As of now, right-handers Chase Anderson, Zach Davies and Jhoulys Chacin are the only locks for Milwaukee’s 2018 rotation, manager Craig Counsell suggested to reporters, including Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, on Sunday (Twitter link). Barring further moves, Brandon Woodruff, Brent Suter, Yovani Gallardo, Junior Guerra and Aaron Wilkerson are in line to compete for the final two sports, according to Counsell.
Conspicuously absent from that group is left-hander Josh Hader, a former starter prospect who entered the offseason with his future role in question after he dominated out of the Brewers’ bullpen as a rookie in 2017. General manager David Stearns announced Sunday that the soon-to-be 24-year-old Hader will remain a reliever to begin 2018, meaning he won’t factor into their starting competition (via McCalvy, on Twitter)
While Hader won’t be among the Brewers’ season-opening rotation possibilities, the mix seems likely to feature at least one more newcomer besides Chacin and Gallardo. Owner Mark Attanasio confirmed that’s Milwaukee’s interested in adding starting help, saying, “You can never have enough pitching and David (Stearns) is working on it.” While they’re reportedly unlikely to sign either Yu Darvish or Alex Cobb, Attanasio stated that the Brewers do have the payroll space to pick up a high-end free agent starter (Twitter links via Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel).
After reeling in outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich this week, the Brewers’ commitments for 2018 come in around $92MM – a significant bump over their $63MM-plus Opening Day payrolls from 2016-17. Since 2005, Attanasio’s first season as Milwaukee’s owner, the team has twice exceeded the $100MM Opening Day payroll mark. They’d figure to blow past that figure by signing any of Darvish, Cobb, Jake Arrieta or Lance Lynn.
Beyond the four best available hurlers, free agency is lacking impact starters, which could point the Brewers toward a trade if they don’t sign one of the top names. They’ve shown reported interest this offseason in Chris Archer (Rays), Patrick Corbin (Diamondbacks) and Danny Salazar (Indians), though it’s unclear how willing any of those teams are to move those starters. There’s plenty of speculation the Brewers will try to parlay their outfield logjam into rotation help by dealing Domingo Santana, Keon Broxton and/or Brett Phillips, but it’s an open question whether any of those three would help the club land a coveted front-end starter in return.
With 2017 ace Jimmy Nelson recovering from a serious procedure (surgery on a partially torn right labrum) and unlikely to return until the summertime, it’s fair to say the Brewers could use another proven option for their rotation. Although Milwaukee’s starters finished eighth in the majors in fWAR (13.3) and 10th in ERA (4.10) during its near-playoff season in 2017, Nelson’s work over 175 1/3 innings (4.9 fWAR, 3.49 ERA) significantly contributed to those rankings. It’s now anyone’s guess what he’ll provide in 2018, which could help lead to the Brewers making a splash on the pitching market.
Still miffed the Astros traded Haderade. Stole him from the Orioles and then give him away for Carlos Gomez and Mike Fires. Bigger L that Luhnow has.
I prefer Gatorade
Don’t remind me
What makes it worse is that they are arguably one dominant lefty reliever away from being a perfect team on paper. He would be the buzz saw they need next year in the playoffs.
He would also step in as tor lefty when keuchel walks.
The Astros had the most dominant reliever vs Lefty’s last year and he returns this year. Name of Chris Devenski. LH hitters had an OPS of around .400 against him. Hard to get much better than that!
And then the Astros ruined Gomez and he kicked butt in Arlington. That was hilarious.
But we won the world series.
Gomez did the reverse Lucroy
The rangers still play second fiddle to the Astros sooo
Only for 1 year, how about the 20 before that?
Plus Santana and Phillips. Great trade for Brewers
What would it take The Brewers to get Danny Duffy from The Royals?
Similar to Yelich, too much for a team that should be rebuilding
The Brewers shouldn’t have been rebuilding. Especially for a team that was in division contention for a long period of time during the season, and fell one game short of a WC spot.
That logic is very shallow- “they contended last year so they shouldn’t rebuild.” The fact of the matter is that the Brewers were VERY lucky last season and would not have come remotely close to contending if not for luck.
The Brewers had the 5th highest BABIP in the league at .308 compared to 21st in the league with a .249 batting average. They also had the 13th best ERA at 4.10 versus the 26th best xFIP at 4.42.
