1:01pm: Milwaukee has announced the swap, adding that Webb will open his tenure with the organization at Triple-A. The same holds true of Cooper, per the Yankees’ announcement.
12:28pm: The Brewers and Yankees have lined up on a minor deal with potentially significant ramifications, as both teams seemingly met needs while dealing from areas of depth. Per Ken Rosenthal (via Twitter), lefty Tyler Webb is headed to Milwaukee. Minor-league first baseman Garrett Cooper is going in return in the swap, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports hinted (via Twitter) and Jon Heyman of Fan Rag confirms (in a tweet).
Webb, 26, will give the Milwaukee pen another southpaw option. He made his MLB debut for New York this year after spending spring camp with the Pirates as a Rule 5 pick. Webb put up 33 1/3 impressive Triple-A innings upon his return to the New York organization, posting 47 strikeouts against just three walks in that span.
The major league sample is quite a small one. Webb has thrown only six innings in seven appearances, allowing three earned runs but only three total base hits. He has struck out five and walked four. Webb only checks in with a low-nineties fastball, but also utilizes a change and slider — to good effect, evidently, at least in the upper minors.
Cooper, who’s also 26 years of age, has enjoyed quite a productive season thus far in the hitter-friendly environs of Colorado Springs. Through 320 plate appearances on the year, he owns a .366/.428/.652 slash with 17 home runs. That’s a big power jump for the former sixth-round pick, who has also drawn 33 walks against just 48 strikeouts on the year.
Clearly, the right-handed hitter offers an alternative to Greg Bird, who’s injury status has left the team in flux at first base. Whether additional trade targets could still also be pursued isn’t immediately clear, but seemingly remains plausible.
a1544
Please be Aguilar
statmaster96
Wut?
brewcrewontherise
It clearly says Garrett Cooper, what were you reading?
MB923
It was updated After he posted that.
brewcrewontherise
It’s not Aguilar, go back and read it again
jackt
It also says 12:35PM by that update. Maybe you were late to the party
brewcrewontherise
It’s not. It’s Garrett Cooper, a MINOR league first baseman
myaccount
MLBTR posts updates, brewcrew. You new here?
Connorsoxfan
Hate newbies
Cuso
Because the Yankees bullpen is in such great shape that they don’t need any help…
padresfan
Getting ready to acquire Hand and Maurer maybe
jackt
Okay.
sportsfan 2
Who
Dynasty
Why?
Dynasty
Why did we do this?
srechter
Why? Yanks need pen help. Must be a larger idea behind this one. Though they do have plenty of guys pitching very similar to Webb littered throughout the minors, so who knows.
myaccount
They also badly need 1B depth, so… ya know.
srechter
Oh absolutely. I made that comment before we knew the return from the Brewers. Definitely makes sense.
Yankees_giants_knicks_lightning
They Also need to free up some 40 man roster spots so they can keep their farm in tact next season and not lose them all to the rule 5 draft
Phillies2017
Problem is, Cooper will be Rule V eligible as well. Honestly, I get the vibe that Ian Clarkin will be the big name taken in the Rule V draft considering they have to protect do many guys.
rmullig2
Teams are less likely to take a 1B in the Rule V draft with so many options on the FA market. Left handed relief pitchers are sure to be gone if they have any promise.
slider32
This fits right into Cashman’s plan, he is not ready to move on from Bird yet. If Cooper is better than he thinks Bird is they keep him. If not, you free up a roster spot for next year. Long term if Bird doesn’t cut it the Yanks will go after Goldy. They have 100 million coming off the books, and they still can move Ellsbury, Headley, and Gardner to free up more money.
mikeyank55
Yankee want power arms in bullpen. Injuries have put it out of kilter. Warren returning makes a big difference. Tyler Clippard will be going to the team for the biggest wise guy here (lol)
Mjmarx59
Wow! Brewers stealing today’s headlines!
dobsonel
They need room on the 40 man roster for someone.
srechter
That’s the conclusion I’ve come to as well. Maybe an interesting move to follow shortly.
Eileenyy9
Hoping THE YANKS will get lefty HAND from the SD
I love the Webb move..Look at what they traded for, look at those stats!! I also hope Tyler Austin goes with Rob Ruffffryder lol
Cory Terrell
The stats from the first baseman who plays 60% of his games in Colorado? I’m gonna be big bucks that never translates to anything in the majors. This guy is hardly anyone to get excited over. Webb is by far the better player in this deal (on paper, at least).
