BrewerFan

It was his 3rd year in Wisconsin starting back in 2019, then Covid, and then '21, '22-injured, '23... It wasn't long ago we were REALLY hoping either he or Joe Gray Jr would produce to give us a potential 5-tool CFer or just develop their hit tool...we were very short on prospects. It seemed like every year one of the two would get red hot and give you a little hope and then just snatch it back. I don't even know if Gray is still in the organization or if he maybe got waived earlier this year. I'd imagine his time was running out as well.

He was in the lineup everyday until he went on the DL for a 10 day IL stay. That's 34 games from the time he was "injured" that they put him out there? I'd say that's less reason, not more to just have blind faith in their handling of the 1B/DH situation. Why play a guy who's injured and is a black hole for you at the plate? Meanwhile in Boston in ~2/3rds of the ABs the Brewers gave Urias before they decided he wasn't a good bounceback candidate, he's putting up an .800 OPS. Now...is that a tiny sample size? Of course. And yet it's not that much smaller than the one they gave Urias to prove himself after the previous two seasons in which he outperformed Tellez offensively across the board. I'm merely saying, the "they think," or "the front office believes" in the face of actual numbers might not quite be the trump card we think it is given how they've been unable to get much production from the two easiest positions tot create production from.

This is kinda what I was getting at. It feels like a lot of opinions on here are based almost entirely on what the Brewers front office is doing and then justifying that. You made an argument based exclusively on the numbers. Yet Urias was a better hitter, AND had the positional versatility, which Tellez does not. Urias struggled for 20 games coming off injury. Tellez in his last 34 games is hitting .144/.207./189 .396 OPS. Winker has 61 games of a 199/.320/.247 .567 OPS production. Last time we saw Hiura he put up 226/.316/.449 .765 OPS He's ALSO completely overhauled his swing and appears to have closed some of the holes in it(not that AAA numbers count). I really don't see how it's a defensible position to argue that Keston Hiura doesn't make the Milwaukee Brewers better at this point. The ONLY defensible argument is they want to keep him on a MiLB deal so they can pay him 1.1 for next season. But we are trying to win now, so...

Have you seen his swing in AAA? If yes, there's your answer. If no...then his swing. That's what's changed.

Ok...so then why'd they dump Urias so quickly? Urias-.244/340/426 .766 39 HRs 111 OPS+ Tellez- .228/.305/.444/.750 46 HRs 106 OPS+ Gets hurt in Spring Training, 20 games and he's gone? If we're going on past performance, Urias seems like he deserved as least as long of a leash as Tellez got, no?

There are still 3 OF spots. They're starting DJ Stewart, Rapheal Ortega and Starling Marte is still signed for a year. Nimmo is one and he's probably not the defender Frelick is and he's a lot less likely to be the same caliber defender Frelick is over the next 5-6 years when he's 34-36. The Mets had Lindor and McNeil, plus their top prospect and they passed still took back a SS/2B prospect. I doubt the Brewers were giving up Misiorowski, Quero or Frelick for a year+ team control of a power hitting 1B hitting .225. But what's obvious was the Mets were looking for the top prospects. I find these "were close to a deal for," stories unreliable. We were close for Jiminiez...and then it turned out it was actually....whoever else. I think it's just unlikely. Tyler Black. That's what I think they'd offer.

Catchers are extraordinarily difficult to develop. You're assuming the Mets were only looking for players who fit into their future lineup. I seriously doubt that's the case. Black can play 3B/2B/OF Quero-Already addressed. Misiorowski right there with Skenes for the best pure stuff in the minors. Frelick, 1.2 WAR in 28 games vs 2.9 WAR this year. Frelick is a elite defender at all 3 OF positions. Chourio is a ridiculous ask and it seems like both sides agree on that. Nearly 7 years of those players for 1 year and 2 months from a 1B who's obviously a huge power hitter, but a poor defender(-15 OOA at 1B) and a .225/.335 line. I can't imagine a team that's...most likely going to take any or at least many of these top 50 prospects, flip them to compete, that was the holdup. Plus, both of their catchers are poor defensive catchers who could play elsewhere, namely Alvarez. 12% CS, leads the league in passed balls. I'd have traded Black among that group at most without any other considerations.

