The Brewers have let other teams know they’re willing to listen to trade proposals, ESPN’s Buster Olney tweets. Olney’s note is consistent with recent reporting from CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman of the New York Post, who have both written that other teams expect the Brewers will become sellers after their awful start.
Of course, 5-18 teams typically don’t have many high-performing players, and many of the players the Brewers will have to offer will be of the buy-low variety. Olney doesn’t say who the Brewers might shop, but Kyle Lohse and Gerardo Parra are both free agents after the season. They are, however, both off to poor starts (although Lohse’s peripherals are still reasonably good, which means other teams might view him somewhat favorably, particularly as a rental). Aramis Ramirez, a free-agent-to-be who plans to retire in the offseason, hasn’t played well, either. Reliever Jonathan Broxton’s contract and performance make him more of a liability than an asset. At least, however, that contract is short-term — Ryan Braun’s lengthy and expensive deal should make him difficult to trade. Matt Garza, who is signed through 2017 with a vesting option for 2018, might be a reasonably attractive trade candidate, although his performance in five starts this season hasn’t been stellar.
On the other side of the ledger, Neal Cotts is a decent lefty relief option who’s a free agent after the season. Closer Francisco Rodriguez, who is signed through 2016 with a 2017 option, has pitched well so far. Adam Lind, who is off to a terrific start and is signed to a deal with a reasonably priced 2016 option, might be a nice trade piece as well. Carlos Gomez recently returned from the disabled list and would surely fetch a very nice return, although it’s unclear whether the Brewers would want to trade a superstar. Jonathan Lucroy would fit into the same category if he were healthy.
ChiefIlliniwek
What a disgusting set of choices for a team shopping at the Brewers’ second-hand shop.
Tommets
What about Segura? Any Brewers fans want to add in on his 7 errors? I thought he was a pretty good fielder and would want the Mets to consider him an option.
RW
No Tommets we move him to 2B. Brewers have stars at SS in minors one of the few positions they have a surplus at. Can I entice you with a Scooter? I would fork over Gennett in a package with Braun or Lohse with you. Hell, i would even move LuCroy.
Cheeseballs
When did Carlos Gomez become a superstar? One MVP year and one very good year do not constitute superstar. Considering that’s out of 9 seasons.
ChiefIlliniwek
Does fantasy baseball count?
Steve Adams
He’s an elite defensive center fielder that batted .284/.347/.491 (129 OPS+) from 2013-14 and was worth 15-16 wins (depending on your defensive metric of choice) from 2012-14. The term “superstar” is justified, I’d say.
Cheeseballs
He needs a longer track record than one great year sandwiched between two good years. The rest, he was a 2 win player, or less. A superstar has numerous elite years ie Trout, younger Pujols, Kershaw. Not just one elite year.
Sky14
Gomez broke out around the middle of 2012 and his numbers have been fairly consistent since that time. That’s half year less of a track record than Trout. His numbers aren’t on the same level as Trouts but whose are? Since his breakout he’s been an elite CFer with 20/30 power/speed and a good BA. That is elite, a 5 tool player.
frank N kline
You need Gorman Thomas and George Scott!
RW
Agreed Steve Adams….he is.
Jaysfan1994 2
When he put up 8.5WAR.
Chris Koch
2013 when he led the NL in WAR
stymeedone
Should Verlander go down long term, Lohse might be a nice pickup for the Tigers.
Tommets
I can see them look at Garza as well even though he hasn’t been great so far.
stymeedone
I like Lohse as the better fit, because they would probably only need a fill in for this year.
tune-in for baseball
Now that they say that VMart will not play 1B, Lind would be a possibility. Left handed bat to DH,!B, or come off the bench to PH. He also has a team option for 2016
stymeedone
He’s too expensive for a bench bat. He’s not supplanting Victor, or Miggy.
fred-3
Could see some of the saber-influenced GMs being interested in Fiers.