I Believe We Can Win
8If the yankees are offering anything close to what yankees fans have proposed you wont be getting Hand lol.
Adams, Wade, and Littell or Clarkin is what itll take to pry Hand loose from SD.
Or Mateo, Littel or Clarkin, and Freicer Perez.
billysbballz
How do you know what Yankee fans are offering for Hand when the big talk was Quintana? Secondly do you think it makes sense trading any big prospects for Hand who has had his first good season at 27yo when we traded the best lefty bullpen arm last year (Miller) in a long time for big prospects? If the Yanks can get Hand for a fair price they will get him or he will go to someone else because Hand is not making a difference this year when facing Houston, Boston, and Cleveland. Yankee fans are actually looking at the long picture for once while fans from other teams for some reason are getting pissed that the team has changed course. The Yanks during the dynasty years dealt the prospects for Major League help and 30 winning years later it was time to rebuild on the fly. Why is that getting people in a frenzy insisting we need to deal top prospects for players that are not putting us over the top. Cmon peoples and stop being so sensitive and worrying about Yankee fans. Worry about your team, the Yanks are on the way up and it is scary for many of you, I get that.
I Believe We Can Win
How do I know what yankee fans are proposing? They posted on MLB trade rumors articles about Yankees being interested in Hand lol. There were two articles recently about the topic.
I Believe We Can Win
Here’s the 1st.
mlbtraderumors.com/2017/07/yankees-may-have-intere…
I Believe We Can Win
And the 2nd.
mlbtraderumors.com/2017/07/yankees-trade-rumors-bu…
I Believe We Can Win
1. Hand was a failed starter/swing man who was converted to full time reliever last year- much the same career trajectory as Andrew Miller. Pre 2016 he was a full time starter in 2011 and swingman in 2013, 2014, 2015.
2. Here’s what hand has done in 2016 and 2017
2017- 47 innings (32.2 vs R and 14.1 vs L) in 42 games, 11.49 k/9, 2.49 bb/9, 2.79 fip 2.89 xfip. Lefties hitting .192/.300/.385 righties hitting .203/.262/.293
2016- 89.1 (53.1 vs R and 36 vs L) innings in 82 games 3.07 fip, 3.34 xfip 11.18 k/9, 3.63 k/9, Lefties hitting .124/.221/.200 and righties hitting .233/.310/.379
You could have looked this stuff up and saved yourself from being contradicted on here. Too late now.
thegreatcerealfamine
Dude don’t bother with silly..cuckoo for coconuts!
billysbballz
Rice Krispies, you can’t stand being wrong, or being confronted for your silly comments. Stop already and move on. I happen to have a better understanding of the direction of the team and maybe even the farm, maybe your better at eating Cheerios, whatever it is it is. But in the end trolling does us both no bueno as we both root for the Greatest team in the world. Well I think your a Yankee fan, not so sure but Ill take you on your word.
billysbballz
Thats cool. Thanks for the research. Hand is a very good lefty bullpen arm right now at 27yo after not being so good and as you said, failed starter which is common.but he’s not the difference for the Yanks. I hope you can grasp that he won’t get you a top prospect (Frazier, Torres, Rutherford) at least from the Yankees. Maybe he gets you a few nice prospects but anything more makes no sense at least for the Yanks and where they are right now. If the Yanks were built to win it all now then you would see a bigger offer perhaps. Also we both don’t know how the Yanks rank there prospects in regards to the big picture long term. I don’t go solely by BA and I know teams evaluate there prospects on scouting and not BA.
Is that fair? Can we both agree on this?
rocky7
No more 3 for 1 trades from the Yankees I believe unless the talent being acquired is significant and Hand certainly doesn’t qualify as significant.
Also, with the Yankees potentially losing CC, possibly Tanaka, and Pineda, there is no way they trade a potential starter like Adams for a reliever like Hand.
You Padres fans are getting your arse in an uproar regarding the pittling talent you Rock Star GM has put on the major league field now that you see as potential trade chips. Not very impressive to say the least. And please no how good Solarte is comments….remember the Yankees had him and couldn’t trade him quickly enough to the Padres…unfortunately for Headley who is steady but not a banger as expected.
I Believe We Can Win
You sure you know where you are kid? Cause you do realize another poster specifically said they hope the Yankees trade for Hand which is how this all got started right?
