PBTank

Bauers has until the 17th to accept the QO. I would think he would see what offers come his way and make is decision whether to stay or go by then. No sense waiting until December. If he doesn't get an acceptable offer by the 17th, he will take the QO. Or possibly, hammer out a 2 year deal or so with the Brewers.

IMO, this was the only way to go. Having Bauers on a one year $23M+ contract is practical. I wouldn't want to see them invest more than 2 years into him. Possibly, a 2 year deal with a third club option could be hammered out. The Brewers have three players getting near the major league club that will fill his role (Fischer, Burke, Bitonti). If he leaves and receives a nice pay day, good for him. Glad to see it. The Brewers get the pick. Plus, I believe their competitive balance pick will be a first round one also.

I agree. The only way they trade any of their players is if they get an offer they can’t refuse. My only exceptions would be Vaughn if they end up retaining Bauers and Ortiz. The team trading for Ortiz would have to believe he’s a MLB starting SS.

Contreras: Definitely bring him back for 2027. Would have to be blown away with an offer to even considering trading him. Offer him the QO for 2028 or try to retain with a 3 yr deal. I'm sure he would fair much better in the open market. 1B; Definitely offer Bauers the QO. I wouldn't want them to do more than a 2 year deal or maybe tack on a 3rd year club option. If he stays, Trade Vaughn and bring up Adams to be the RH bench / platoon partner. If Bauers leaves, go with Vaughn in 2027 with initially Black at the LHH bench / platoon partner. Later on, either Burke or Fischer would replace Black. Megill: Also keep him for 2027 unless there is an offer that can't be refused. Set JoJo & May: Let them all walk. Ortiz: The only player I would be actively shopping (other than the Bauers stays and Vaughn goes). If there are any teams that value him as a starting MLB SS, his value isn't going to be higher. Keep in mind he is one half of a platoon that hits in the 9th spot. In the organization, there is Jett and Wilkins who could be the RHH platoon. Also, go sign this year's Rengifo. The Urias brother could come cheap or someone like Moncada. Let them all fight it out in Spring Training. Regardless, they including Hamilton are just holding the postition for Made. Other additions would include pitching. Get one veteran pitcher to handle spot starts / long relief. Woodruff would be the clear choice on a very team friendly contract with incentives. Find some controllable power bullpen pitchers. While only actively trading Oritz and possibly Vaughn, they are still listening on other players including Mitchell / Frelick, Megill, etc. One other name I've been liking they to get is C Eduardo Tait from Minnesota. He's going to be buried behind Lackey so might be able to get him for the post Contreras era. Along with the crazy idea, look to have Yelich retire after the 2027 season. Convert his $26 million salary into a lifetime "representative" position. Could go into coaching, the front office, or just be the guy who makes appearances and represents the team.

That would be very difficult to say no to.

Only reasons to trade Ashby are that he’s getting expensive for a reliever and if they get blown away by an offer. After watching him this postseason, he could definitely take over the closer role if needed in 2027 and beyond. His salary isn’t bad for a closer. I think they are hanging on to him for at least 2027. The Brewers this offseason are in great shape roster wise. The first base position will need to be addressed. I feel they should offer Bauers the QO and see how things shake out. If he accepts it or resigns, Vaughn should be traded. If he leaves, they hang onto Vaughn. Otherwise, they are in great shape to listen to offers but not necessarily actively shopping anyone. Ashby, Magill, any of there controllable starting pitching depth, Contreras, Ortiz, Mitchell, and Frelick could all interest other clubs. The Brewers do not need to trade any of them. But if the right offer comes along I’m sure they will definitely listen.

Fry is a right hand batter. I only see this as an option if Bauers stays and Vaughn is traded. If that's the case, I'd rather have them promote Adams to fill Vaughn's role. Adams is more versatile and is definitely cheaper. Not sure what it would take to sign Fry. Also, Adams will have to be put on the 40 man roster this offseason. I also would not see Bauers and Adams in a straight platoon.

Not all that interested in investing in May especially for that kind of money. Returning rotation pieces: 1. Miz 2. Henderson 3. Gasser 4. Harrison 5. Drohan 6. Priester 7. Sproat 8. Crow 9. Gordon 10. Patrick 11. Stallings I see Woodruff coming back on an incentive laden deal. Plus, the minors have Hardin, Letson, and Knoth should all be at AAA at some point in 2027. Another veteran type could be added to the mix, but at a reasonable rate.