I'd still like to see them push Yophery. Give him a few ABs at Carolina. They're different types of hitters. Rodriguez is a more disciplined hitters. I'd love to see him get a couple weeks, see how it works. He doesn't need to do much. Just not be overmatched and then start next year out in Carolina. I think his approach is less prone to slumps as he'll keep getting on base even if he's not killing it. Still, for a frame of reference, Chourio .833 OPS at the same age and level, Rodriguez .842 OPS. If he flops like Chourio at AA last year...nobody will hold it against him. If he hits, his prospect status is just gonna get more helium. And what's the harm with giving him a look? I don't see a downside.

Moore to 2B, Brown to SS and Boeve/Wilken to 1st/3B?

First, go and talk to ALL the divorce lawyers in the area. All the good ones. Then...and I hope you're already in charge of a medium size crime family(but also not one of the main ones so you don't draw all their attention) and then I want to bury your assets in places like bird feed. After that...you go to the best Divorce Lawyer and you file. You can get over some thing...infidelity, hiring a hit man to take you out. But...just casually suggesting you should change a life long allegiance? Lets just all be thankful she didn't suggest becoming a Cards fan. That...that would just be too evil and cruel! 2 things; 1-If you haven't watched the Sopranos, you're not going to completely understand the premise. 2-I have too much confidence in people to feel the need to put that in any other type of font.

I'd like to see Musgrave make a contested catch, but he's always open...nobody can cover him! But Reed goes up and gets the ball like AB. Just that mentality that he's coming down with it. Heath is gonna be a fan favorite.

I agree with all of this. Heath may not have run as fast a time as Lazard, but he's a smoother athlete. He's also not as physical a blocker, but he's absolutely willing. He just looks so much more fluid out there. He's already taking pride in being "the Goon." He looks faster and he looks bigger than the 6'2 he's listed at. I placed a lot of emphasis on RAS scores on my write up, but...those tell you a small part of the story. Some players are just better athletes than their testing shows. Safety is not safe. That's...all you can say there. I wrote about it, but if Valentine is as good as he looks and he's been even better during practice and Nixon has earned the slot job...well, damn, one Stokes comes back, just play 4 or even 5 CBs. It's Barry's 7th year. I get rotating guys in and out can potentially lead to communication issues, but what's the alternative? Sitting Valentine while playing Owens at Safety because you need 2 safeties? Just coach 'em up and hopefully Gutekunst can find more talent. Brooks and Wooden aren't going to be beating starting OL off the snap or re-setting the LOS as they have the last 2 weeks, but at least we see some flash. Wyatt looks night and day different from last year. Slaton looks quicker. So I wouldn't put a ton of stock into those two other than...there is some natural and instinctive ability there(especially Brooks with his pass rush). Thoughts on Ford there? He's been in early and then they've taken him out. That would suggest to me, he's already earned his spot in the rotation wheras Wooden and Brooks probably won't be getting more than 10-15 snaps a game, if active, so they want to give them as many snaps as they can in the pre-season now.

