2:46pm: Milwaukee has made the claim of Niewhenhuis official and also announced two other additions off the wire: backstop Josmil Pinto, from the Padres, and first baseman Andy Wilkins, from the Rangers.
Pinto has shown some real upside at the plate at times, but has gone through rougher times more recently. And he’s always been raw defensively. But he certainly makes sense as a depth piece with some upside in Milwaukee.
With yet another claim, Wilkins is making a strong bid for most-moved player of the winter: Milwaukee becomes his sixth organization in 2015. A lifetime .274/.324/.490 hitter at the Triple-A level, he could compete to fill the role of the traded Adam Lind.
1:17pm: The Brewers have claimed outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis off waivers from the Mets, Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reports on Twitter.
Nieuwenhuis has never really gained traction in his four years in the majors. New York briefly lost him to the Angels last year, then re-claimed him and outrighted him, only to call him back up for some time later in the season. After adding fellow left-handed-hitting outfielder Alejandro De Aza, it seemed unlikely there would be a place for Nieuwenhuis in New York in 2016.
For Milwaukee, meanwhile, the 28-year-old represents a possible part of the team’s outfield mix. Nieuwenhuis has played center field and shown some pop at times, and it’s arguable he has a bit of upside left given his relatively young age.
Why? He had three homeruns in 1 game last season. He had 1 homerun in his other 73 games and batted under .200. I don’t think we need outfield help this badly, right?
What’s the harm though? Yeah his numbers were absolutely terrible but every team needs depth. Plus every off season teams play the waiver-claim-game. Team A tries to sneak a player through waivers to stash him in the minors. Team B claims said player with the exact same hope that they can sneak him through waivers if they need/want to clear 40 man space in the future.
Left hand bat plus if nothing else you keep him on the bench to be a defensive replacement for Santana in CF, or more likely Davis in left and then slide Santana over late in games.
Haha, the type of move Brewers fans have come to expect. New GM, same crappy moves.
Any moves Milwaukee makes on their major league roster in 2016 mean nothing. The Brewers are pointing toward 2018-2020. They’re following the blueprint that the Royals and Astros used, so sit back and take your lumps this year with the knowledge that the Brewers will probably have the number one pick in the draft..
Not even close ray. We expect overpaying for worn out aging starters who weren’t very good to begin with and slow all or nothing, strike out 200 times a year hitters. These are minor moves just to add depth or someone to compete for a bench spot, every single teams make these moves all off-season. They’re focused on 2-3 years from now, but someone has to take the field in the meantime.
“Crappy moves”. Man you have no idea what a rebuild is then. These moves aren’t for the long term future of the organization. They don’t have a CFer at this point at the major league level. The CFer of the future is still in AA. Why sign a quality CFer when they’re clearly not ready to compete yet. Smart move by Stearns. (Haha)
I dont think Pinto sticks. With Maldy and Lucroy in, Pinto will find himself back on the wire soon. Wilkins is the 40th man on the roster, so expect him to see his 15th organization next week. Kirk will probably stick due to lack of OF depth.
Pinto may be the precursor to Lucroy being traded. Rangers are apparently still very interested.
I think getting pinto sets up a trade of Lucroy, IMO I think he still has potential to be a good hitting catcher, not great but 15-20 homers maybe, they should just trade Lucroy but not cheap, he’s only a season or two ( I don’t remember) removed from 50 doubles and a good batting average, plus he has decent power as well if he stays healthy he’s a game changer in the lineup
Would it make sense to trade Jonathan Lucroy to the Cardinals for Brandon Moss. Lucroy’s isn’t recuperating from concussion syndrome. Yadira Molina is recuperating from 3 thumb injuries. It would be benign oak to both if they caught part time this season. Plus, Moss could give that potential power and can play first base, and the outfield.
Why would Milwaukee trade an All-Star catcher for Moss? Yes, he had some injury trouble last year, but despite that he still hit .264 with 20 2B, 3 3B, and 7 HR. Lots of teams would kill for that from their catcher. And where did you hear that Lucroy is not recovering? All reports in Milwaukee seem to be that he’s fine, they just kept him off catcher at the end of last season as a precaution. Besides, if Milwaukee wants a .220 hitter with some pop Alvarez and Carter are available and Pierce, Morneau, and Davis would all be better options as well.
And if we do trade him it will be for young controllable guys or prospects, not a 32 year old who’s a free agent in 2017
Why would they sign him? He was a good addition for he Mets. He once had three home runs in one game