Much has been made of the Brewers’ outfield logjam since the signing of Lorenzo Cain and acquisition of Christian Yelich seemingly left the team with more big leaguers than spots to play them. While Domingo Santana has been an oft-speculated trade candidate, frequently connected to pitching targets, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that Keon Broxton has actually been garnering more attention on the trade market (Twitter links). Santana, of course, had a breakout 2017 season in which he slugged 30 homers and hit .278/.371/.505 in 607 plate appearances and is more than two years younger than Broxton. However, Broxton’s ability to play center field is leading to a greater volume of interest than the Brew Crew is receiving in Santana, per the report. Haudricourt also notes that because Broxton has a minor league option remaining, he could potentially spend enough time in Triple-A to miss Super Two status, which would mean he’s not arbitration-eligible until after the 2019 season. Even spending a month in the minors would put Broxton’s year-end service time at two years, 118 days, which would leave him shy of standard Super Two range.
A bit more on the Brewers…
- There doesn’t appear to be space on the Brewers’ Opening Day roster for first baseman Jesus Aguilar, writes MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy in his latest Brewers Inbox column. And, because Aguilar is out of minor league options, that means he’d be exposed to waivers (and quite likely claimed) or traded to another organization. The Brewers plan to carry eight relievers, and with Cain, Yelich, Ryan Braun, Eric Thames and Santana all in a carousel in the outfield and (in the case of Braun and Thames) at first base, there’s no clear bench spot for Aguilar. The 27-year-old Aguilar hit .265/.331/.505 with 16 homers as a rookie last year, including a .302/.370/.531 line against lefties. (A trade or injury could open a door to keep Aguilar on the roster.) McCalvy notes that Aguilar is “off-the-charts good in the clubhouse,” so retaining him would likely be a popular move with his teammates.
- McCalvy also notes in that column that he’s received “no indication” that the Brewers are having conversations with the agents for either Neil Walker or Jonathan Lucroy — two former Brewers who remain unsigned. That meshes with comments from GM David Stearns in a Monday interview with Gary Ellerson and Ramie Makhlouf of 105.7 FM The Fan in Milwaukee (h/t: MLB.com’s Alyson Footer). Stearns said that he doesn’t expect another “significant” addition via either free agency or the trade market, though he notes that he’s still doing his due diligence and monitoring both markets with a “never say never” mentality. Nonetheless, Steanrs plainly stated that he “[anticipates] that we go into the season with the current group we have.” The GM also indicated, without delving into specific names, that the Brewers’ rumored interest in some free agents was overstated this offseason, stating that there was a “higher percentage” than usual of rumors that made him “scratch [his] head a little bit and wonder where that came from.”
As a Brewers fan this offseason would be a 100% fail if they don’t add a starter. Can’t win without Pitching. Yes they improved the offense but it doesn’t matter if you score 6 when you give up 7. To contend in the Central we need two starters I think and to contend for a WC we need 1.
Wade Miley has a spot all but locked down at this point, his fastball is sitting at 93 and he is throwing strikes and missing bats. The Brewers do still need one more guy. Cobb or Lynn would make them a threat for the NL Central.
If Miley is legit then we have 4/5 when Nelson gets back. Gallardo shouldn’t be in the conversation beyond long relief. Add/trade for someone (Cobb) and have Woodruff ready if someone gets hurt or declines inevitably. Then when Nelson is back at best we’ll have 6 good starters but more likely someone will be bullpen bound.
I wouldnt depend on Miley just because of a few good starts in Spring Training. He started off the season well with the O’s last season too. Brewers need at least 1 more good arm to be a real contender. I cant see how they dont pull it off though with several good FA still available and a bunch of trade chips. I’m really hoping for a good race with the Cubs and the Cards this year.
I can tell you right now that if you are relying on Miley every 5th day, you are going to end up very angry with your team. Coming from an Orioles fan. A 5.61 ERA and 1.73 WHIP is no joke and his numbers have gotten worse every single year since 2012. Do not get your hopes up about him, Spring Training means almost nothing.
Can’t wait to visit Wrigley Field North!
I’m an O’s fan and while Miley’s results were less than ok in Baltimore, I will say this: I love his stuff. Great late movement on his pitches and great deception in his delivery—but he nibbles. I think if he trusts his stuff and works with a coach/staff he also trusts he can have a breakthrough season.