The 53 is obviously the key to begin with, but NFL rosters now with new rules allowing you to promote two players each week and up to 3 times per player each year. So the practice squad takes on more importance than it has in the past, and the Packers use it as well as anyone. My 53 Offense(25) QB(2)-Love, Clifford Clifford has had one of the best camps to just ease concerns about the need for a vet. Reminds me of Taylor Heinicke. I feel really good about Jordan Love. The patience he's shown, pocket presence, the way he's allowing his WRers to clear the backers or just hold the ball if necessary(see the Jayden Reed throw that was a dime) or just willing to go through is progressions and then check it down like he did with the 11 yard pass to Wilson. He's also giving his WRers a chance when they're 1 on 1. The throw to Doubs was not the spectacular throw they made it out to be, but if you have good WRers and they're in man coverage, they have an advantage. RB(3)-Jones, Dillons, Wilson Every year we get worked up about a RB. They won't clear waivers, etc...I think this year is different. Wilson is 5'11 230. He's the fastest back we've got and the difference between him and everyone else, he makes the right read. He presses and then finds the cutback lane or he just takes it outside if there's a good block. Taylor is gonna lower the shoulder and if it's blocked for 4 yards, he'll get 4. Wilson has looked like a replacement for AJ Dillon. Goodson is a nice back, but he just goes down way too easy. Nobody else of note here. Nichols hasn't played. FB(1)-Deguara Just call him a FB at this point. (I've heard they like Pearson a lot, but with only 2 TEs, I think you have to keep him). TE(2)-Musgrave,Kraft **I believe they'll add a 3rd almost immediately. If not the day or so after the cutdown, then by week 2. Deguara can also play TE. Austin Allen looks like he moves well. He gets in the way blocking, but I think he needs to add 10-15 pounds to be that #3 TE in GB. But Musgrave is like 7/11, always open. Kraft hasn't stood out, but his blocking is high effort. WR(6)-Watson, Doubs, Reed, Toure, Heath, Wicks I think these 6 are locks. Every chance Matt LaFleur or Gutekunst gets to talk, they bring up Toure. I see a little Robert Brooks in him. Just smooth. Heath has talked about wanting to fill in as "the goon," in the WRer room. Wicks seems to be giving him a little competition and Watson is also a very willing blocker. Reed has STRONG hands. That catch vs the Pats was impressive. The ball was up and away from his body, good velocity on it and he snatched it out of the air with a CB on him. He just attacks the ball like a much bigger man. OL(11)Bakh, Jenk, Myers, Tom, Nijman, Rhyan, JRJ, Walker, Jones, Tenuta, Telford **Tenuta goes on IR immediately after the 53 man. They've said it'll be a lengthy injury, but I don't think they want to put him on IR and lose him for the year and I also don't think they'll waive him injured as he's been impressive. This is where I'll likely be wrong. Tenuta I think makes the 53 and then goes on IR. I can't see them wanting to risk losing him. Telford has looked good. Bakh, they say he looks good, I'll take their word for it. Jenkins is all the way back. JRJ looked good taking snaps at C. Tom is a long time starter in GB. He's even showing a little edge. Walker and Rhyan have looked VASTLY improved from last year. Royce Newman-I have not watched the All-22 this year, so I'll defer to those who have. I've seen multiple reliable sources say he's looked good the first two games. I don't see that, but...what do I know? DL(6)-Clark, Wyatt, Slaton, Wooden, Brooks, Ford Top 5 locks, Ford has looked MUCH more explosive this camp. You drafted an edge in Brooks(despite the IDL body) and Wooden(a smaller DL). But mostly Ford has been with the 1's with Clark out and has quietly been one of the most impressive players at camp. Packers absolutely MUST get more out of Kenny Clark this year than they did last year. He is playing out of place IMO. He should be a NT, I wrote another 2 paragraphs on that, but the point is, he needs to play better. I expect a big jump from both Slaton and Wyatt. Brooks and Wooden have shown their athletic ability on the inside. And as I said, I think Ford looks Night and Day different from this time a year ago. Edge(5)-Gary, LVN, Smith, Enagbare, Cox Jr Final spot between Cox and Hollins. Hollins is the more athletic guy, probably a better STer, but Cox Jr has just been a really good pass rusher and physical vs the run. Impressive how he can stack much bigger OL. -Deep and talented. LVN looks SOO similar to Rashan Gary at the same point in their career. Just relentless bull rushing, then turning and running and making plays downfield you don't expect a 270-285 pound man to make. I think