You don’t think the Yankees should trade for Hand. Ok.
Also, when you say “I hope you can grasp that he won’t get you a top prospect (Frazier, Torres, Rutherford) at least from the Yankees.” Did you even read my trade proposals- none of them included Frazier Torress or Rutherford. Cause seems like you didn’t. I’ll remind you what I said.
I said Adams, Wade, and Little/Clarkin OR Mateo, Littel/Clarkin, and Freicer Perez- I don’t see the names Torres, Frazier, Rutherford in the ones I mentioned.
Hand will net the Padres a top 100 prospect and 1 or 2 guys in the organization 9-20 range. Depending on who is involved.
You look at Miller (twice), Chapman, Will Smith, Giles, etc all netted at least 1 top 100 prospect. Padres won’t get the return Chapman and Miller got the Yankees, but a top 100 prospect and 1 or 2 other guys is realistic.
thegreatcerealfamine
Ok Billy boy you’re right this being light hearted and all but it’s going nowhere. When you talk Yankee trades,how about start with I hope they don’t or won’t trade such in such,instead of you’re not or they aren’t,or I know they they won’t. You nor I or anyone on here is privileged to the real goings on in FO’s. I’m gonna agree to disagree with you on Harper. Prospects are like a bird in the hand is worth more then two in a bush..if the price is right and the return is helpful both short and long.
I Believe We Can Win
Well, thank you for Solarte and overpaying for Headly. Saved us from making that mistake.
Since the trade Headly has hit-
2014- .243/.328/.372 striking out 23%
2015- .259/.324/.369 striking out 21% making 13 mill
2016- .251/.329/.383 striking out 22.3% making 13 mill
2017- .255/.341/.366 striking out 25.3% making 13 mill
Solarte has hit
2014- .260/.336/.369 striking out 10.8% making 516,400
2015- .270/.320/.428 striking out 9.8% making 525,000
2016- .286/.341/.467 striking out 14.2% making 2.5 mill
2017- .268/ .349/ .425 striking out 11.4% making 4 mill
Headley is a great 3B defensively. Thats about the only thing he has on Solarte lol. Solarte is a better hitter and making far less than 1/2 what Headley is being paid. Keep enjoying Headley for the next 1 and 1/2 years. I am sure the Yankees are glad they got rid of Solarte just like you seem to be.
fighterflea
Your bombast notwithstanding, watch prospects head out the door starting now since Cashman has overstocked his farm system with more guys than he can protect. We can debate whether they are ‘top’ prospects but Cashman knows you get $50,000 for each guy you lose in Rule 5.
jameyc
this is too funny,,,you think they will get a prospect haul like that for decent middle reliever with a career 4.09 era? your on drugs,,,the yankees would proceed to hang the phone up. he benefits from pitching in the NL. remove adams and mateo and you’re in business.
I Believe We Can Win
You ate paint chips as a kid didnt you. Only explanation as to why you’d think his career era matters. He’s not a starter he’s not a swingman. He’s a full time reliever now.
You do realize andrew miller has a career era of 4+ too right? baseball-reference.com/players/m/millean01.shtml
Well guess Andrew Miller wasnt worth what the Indians gave up cause you know career era of 4.04. LOL.
Also Delin Betances must really suck then cause he is a failed starter too that the yankees converted to a reliever cause he couldnt hack it in the minors as a starter. Clearly Delin Betances blows and is only worth a PTBNL caus3 his stats as a starter are awful. fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=6216&posit…
billysbballz
Never once stated I knew anything, I really think your ego caused you to think that way. Once again, as far as Harper, he is a National. He is not a Yankee. Would I love to have Harper? 1000%. I have zero proof he is coming and neither do you unless like you just stated to me you have special privy to FO comings and goings. Lastly since we do not know if he’s coming we can’t start preparing by trading away our best outfield prospect now that Frazier is up. It makes no sense unless the trade is for a young cost controlled potential Ace and not Quintana who while in his prime is not a difference maker rather he is a very solid #2-3 pitcher which is great but not worthy of the very huge return it would take at this point since he doesn’t move the Yankees ahead of the pack. I hope we finally cleared this up and can move on as Im sure you will find something else to be upset about, lol.
billysbballz
You want our best pitching prospect, plus another top 10 organization prospects and a top 20.
Hmmmmm, I don’t think thats happening pal.
Its not as if its completely crazy but makes no sense trading our top pitching prospect plus two more nice pieces for a lefty bullpen arm at this point.
