With the non-tender deadline looming tomorrow, there’s a “strong possibility” the Brewers will non-tender infielder Jonathan Schoop, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (via Twitter). A trade route is also possible, per the report; the takeaway, regardless, is that the Milwaukee organization seems to be preparing to move on.
That’d be a tough pill to swallow, given that the Brewers acquired Schoop just last summer in anticipation of a turnaround. That did not come to pass late in 2018, and evidently the organization isn’t all that optimistic that the bounce back will occur in the season to come. Or, at least, it’s not willing to pay what it’ll take to find out.
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In his final season of arbitration eligibility, MLBTR and contributor Matt Swartz project, Schoop will take down something on the order of $10.1MM. That’s an easy payday to commit to for the 2017 version of Schoop. He slashed a robust .293/.338/.503 with 32 long balls and turned in solid defensive work, making him a comfortably above-average regular.
Last year, though, the bottom dropped out. While he continued his solid glovework, and even showed that he can handle shortstop, Schoop’s bat fell apart. He still had good power, but ended the season with only a .233/.266/.416 slash.
The difference on the stat sheet primarily comes down to quality of contact. Schoop’s batting average on balls in play plummeted from .330 in 2017 to .261 last year. Since he rarely walk, that devastated his on-base percentage. And it’s hard to chalk it up to bad luck, as Statcast actually suggests he enjoyed good fortune (.290 wOBA vs. .266 xwOBA).
If the Brewers do indeed pull the plug, it’ll reflect not only their feelings about Schoop, but also of the remainder of the market. The organization may anticipate better opportunities to improve its infield mix; after all, at second base especially, there are numerous open-market and trade options. With other needs to address as well, and perhaps not a lot of available money to work with, there certainly could be an opportunity for the Brewers to add a solid second base asset at a lower price — or even to pursue other, more creative roster tweaks.
wasn’t he injured too last year?
could be another mans trash and another mans treasure.
There’s your 2B Mets
They seem intent on getting Cano.
intent on aquiring Diaz, Cano is a by product
That would be an expensive “by product” of that’s really all Cano is to them.
Sure but no one in their right mind would value Cano over Diaz at this point, even a FO as dumb as the Mets
I like Schoop, but not for $10 million. But who knows. The FA market is always crazy. So if Schoop is non-tendered, somebody is gonna pay him his cheese.
Braves just gave Donaldson $23 million for whatever the difference turns out to be between him and Camargo. Camargo, just 24-years-old, had a terrific 2018. That was money poorly spent by the Braves IMHO.
They won’t be getting the difference, as they still have Camargo. They added Donaldson to Camargo, who will now move around defensively.
Nah, Camargo did great once he took over as the everyday 3B., and at just 24, he figures to get better unless you want to chalk up last year as his penultimate season that will never be improved upon. Bet you a beer, come July, Donaldson will be hitting in .230s; striking out at a rate that would make Rob Deer and Adam Dunn blush and covering an amount of ground that could be concealed by a postage stamp. Brave fans should be happy they only have to bite that bullet for a year (Maybe less?)..
I bet you are wrong on that.. the average isn’t too far off, a year off and being off the turf will do wonders.. he played well in Cleveland, and is t too far removed from an mvp season.. an actual one not what others say IS one. 23m on a one year is a bit of a slick move while carmago develops this year. He’s offensively better than Swanson and hopefully Albies has the same time of year so there is now high quality insurance to their infield
Unless the Brewers can re-sign Moustakas, this move would make no sense because you may need Schoop to play 2B as they move Shaw back to 3B, if/when Moustakas signs with another team.
If this happens, the Marlins, assuming they move Starlin Castro soon, should be all over Schoop.
Having no one play second base would still be better than Schoop
Maybe. However, Schoop will be a low risk/high reward guy for my Marlins…assuming that we move Castro or even move Castro to his orginal SS. Marlins have nothing to lose if this becomes a possibility.