he'll help vs the run, but he's our #4 right now. And people will say that's a bad pick if the 13th overall pick is 4th on your depth chart, but Gary has established himself as a premiere edge, Smith a very good one. Enagbare was very good as a rotational OLBer last year and this year he's taken what appears to be that big 2nd year step. I wouldn't be surprised to see Gary with 12+ sacks, Smith with 8-12 and Enagbare with 8. I would consider it a success if Van Ness looks better week 14 than he does now and he's part of a rotation that helps improve their run defense. MLB(5)-Quay, Campbell, McDuffie, Eric Wilson, Tariq Carpenter Wilson is just a good, solid backup and with Campbell banged up, I think you need him. Quay needs to play smarter, play more physical. Much of that is the DL playing better and keeping OL off him. Pleeease Joe Barry, send Quay Walker on blitzes beyond the delayed blitz out of nickel on 3rd and 55 where he just waits a second to rush and the offense runs a little pop pass in the zone he vacated. He's the type of guy you have looping around Gary while he's bull rushing a OT, or run a little stunt with. Campbell is a bit of a question mark. Came back down to Earth last year. Carpenter is a STs player. He's a liability if he's getting snaps. McDuffie though, he can bring the hit stick and play the run. Limited vs the pass. CB(5)-Jaire, Douglas, Nixon, Valentine, Jean-Charles I've heard at least one respected Packers writer say that Carrington Valentine has not just been the Rookie of the Camp or the surprise player of camp, but the BEST player of camp. He then went out and gambled on that TD pass to Boutte vs NE, but he's physical, he's been like Gorilla glue in coverage and he also looks like a VERY exciting young player. The Packers are hell-bent on not making Douglas a safety. Why? I don't know. Woodson was making that transition. Maybe it's just calling it safety, but Douglas should play less man coverage and more robber or zone. You can mix those up. Not every play has to be Cover 4 or Cover 0. When Stokes comes back, ease him back in, but if Valentine is the player we've seen, if he's a player capable of starting, you need Jaire, Stokes, Valentine, Nixon and Douglas on the field together. Put them out there with Savage. Ballentine loses out to Jean-Charles, but it's a coin-flip and I think Ballentine ends up on the 53 sooner than later and will be a ST standout and competent depth piece. Stokes starts on IR. Safety(4)-Savage, Moore,Ford, Johnson I'd be looking at the waiver wire. This is just not a good group. I'm already pretty sure that they'll keep at least one more in Leavitt, but these are mine. Anthony Johnson at least has shown signs. Ford plays hard. Savage plays stupid(ok, that was mean, but it's year 5 bud. You gotta know what you're doing and you can't dive at a RBs feet from 5 yards away. We've all seen your talent...this is your contract year. --This is a black hole on this team. If the Packers start off say...5-2 I would look for the Packers to try and make a trade to pick up an established vet like Adrian Amos provided. He's to hoping that Anthony Johnson Jr can step up and be productive, OR Joe Barry is creative with his secondary use. I'd like to see the same ideology here as we use with the OL. The best 4,5 or 6 depending on package. STs(3) K-Carlson P-O'Donnell Wheelan has been the "talk" of the camp insomuch as anyone talks about a punter, but he hasn't looked good in the regular season. I could see him making the PS just because it's important to have continuity for the holder, but he has to do more than just see how far and high he can kick it in the modern NFL. You need to be able to pin them inside the 5-10 and he's not there. LS-Orzech When you get 300K as a SB and you've been reliable in camp...seems like an easy call, but can't say that I've noticed him...which is about as much of a ringing endorsement as I can give him. In reality, I'm guessing they keep at least 5 safeties and Leavitt is one, Moore likely another. We probably keep Austin Allen until we find another TE. We're also more likely to go with 9 OL than 10. Last 5 in; Last 5 out Wilson Leavittt Jones Moore Telford Newman Cox Jr Hollins Jean-Charles Allen (Telford 6th) Most likely to be claimed if not on the 53 Emanuel Wilson-Again, we see it every year, very few RBs are claimed, but I think he's just different. Caleb Jones, Walker(I think he's a lock at this point) and Telford. Brenton Cox Jr-I think it's more palatable for a team to claim him after the draft and after a very productive camp. Still has a lot of red flags, but his pass rushing ability is undeniable(and he's been very good vs the run). Practice Squad-16 This is more about which positions they'll keep and about the positions they'll try and keep