I can see maybe one top 10 organizational prospect and then two lower prospects not rated but with a nice skill set.
I can also see a similar type of return you listed from a team maybe like Dodgers or Houston or Boston but not the Yankees right now. As far as attacking Headley and bringing up Solarte it kind of puts your entire comment into perspective on how your mindset works. lol
billysbballz
that being said I get the feeling we are trading for Hand. I really think so and hope the return is nothing crazy.
billysbballz
He’s a silly padre fan I feel bad for so I’m entertaining his silliness. But yes he thinks our best pitching prospect and two other top 20 for Hand is a good idea for the Yanks right now. Lol
I can see maybe Clarkin, Austin, and Refsnyder!
How’s that counter, hahaha
I Believe We Can Win
LOL gonna be hilarious watching the yankees miss out in Hand like they did Kimbrel. Oh well. Unless the Yankees put the best offer on the table Hand wont be a Yankee. Which is fine. Rather see him get traded to the Nationals or Astros personally.
Refsnyder Austin Clarkin- yeah red sox, astros, dodgers, nationals can beat that package easily just like Red sox easily beat the yankees package for kimbrel. Oh well.
Highly doubt the Padres trade Hand to the Yankees. Most likely he’s going to the Nationals probably for Fedde, Kieboom, and Watson given their desperate need for pen help.
Either way Padres get the package worth trading Hand no matter who they deal him to.
I Believe We Can Win
Reading comprehension isnt your strong suit is it?
Rocky7 said-“And please no how good Solarte is comments….remember the Yankees had him and couldn’t trade him quickly enough to the Padres…unfortunately for Headley who is steady but not a banger as expected.”
Like I said im sure the yankees are happy with Headley instead of Solarte.
thegreatcerealfamine
Wait just one minute there Billyboy. All of a sudden you want Harper but days ago you agreed with a poster not wanting him because of attitude. By the way trading someone like Rutherford wouldn’t leave a hole in the near future outfield depth..talking 17,18,or 2019 by the way Mlbpipeline and minorleagueball project him to make it up to the bigs in late 2020. See anyone can read different views and those sites haven’t updated all team rankings for mid year. Never said the kid didn’t have great potential and was never mad..life’s too short.
billysbballz
wow, fake news alert. When did I ever say I didn’t want him? Please copy and paste if so because it doesn’t exist. Secondly I said its no guarantee we get him. Fake news alert on you honey combs!
smile, its ok to be excited about our Yanks.
rocky7
Glad the Yankees saved the Padres from a mistake in your opinion as you said, because the Pads organization sure has made enough other mistakes which is why the Padres are a second division team.
billysbballz
“gonna be hilarious Yanks miss out on him” gonna be hysterical! Gonna be cray cray! Lol, cmon pal, stop your being silly.
billysbballz
TRAITOR! BLASPHEMY!
rocky7
I’ve never read one comment in any Yankee blogs, nor the papers, nor from any front office executive commenting on the Solarte trade and regarding it as a mistake or wishing they hadn’t traded him. Not one single one……and that’s with all the consideration that Headley hasn’t exhibited either the big bat, nor power that the Yankees were hoping for. of course his defense still is least league average if not a tick above.
If you think he is so valuable….good for you and your team, keep him and buy his baseball card and hang it in your living room and invite him over for dinner with the wife and kids.
corndaddy03
No thanks on Hand. Saw him pitch in the All Star Game. He’s nothing special
LA Sam
“State school teacher’s assistant” knows it all! Ask em any meaningless stat from cellar dwelling Pads…? Everybody has their calling, urs is the Brad Hand Shrine in ur closet!!!
WubbaLubbaDubDub
Good golly. Settle down everyone. Take a nap. Have a glass of wine. Do some remedial grammar work.
Baseball is fun.
donnniewore23
I want some of what you’re smoking. At this point, I wouldn’t do Hand “straight up” for Adams, Wade, Mateo, Littell or Clarkin.