DavidL
Wow. Garza is owed $35 million, Lohse can’t get anyone out, and Ramirez is older than Ryan Howard with a lower OPS. They’ll be beating down the doors for these three.
Bill 21
yes, not a pretty picture. Garza might be movable for salary relief, Lohse and Ramirez need to pick it up if they are going anywhere.
DavidL
Garza’s WAR since 2012 is 0.5. That’s not per year, but cumulative. He’s replacement level. I can’t imagine anyone taking him for a fringe prospect if the Brewers don’t pay $25-30 million of his deal. If they play closer to their level someone will give you something for Lohse and Ramirez, albeit the Brewers might still need to eat a few million.
Bill 21
yea, movable for salary relief means you don’t get much in return and might have to put up some cash, but you clear remaining salary off the books.
Warboss74
Where are you getting his WAR from? Fangraphs has him at 5.7 WAR since 2012 while B-Ref has him at 4.0 WAR. That’s with the missed time do to injury.
DavidL
You’re right. I was reading the wrong column. Garza’s cumulative WAR from 2012 to 2015 is 4.1. That’s not that good, but better than the number I had. As long as he’s boasting an 85 ERA+ this year I can’t see anyone wanting to pay him more than a few million a year.
Chris Koch
You’re surprised. This was when the Brewers signed him:
MLBTR’s Steve Adams profiled
Garza after the 2013 season, predicting that he would land four years
and $64MM on the open market. While he got the years, Garza fell $3MM
per year short of that salary target. In the end, Garza will receive
only a $3MM greater guarantee than that given to Ricky Nolasco by the Twins for the same term. He lands an identical pact (in terms of dollars and years, at least) to the contract Edwin Jackson signed last year with the Cubs.
JHoward
That comparison makes ZERO sense. Ryan Howard plays horribly at 1B while Ramirez plays an average 3B. Ramirez even last year had a top 10 OPS for a 3B. What next we compare the power of a SS compared to Cruz?
David Nevin
Padres will take Segura
Jaysfan1994 2
The fact the Jays are probably going to ask about K-Rod makes me angry that they didn’t sign him in the first place. Especially considering he ended up getting nothing from the Brewers.
Jerry G.
Jonathon Broxton listed as “more of a liability than an asset” is one of the more laughable things I’ve ever heard. One of if not the best setup man in the game who has also proven to be a good closer. Teams will be lining up to get a chance to put Broxton in their 8th or even 9th inning.
Steven Garrison
The Angels need a bat, they could look at Gomez, they don’t need braun. Also if the reds are looking to rebuild, they also could look at Bruce
Charlie Burns
Doubt the Angels have enough pieces to pick up Gomez, and Bruce would be a long shot considering how much the Reds covet him. And in all actuality, the Angels don’t need more hitting, they need pitching, starting pitching at that.
Zoidbergman
loshe to the jays?
Bill 21
Matt Garza would seem to be the key piece to move, as he is signed through 2017. Once that’s done, Ramirez, Broxton, Lohse, Lind, and Parra could be dealt, but could all be off the books next year, one way or another for about $60M in salary relief.
They could then rebuild around Braun, Gomez, Segura.
David 29
Braves should be open to trade proposals too…
I think at least.
Jimmy Paredes Fans
Would the Brewers trade Gomez for Bundy or Harvey of the Orioles? I think it’d be a good trade for both sides.
Warboss74
It would cost both of them assuming Harvey jumps into the top 50 and Bundy jumps back into the top 25 come midseason. Otherwise both plus Sisco and another piece or two.
Jimmy Paredes Fans
I’d still consider that.
frank N kline
Were you a Wilson Beatyourmeat fan, too?
Jimmy Paredes Fans
Ew no.
skrockij89
Would love to see Gomez in a M’s uniform and they some more offensive help.
kevinfoley46
If Swihart needs more time, Lucroy to the Red Sox for Christian Vasquez and Matt Barnes.
