd get washed away in a 2-gap scheme. I honestly don't get that entirely as you'll still have to take on blockers, but I guess he was saying if you can just get him downhill, he'll do well. Colson from Michigan, Eichenberg from OSU(we got to see a little of him). Grey from UNC you've heard about for a couple years. He seems like a versatile LBer. Trotter from Clemson? Can't see him as a MLber, more WLB, but he's a helluva athlete. Then Jaylan Ford...I did get to see some of him watching just a little Sweat and Murphy. He looks like the real deal as well. I'd say Cooper from 25-41(maybe move up from ~41 to 33 or so?). Wilson #58 Ford, maybe you move up to the start of day 3? Hackett from Miss St. He could very easily be a guy they take in Rd 5 with a Supp pick. Not to be their other starter, but to be depth and then a STs player. Yup. I totally agree. I'd generally be against spending in Free Agency on a RB, but I think Antonio Gibson is a really under the radar type guy who runs hard and you can lineup at WRer. The problem is...Gutekunst seems to have a different opinion. He seems to like that big battering back. I also may be unfair to BA. He does run hard and I like him. I don't want to see it, but a team like the Lions? He'd thrive there. More downhill, Iso blocking schemes. Too much of the Packers run game is East and West, Counters. With the landmarks that are part of the ZBS, you run to a spot, then look for a hole(effectively). I like quicker backs with great patience and vision. We'll see. Maybe Gutey puts Emanuel Wilson in that group of power backs?

So I'm alone on the Uribe train? I guess I was just looking at his upside, his signing bonus and just how insanely filthy his stuff is and thought it'd be nice to lock up a reliever so that we're not going to start talking about dealing 2-3 years after he starts to dominate. Quero is the most obvious...I just didn't have him next because I think he'll spend most if not all of this year in the minors. Misiorowski...same thing, but this dude is just silly with his stuff. He's a guy I'd be stupid and sign right NOW to an 8-year deal with some options and I don't think he's ready and that he should be up until maybe late this year. But his upside is so high, even with the risk, I'd love to see it. They obviously won't do that and even when he's ready, they'd likely wait until he's pitched a bit. Wiemer is one I'd do right now...but obviously not for anything close to what Chourio got. It'd have to be closer to Lucroy than Chourio. I just don't see a huge risk and there is massive upside.

Of course, Chourio is an outlier. I think most people were pretty happy when he signed and a lot of us were hoping they'd lock him up early, but I'm just throwing out those numbers as it pertains to the other young players. I also agree, Quero is about a year behind Chourio just due to the difficulty of playing catcher and the fact that the only real option to get him into the lineup is to DH Contreras. That'd make sense if he was the defensive catcher he was in ATL, but he's made huge strides. I think he's more likely to get called up this year if there's an injury to Contreras and then you have a much better idea what an extension should look like. As for Uribe and Ashby...I don't know, I don't think when they signed Ashby they knew he was a starter(I still don't think they know). Just that he had an electric arm. And sure, relievers are volatile and Uribe could VERY easily pitch his way down to AAA this year if he struggles. But to buyout his arbitration years for 20.5M? That's a deal I'd make, even for a reliever. His stuff is just too dominant and I love his makeup. I'm looking at it as a best case, worse case, most likely case and what he'd make in each. Best case, he's an Clause-type reliever, the Brewers will end up trading him in ~5 years for a haul, but during those 5 years, he'll be a dominant, overpowering BP arm. The worst case is always he gets hurt and he's never effective again. The floor is much lower with pitchers. Chourio can hit WAY below expectations and still provide value...as Wiemer, Mitchell or Frelick have done(even Turang). I think the most likely case is that he's going to be the anchor of our BP for a long time. I also think that's a guy who's just built for pitching in those high-impact moments. We all talk about how overrated closer is...and I agree to a point. But some guys just do better dealing with that pressure and I believe he's one of them. Finally, when Ashby signed, I think the most a reliever had ever gotten was the Wade Davis 3/54 deal with Col. I'm not positive about that, but you're seeing guys like Diaz and Hader both getting ~100M. So even if they paid Ashby as a starter, I'm still fine with Uribe besting that. On the other hand, we've also signed guys to deals that have been shockingly low like Lucroy. So if they can get it done for less, awesome.