I agree with offering Bauers the QO. If he accepts, great. They have him for one season at $23M. If he looks to cash in, all the power to him. I don’t think the brewers should offer him more than a two year deal. I would think his season and post season heroics should net him 4 years, $60M. If he stays, trade Vaughn. Adams can come up and play the bench RH hitting backup IF role. If he goes, they receive a draft pick and can use Black / Burke in the Bauers role. I would imagine Black until Burke is beyond some threshold and proving himself ready. I also like hanging onto Contreras and Turang. At least until they know what the new CBA is. There might be some provisions regarding hanging on to players or better revenue sharing that will enable smaller market teams to resign their players.

Thanks Jack. Did anyone get much sleep last night. Lots of caffeine today to get me through today I’m predicting.

I like Ferrebus and McFarlane. But they are definitely not enough at Joey’s current value. He’s put himself squarely in being a major league starting SS. That is tremendous value with 3 years of control.

I’d rather them IR Harrison so not to burn up an option. Can then send him to Nashville on rehab.

The Brewers should always be listening on trade opportunities. Sell high, buy low should usually be the mode they are in.

Last nights vibe at the game was awesome. Pirates fans for the first time seeing Miz were commenting they couldn’t even see the ball. We were sitting 1st base side just past the dugout. Was curious to why McGill was coming in with a 4 run lead then noticed the Braves had taken the lead. Maybe that had something to do with it. tonight’s game hopefully will be just as enjoyable

I would imagine the Brewers will be more “listening to offers” than “actively peddling” a small group of players that would include Contreras, Mitchell, Frelick, Vaughn, McGill, Ashby…. Of course it always comes down to what the other team is offering.

I'm in the opinion that the Brewers should hang onto Contreras another year unless they are blown away with an offer. They could survive with Naylor who bats left and a journyman RH hitting catcher in a platoon next season if need be. But yes, that's a big drop off from what William contributes. Quero if defensively ready could also be that platoon partner. Hopefully, there will still be a draft pick compensation when/if he leaves in free agency. Or possibly the new CBA will provide some advantages to the Brewers to keep their free agents. This offseason's market will include Jeffers and Stephenson who may be a better option for teams than trading assets for a catcher. And I've also seen the speculation of Goodman from Colorado being on the trade market.

What will Peralta's market be this offseason? Has it cratered? Could a 1 year split contract for a million loaded with incentives and outs work? I'd at least kick the tires on that. If he's going to have to go the "prove it" deal route, what better than the team and coaching staff he had success with. I'd like them to find the next Uribe type. Find that hard throwing sinker / slider guy to grow in the bullpen. Teodo was mentioned and he would definitely qualify as that.

We call it “his look of passing a kidney stone”

That’s the same comp I’ve said regarding Made. I think he’s the future 3B. That would put Fischer, Burke, and Adams into a version of what they currently have in Yelich, Bauers and Vaughn.

I’ve been thinking along the same lines. Yelich doesn’t appear to be a player who would want to keep playing if his skills diminish to the point where the Brewers cannot even play him. He could possibly retire and the Brewers somehow still give him the money to be a representative of the team for a number of years. There are plenty of functions that he could still be a part of to promote Brewers baseball.

Sal only has two years of arbitration left himself. Trading for him would only give the Brewers an additional year of control over Contreras. But he could be a nice platoon partner with Naylor.

Not so sure they would want a guy who gets unhappy with a position swap. The Brewers are invested in Pratt at that position and most would say he’s the far superior defender there.

I would say you could also add Contreras and Frelick to the list. Also, teams are always looking for controllable starting pitching. The Brewers could trade from that depth too. It may be a good way to shore up some parts of your organization’s depth where it’s lacking. also looming is the CBA. Are teams going to be willing to make moves for players who they only control for the 2027 season. Why trade a bucket full of prospects for Contreras when the 2027 may be lost or whittled down to 50 games? Or will there be new rules regarding a salary cap or such that could also throw a wrench into team’s plans.

Wouldn’t Jorge Mateo be a better option than Jihwan Bae at this point?

Would it be a good time to bring Adams up for a week and insert him at 3B? Ortiz and Hamilton could platoon at SS until Pratt is ready to come back. I know starting Adams MLB clock and having to place him on the 40 man roster may be an unpleasant idea. But, I'd like to see him for a week or so. He would be theoretically batting in the 8th spot which would be nice to have some power there. Just a thought I've been having.