Oh okay, I see what you mean. I meant from the Brewers’ perspective, they’d be better off without him. A strong contender can’t afford to have that level of uncertainty.
From the Marlins’ point of view, though, it definitely makes sense to take a chance on him if he came cheaply.
Castro is real bad at short and he’s locked in to 2nd because of his contract. He couldn’t even play short well when he was younger and more athletic. The Marlins aren’t spending real money to sign a 2nd baseman who isn’t ultra cheap either, when they have Castro already and can’t get anyone to take on his contract which they’ve tried hard to find. Schoop isn’t happening in Miami.
Not sure if Schoop is going to go for much money if he’s non-tendered. If he was worth that much, someone would trade for him…even if for low level prospects, which probably gets it done if the Brewers are willing to non-tender him. Most likely he would go for a few million or lower if he’s non-tendered.
But we will see how it plays out.
Of course, for the Marlins, their thing would be based on whether they want to throw Castro at another spot, which with them not contending, it’s not an issue. Also, if they can move him, which would be ideal, with him having the equivalent of a potential expiring contract.
I’d bet he’d prefer SS on the Tigers to 2b on the Marlins.
I think he’ll go for much more than a few million. He may not be worth 10 million but I’d bet money he’s with 7 or 8 million to a lot of teams, and Castro would truly be bad at shortstop and has less value than Schoop I’d imagine. Plus if he’s going to play somewhere and regain value it’s likely not going to be in one of the worst hitters parks with no lineup protection. Sorry I just can’t see the Marlins making sense for him.
It may make no sense to a Marlins fan, but other teams have the ability to sign quality free agents that didn’t play for their team last year. Dozier, Murphy, Lowrie and bunch of other options exist on the market, and I wouldn’t be surprised if one of them signed for less than (or at least near) the ~10 mil price tag. Factor in that they could still keep Shaw at 2nd if the 3B market is more to their liking, and frankly it doesn’t make much sense NOT to non-tender him. They absolutely do not need Schoop in any way, and if they do end up tendering him it will likely just be because they don’t want to admit they made a mistake at the deadline last year.
Fair enough. I was just looking at the hole that may be left with the very likely departure of Moustakas, and a very good chance that Schoop may return back to his previous success. We’ll see how it turns out by tomorrow. If Schoop is free though, I hope my Marlins kick those tires to see if there is something there to be rewarded with at a low price.
Definitely agree, he’s worth pursuing if non-tendered – but for a team that was 1 game away from a WS, and constantly under pressure from the Cubs and Cardinals, it just feels like the Crew won’t be the team to bank on a rebound when there’s better, safer options out there. I could easily see a team like the Marlins or As “schoop”ing him up as a low-risk, high reward gamble.
He’s still going to cost around 8 million at least. Lower than the 10 million he owed now, but still not something Miami would be willing to pay with their cost cutting ways. And Castro isn’t going anywhere and he can’t play shortstop.
Sad for the Marlins fan base but Schoop should have better opportunities.
Yes, but how many will be better options that give him the chance to play everyday?
I can see the Twins giving him an everyday job at 2B and are about a .500 team. whoever the Twins sign at 2B is likely a placeholder for one of the good middle infield prospects they have. Schoop seems reasonable for the that task. I feel there are more reliable options available like Lowrie or LeMahieu but teams could fall back on him.
It would leave them nobody on the current roster as an obvious fill in at 2B, but lets look at who could be available: Lowrie, Asdrubal, LeMahieu, Kinsler, Dozier, Murphy, Harrison, Walker, Descalso, Beckham, Forsythe….. They could find a 1 year fill in til Hiura is ready pretty easily.
Keston Hiura.
Dont forget about Dubon
Brewers top prospect (Hiura) is a 2B and just won AFL MVP.
And he’s still never been above AA and only spent a half a season there. They have already said that they are going to give him more time in the minors before a call up, so the chances that he makes the big league roster to start the season is very slim.
I think Schoop would be a great fit with the A’s as a buy low alternative to replace Lowrie. If he returns to his 2017 form he could be a steal.