In other words, even with Yelich and Cain, they are due for significant regression in 2018- an average that should be near the bottom of the league, if not the worst… Remember they were 21st in the league in average with the 5th best batted ball luck. And one of the worst ERAs in the league… Remember they were middle of the pack in ERA, but the underlying stats show they pitched more like 4th from worst in the league… And now they have Gallardo back in the rotation. Oh my. When you combine that with all the teams that suffered from bad luck on both hitting and pitching last year, you have a Brewers team that is rightly projected to come in under .500.
Yes, they should be rebuilding. Not shipping out their stud prospects and spending a ton of resources on fringy win now pieces like Cain and Darvish
Blah Blah Blah is all I see when someone posts all these numbers and acronyms to justify their predictions. Despite all those numbers the Brewers still managed to finish a game out of the last playoff spot when most experts predicted the team would lose close to 100 games last year. There’s a reason why the games are played on the field. And the fact you stated that Gallardo is in the rotation just proves you have no clue what you’re talking about.
@beisbolista…you really like to hear yourself talk, don’t you. You’re not nearly as bright as you think.
They lucked into leading the NL in HR? They have outstanding closer too. Their hitters struck out too much but the Cain/Yelich move addressed that so now they’ll put more balls in play. Besides now 2 teams in division are rebuilding so it’s basically a 3 team race.
Yeah, screw logical thought and evidence!
I like to hear myself talk almost as much as I love to watch you rage
I’m a big supporter of advanced metrics, and I’m young enough (19) to have grown up during a time in which they’re becoming really important. But they’re not the only tool you’re supposed to use, especially when you cherry pick them to fit your narrative.
What you’re ignoring is the fact that the Brewers have a deep and talented lineup (second base is a weakness, and if you squint then you could maybe see a scenario in which catcher is too, but other than that this is a really strong lineup). They also have a good bullpen and one of the better closers in baseball.
I agree that they could definitely stand to add another starter, but when Nelson comes back, they’ll have the trio of him, Anderson, and Davies, which is hardly bad. (Chacin produces good bottom line results, but there’s always the question of whether they’re sustainable — this is where you could actually use sabermetrics wisely). Other than that, they could reasonably expect one of their other candidates to stand out (I think I remember seeing how good Suter is when facing a lineup twice or less), and they could let the bullpen do the rest.
Long story short, this is a team that’s very well-equipped to go for it.
Actually their bullpen is totally laughable once you get past Knebel and Harder.
Well if you take the two best relievers out of a bullpen, I’d expect that it wouldn’t look as good.
Accuses someone of cherry picking, lectures about using sabermetrics wisely, fails to back up a single claim he makes in 4 rambling conclusiry paragraphs, still lives with Mom in the summertimes
Unfortunately IMO you’re absolutely correct. The Brewers it appears got impatient, a bit over confident, and pulled the big investment bug too soon.
As a small ,market team, success only comes by developing a high end farm system, which the Brewers have and then when very close to a pinnacle, selectively and judiciously make all in trades or sign FA.
Yelich is a fine player, but the prospects given were just too high.. Logic and history suggest that either Brinson or Harrison could easily reach Yelich’s level.
The Cain signing is even more of a mystery. Why spend 80 mil on a player in a position of relative strength (Yelich,Braun,Santana,Phillips,Broxton,Perez) on the downside of his career. If your going to spend 80 mil, at least invest in a SP, which is the absolute greatest area of need, particularly when factoring in Nelson’s uncertain status.
As you’ve correctly suggested, an inordinate amount of teams who have a break out season, have a natural regression in the following yr., in addition to the statitical anomalies you address.
Hopefully I’m wrong, but you very eloquently outlined my exact concerns.
Signed Albers today. Hader-Albers-Knebel > the Cards or Cubs 7th through 9th inning guys.
I think the Brewers should sign Lance Lynn
and Jamie Garcia! Both have experience in the NL Central
Then it’s a shame the Brewers traded for a guy that will only be around for that one year of regression before improving again.
Offering last yrs Brewers stats as evidence of a 2018 collapse only makes sense if this was a veteran team, as well as LAST yrs team.
Nah, yelich was one of the most valuable trade pieces in baseball with that contract. Duffy seems like he’s being paid about what he should be.
I’d think 4 years of Santana straight up would be enough.
Pretty sure they’d like prospects more than someone like Santana.
This is an interesting comment. Santana is 25 and has 4 years of team control but is considered too old? For me, if you need more than 4 years to rebuild you are just a bad team. I think he’s more valuable than Phillips after hitting .280 and 30HR in a breakout season. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.
I mean if folks value Phillips over Santana by all means they can have him. As a brewers fan, I’d rather have a pitcher that has more than 1 season of over 150 innings myself.
