Trail

I don't disagree, but I don't know if they can afford him. There's always hope, but I think they've already tried to extend him and it didn't go anywhere. He's not really hitting for power, so maybe that moderates the price a little?....but I just don't see it happening. Maybe a new CBA opens some doors? If they do sign him...you trade Quero and should get a good return on that.

Its not really about the playoffs, but I think at some point this year you HAVE TO bring up Quero. If memory serves, Contreras is under team control through '27...so to get maximum value you probably have to trade him this winter. Before you do that you'd better know what you have in Quero. Sanchez has good leadership qualities and has playoff experience, but he's nothing special offensively or defensively.

Would it make sense if they brought them up together...make the MLB transition easier from a comfort/familiarity standpoint...or am I putting too much value on that?

Ya...cap. Obviously there's a lot more to it, but choosing between the two is easy. I'm just wondering if a floor isn't going to be just as contentious as a cap. The smaller market teams...especially in down years where their gate and TV ratings are low, might struggle a bit. One more reason that the deal has to include revenue sharing for all TV. Having said all that...be carful what you ask for. Right now the Brewers, who know they can't compete on higher-level free agents, put their resources into the minor leagues...coaching, scouting, development, facilities, pitching lab, Latin America, and other things we don't even know about. Where organizational strength/smarts can level the playing field. Attanasio has a system that seems to work. Wondering if a financial structure that pushes a higher % of resources into the major leagues might negate that a bit? ...but we still need a cap :)

I think Hamilton stays where he is. He's doing what they want him to do. Acceptable defense at 3 positions, decent OBP, steal some bases.

Ya...we know he can hit the ball. For those who watch these things carefully, what are you seeing in the field? Instincts, arm, etc. (this is his first year playing outfield full time).

I think you're all right about Perkins. Everyone loves the guy...clubhouse, front office, fans...but it might be time. He's sort of like Joey...if he can hit .230, he's a starter somewhere...he's that good defensively. Interesting argument between Lara and Leonard. The Brewers seem to want to go slow with Lara given his age, but damn...its not like he's been at all streaky. Problem of course is AB's. If he takes Perkins' place, he's playing sparingly. Maybe he takes a few AB's from both Mitchel and Sal?

You have to factor it in because of the dollars involved, and the percentage of the payroll a contract like that would take up on a small market team. So, yes, pitchers are injury risks...and expensive pitchers are bigger risks (see Corbin Burns). Other franchises can take that sort of risk...ours has to be incredibly careful where they put their dollars. Until the system changes, that's how the Brewers have to operate. That's not to say the Brewers can't extend players. But they have to carefully play the odds. That's all they can do. You might point at Yelli, but he was a very good bet. The odds of him taking a fastball in the kneecap were incredibly low. Peralta worked out well...but his deal was so team-friendly that had he gone down for a couple years, it wouldn't have crippled the team financially. Woody might not work out, but that's one year.

No. Its just not good business. Especially not for a pitcher. You can point at Ashby, but I think that contract is child's play compared to what it would take to lock up Miz. I hate it, but a franchise like ours cannot have that kind of money tied up for 2 years in a guy down with Tommy John (or whatever). Especially if he comes back with reduced velo. Just enjoy him, his amazing talent, and his enthusiasm. When the time comes, if he stays healthy, and we trade him, the Brewers should bring in an amazing haul. The economics of baseball just don't allow small market teams to take those kinds of risks (not responsibly, anyway). We'll probably have him through his best years, and that will have to be enough.

Thanks, Spencer. It'll be interesting to see how that looks mid-season...whether the additional innings help or hurt....

Just wondering how its coming (for those who really watch these things). I look at the box scores and see some SB's and some CS's...but I'm guessing that doesn't really tell the story. How are pop-times, accuracy and velocity coming along?

I have to agree. The rules were made for a different time. Maybe "starter goes 4, leaves with the lead (and they keep it), and no one else goes more than 2"?

Too soon for Pratt. He needs to be hitting somewhere around .240-ish in order to bring him up...and he'll get there. I'd make the move with Hamilton. You'll lose something in the field and pick up something on offense...and worst case you break even. Personally, I think the Brewers are doing Joey a disservice by keeping him with the big club right now. He can be fixed, I think, but its not going to happen in Milwaukee. He's got options...send him down to AAA and let him work on it. Don't let him get so ground down that he can't recover. He's a defensive wizard, and all he needs to do is "not be terrible" at the plate. Right now the guy's probably all twisted up...let him go down and get right.

95 wins. Ya, that sounds a bit bullish, but I just don't see many places where there should be regression. Maybe Frelick, but I don't think it will be that much. Losing Freddy will certainly hurt, but Woodruff should be present all year (managed carefully) and they have great depth. I'm assuming here that Priester comes back and is effective. Contrares has all his digits working, Yelich is a year older but confident in his health (also managed carefully), first base looks upgraded, and shortstop can only get better (offensively). Bullpen looks very deep and very solid. What they've done with starting pitching depth is really impressive. It might take some time to determine who really works out at the major league level, but they'll have 5 strong starters after the sorting...with others waiting. Miz should be better, too...and we'll have him for the whole year. Very excited to see which version of Bauers we have, and how Chourio develops. The real wild card?....what if Mitchell finally finds some of that potential? Think about the lineup if that happens... Injuries are always the unknown, and I think the bottom of the division will be tougher...but I actually see a better, deeper Brewers team this year. Its just hard to predict OVER 97 wins.

We knew Freddy was inevitable. No one liked it but that's the rules we have to play by. Durbin was this young, likeable, "hustle" kid who surprised everyone with his performance in '25. The reasons for the trade were sound...he could easily regress a bit in '26 (hurting his value) and there wasn't really going to be much room for him starting in '27. Still...he was an easy player to like and root for.