This seems like an easy non-tender. The free agent market is saturated with middle infielders. They could probably sign Kinsler or Dozier for much less than $10 million per year, or even bring back Schoop for a lower figure.
Is there any way I can forward this to Brian Cashman?
Oh good, I was worried there was a player that wouldn’t be tied to NYY speculation.
LOL
I just wanted to be thorough
Back to the Orioles
Highly, highly doubt it..
I’m sure if given the choice he would seriously consider it; he was treated well there (since he was young) and also quite comfortable there.
I still can’t figure out which team to be more surprised by. The uncharacteristically good move made by the Orioles (to flip him for a SP prospect and a replacement with better team control) or the uncharacteristically bad move made by Stearns.
Stearns was going to lose Ortiz to the rule 5 this winter anyways. In hindsight yes the deal didn’t workout well for the Brewers but not it was a risk worth taking
How in the world was he going to lose Ortiz to the rule 5 draft????
If anything Ortiz could’ve just taken Schoop’s place on the 40man roster.
Saying it was a good move bc Ortiz would of been a rule 5 casualty is an extremely poor excuse.
The Brewers don’t even have a full 40man roster right now, plus there’s plenty of guys that could’ve been released to free up a spot for Ortiz.
This is an unfortunate development for Jonathan…he has a low Baseball IQ and is an undisciplined hitter.
Am thinking that he may have been found out by all this new Analytics in the game….
Perhaps he may have been found out, but that has been happening to players long before Analytics. The game has always been about adjustments, long before Analytics.
It kind of makes the difference between being Ben McDonald and Jim Palmer or Juan Samuel and Joe Morgan.
Low IQ? How’d you assess and determine that?
Raw talent outweighs production
From watching him play every game for the last four years. That’s how. He’s brutal.
Cubs. Then dump Addison Russell.
no, yes to dumping Russell, no to signing Schoop
Torreyes in for Russell.
I’m cool with it. We gave up Ortiz for him but whatever! He sucks. Don’t waist a roster spot This is where we either take a step back or take a step forward
It was a decent gamble. Just didn’t work out for the Brewers in this instance. Duquette did well w that trade, for a change..I like the two low-minors infielders especially.
“since he rarely walk” ?
I think you may have forgotten to capitalize the first letter of your incomplete sentence.
While he did need to capitalize that first letter, it is not his incomplete sentence. He is quoting the article as a form of grammatical criticism.
It’s not meant to be a complete sentence. He’s pointing out the unconjugated verb.
If free and not subject to arb, I would love to see him in Boston sharing time wit Holt as insurance for Pedie or as the utility guys. Could then trade Nunez although the return would be minimal.
The sentimental contract for Pedie is really hangstringing the Sox right now, personnel-wise. There are a few 2B available right now that would be great in BOS. I really wouldn’t even mind so much if they made a run at this Cano/Diaz scenario. Dozier would be sweet.
But alas… Laser Show
Cano make no sense as if the M’s paid down the cost sufficiently for Boston to consider, why make the deal from Seattle’s perspective? The Sox have to get under the tax threshold for 2020 when Mookie is up.
Yeah Laser Show needs to call it a career and retire. He’s been washed up for awhile now and can’t sfY healthy at all. It would be ideal if Boston could work out some type of a buyout with him and bring him back as a life time member of some type of a Boston personnel job.
I would like to hear an educated guess about what he could expect to be offered as a free agent assuming he is non-tendered.
1 year, $7 million. However, that is an uneducated guess.
fair enough…If the Brewers could sign him for one year at 7 mil, I think they should do it. One full year of seasoning for Hiura, a year for Schoop to rebuild his value. And he may be really good again. Works for everybody.
Absolutely love your screen name …
I’m guessing 1 yr 8 million. I don’t think the 10 million figure is bad, but the market is saturated with 2nd baseman. I think there will be several teams interested at around 8 million though. He just needs regular playing time, which he never got in Milwaukee.