It makes no sense in getting Santana for The Royals. They want to rebuild, and Santana doesn’t really say “rebuild”. Sure, they’re rebuild might not take 4 years, but it would be a step in the wrong direction for The Royals right now.
What? Similar to Yelich? LOL. Duffy has struggled with injuries and slots in as a borderline #3 pitcher. Yelich plays a premium position (CF) is only 25, and will make less over the next 5 years than Duffy over the next 4. Duffy could be acquired for far less than Yelich.
Yelich is a bad CF and SP’s are much more in demand than corner OF. The value is about equal.
“Yelich is a bad CF”. My eyes rolled so far back in my head I could see behind me. Santana is 25, just hitting his prime, and is under team control for four years. That’s right you’re the same guy who said Santana has had only one good year. (Ignoring the fact that he’s only been a full time starter for one year)
But Lorenzo Cain is an elite centerfielder.
well, Duffy is not an ace, he’s like a solid #3 or #4 in a good rotation, so not much, although the Royals will have a high asking price
Maybe Phillips, and another mid-tier prospect?
Seriously? Have you noticed what established, healthy, young SP’s are worth these days? Royals would laugh at that offer.
duffy and healthy should really not be in the same sentence
Don’t get why people keep saying he is a #3 or #4. He is a solid #2 in most rotations, maybe #3 on a really good team and would probably be the Brewers #1 with Nelson out.
I’d say he’s behind Anderson and arguably Davies. I would be super happy if they sent Phillips/Borxton/Santana and some mid-tier prospects for Duffy and Merrifield.
Look at what cubs gave up for Quintana ? Decent pitcher , durable, but most of his value was controllable for multiple years and very reasonable AV. Point is hard to determine SP values , it’s in the eye of the beholder
Oh just go all in and pay Darvish. After adding Cain and Yelich the Brewers may as well get a top starter. YOU CAN DO EET, STEARNS!
Yeah at this point why go out and add Cain unless your going to do something about your rotation. If it had just been Yelich that’s one thing but you add Cain and then not a starter it makes no sense. If it came down to it you’d been better off adding the starter than Cain.
This. Do it, Brewers. I’d be so stoked if they had the guts to go really all in. Cuz
right now they have the look of a paper monster without some pitching additions.
Hey, why don’t we let Stearns finish what he’s doing before we start harping on what the Brewers need to do. I trust he’s got a plan.
I think the brewers are going to sign Cobb or Lyne
Same
Who is Lyme?
Lyne?
As a Cub fan im thrilled Hader isnt in the mix!
Tough to be a starter with two pitches, just ask Gallardo.
Of course, wscaddie, so tough Gallardo has only won 113 games to date in MLB and been selected as an All Star. Virtually every pitcher brought up to the big leagues can expect to do that.
He’s had some success to be sure. I’ll venture to guess, having watched about 130 brewers games per year for the last twenty years, I’ve seen more of his starts than you have. He had a dominant fastball and a hammer for a curveball but couldn’t get guys out at the rate those pitches would suggest. This is because he’s never developed a third pitch, so yeah his career has been a little disappointing. He shouldn’t be in the league at this point.
Last point, he’s only 32 and the last two years have indicated he’s washed up. Could it be because he threw so many two strike pitched over the years? Impossible to know, could have been the knee injury to.
The secondary pitches not developing lead him to be a #2/#3 type starter instead of the ace he could have been. But those two pitches still enabled him to be a very good starter for a number of seasons.
A big problem I saw was he seemed to lack a killer instinct. In so many innings it seemed he would get the first two batters out easily, then start nibbling and all of a sudden there’s runners on second and third.
Can tell you haven’t followed baseball since 2016. From 2008 to 2013 he was actually a very effective starter for the Brewers. Did he reach his billing as an ace? No but to dismiss his career like you’re saying is just asinine.
*began following baseball since 2016*
Yes.. Hader has shown he can command and control two pitches.. one particularly well.. He’s talented enough that he can succeed at the ML level as a bullpen piece.. middle to back of the pen level skills.. That’s a valuable asset and should be his role… for now..
The Brewers will run away with the division in 2018. A starter- possibly two- is on the way and there will be no stopping them. The Cubs and there “lets replace Jake Arrieta with a bunch of minor league signings” can’t keep up and will be lucky to be in the Wild Card race with that rotation. The Brewers might actually think about setting up their playoff rotation in April.
We’ll remember you said that.