He’s capable of turning things around for himself. He does have good stuff. His inability to locate led to his disastrous 2017. And disastrous it was.
Even though the season series last year was only 10 to 9 in favor of the Cubs.
Why does everyone just assume Nelson is going to come back and be good right away?
I don’t see why they don’t just plug Hader into the rotation. It’s what he did in the minors
Yeah, it’s about 100 times nicer than Miller Park South
Because our bullpen is OK but not spectacular without him. He could easily be the Andrew Miller type to shut down the 7th and 8th innings.
It’s a great point. If you read details on this injury very few pitchers ever attain the level they were at before. I hope Nelson does. Just as importantly, even those who later achieved at a high level performed poorly the year they returned. So we absolutely should not be counting on an effective Nelson in 208
For the hundredth time, anyone counting on Nelson for anything at all isn’t familiar with labral surgery.
Still not a threat to the Cubs!
Have fun with Wade Miley…
8 inning ST sample. He might have it won but wade Miley has had nothing locked down for awhile. I’d be nervous.
I think they’re okay going into the season with the current rotation. See if anyone takes a step forward. The talent of the available pitchers this year was grossly overstated. This isn’t a “win now” kind of season, so waiting for the right pitcher at the right price is a move that Stearns can, and will use.
Then why go out and sign Cain now? He’s going to continue to decline and it’s not like they got him super cheap.
He needs to decline before he “continues” to decline. He had a war over 5 last year. That’s pretty solid.
Because it’s a good fit. If it was a win now year they probably wouldn’t have went for 5 years. Stearns is building a team that isn’t just good for a couple years then rebuild again…which means he’s not going to overpay a pitcher who’s over 30. No one that is/was available is a top of the line ace. There are concerns with them all. No sense in losing trade chips or handcuffing the team for a guy who’s gonna Suppan in 2 years. This is year 3 of the “3-5 year plan.” Just chill out and enjoy the ride.
Except the Brewers are never competitive in the FA market for high talent arms. This was a year where the big spenders aren’t spending like it. To expect the Brewers to contend in free agency for top talent arms in the years going forward is not realistic. That’s why it makes all the more sense to sign Cobb or Lynn now while they are asking for far less than they would other off-seasons.
If Cobb and Lynn are asking for “far less” then why aren’t they signed? I’d guess you’re the same fan that, if we were to sign a guy, would complain about how bad they are in two-three years when they decline. Free agency isn’t the only way to acquire pitching, and Stearns has left enough in the pipeline to go get a high end guy when the time is right.
Yes 100% fail
Until it doesn’t work out (of course) and you’re complaining that the Brewers keep signing mediocre free agent pitchers to expensive deals. This is another Jeff Suppan/Randy Wolf/Doug Davis situation. None of these pitchers, especially Arrieta, are worth what they are asking.
Arrieta wanting 200 million is kind of hilarious after you see what Darvish – the preferred option for most teams – took..
Couldn’t agree more man they gotta add a starter or we’re going to be stuck in wild card purgatory
Stuck how? Why are all you other Brewer “fans” treating it like we’re the Nats and need to make a run at it this season? The core is locked up long term. Burnes will be ready next year, Nelson should be back to 100% by then, Woodruff, Suter, and possibly Ortiz should be ready to take rotation spots. The pitching market next year should be better than this year. Adding to the team long term without over-spending on a slightly above average pitcher (Suppan, Loshe, Garza anyone? they’ve made that mistake before) does not make the off-season a 100% failure. There is more than a 1 year window here and they are close, just not quite there.
I agree with you. Stuck in Wild Card Purgatory is poor term to use. For this year, yes that is what they look like with the current pitching staff, but they have a ton of great arms that they like and they don’t want a Garza Lohse situation blocking their young guys and wasting money. Basically every main guy is locked up for at least 4 more years (Braun 3). If they are going to add another SP it is not going to be a another Garza, it needs to be an Ace and at a price they like.
It’s the same thing with Neil Walker. I understand why people want him back, but they are only doing it if it’s a cheap one year deal because they are not going to block Hiura. He may even be up by the All-Star break if Villar doesn’t bounce back.