depth at and some of the players they'll want to keep around. QB-Someone. McGough seems obvious as he's here, but he hasn't shown anything. One of the players with a missed opportunity during the unfortunate injury vs the Pats. ****MOST importantly, Bolden was fine. I don't really understand cutting Danny Etling. I guess the Packers felt good about Clifford and we can see why now, but...I think he's a very good #3 QB and he's athletic enough he can give you a lot of different looks on scout team. RB-Patrick Taylor He probably gets elevated while Wilson is inactive early given his STs role. Tyler Goodson-Great speed, he's got NFL size. I was excited about him coming out of Iowa, but just goes down too easily. Has big time speed though. FB-Pearson WRer-Dre Miller 6'2 230LB WRer who moved to TE and now back to WRer with GB. Just too good of a fit. 9.6 RAS score, 19 reps on the bench, 4.50 40, he's got elite quickness at TE, good at WRer. But as I think he's worth developing. Grant Dubose-Another bigger WRer. 7th Rd pick. 6'2 200, physical. Just haven't seen enough, but I think they'll want to get at least a couple WRers to the PS. Deuce Watts, Bo Melton, Cody Chrest Just a ton of young, athletic depth at this position. Dre Miller was just added recently to the PS, but he just seems like a great fit. Deebo Samuel size, better athletic ability, but he's only been here for a couple weeks. But...he certainly fits the mold. Could he be a TE/WRer hybrid? Is he willing to do the dirty work? I don't know who the 3rd will be or if they go 4. Cody Chrest put up a 9.77 RAS. Elite speed(4.38). He's got a bigger frame, made a tough catch. 16 reps on the bench is solid. Whoever the best gunners are will end up making this team. TE-Austin Allen, and again, they'll likely sign someone. Guys like OJ Howard are still out there. OL-Royce Newman is a lock if he clears waivers and isn't traded. I think someone picks him up. G/C Jean Delance MASSIVE 36 3/4 inch arms, good athletic ability. An outstanding developmental project. I have a LOT of OTs making the roster, so I imagine this will be IOL heavy. DL-Chris Slayton Flashed last year. Hasn't really gotten snaps this year, but you need at least one DL. MLBer-Marvin Pierre 9.08 RAS Another incredible athlete. Signed with Elijah Hamilton after the Bengals game. Played DE in the XFL, but at 6'1 222, he'll need to play in space. Explosive, fast and again, will need to earn a shot on STs. OLBer- Justin Hollins-Good chance he and Brenton Cox are flipping spots here, but if it's Hollins here, he's got a strong chance to catch on elsewhere. 6'5 and long with a REALLY good burst. Along with Patrick Taylor, I think he'll be active early in the year as a core STer. Keshawn Banks has gotten a lot of reps the first two weeks. Maybe that's an indication they like him, but I don't think he's a priority. CB- Elijah Hamilton and yet ANOTHER of Gutey's RAS superstars. 6'2 CB who's fast, strong...3 cone grade was .95. So terrible for the CB position. I could see the Packers moving him to Safety or having him just play STs. Corey Ballentine-Assuming he's healthy and not released injured, I think he's a lock. He's very close to swapping places with Shemar Jean-Charles here as it stands. He's stood out when on the field but how quickly he's back on it will play a big role in his chances to make the 53. William Hooper-Not a RAS star, but he's not afraid to stick his nose in there and take on contact. What you're looking for, again, as a STer. Safety-Waiver Wire Pickup First and foremost, the Packers have to be scouting the hell outta every other team and find a safety. Their best safety as we speak is the guy who was benched last year in Savage. Tarvarious Moore and Owens have been running with the 1s, so as likely as not that he ends up on the 53, but if not, the Packers will try and bring him back. It's a coin flip between the two or both. Bennie Sapp Jr has been impressive, flying around. He reminds me a bit of Ford a year ago, but I just don't have a good feel for what they're doing at Safety. Leavitt is entirely unimpressive to me, but if he's Bisachi's guy, he'll probably stick around. Innis Gaines, Kiondre Thomas, I don't care, just find SOMEONE. STs-Daniel Wheelan I think he WILL be on the PS. I think they view him as their punter of the future, he's just a bit raw. International Player Practice Squad The first player Kenneth Odumegwu -6'6 260 pounds. The former Soccer player who then turned to Basketball is an intriguing prospect. In it's early stages, the NFL Africa development program spearheaded by former Giants great Osi Umenyiora. Just a flier, but the Nigerian has a ton of physical ability, but will take a couple years before hopefully becoming the first of many to make the transition to American Football.