I’ll give you Jake Cave, Rob Ref & Donny Sands for Hand. 🙂
darkstar61
5.54 ERA, 1.82 WHIP, 6.9 K/9, 1.22 K/W – 78 ERA+ – as SP/RP
3.35 ERA. 1.10 WHIP, 11.4 K/9, 2.55 K/W – 127 ERA+ – as RP
2.64 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 14.1 K/9, 2.82 K/W – 158 ERA+ – as RP
4.38 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 6.5 K/9, 2.09 K/W – 72 ERA+ – as SP/RP
2.92 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 11.2 K/9, 3.08 K/W – 139 ERA+ – as RP
2.30 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 11.5 K/9, 4.62 K/W – 187 ERA+ – as RP
One of those is ANDREW MILLER when he was being converted from a SP to a RP – the other is BRAD HAND over the same transition period
…can you figure out which is which? Go ahead, take a guess!
Miller, who had only 1/2 a year left on his contract, and before the newest obsession teams have with the 3-headed BP, was traded in the middle of the next season straight up for a top-60 SP prospect. Merely 6 months later your favorite team gave him a 4/36 contract
Hand meanwhile is under team control until 2020 (isn’t even Arb eligible yet)
So clearly you have zero idea what you are talking about, and you merely look like a buffoon in your insistence on repeating the nonsense (luckily for you though, your team is much smarter than you are)
Jeff Todd
Just for the record, in the year he was traded for Eduardo Rodriguez, Miller had taken yet another step forward. And was one year further into his renaissance than Hand is at present.
Anyhow, I do think Hand will return at least one significant prospect.
Cory Terrell
Who is ‘they’ ?
dobsonel
Yankees
Drewnasty
Cooper going to the Yankees. Minor league 1B. Makes sense.
chitown311
Counters the Cubs trade for Quintana
Monkey’s Uncle
The main reason Webb didn’t make the Bucs wasn’t his fault: they already had 4 lefties in the bullpen, Webb was basically insurance in case they traded Watson or Bastardo. He’s got the skill set to help the Brewers.
Crewfan620
Not a bad swap honestly for the crew. They could use the pen help and didn’t have to give up a ton, though Cooper seems to be making a lot of noise this year
firstbleed
Especially since the only Lefty on the 25 is Hader. Like this move for the Crew.
davbee
They also have Brent Suter as a lefty.
firstbleed
Ah, forgot abut him. They keep bouncing him up and down from minors.
Cory Terrell
Yeah… a log of noise in AAA, in Colorado Springs… highly inflated numbers. Brewers win this trade as that rotation depth will be key. Torres and Peralta shouldn’t be allowed to pitch in an MLB game again this season…
yankees_fan74
Do you have lottery numbers since you are such a great prognosticator in deciding who won this trade?
MB923
A little too soon to say “Brewers win this trade”.
stubby66
trust me it’s a win win. Cooper will do just fine for the Yankees if they give him a chance Yes he won’t be a Mattingly but he will be a find
ctguy
Not a bad swap for the Yankees either. They were looking for help at 1st base and didn’t give up a whole lot to get it.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
So that’s the brewers answer for the cubs. Lol. Last time they got cc sabathia this time a reliever.
jackt
This is a fine start for Milwaukee’s deadline action. There are still two and a half weeks left. If they can get a sturdy mid-rotation guy I think they’ll be satisfied. No reason to sell the farm for an “ace” when the offense is putting up enough runs to give flippin’ Zach Davies a 10-4 record with an ERA around 5.
pdubs2907
Ya because teams totally make trades immediately after their rivals to directly counter them. Smh
11Bravo
If the Brewers made the trade for Quintana it probably would’ve cost them Brinson AND Hader. No thanks.
koz16
It looks like the Yankees are counting on Bird to return this season and Cooper is the stop gap for now. If Bird tanks or is still hurt by the end of the season I expect the Yankees will trade for a 1B unless they think Cooper is the real deal. Now for some bullpen help…
slider32
This fits right into Cashman’s plan, he is not ready to move on from Bird yet. If Cooper is better than he thinks Bird is they keep him. If not, you free up a roster spot for next year. Long term if Bird doesn’t cut it the Yanks will go after Goldy. They have 100 million coming off the books, and they still can move Ellsbury, Headley, and Gardner to free up more money.
Bob Knob
Any other clubs in MLB looking for a RH First Baseman ?
(if this may be a get & gone ?)