And they probably should study the Red Sox lineup so they are ready when they play them in the World Series.
Lol Red Sox aren’t beating the Yankees, who aren’t beating the Astros. Sox are 3rd or 4th in line.
their
Haha, it’s pathetic enough to be a troll but it’s downright embarrassing when you can’t even be clever at it. Yankeeaddiction is a prime example of why Yankees fans get no respect.
I love how delusional Brewers fans seem to be after last week. You’re still not better than the Cardinals who aren’t better than the Cubs, on paper anyway. As much as I hate to admit it, and God do I hate it, the Central still belongs to the Cubs I’m afraid. Only if Milwaukee signs a TOR pitcher and the Cardinals really do just sit on their hands will I start to worry about the Brewers. They made up a little ground but not enough. Not yet anyway.
Nobody’s being delusional except Cubs fans and their denial that the Brewers have improved their team. Nobody here is saying that the Crew is going to the WS just that the team has improved.
He literally said they were going to run away with the division.
You’re talking about Yankeeaddiction right?
Yankee addiction is an odd name for a brewers fan.
Take an honest look at the cardinals lineup, it’s not very good.
Brewers rotation certainly needs work, ok a lot, but were have some intriguing prospects, might still swing a deal or sign someone, and could always buy during the season.
Cubs are definitely better on paper but counsell has been unreal as a manager and will get a lot from this team. Like maddon used to.
Yankee Addiction. The day isn’t complete until the idiot speaks.
As a Cubs fan I will admit the Brew Crew has gotten better. Their offense will be a little more efficient after these moves but pitching is definitely their weak point esp with Nelson out.
If they manage to sign one of Darvish/Arrieta and use this outfield surplus and a couple of their best prospects to trade for Archer – AND the Cubs for some lunatic reason decide to not sign one of Cobb/Darvish/Arrieta. If that happens exactly then I would give them the edge over the Cubs.
However there is absolutely 0% chance that the Cubs will not make another major addition to their starting rotation. So I while I do think the brewers have gotten a little better I still feel pretty confident the division is still the Cubs to lose.
The next few weeks are gonna be thrilling watching how the rest of this free agency period shakes out.
Your comments are spot on Illini. The Cubs are still the team to beat. Any objective Brewers fan will be the first to tell you that. I don’t think the Brewers have to necessarily make a move for a frontline starter this year. Yelich and Cain aren’t one year rentals and there’s pitching reinforcements on the way in Burnes and Ortiz. Hopefully Woodruff will build on last year as well. Plus Hiura should be ready by 2019. I think the window for the Crew has just opened up so I’m hoping they add Darvish or Arrieta just because there’s nobody else.
Exactly. This dude is a clown. Not only a troll, which is pathetic enough in its own right, but he’s not even clever. Yankeeaddiction you clown, if you’re gonna troll at least entertain us.
As far as Brewers fans reacting to these moves, they’re excited… they SHOULD be. That being said, I don’t see any of their fans planning any parades or even claiming they’re division favorites. Can’t they just be excited about their team making exciting moves?!?
Thank you. Lol. Most Brewer fans (I hope) still know the Cubs will be the favorites going into the season. 2 months in? Who knows! Ask me again then!
I hate to say it, but I think you’re right. Position by position the Cubs are still stronger than the Brewers. Not so sure about the Cardinals. I do find it interesting that the Cubs have seemed to move on from Arrieta.
Good luck to the Cards closing out games. And the Cubs for that matter.
Yup! Since all the games are played on paper right?
I remember when I had my first beer…
Themed is that You!? I think Themed changed his name to yankeeaddiction.
Sign lynn and trade for Tehran or Corbin
I’ll help Teheran pack his bags to spice up the deal.
I’ll help Teheran pack his bags.
I’ve never been more excited about the brewers than this coming season GO BREWERS
So trade Santana either for Tehran or Corbin prefer Corbin
Tehran has a better track record though, and I think is cheaper and under team control longer. It all comes down to how much the Brewers are willing to part with
Your exactly right I think Atlanta and Arizona both want Santana and by the sounds of it Atlanta wants less for Tehran then Arizona wants for Corbin
I’d take Corbin as he’s a known quantity in a hitter-friendly environment and MIL needs a lefty starter (they have zero because 4-5 inning starts from Suter don’t really count).
If Teheran gave up +1.25 HR/9 over his past 3 years in ATL, that rate will likely escalate to over 1.4 in Milwaukee.