M.Kit
Think Lucroy would cost signif. more than that
johnsilver
Yeah and Vazquez won’t be back from TJ until 2016.
Brewers should be focusing on locking up Lucroy long term anyway, he’s the type you build a foundation upon, not move.
Sage
Well, including team option, we’ve already got him locked up through his age 31 season on an incredibly team-friendly deal. At this point, trading him makes more sense than signing him to another extension. Dude is one of the best players in baseball (arguable, depending on how much you take the catching metrics seriously), making $3MM this year, $4MM in 2016, with a $5.25MM option for 2017, his age 31 season. Teams out there will be salivating at the potential of landing one of the best catchers in baseball, signed that cheaply through his prime. We could get a franchise-altering haul in return for this guy. Consider that, and then that (assuming a true rebuild) he’ll be in his mid-30’s by the time we are ready to compete again, and it just makes more sense to trade him than to try to sign him to an extension.
Warboss74
Lucroy is worth a top 10 prospect in baseball headlining a package given his production and low cost. Swihart and Moncada are closest to fitting that description for the Red Sox. (#17 Swihart, Moncada signed after top 100 came out)
I doubt the Red Sox trade Moncada after investing $63 M into acquiring him. They’ve been adamant against moving Swihart, so he’s doubtful. Their other preseason top 100 prospects were Owens (#44), Rodriguez (#59), Margot (#72), Johnson (#82), and Devers (#99). Honestly it’d probably take all 5 of those guys, and that’s assuming Owens or Rodriguez jump into the top 25 prospects come midseason. It sounds like a lit, but Lucroy will make about $10.25 M the next 2 and a half seasons while arguably the best catcher in baseball. (At worst 3rd)
Blackhawk
It’s barely May. What does this say to the fan base, specifically Brewers season-ticket holders?
Tanthalas
Yeah, it’s definitely premature to have a fire sale at the start of May. Lots of baseball left to play. At least give the new manager a shot to turn it around before you give up.
Daniel Morairity
Rangers should get Gomez
TimeisIllmatic
Considering they have a lot of overpaid/overrated players on their roster, why not?
First Bleed
As a longtime Brewers fan, I’d be fine with a complete rebuild. I see anyone as expendable, although I doubt Nelson and Peralta would go… anyone else would be available. Gomez and/or Lucroy should bring the most. Heyward would be a good comparable for a Gomez return. Lucroy should bring more than that. I don’t think the Brewers should focus on getting SP in return, just get the best players/prospects in any trade.
Lanidrac
Do the Brewers have a good setup man (i.e. Walden) to package with Gomez to get a Heyward-like return?
Justin Timberpond
Trade Khris Davis, Gomez, Braun, Parra, Aramis, Lind. Keep Lucroy Segura and Gennett. Trade Krod, Broxton, Cotts, Garza, Fiers and Lohse. Keep Peralta and Nelson.
Time to start over
Daniel Morairity
do you think the brewers will trade braun
TimeisIllmatic
Just a matter of who’s willing to take on the contract.
Kevin McClintock
I could see the Cardinals wanting Loshe for the stretch run, with Wainwright out and both Wacha and Carlos Martinez on 150-max innings pitched this year. He’s an innings-eater, and he’s played with the Cards previously in his career.
moobs
Twins acquire: Matt Garza
Brewers acquire: Scott Feldman, Luke Gregerson, cash considerations (from Twins)
Astros acquire: Eduardo Escobar, Ricky Nolasco
TimeisIllmatic
How exactly does this benefit any of these teams except MIL?
concernedcitizen20099
Brewers need to tear this thing down and rebuild:
Garza, Jonathan Lucroy, Jean Segura,
Carlos Gomez and more should all be
dealt in separare deals for multiple top young players/prospects each…
Team needs to do a Billy Bean or John Hart
and build a younger team.
load up on top young prospects and major league talent…