Dodgers pick him up please!
Tigers should grab him
Ray’s should sign him and trade Wendle to S.D. They could target a pitcher who doesn’t have to be on the 40 man roster.
I said it before, and I’ll say it again:
They cut Carter (surprised many at time, due to lead HR)
Hindsight proved they made the right decision, and if/when they cut Schoop, believe, hindsight will prove that right too. At this point, only see a rare Halley’s Comet Arb salary REDUCTION as only way he’s not non-tendered.
“Nothing personal, Schoop, it’s a business.”
They weren’t a contending team when they parted ways with Carter. Now they are, and almost certainly will be looking for a better alternative..rather than plugging the hole with whatever bottom of the bargain bin guy they can get their hands on.
I think Schoop is a much better than his 2018 numbers reflect. Sure, he had a bad year, but there is no real reason to believe his 2018 numbers were any more of a fluke than his 2017 numbers. I think it would be silly to just cut him after all they gave up
for him.
If they cut him I can see him putting together good numbers elsewhere.
Right, he just needs regular playing time. And he never received regular at bats because the team that traded for him really had no need for him in the first place. It was such a strange deal from the moment Milwaukee traded for him, right after they traded for Moose.
Maybe he’s not AS bad as his 2018 numbers, but 2017 definitely looks like the outlier compared to his career numbers. IMO he’s gonna be a .260ish hitter with some pop that plays good defense, almost never walks, and strikes out way too often. That’s not terrible to have at 2B, but the Brewers front office has seemed to try to shift focus to getting guys who get on base, and that he does not do. He is under .300 OBP for his career and even his big season was only .338.
He would look nice in a pirate uniform. Low risk, high upside. Fits a need at 2b and SS.
I agree. Of course, I think he’d look good in any uniform that isn’t the Brewers!
The guy is completely overrated and simply not good. All star bid was a joke and a shame to the game of baseball
I think you’re underestimating him a bit. Sure, he’s not a perfect player and doesn’t walk enough, but he’s got his pluses and just needs regular at bats.
Maybe the Brewers could trade for Scooter Gennett. Lmao.
Or Jonathan Villar
I just don’t see a better option for them anywhere.
Sure they could probably sign a guy that potentially could have as good a season, and they could probably sign someone for $2-$3mil less, but there’s no one with as much potential value to be signed.
I think it’s really simple. If you see Dubon or Hiura as the future at 2B then you bring back Schoop for 1 year.
If you plan to deal Hiura for a pitcher then you could probably non tender Schoop and sign someone like LeMahieu.
Even as bad as Schoop was last year he still finished the season with positive War and was basically the same as Murphy and Dozier.
That means there’s only a few FA that finished with a higher War then Schoop at 2B.
Lowrie
Cabrera
Kinsler
LeMahieu
Descalso
Of those 5 players I can honestly only see 3 taking 1 year deals.
LeMahieu and Lowrie will sign for more then 1/10.
Can you honesty tell me Descalso, Kinsler, and Cabrera will have a better season in 2019 then Schoop?
Every single one of those guys has had down years in their career other then DJ, they are all older then Schoop, and none of them come with the potential of a QO after 2019.
Schoop has more upside, potential for a QO, and the team just spent a ton of prospect capital to acquire him.
That is why imo it makes no sense to non tender Schoop.
The only way it makes sense is if the Brewers don’t view Hiura as their starting 2B in 2020, bc then they could sign LeMahieu or Lowrie.
Every other 2B FA other then the 5 listed above is looking to have a bounce back season, 3 of the listed guys above will probably have worse seasons then they just had.
Schoop’s bounce back season is just more valuable then any of the rest due to his potential and the potential for a QO.
Yes it’s a gamble, but if you’re gonna gamble on something it just makes sense to gamble with the potentially most valuable piece. Especially when the cost is negligible.
Sure $10mil isn’t chump change, but none of those guys are gonna play for free. That means gambling with Schoop will only cost the team an extra $2-$5mil over gambling with someone else.