Exactly, Huria is looking like a lock to be starting 2B next year. I personally would rather see a Lucroy reunion over Walker. Don’t get me wrong Pina was great last year and Voght is nice lefty power bat, but Pina is unproven to repeat. That position could turn to a weakness quickly and they don’t have a top prospect in waiting. Nottingham has fallen off last couple of years and is no guarantee to ever make the majors now. Lucroy back in the lineup would feel like an upgrade. Not likelly to happen though unless Pina gets hurt.
Pina may or may not repeat last year’s performance, but let’s not pretend Lucroy is a clear upgrade (or on par with him) either. What’s he done the past season and change..? Enough to still be a free agent the second week of March..and not getting any younger.
Again it’s great to count on young arms but how many starters have the brewers truly developed? I’ll wait…not to mention next season the big spending teams will be back to their old ways. The top pitchers on the market will not choose Milwaukee over other top destinations we’ve seen that with CC for example.
You are not wrong, but Lucroy still a free agent is indication of the entire off season for all players, not him. He had a down year, but I still think he is an All-Star catcher. Lucroy at bargain returning to his Brewers form could be huge, but Pina has earned the chance to be the starter.
The poor development on pitchers was under the previous regime though. They never developed anyone except Ben Sheets, thats what forced them to trade for CC, Grienke, Marcum, Capuano, Davis and sign Lohse, Suppan, and Garza and lets not forget having to go get K-Rod, Gagne, Hoffman, and Feliz not to mention ALL the other relievers. So far this regime has developed Kneubal, Hader, Barnes, Nelson, Davies to this point so it looks a lot better. But their are no guarantees on those guys continuing to develop or the other prospects becoming good major leaguers. You are right on the free agency, but the Brewers can’t give $100 mil to a 30 year old pitcher, so it has to be a price that fits them. The Brewers have to be smart with their resources as all small market teams have to be.
‘there was a “higher percentage” than usual of rumors that made him “scratch [his] head a little bit and wonder where that came from.” ‘
– Boras that you?
When the Brewers got Yelich, there were multiple fans claiming they were going to “run away” with the division.
Now, many of you are claiming the offseason is a total failure, unless you get a pitcher.
Seriously, please, I beg you, calm your bipolar loving selves down.
Calling people bipolar for their opinions is a real classy move. But then again, wouldn’t expect anything less from a Cubs fan
There’s no real Cubs fans on here jbaker just bandwagoners Masquerading. Real fans don’t disappear then show up like these guys.
Most of them don’t even know anything about baseball , it’s just the social thing for them to do! Until the next fad comes along or the Cubs start losing again .
Being a Cub fan I have to agree with J Baker. Bi Polar is a serious thing. That was uncalled for and I’m a Cubs fan.
I can understand Milw fans excited about Yelich. They are far from running away with anything TBH. That’s not hating that true fact. I was never worried and happy for Milw fans. Had they got Darvish also I be a bit concerned because the only equalizer would be JA. His price would increase due to demand.
I do agree Milw will have to get a pitcher sooner or later. Later might be too late. If they are too far back by July they probably won’t. It’s almost getting to the point we’re it’s too late for pitchers now. Unless it is a real cheap deal. t will take at least 2 weeks to get back into form. Throwing a pitcher into regular season wo ST is setting yourself up for disaster and poss injury to add to it. Esp when taking Lynn, Cobb or JA
Would hate to lose Aguilar, but he really won’t have an opportunity for ABs beyond pinch hitting if Braun gets time at 1b.
The return on Broxton wouldn’t be near that of Santana, which is why I’m sure there is more interest.
Miley was a nice organizational depth signing, but if he’s in the rotation the crew is in trouble. I’m still hoping Stearns changes his tune and offers Cobb 3/42 or so, as at least one more starter is needed.
“The return on Broxton wouldn’t be near that of Santana, which is why I’m sure there is more interest.”
Awesome point. Wow…and obviously the writer did not pick up on this or he would have written this article differently. Instead he implies Broxton is more desirable to other teams because, what, he plays CF better than Santana? Ur logic is spot on and something i admit I did mot immediately think about.
As an Astros fan I follow the Brewers, well I should say I keep an eye on the Brewers, because of the Gomez trade. I thought we gave up three potential all stars at the time, so i keep an eye on Santana, Phillips, and Hadar.