I've always been of the opinion that signing a standout young player early on makes the most sense. There's obviously risk involved. We offered a contract to Hiura IIRC. To look at the upside, simply look at the Atlanta Braves, a team that's locked up Strider, Acuna Jr, Albies, Harris Jr, Riley, Murphy, all signed to below-market deals that give them cost certainty and lock them in through their ages ~33-34 seasons. So through their prime years. The downside is you're stuck with a player like Hiura and you're paying him 6-8M a year(a reasonable deal would have been in the 6/45M range). That's something you can certainly overcome. So with Chourio a Brewer for the next 8 years, who should we be looking at next? IMO, I'd target Abner Uribe. We had to move off Hader while he was still among the most dominant relievers in the game. We'll likely trade Devin Williams this year or next. So I'd look at the last two contracts we handed out to pitchers...guys with really good stuff, but murky futures at the time regarding their futures as a starters, vs being relegated to the pen. Ashby has not been worth it at this pont. But even if he's never the Ashby we all hoped would anchor the rotation, the deals collectively more than makeup for any setbacks Ashby has had. Peralta-5/15.5M with 2 TOs for 8M a year Aaron Ashby 5/20.5 with TOs for 9 and 13M I'd offer Uribe 6 years, 24M with 2 TOs for 10M each. The injury risk is obvious, it is with every pitcher. His command and control are issues. BUT, his upside is as high as Hader and Williams. He showed last year he can dominate big-league hitters. That hasn't been a question. Now it's an issue of consistency...but if you get too far down that road, the price is going to go up significantly. Wily Contreras- He has 4 years left of team control, one year before he hits arbitration. I'd say 5/60M with 2 TOs at 15 and 18M with a buyout worth 6M would be a reasonable starting point. You buy out three years of free agency. And while you may say we have Jefferson Quero, why extend Contreras, the proverbial "bird in the hand," argument comes to mind. Right now he's our best hitter...BUT if Quero fulfills the potential he's shown, he's got a great deal more trade value in 3-4 years. -Frelick-I think he brings energy, his versatility and bat-to-ball skills really limit his floor. The other argument is that he doesn't have the upside others have. I'd put this as less likely to happen given his 1st round status and the fact that there's less room for the Brewers to find excess value. I'd look at 6/40 with TOs, but not sure if he would go for that. -Wiemer His upside is so enormous that I think if you gave him a 6/40 deal with 2 TOs for 14/18M and an 8M buyout, you're probably going to get your value back just from his defense, his base running and his power. That's assuming he doesn't reach his full potential and become the .250/.350/.550 hitter that he's more than capable of becoming. He was also a 4th rd pick, so he didn't get a large bonus. I think I'm probably higher on both, but when you have a base where you can play elite defense and bring that type of energy to the team, they both have exceptional throwing arms(Frelick's was underrated). So I just see upside with both of these players. Candidates after this year...assuming they answer some questions about weaknesses in their games while continuing to excel at their respective strengths(clearly not all at the same prices). -Tyler Black -If he can show he can play a passable 3B/2B and get on base at a good clip. -Joey Ortiz- He can hit ~.270, maybe not with a ton of power, but he can play SS like Turang. -DL Hall-This one would have to be very team-friendly...along the lines of Peralta/Ashby and he just has to stay healthy. -Turang-He was outstanding defensively, but taking the most defensive hacks I've seen later last year. He can hit. If he's a .250/.330/.380 hitter, he's going to have a good amount of value with his speed and glove. None of the players after Uribe and Contreras appear to be prime extension candidates at the moment, but with the 2nd/3rd best farm system in baseball, this is an issue that HOPEFULLY will become more pressing as the next couple of years pass. Hopefully, as Jefferson Quero becomes a top 10 prospect, Brock Wilken, Luke Adams, etc... I LOVE what they did with Chourio and it was something many of us, myself included spent all last year hoping they would do early on in his career. They were even more aggressive than most of us hoped. I hope that's a sign of things to come...but Chourio is an outlier, so time will tell. Not every prospect is going to take that money early in their careers. But I think it's an area the Brewers can...not "level," the playing field. Not with 700M dollar deals being given out, but it's an area that they can use to extend their window with each respective prospect and help mitigate their small market standing. I suspect their willingness or reluctance to do this will hinge on Chourio's success. If he turns into the superstar we all believe he can be, I think they'll be more open to extending these young prospects coming up(though likely not quite as early or for as much as Jackson got). Thoughts? Abner Uribe contract extension? Contreras? I excluded Adames for obvious reasons. You're paying much closer to the fair market value at this point and the "upside," there just doesn't generate the ROI on that contract that'd make it make sense for the Brewers.

This should be an auto-reply for every "the Brewers are cheap," comment. Or just a link to the summary of Bando trying(successfully) to run Molitor out of Milwaukee.