I did a whole 53 somewhere else. I had Wilson on it. I think we both agree there are players that fans see during camp and they get worried about losing them, but every team has that, especially at RB. But Wilson is different. I genuinely believe he's gonna be a starting RB for the Packers and an explosive one.

Indy is just building, so I agree, I can't imagine a scenario in which they'd trade Aaron Jones. But Taylor is such a good fit in this system, player for player, how do you pass? And it save the Colts a couple million this year. They'd probably restructure as he'd be very cheap this year, but cost ~11M next year. Without knowing how good Love is, it's pretty difficult to make a decision on a Taylor contract. It'd really be kinda dirty to trade Jones like that. I know it's a business, but he's taken less to stay in GB and has been extremely productive...but Taylor is the best back in the league IMO and he's young. I really don't get Indy's reluctance to trade him OR what the hell Irsay was thinking when he made those comments. Someone check his car. He may be driving around with 30K and...other accessories in there. Minnesota is one of the teams reportedly interested. The Bears SHOULD be, but they decided to go nuts on FA contracts in one of the worst FA classes ever. But again, just the trade, they could pull that off cap wise before you factor in how Taylor is being pushed by the NFLPA and now this group of RBs to be their figurehead.

If you mean to maximize their value, the time to do it would have been following the Cy Young Burnes won and when Woody took a 5th and both were among the top 15 most valuable players in Baseball. I still think you can get a VERY nice return for Burnes and Woodruff...provided he stays healthy the rest of the year. I'm also less concerned about winning the division. It's just a step at this point, not the destination. I really want to win it, but if we do trade 2 of the 3 or even all 3 next year and get back 6-7 really good, exciting young prospects, a couple top 100 types, I won't wring my hands over what could have been. You do what's best for the Brewers and if an 84 win team wins the division next year...hope it's the Brewers(Which I still don't think would be a huge reach).

LOL...it really does sound like someone who played on the 1883 Game between the Boston Beaneaters vs the Philadelphia Quackers. Cannonball Titcomb will take the ball today throwing to John Wockenfuss as Snuffy Stirnweiss steps in to start the game with Peek-A-Boo Veach on deck and Dick Pole in the 3 hole today(you need the old timey radio voice and enunciating). (These are all real names and...you REALLY could get dirty with it. There's a guy named Rusty who's name is...probably not suitable). There's also a player named "The Only Nolan." That...that was his given name. Amazing.

Why do you do this? Why do you change the conversation ENTIRELY from "if we're not going to use him this year and then not offer him arbitration, it makes sense to trade him," and turn that into, 'we're dumping players over 5M.' You're framing it like we're trading Contreras over 5M or we're making a decision to a player who've clearly our best option, but we just can't swing that 5M. No, we're trying to find the best value. Urias didn't offer it...and when a players legs start to go in this sport, it's not a good sign. Urias has dealt with quite a few leg injuries. I'm also a Monasterio fan and I don't trust the defensive metrics at this point. He's a rookie, we have him for 6 more years(or control for 6 more years).

This just doesn't make sense to me. You're taking on a pending FA...who...we're almost certainly not going to re-sign for Burnes? That prospect better be Tink Hence(and for that, I'll throw in Williams while they balance that out with a guy like Roby). I guess if you're trading away Burnes, your chances at winning a WS drop...significantly. Replacing our 1B production with Goldy would be great...but he's a 36 going on 37(?) year old 1B and I don't think he wants to leave STL. I'm also not sure who they'd replace him with in a year they'd clearly be in it to win a WS(unless they got Ohtani and then...throw Walker in there for a year, even if it's a waste of his talent). I really feel like the Brewers should really be looking for a top ~50 pitching prospect who, again, like Painter, has had TJ surgery or Griff McGrarry(he's actually maybe the most likely as he's fallen in the rankings a bit, but he's got elite stuff and the Phillies have two pitchers in the top ~45, but McGrarry is in AA, 75 FB, upper 90s, 5 pitch mix, good curve and slider, a change that can be a plus pitch and a cutting that improving. I think we're too focused on finding a 1B/3B for Burnes. Pitching is what got us there. use Burnes to bring in more pitching the Brewers can work with. Our future lineup looks great as it stands. Boeve and Wilken may well be making their debut by next year. And you probably save ~30M a year the next two years by not going after Goldy. Basically I'm looking at it like...if we compete in '24 with young talent, great...but I don't think you should trade Burnes and then go back and try to win again. And I'd hate facing him. But Goldy, Roby and Hence for Burnes and Wiliams, I'm in. Even if it means having to see Burnes on the Cards.