Why the Brewers are complaining about starting pitching yet intend on wasting Hadar in a non closers role is beyond me and makes me question Counsell if he is making that call. He was the top left-hand pitching prospect before he got to the majors, And was always projected as a starter. Signing Cain was overkill and i hope Brinson becomes a monster.
Hader may be a closer some day, or a starter, but his role as a fireman is invaluable. He was a huge part of keeping the Brewers in the race after the bats collectively slumped last season. He still can’t control the slider with regularity (although that also improved a bit towards the end of the season). Knebel can close; with a less than top-notch rotation Hader’s role is crucial.
Hader is still only 23, he still has plenty of time to switch back to the rotation. Until he can establish a true 3rd pitch and harness his slider a little better though he is best used in the pen where he is. Remember when Andrew Miller was a top prospect but couldn’t find a third pitch and was moved to the pen? Do you think he’s being “wasted” there? There is still tremendous value in a shut down bullpen arm, especially as a lefty.
As for the Cain signing, they wanted a CF that wasn’t going to K 32% of the time like Phillips and Broxton. Both those guys still have some upside, but they desperately needed someone at the top of the lineup that could put the bat on the ball. Was it a little questionable move with their OF depth already? Maybe. But I think it shows that they were not convinced that neither Phillips nor Broxton is an every day CF. Brinson could have possibly been the answer, but he was already gone in the Yellich deal which they couldn’t really pass up.
There is plenty of value in guys who don’t pitch the 9th inning. see Andrew miller or any number of the Yankees relievers.
Didn’t Cobb reportedly turn down a similar offer to 3/42? Why would he take it now?
The entire reason Cobb, Lynn and Arrieta have not yet signed anywhere is that there is a tremendous gulf in the valuation of the players/agents and the teams that might be interested.
Their strategy at this point may be to wait until after the draft (after which no draft pick comp is attached) and wait for the inevitable injury.
The additional problem the three players have is that Cobb and Lynn don’t appear to be viewed as “difference makers”, just innings eaters, and Arrieta’s decline and velocity loss the last two seasons may give a number of teams pause as to whether he can continue to be a difference maker.
The Phillies are reportedly willing to meet a high AAV for Arrieta, but they cannot agree on contract length. The same may be true for Cobb and Lynn.
It will be interesting to see how it plays out.
I believe Cobb turned down something like 3/39 from the Cubs at the outset of free agency. Seeing how the off season is playing out should make him reconsider his position, and I think something like 3/42 could get it done. Seeing as the known offer for his best comparable (Lynn) is 2/20, I don’t see how it doesn’t get it done.
I can easily see how it doesn’t get done. The player won’t accept the terms.
It’s a matter of leverage, and you seem to be saying that as time goes by the player continues to lose leverage.
That is true up to a point.
If the player waits until after the draft, the draft pick comp goes away. If a pitcher gets hurt on a contending team in a tight division race, the player/agent perception is that their leverage goes up.
Maybe you’re right that Cobb will sign for 3/42 (that really requires mind reading though), but if that is the case then they would probably have countered with that to one of the clubs that have made offers.
Right now the reports are that Cobb/Lynn/Arrieta want at least 4 years and aren’t budging.
We’ll see what happens.
The problem with waiting for an injury on a competing team is that those teams are then usually looking for a short term solution so getting a team like that to bite on 4 years is still going to be an issue. Most would still probably want him to come down to 2 or 3 at the most. Waiting until after the draft is definitely an option, but may hurt his up front numbers since he wont have as much time to get acclimated to the team. JA I can see waiting, I guy with the injury history of Cobb I can definitely see eventually settling for 3 years.
Those trio of pitchers are likely waiting for a ST injury to a mid to front rotation guy. They happen every year, so I don’t think they will need to wait until June…at least of the three. I think all three will sign before June…but odder things have happened.
I honestly think that the Brewers could do a simple couple of moves to sure up the off-season which is sign Cobb to a 4 year deal along with maybe Lucroy to a 2 or 3 year deal. Eat the rest of Thames contract and keep Aguilar. Then bring Brett Anderson in on a minor league deal. Lucroy isn’t a must be cause it wouldn’t hurt the sheriff to have a taste of the majors this year. Definitely trade Broxton though
Cobbs is getting 3 years at most and Lucroy now way getting more than a year (maybe a 2nd year option). Plus everyone of Brewers starting pitching depth is better than Brett Anderson lol
*No way
Not on Twitter. Haha
The problem with signing one of the free agent pitchers is the third year they are looking for. Beyond any regression questions, a major chunk of the team will be into the later stages of arbitration. It’s not out of the question for the team to be basically the same in three years and the payroll be $40-$50 MM higher.