Danthemilwfan
I don’t know how I feel about a great 1st base prospect for a decent bullpen pitching prospect
ib6ub9
Eric Thames has a three-year contract. Don’t need a first baseman need left handed pitching.
davidcoonce74
He’s 26 and hitting in Colorado Springs. Not much to see here. Old, first-base only prospects rarely amount to much.
pdubs2907
He’s not a great prospect
firstbleed
Have you seen Jesus? He isn’t a free agent until 2023. They are fine.
mikeyst13
Cooper is the next Sean Halton, Matt Clark, Blake Lalli, Jason Rodgers, Matt Gamel,etc. Brewers 1B always seem to have 1 big year in the minors late in their development and then fizzle out.
firstbleed
Agree but to be fair Gamel’s career ended because of countless injury, not because he wasn’t producing.
davidcoonce74
Assuming the Yankees are clearing a 40-man spot for a future trade maybe?
Coast1
The Yankees solution to their inexperienced unproven injury plagued first basemen is to get a 26 year old who hasn’t played in the majors and is putting up gaudy stats because he’s playing at Colorado Springs. His home road OPS split is nearly 500 points!
braves95 2
Yes. He’s “only” hitting .300/.359/.500 in away games…
mikeyst13
It’s still the PCL so those numbers are still inflated. He’s a good natural hitter, but he’s never show this kind of power before and a lot of it may have to do with where he plays. Still a nice lateral move for both teams, but I don’t really see either having a big impact on their new squads.
slider32
All of the Cubs top prospects played in the PCL didn’t they, how’d that turn out.
mikeyst13
Most of them had better pedigree and more than half a year of good production. Cooper hasn’t been anywhere near as productive anywhere else.
ray_derek
Big answer to the Cubs getting Quintana
Nicholas Koch
Is this setting us up for hand deal?
Yankees1991
I like it. Didn’t cost the Yankees much, and Cooper has more upside than Choi.
dobsonel
Maybe Cooper goes to Scranton and Mike Ford finally gets a shot at the big club?
nosoupforyou
When Webb makes it up to the big leagues, will Hader stay in the pen, move to the rotation, or go down to the rotation in AAA?
djc1877
Yankees acquired a first baseman in return
Bob Knob
Yes they did.
djc1877
Cooper has 17 HRs and 82 RBI already this season!! Wow!! He’s going to get his chance and he could potentially platoon with Bird, if he comes back healthy.
mikeyst13
He’s definitely got some potential, but don’t let those numbers fool you. He’s never shown that kind of power outside of Colorado Springs. He’s a good hitter with a little pop, but those HR numbers are skewed being in the PCL and playing home games at elevation.
jameyc
those are exactly the numbers you want to see a guy put up in that park,,if it is hitter friendly a good hitter will hit very well…….so maybe at another aaa park he is a .300 hitter with 10 hr’s at this point,,,he apparently walks a lot and doesn’t strike out much. It seems like a win win for both teams. It didn’t cost either team a huge piece.
Phillies2017
Cooper is actually pretty underrated. Its not every day you see a guy who has pretty much found nothing but success in the minors without drawing any prospect hype. He was rated #43 by Prospects1500 in the Brewers system. Ithink the Yanks may have just found a diamond in the rough.
I spent a lot of time profiling Webb prior to the Rule V draft and throughout his time in Spring Training. Honestly, I don’t see much of a ceiling.
Overall:
Cooper
Ceiling: He’s able to maintain success as he has while ascending through the Brewers system and becomes a Justin Smoak type hitter
Floor: He never gets the chance he deserves and becomes like a Mike Hessmam/Valentino Pascucci
Likely: I see a Tommy Joseph type
Webb
Ceiling: Solid middle reliever
Floor: Patrick Schuster
Likely: He’s a taxi-squad Loogy until he’s out of options and then he becomes like a Rob Scahill/Vin Mazarro type- you probably see him at some point every season- albeit for a brief period of time as a mop-up man.
arc89
Cooper is nothing more than a career minor league player. He is only insurance in case of a injury. 26 and never been to the big leagues shows he is AAA filler. Carter had a better track record than Cooper. .
ctguy
Pretty similar for Webb also. He may eventually get a shot in the majors due to injuries and then it will be back to the minors. He’s actually pitched pretty well in the minors, but don’t expect too much more than that.
darkstar61
“He was rated #43 by Prospects1500 in the Brewers system.”
The 43rd best prospect in the Brewers system? I’m sorry, but that doesn’t generally translate into a ML talent
I’d also argue he has never really found that much success in the minors. He has been older than the league average each season up until now (and a short trip to AAA last season), and his numbers have not exactly been top of the pile. Like last year he was 32nd in the Southern League in OPS, behind many 19-23 YOs. He was 25; a 25 YO 1B to boot. And even more specifically a 25 YO 1B who hit all of 4 HR over 330 PA …he was outpacing most of the league in GDPs though, so I guess there’s that!