If Corbin is a FA after 2018 I think MIL would be owed a solid prospect and maybe another low A ball guy in addition to Santana, but it’s hard to say because MIL lost trade leverage by creating a log-jam in the outfield.
Suter was put into the rotation in early July and made 9 starts before getting hurt. 7 of those 9 went 5 inning or more, and 4 went 6 innings or more. Then he got hurt. Those 4-5 inning starts you are remembering are the ones after he came back.
Corbin I think is a free agent after 2018
Tehran or Newcomb for Santana.
I’m not familiar with Newcombe
Newcomb was traded to Braves from Angels for Simmons, 3 yrs ago. Really one sided for Angels. Eppler’s first.
Newcomb was traded 3 yrs ago by Angels for A. Simmons. Eppler’s first great move.
At the On Deck event today Attanasio said that Stearns has “couple” more moves up his sleeves.
I was hoping they would have also got that catcher from marlins in the trade the other day
he basically shot down any rumors about Luc being added. I really think hes happy with Piña and Vogt.
Also the first fan question posed to Stearns on the big stage was “When is the Salazar trade going to happen?” Haha he of course replied it’s a “possibility.”
Ugh hader should be starting. Dominating pitchers are waisted as bullpen pitchers. Bullpen pitchers are a dime a dozen. Starters who you are confident you will win almost every game is key
You’re exactly right on hader but he’s definitely been awesome in the bull pen who knows what kind of pen they are going to have I would rather stay away from Salazar we don’t need another pitcher who’s injured a lot
Lol…Obviously he’d be a starter if he could do what he did out of the pen as a starter.
Relies too much on the FB right now to as effective as a starter.
I’m very torn about Hader. I would love to see him in the rotation too but at the same time he was so much than a “dime a dozen” reliever. He was dominate at times. He’s an Andrew Miller type reliever who can shut a team down for a couple of innings. I read that the logic is that he can impact more games instead of every 5 games.
How are they leaving Hader out of the rotation competition? First, I’ve heard Sale comps. Sure, Sale started in the pen too, but that’s because he was basically being thrown into the bigs immediately. Hader has been a professional for a while. Second, he can always go back to the pen if he doesn’t win a job. It’s a no lose. Putting him in the pen immediately is a half lose.
Hader only has 2 pitches at this point. Don’t sweat it, many eventual staters start out in the pen. I wouldn’t be surprised if they stretch him out NEXT spring and give him a shot at the rotation in 2019. He definitely has a live arm, but you need more than 2 pitches to be a legit SP.
Very good points!
the Braves don’t want Santana I can see the Brewers moving in on Ordorizzi or maybe Archer
so who was it from the brewers that Atlanta wanted for tehran
Probably brinson+ instead of Santana
There are not 2 decent starters in that group of 6, much less a 3rd to fill in for injuries. A team that has its eyes on the postseason should not even be penciling in guys like Guerra and Gallardo for any role, they should be bringing in competition to make them earn a spot on the team. Ideally, both would spend the entire season in the bullpen.
I could see them adding someone like Jaime Garcia on a 2-yr deal and the 3 prospects fight for the 1 other spot while the other 2 go back to start in the minors.
The shortage of PT for those extra outfielders could hurt their trade value, but it will open up options for the Brewers to consider all sorts of deals depending on how the season develops. Stash Broxton and Phillips in the minors, give Santana a regular spot in LF then use Braun to back-up the outfielder and then suffer through him at 2B when Santana, Yelich, and Cain are all on the field.
Braun was simply terrible at third, can’t imagine his ground ball defense would be any better now. He has a long throwing motion, which is even less suitable for 2B. He would be a disaster trying to turn double plays. This is video game stuff.
1B, outfield or preferably DH for an AL team. I wish we could get rid of him but it’s a pipe dream.
Yeah I meant to say 1B.
They could check him out at 2b a bit during spring training since Braun offered, but Braun at 2nd is basically choosing Thames’ offense over Sogard or Perez’s defense and offense. That would only make sense if he is raking the way he was in the early part of last season. Plus Braun’s more likely to get hurt at 2nd than at 1st
But they really only need 1 starter out of that group. Barring any other injury, even if Nelson isn’t back until the beginning of July, they’ll only have to get 10-12 starts from that second pitcher.
Go get chris archer-
Keston Hiura #47 BA top 100
Corbin Burnes #74 BA top 100
Mauricio Dubon
KJ Harrison
Jacob Nottingham.
Then trade for Michael Fulmer and send the Tigers
Woodruff #60.
Phillips #80.