You know I get that you can never have enough pitching but have to agree with Brewcrew signing anyone over a three year deal would be a mistake. Now I know not every prospect is going to be successful but in the next year in a half I think we are going to have a quite of number of guys be successful in starting at the majors and AAA such as Corbin, Woodruff, Suter, Ortiz, Kirby, Peralta, Davies, Griep and guys in the bullpen that could be some pretty good pieces too like Williams, Derby, Houser, Knebel , Diplan, Bickford, Perrin, Lopez. Now I know some won’t pan out and a bunch haven’t been ranked very high on lists but it’s your front office and coaches that should know your players the best and know what you have. They seem to feel they have legit very good depth. They also feel no need to just throw money around too much just yet and like Brewcrew fan says were going to have to start locking some of these guys up in a couple years. Stern has made a lot of good moves and at this point he hasn’t done too much to not to doubt him
Completely agree, but if Lynn’s best offer so far is really 2/20 I feel like they could try to push it to like a 2/26 and see if he bites. I think he still tries to hold out for more years, but it’s worth a flier.
Lynn, like Arrieta has regressed horribly with his fastball. The only starter out there that I think would be worth it at this point is Cobb, but his price will need to keep coming down too.
Lynn was coming back from surgery last year. He’ll be stronger
and healthier this year! Presumably !
As far as Aguilar goes, which teams out there would be likely to claim him? He would have to be put on the 25 man roster. Who would have an opening for a right-handed 1B/DH?
Royals, Mariners, & Rockies
No shot he’d make it to Colorado and definitely not Seattle.
How u so sure with Colorado?Coors would be a launching pad for him & RH platoon with McMahon
He’s saying that there’s no way he makes it to Colorado in the waiver order…
He might. Not a lot of teams looking for 1B in NL. Maybe Pirates or Giants, if they want to platoon Belt or give him days off? Mets?
Marlins, to platoon with Justin Bour
im sure theyre content with Cooper
Mets? In fact, maybe the Mets could trade one of their burned out SPs for him.
As a Mets fan the guy I’d like to see them figure out how to acquire is Broxton. CF is a weak position for them.
Lynn or Cobb to MIL for around chatwood money is the best they can hope for at this point. 3/36. Lynn apparently already turned down 2/20 from MIN and it was labeled a “non starter”. When you’re unsigned in March maybe it’s time to realize someone just offered you 20 million dollars to play baseball in your 30’s…
Brewers would probably be willing to go over 20 for Lynn on a two-year deal.
Lynn is 27 or 28…
Lynn is 30 and will be 31 a month into the season.
Brewers should call A’s Billy Beane proposing a trade for lefty Sean Manea… Of course Manea will cost more than Santana and Broxton – or Aguilar for that matter – but hey they can dare to dream lol…
Beane’s price tag on ‘Manaea’ is probably higher than the Rays price tag on Archer.
He’s a guy with 5 more years of control who continues to improve.
He’s a lefty, and he may be OAK’s opening day starter.
I would love for the Phillies to get him too, but I suspect the price tag would be Sixto Sanchez and 4 – 5 other guys.
So 8 relievers, 5 starters, 5 outfielders, four starting infielders, a starting catcher. That leaves two bench spots, one of which is going .to be used for a backup catcher, which requires the last spot to be used on a utility guy who can play all the infield spots and probably can’t hit. Current roster construction makes baseball boring. No pinch-hitters, no room for late-game offensive strategy. I hope in the next CBA the players push for expanded rosters. I understand that having bullpen matchup options is ideal, but it makes the ends of games boring in my opinion.
This is the nail getting hit, no smacked on the head.
Unfortunately it’s probably going to be the trend moving forward. Last year I think the Astros and Red Sox were the only teams to carry 13 pitchers. My Astros just won the World Series So now I guess everyone will carry 13 pitchers.
It did not make the Astros World Series champions. It should be looked at as a luxury because the lineup was so deep and required no platoons. The Astros used the 13th pitcher in situations where they could have done like other teams do, and simply use a position player.