Bob Knob
Has Cooper been blocked at First Base at the ML level ?
Anyone of any significance ?
darkstar61
Not that I’m aware.
In fact the site he references for the ranking (Prospects1500) mocked the Brewers (and Cooper to some extent) over the 1B situation, stating specifically
43. Garrett Cooper, 1B/OF
Age: 26 (DOB: 12/25/1990)
Who needs Eric Thames? We have someone waiting in the wings I’m sure… Garrett Cooper? MIL’s best 1B prospect. I’m supposing someone from the crowded OF (or Nottingham) will eventually move to 1B but Cooper does have a good average and earned his promotions.
So they consider him to be the best 1B in the Brewers system, but don’t see him playing 1B for the Crew.
For a little more context of the ranking and his prospects for the future, here is what they considered the #41st ranked Mil prospect
41. Michael Reed, OF
Age: 24 (DOB 11/18/1992)
5th round pick from 2011 can get on base but does not have the power to stick for more than the cup of coffee he got last two seasons. Would drastically exceed my expectations if he were to get more than another quick look with big league club.
…so they expect maybe another cup of coffee for the younger Outfielder, Reed – and he ranks higher than Cooper
Bob Knob
So I’m thinking most all the hitters in the PCL suck even so much more.
Regardless of age; how’s that #1 Met prospect doing this year in the PCL compared to Cooper ?
Met fans here are screaming to call up Domonic Smith.
mikeyst13
Dom is not their #1 prospect but anyway… His numbers are pretty comparable to Coopers, but when dealing with prospects you can’t just say “regardless of age,” 4 years is a huge difference. Just because fans want him up on a bad team that is already pretty much out of the race means nothing. The Mets still don’t think he’s ready. And apparently there is something in Cooper’s game that isn’t either or he would have been given a shot.
darkstar61
Cooper just likes playing in the Colorado Air, as evidenced by his splits:
Away – .300/.359/.500/.859 (167 PA)
Home – .442/.503/.829/1.333 (153 PA)
That away line, while still lucky based off past performance, would drop him considerably down the rankings
As far as the 22YO Smith … well I’m not sure how he even comes into a conversation to compare against a 26Yo AAAA guy, at best, who is only intriguing people at all because he is playing well for really the first time in his career in Colorado
…like last year though, Cooper is outpacing most of the PCL in GDP this season – so there is that!
Bob Knob
Current performances/successes are not adjusted for age.
Future – yes.
Current – no.
Right now – Cooper is a better prepared player for ML service than the vast majority of PCL hitters.
Smith is not close to Cooper right now.
mikeyst13
Smith is also in the system of an under-performing team that is not in a playoff hunt and can afford to call him up and let him work through the inevitable struggles. Neither of the teams involved in this trade can really afford to do that.
darkstar61
Smith this season – .330/.382/.500/.882
Cooper away line – .300/.359/.500/.859
Away from Colorado the 26YO Cooper is under-perfoming the 22YO Smith, so not sure how you come to that conclusion
But this look from his advanced stops probably says about all you need to know about Cooper, to be totally honest:
14 (A+) – 5.0% HR/FB
15 (A+) – 5.6% HR/FB
15 (AA) – 0.0% HR/FB
16 (AA) – 5.7% HR/FB
16 (AAA) – 14.7% HR/FB
17 (AAA) – 20.o% HR/FB
…he loves him some PCL parks – everything else, not so much…
slider32
Averages are inflated for the whole league!
Phillies2017
I wouldn’t discount him simply because of his prospect rating. Tons of players have come out of nowhere with very little hype.
Goldschmidt, Odubel Herrera, Keon Broxton, Jerad Eickhoff, Jesus Aguilar, Erasmo Ramirez, Freddy Galvis, Guillermo Heredia, Chris Devenski, David Peralta. Just a few examples of guys who didn’t rank too highly as prospects.