Domingo Santana.
Luis Ortiz.
Freddy Peralta.
Just deplete the farm for Archer and Fulmer. You dont have “elite” guys so offer the rays and tigers better secondary pieces. You can argue who should go where or who the secondary pieces should be. Just do it brewers.
Neither of those are remotely close to the value those players would require
Wrong. It is a lot closer than you think.
I can’t attest to Michael Fulmer, but Jose Quintana netted the White Sox
Eloy Jimenez, Dylan Cease, Matt Rose, and Bryant Flete. Quintana and Archer are almost identical
Jimenez began the season as the #14, jumped to #8, prospect according to BA while Cease began ranked as the #93. Rose and Flete were well known to not even be ranked in the cubs top 30.
In the Archer trade, looking at the proposal according to MLB.com Dupon Harrison and Nottingham all rank in the top 20. BA hasn’t released their brewers 2018 top prospects list yet.
So while the Archer trade doesn’t have an eloy jimenez type prospect the rays would be getting significantly better secondary pieces in the other 4 prospects than the white sox got for quintana.
If the rays and tigers want to hold out for elite prospects thats their decision. But if I am the Tigers, you are getting two MLB ready OFs (one who’s a young power hitter and the other may solve your center field issues), an MLB ready pitcher, and two more highly rated pitching prospects. Realistically, who’s going to contribute more to the Tigers- the 5 players they’d stand to net or Fulmer?
Jeff Samardzija and 15 million dollars for Santana.
I have not heard of this as a consideration before this. I think more money would be needed
It should be interesting to see what develops. I would hate to give up Santana with only being 25 yrs old and 4 yrs of control left, I would also hate to get rid of Phillips my personal opinion I thought he was better than Brinson. Santana, Cain, and Yelich (probably misspelled name) roaming the outfield. I would love to see Josh Hader in the rotation. Now many might think I’m crazy but just hear me out, what if they flip Travis Shaw for a starting pitcher and prospects to a needy 3b team and then sign the former third baseman from the royals? I wouldn’t want to trade Travis Shaw at all but who knew we would also sign Cain and the kid from Miami. We all were surprised. Just food for thought
Then who would play 3rd? Sogard? That’ll be fun to watch when a lefty is on the mound.
Just saw your edit where you added Moustakas. I don’t think anyone feels at all threatened by him, but as a Cubs fan I’d feel great if MIL did that.
Let’s talk money. A few years ago it was common knowledge that the Brewers payroll was limited to about eighty million. Then they received an increase of about twenty million in tv money. They also received an increase of thirty million in revenue sharing thanks to the big markets billion dollar tv contracts. Thank you California and Others. Shortly after that a couple of years the Brewers payroll climbed over the hundred million mark. Common sense tells me that they could have afforded to go even higher to about 120 to 130 million payroll if they wished, but of course this is a business and the ownership group is in it to make money as well. I get it.
Last time I looked last year the Brewers had the lowest payroll under seventy million. Now that’s telling me the Brewers banked over fifty million because the TV and revenue sharing money didn’t go away. Also they did well at the gate with about 2.6 million in attendance. That’s top half in the league. Not bad for a small market team. With the excitement of a new season and expectations I wouldn’t be surprised if the go over three million this year in which they have done in the past.
My point is that they are a very successful organization financially and have money banked if they choose to use it with hope of reaching the playoffs, and generating even more revenue.
They can afford anybody out there and offset the cost with the money they have at there disposal. And in a few years Braun’s money will come of the books so a huge signing this off season is still a possibility. Let’s say it is Darvish at around 5 and 125. The first two years can be taking care of by the money they saved last year. The next year taken up by the profits there still making. Then Braun’s money goes to Darvish freeing up money to sign others that may deserve it on the current team.
If they sign Darvish and it’s reported that the payroll is at 120 million but in reality is it really when there using huge profits they made in previous years. You don’t hear about these things because they really don’t want you to know how profitable having a low payroll truly is to a MLB organization.
Just remember this, the Milwaukee Brewers can sign anybody they truly want and not even blink an eye, and still be making money.
ChiSox fan here who is buying an Brewers hat for this summer; hoping that they add a top of the rotation starter via trade, bring back Scooter & add Lance Lynn pound the heck outta the flubs n Cards. Brewcrew is 2-3 more acquisitions/trades away from matching up with flubs, pretty even with Redbirds at the moment. Too bad Braun has that full no trade or you could get a great SP back in a trade including her. Lotta money for an aging defensive CF with an avg bat