MLB definitely needs to look at this, as young prospects will continually be held in the minors as long as possible, while teams carry the 13th pitcher, who is more than likely either a journeyman or someone the team no longer places a lot of value in.
So your solution to having too many relievers on rosters is to add more relievers? Because that’s exactly what’s going to happen with expanded rosters…
That’s a fear; and maybe there would have to be a cap on pitchers on a roster which would be tricky. But the Phillies and Angels have both already stated their intentions to carry 9 relievers this season, so in Philly’s case that means 3 bench players, which means in any kind of late-game or extra-inning situation there’s probably going to be a pitcher batting and that’s not fun baseball. Ideally managers would push for those extra roster spots to go to position players, because right now, late in games, there’s no offensive strategy -teams don’t have the hitters to get the platoon advantage, but the defensive team always can. That, to me, makes for boring baseball.
Not happening.
No way in hell the Angels carry 9 relievers at any point in the season with a 6 man rotation. If you honestly think a MLB team is going to try and get through a season with 15 pitchers and 10 position players you’re crazy.
The Angels have said they are going to use 9 relievers so there’s that. I believe they see Ohtani as the two-way player/DH/6th starter so they can have two bench players.
It would be possible for them to expand rosters but cap the number of pitchers you can carry. Would help out in the NL, but AL you’d just end up with a lot of guys wasting away at the end of the bench….
It’s only boring baseball if you don’t like to watch pitching and defense.
I like to watch managerial strategy, the cat-and-mouse stuff. Like, if you have one of those Mike Myers types and a lefty hitter up who can’t hit lefties, in the current game you just bring in Myers. If a team had a couple lefty-mashing bench bats though, the defensive manager would have to think about it more. I mean, in the current game two of those bench bats are the backup catcher, which no team ever uses to pinch-hit and the utility infielder who can’t hit. It’s nice I suppose, that very marginal major-league talents like Mike Myers or Brett Cecil have jobs but there are good hitters throughout history who have had lots of value coming off the bench in highly-leveraged situations – the John VanderWal or Matt Stairs types – even though the bat was the only tool. Those guys don’t exist in the current game and that makes the ends of games very predictable and boring.
Earl Weaver is probably the greatest manager of all time, and he did it in large part by embracing platoons, both left/right and offense/defense and finding value in guys like Merv Rettenmund, who could basically only hit but had some very good seasons for Weaver’s O’s. The current game has made platoons obsolete and unique guys who can hit (or defend really well or pinch-run) are pretty rare.
Which is what wins baseball games in the long run!
Exactly. You don’t need a huge bench. An AL team especially doesn’t. You expand the rosters you’re going to expand the bullpen. When your starter gets lit up it’s a hell of a lot more valuable to have another mop up guy instead of keeping Tommy Joseph on your bench who might get an AB as a PH. The only way that works is if you limit the number of pitchers a ML team can keep on he active roster. And when you start doing stufff like that it gets too restrictive. Keep it as is.
Walker would make a great addition to the Tigers
I admire the Brewers trading for Yelich.
But over paying for Cain and not going out to get a top pitcher is going to come back on them. Esp when they neeed a pitcher more than a 5th outfielder. I agree Lynn 3 years at 36 will get it done. Cobb might even bite at 3/40 at this stage. Although he turned down more from the Cubs. Both are risky and injury prone. They are no JA or Darvish. But wo one I can’t see Milw even getting to post season. Everyone going to ask why would you blow a long term expensive deal on Cain and instead poll that money for Darvish or JA. Guess time will tell.
Both Lynn and Cobb are still looking for more than you just stated. That is why they still remain unsigned. Cobb wants 4 years and Lynn wants more than 13M per. People seem to forget what a glaring hole for the Brewers was last year. A true leadoff hitter.
I agree with you Brewcrew. I’m just saying it going be a lot harder. If Milw were serious about post season. We all know pitching n defence wins in post season. Look at the past WS winners and runner ups. Even getting a WC not going to cut it. Esp hitting a rotation like LAD, Wash and Chi. I’m just being real here. Do I think Lynn is worth more than 10-12 a year. I think he’s worth 3-36 tops. Maybe 3-38
I find it hard to give Cobb 4
years 60 3-48 maybe 49-50 @3 tops and that’s over Pay n risky. They be looking for more but time running out unless they will just hold out. I believe if they are unsigned by opening day they will sign within 3 weeks after the season has started.