The players union will have no case. He's under contract and my guess is he read the writing on the wall with Barkley and knows that he'll get tagged once and then twice if he kept playing the baby face. And I think the Colts are EASILY getting more than a 6th or a 7th. Denzel Mimms was traded for a conditional 6th round pick(with a 7th going the other way) IF he made the team. He didn't, but that should still give a little perspective to his value. I think the Packers would jump and give up a 6th or a 7th for Taylor in a heartbeat. Literally every team in the NFL would make that trade. It's obviously complicated by the contract he wants, but he's asking for at LEAST 15M a year. But the NFLPA can't say because you don't want to extend his contract early, and you're asking for all this draft capital, that there's some ground for grievance. What would that even be? The Colts would say at 5M dollars, we think he's worth a 1st round pick and that' in no way contradictory to their position that they dont' want to pay a RB big money over a long period of time. He's making over 5M a year THIS year. The Colts have reportedly offered 3/36 with a 20 SB and a total of 4/48. I feel like people are GROSSLY underestimating Taylor's value. He's gone for nearly 4700 yards from scrimmage his first 3 years. 2 years ago he went for over 1800 rushing, just short of 2200 total yards and 20 TDs. He was AP and OPOY Runner Up behind Kupp when he caught 145 passes for 1950 yards. Count me among those who's firmly on Taylor's side. They're going into a year with an absolute freak human being playing QB, but he's a 20 year old who started one year and he's exceptionally raw. But the plan is to use Taylor's running ability to build their offense off of. So it's silly for him to accept the ~5M this year, then know he'll be tagged and probably not get 11M next year and then 13 the following year? There's no real commitment from the Colts. He's the face of the franchise, does things the right way, he's a power back who also has 4.3 speed. It's a little shocking to see the COLTS of all teams hand out massive contracts to Guards, Off-Ball LBers and then Safeties and then turn their chin up at paying the guy they've marketed their whole team around. This WHOLE thing comes down to pressure from the NFLPA. Since McCaffery signed a ~4/65M deal, no RB has matched that. Kamar signed for 5/75 prior to that...and both those deals have worked out, but both are receiving backs. Taylor is kinda fighting for all RBs right now. And while I believe it's easier to replace a RB, some backs are just special and you can't replace them. 230, sub 4.4 40, explosive, physical, good hands and he's gone for just under 1600 yards a year his first three years with 36 TDs despite not having any real QB or passing game. And I think the Colts are asking for a 1st because they want to tax teams like the Bengals, Bills or whoever is the most likely team to go out and acquire him. He's a better back than Aaron Jones and Jones has gotten ~4/50. So this is not just for him, this is for Bijan Robinson and all the RBs teams are using up by giving them 300 carries before they have to pay them and then just letting him walk. If RBs actually band together...some of these teams are going to find out the difference between the top RB in the NFL and RB by committee. I think we see it with Jones to Dillon and Dillon is a good back. Finally, it's not like the Colts don't have the cap room. This really doesn't make sense to me. But trade him to the Bills who've been looking for a run game for years. I think that's enough to push them over the top and make them a SB favorites.

I don't know...I don't think they've backed themselves into a corner, I think both sides have contributed to this. It was, "I'm a team player, I'm here to play out the contract I signed my name to." And then the RB stuff happened and he got on the phone and decided he was going to take a stand. I really think he's worth a 1st round pick for the right team. Say...Kansas City OR Buffalo(the later in particular). He's the best back in the NFL IMO. Great vision, he has ELITE speed, he's a strong runner. He's just a simple one cut and then beat you to the spot type back. I think he's worth a 5/75M deal given he's 24 years old and if you make that 5/75, ~35 SB...give him a contract that starts at the minimum Yr 1, then yr 2 it's ~5M, year 3 it's ~10M, now a team has to decide to either keep him or let him go. But of the handful of backs that are worth it, he's definitey one of them. Kamara(just on field). Henry McCaffery I don't think the Colts or...really any team has a problem paying him 10M AAV, but he's trying to make this stand on behalf of RBs. I'd say he goes for a 2+4 and '24 2nd. Especially if it's from a team like the Bills who'll be picking late.

If you look at the teams below us(and we're 25th)...they're teams that are going through rebuilds or there are other extenuating factors(the As for one). The Brewers are just a small market team. Those are the restrictions. There's no easy fix unless we're all going to be Nashville fans and watch them build a massive Stadium in an up and coming affluent area or Paul Menard purchases the team. Short of that, 150M is probably where they can top out right now. If the State takes care of the renovations and they don't have to worry about that. Sadly I don't see any politicians in this state to give any consideration to the Brewers window for contention. But The Rays and other teams have proven we can win without that monster payroll. We've absolutely stil got the infrastructure in place to win a WS. I'm not saying I think it will happen, but I'm saying over the next 6-10 years based on the talent we have, I think we can be a contender. I am alright with that. I'm enjoying this season. I'll enjoy the Chourio periods and all the competitive years between. And the non-competitive years, I'm gonna enjoy watching whoever is making an MLB debut and the farm system. Some fans say I'm "Happy with making the playoffs and getting swept," because I'm not demanding these massive signings. I'll control what I can...and that's enjoying the Brewers.