43rd overall in a system like Milwaukees is the equivalent of a C prospect. Sometimes they work.
mikeyst13
It is completely possible that he is just a late bloomer and is having a breakout season, but the peripherals tend to suggest its more a case that he moved to the most hitter-friendly stadium in the most hitter-friendly league in the US. Now don’t get me wrong, I believe he can hit. I think he can be a .270-.285 guy in the league but I think the power is a facade. If he projects as a future .275 14-18 HR first-baseman who is already 26, plays average d, and has yet to see a MLB pitch then I see this as an even trade for a bullpen lefty who relies on control. The monster AAA numbers just have people over-valuing. There is a reason that if you’re not a Brewer fan you haven’t heard of him before today.
darkstar61
He is being discounted because of the lack of abilities shown at advanced ages through his minor league career
Now compare that to the first guy on you list; Goldschmidt:
.334/.408/.638/1.045 as 21 YO in Pioneer League (Rookie)
.314/.384/.606/.990 as 22 YO in Cali League (A+)
.306 /435/.626/1.061 as 23 YO in the Southern League (AA)
…then he was in the majors for good
Those are advanced stats at league appropriate ages (and well under age in the case of his AA stop) on an accelerated path before making the Majors for good. That isn’t comparable at all
Lastly I would point out that John Sickels does not have Cooper listed on his 54 Brewers prospects he ranks as at aleast a C prospect (meaning John has him ranked at best as a C- and a sub-54 prospect in the Brewers system)
slider32
Yanks are bidding their time, they will sign Goldy in 19.
billysbballz
Pretty cool and interesting scouting assessment, thanks for the breakdown.
Ken M.
Cashman does it again!
A 171wRC+ slugging first baseman to pair with Judge for the next 7 years. This tandem of Judge, Sanchez and Cooper will be slugging 150 home runs a year.
ib6ub9
Lol.
jdgoat
Judge-120
Sanchez-25
Cooper-5
MVP20
Lmao
ottomatic
Your trolling needs some serious work dude
matteyt
Garrett Cooper = Gary Cooper = Lou Gehrig?
ctguy
Kinda like Tyler Webb = Mariano Rivera?
slider32
And they traded for Cooper at High Noon!
pinballwizard1969
A trade that seems to benefit both teams needs at this point.
Bald Vinny
WOW. The reliever market is going to be costly this year. Just like last year. A stud infielder for a reliever. Imagine what Hand is going to bring?
jdgoat
This doesn’t correlate. It’s two prospects who will more than likely be fringe big leaguers
jameyc
not near what miller or chapman brought,,,these guys simply are the best of whats available and not in miller or chapmans league.
Nathan Marlow
Man it sucks to see coop go from us here in Colorado Springs.. he is a super nice guy, I even got his 15th home run of the season this year
billysbballz
Cheerios Famine,
Read a great article in NY Daily News regarding Quintana and why it was smart the Yanks didn’t make this deal as one pitcher wasn’t worth the return right now. It states an equivalent package as per pro scouts been Rutherford and Sheffield. Then further stated Rutherford is valued very highly by scouts throughout game!
Hmmmmmmmm.
Please read it so that you can better understand how the Yanks are working.
Cheerios you still don’t care for the kid though right?
thegreatcerealfamine
Now Billyboy read what I wrote farther up. Anywho please put the prospect love away for a minute and wait till all lists are published. I to can surf and find various views on various prospects but let’s just wait and see what Cash actually does or doesn’t do.
billysbballz
true, lets hope if he deals a high end prospect (Florial, etc??) its for a young potential ace and not Q. Cool, we good?
Rutherford wants to be your friend, give him a chance to prove you wrong is all Im saying coco puffs.
KnicksFanCavsFan
I wonder how the Yanks view one of their own AAA 1B, Mike Ford? He’s been tearing things up for his entire career and seems like he would be ahead of Cooper on the depth pool.
2017-..290/.418/.507 , 14 hrs and more walks (61) than strikeouts (47).
I haven’t heard of serious concerns on his defense. Hopefully, he’ll get a shot ahead of Cooper.
pinballwizard1969
Ford has been very good. However keep in mind the stats you are quoting are from both Double & Triple A. The majority from Double A. Ford’s biggest problem is he’s not on the 40 man roster presently. My guess is we won’t see him until rosters expand in September.
KnicksFanCavsFan
Well they say that the most talent is usually at the AA level. Regardless, he’s performed well at the two highest levels.
480 AB @ AA = .881 from ’16 and ’17
pinballwizard1969
I really like Ford and I hope he does get his chance. But he seems to have been bitten by the injury bug the last season and a half like so many of the Yankees 1st basemen.
66TheNumberOfTheBest
Ty Webb was a better golfer than Al Czervik or Judge Smails.
WubbaLubbaDubDub
^^^ This guy gets it.