But they will have to do something if they are serious.
Stearns has used the “move the needle” quote. They aren’t going to sign them for a high price unless they move the needle. I like that they aren’t trying to make a Kyle Lohse or Matt garza signing like they have in the past. They are looking for an Ace, but have to be careful with their money. Sign for our price and we’ll take you.
Exactly. “Move the needle”…”difference maker” … that’s what teams should be looking for at this point, and Cobb/Lynn want to get paid like they’re difference makers.
Cobb has only pitched over 150 innings twice in his career, and it’s not like he’s a K machine. I’m not sure you give a guy like that a long-term deal that could come back to bite you.
Lynn wants to get paid like his pre-TJ self, but there is a great deal of risk that pitcher will no be the one a signing team gets.
Cubs will win the division by 7+ games, barring injury.
You can say anything barring injury, because there always will be an injury at some point so you’ll always be right.
Ok. The Cubs will win the division over the Cardinals by 7 games. 10 over the Brewers.
So where do you get your crystal balls?
Aguilar is the perfect platoon partner for Thames.
So is Braun.
Braun is more of an everyday player. Aguilar is more of a back-up/platoon guy.
“Braun is more of an everyday player” well considering they have 4 starting outfielders I don’t think that’s going to be the case.
Calf injuries, knee injuries, a wrist injury diving for a ball… All issues Braun has had as he gets older. Part of the 1B platoon with Braun is not only finding ABs for him, but also keeping him a little healthier by taking time off from the OF. And as it looks now it is more of Thames being the platoon partner for Braun, not Braun or Aguilar platooning with Thames. Once pitchers adjusted to Thames in the second half his HRs dropped from 23 to 8, .OBP dropped almost 40 points and Slugging almost 110. (though there were some minor injuries he dealt with in there too) I think they’re more concerned that Thames is not an everyday player, as evidenced by Aguilar’s increased playing time the second half last season.
Braun is still the best overall hitter on the team. He will get 130-140 starts as long as he stays healthy.
I would have probably agreed with you until they traded for Yelich, who is now their best hitter. The “as long as he stays healthy” has been his problem for awhile.
Well I mean average and Power. A healthy Braun is still a .300 30+ HR hitter. Yelich hasn’t shown the power yet. Braun still the one until Yelich takes it which I hope he develops into.
I think Santana would be a good fit for the Braves. Right handed bat to protect Freddie Freeman. the Braves will just have to figure out what to do with Markakis once Acuna is ready.
Put him on the bench, where he belongs… Or just cut him…
If you lol at the schedule there’s not a huge need for a 5th starter, not days off this year.
While I’d prefer they sign somebody, they have plenty of bodies to find guys pitching well.
Mainly, I feel Stearns investigated the market for the tradable guys because of all the tanking going on, all 3 should be easy to trade based on production and age.
Trade Santana to Cleveland for Ryan Merritt and infielder Erik Gonzalez. I believe it would be a Win/Win for both teams
Eh, Merritt is pretty much the same pitcher as Woodruff or Suter in my eyes. Not a big time prospect coming up, not the most impressive stuff, but good command and good results through the minors. Don’t think he’s enough of an improvement for them to move Santana. And throwing in a glove first middle IF in Gonzalez doesn’t do a ton to move the needle.
‘Cept Woodruff has more of a prospect pedigree. That return on Santana is definitely too light. If you’re moving him, you’re doing it for starting pitching that can slot into the rotation today, or for higher end prospects… top ten organizational guys. Definitely not for a pitcher heading into his late 20’s, coming off a career year, thus at peak value, and middle infield depth.
Problem is they are not getting that kind of return for Santana without throwing in other pieces. The market for sub-par defensive corner OFs who can hit is at an absolute low right now. Their best bet at this point is to hold on to him until the inevitable injury happens and someone is looking for an OF.
Even then you probably would have to throw in a prospect or two with Santana to get a decent SP.
It used to be that position players were valued much more highly than pitchers because they played every day.
That does not seem to be the case anymore, especially with advanced metrics showing that pitching can add as much or more to the win column as a position player.
I hope we keep Santana and Alvarez. Trade guys in the minors in the outfield to get a pitcher