This year has definitely made it much more difficult to guage his open market value, but I think his on field value is worth substantially more than 8M. Last two years, 4.2 and 4.4 WAR. This year he's down to 1.5, but his last month his BABIP has bounced back and his line is a respectable(though hardly elite) .262.343.385 .727 OPS. With his elite defense...I still don't know where he comes out. Dansby Swanson was the comp and now he's fallen off this year. So I'm happy to let him play it out on the QO.

I think there are a whole lot of teams that'll happily take Houser back without demanding we match his salary. I'd think a team like LAD or TB would believe they could work with him and turn him around or use him in a different fashion. We're not getting a good reliever AND a hitter back unless they're guys in LowA and players we scouted and pick from and then they eventually become those things, but I tinnk Houser and even Lauer will have SOME value. With him, it's particularly important on how he comes back, what the velo looks like and how he finishes the year. This is why I think the "one more run, Rhys Hoskins" crowd will be disappointed. I think we'll shop around the players on the margins, the Rowdy, Lauer, Houser, Canha, Chaffin, those are guys who are clearly not back. Wade Miley is a guy I wonder if they MIGHT consider bringing back. He's been outstanding...when healthy, but how much does ~100IP of a ~3.00 ERA go for? And he's was one year removed from a 5.3 WAR. That's the only contract I could see them opting to bring back and even then I thnk it's more likely they try and get a paycut. Maybe 6M and another 10M option. He's already get 1M in the buyout(though perhaps they could tie that in. And then on the other hand I see Gasser, Rodriguez, Uribe, Milner, Peguero, McGill(hopefully), Payamps, Williams to back up Burnes/Woodruff/Peralta/Ashby. Man, really have NO clue what they'll do next year.

Based on Adames production thus far, you're probably looking at lower level prospects with nice upside. I do NOT think that's the case with Burnes especially, but Woofruff either. For an arm like Burnes I think you're looking at a Luis Castillo return...or if nothing else, a Scherzer/Verlander return. Scherzer netted the Mets a top 50 prospect and Verlander a former 1st round pick who was absolutely crushing the ball in AAA. Burnes is a Cy Young winner and the type of pitcher that can help push a team like...the Phillies(that's the team I keep going back to) over the top and they've got a number of young arms). Or the Rangers if they come up short. Woodruff isn't going to have the same value, but I still expect at least a top 100 prospect and then a couple HiA type talented arms. But if you're not getting at LEAST an Acun type prospect back for Burnes, it really doesn't make sense to trade him or Burnes. Adames, again, totally different group. He might be worth trying to extend at a reasonable rate(I trust the underlying metrics and his defense). And his value has completely collapsed. I'd think most like 4/70 with a 5th year option at 25M. IF he doesn't take it, run it back with him, hope he bounce back and you offer the QO. Getting the QO for all three would hurt in the short run, but you' d then go into another draft with a very large bonus pool and would have 5 picks...assuming all declined and they'd be in the top 40 or so. The Brewers will be picking after the 1st round in the '25 draft, you'd had 3 more. The picks are worth ~2.5M. That's nearly the size of our signing bonus THIS YEAR to go out and acquire talent. That would be like Knoth, Soto, White and Sykora just from the QU and the existing comp pick we'd have coming. This was a better draft, but if you look at it like that, it's a little easier pill to swallow. 4 prep arms, so high risk, but I'd take my chances on developing a couple of them. LAD and SD seem to take prep arms year after year and they seem to do pretty well with them. I'm still willing to deal Williams with Burnes to maximize the return and I don't believe we're going to run it back with these guys and then add a player for 15-20M next year...and given like 2 of the top 15 prospects are pitchers, I'd assume they're going to get overpaid. I'd assume we just see what we're offered this year for the 2(or 3) and if it's not enough, play out the season, see if there's a team that's on pitcher away and how we're looking, if CC back. There will be so many variables that go into it, but I still think this FO is going to balk at the idea of letting Burnes walk for nothingg.