The Brewers announced that they’ve activated first baseman/outfielder Eric Thames from the 10-day disabled list and optioned right-hander Brandon Woodruff to Triple-A Colorado Springs to clear a spot on the roster.
Thames has been out since late April due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his thumb and will be returning on the short end of the initial six- to eight-week timeline provided for his recovery. The 31-year-old hardly showed signs of rust in Triple-A on his rehab assignment, though, going 6-for-14 with a homer, a walk and no strikeouts in a total of 15 plate appearances over four games leading up to his activation.
Prior to his injury, Thames had gotten off to a nice start, hitting .250/.351/.625 with seven homers in 74 plate appearances before suffering the injury. That marked a nice continuation of Thames’ production in his return to the Majors in 2017, when he hit .247/.351/.518 with 31 homers after parlaying a dominant three-year run in South Korea into a three-year contract with Milwaukee.
The impending return of Thames may very well have contributed to yesterday’s decision to trade Ji-Man Choi to the Rays in exchange for Brad Miller. With Thames, Ryan Braun and Jesus Aguilar all on the roster, the Brewers had little means of getting Choi into the MLB lineup. However, Miller brings some left-handed pop in his own right and provides additional defensive versatility, making him a better fit for the Brewers at the MLB level.
I really think we need to find some offense up the middle now. Maybe DFA Sogard and Perez. Maybe send Arcia to the minors. I would go with Orf to replace Sogard and then look at a possible trade for Schoop or Machado. Maybe even move on from Jennings in the bullpen because I think we have 6 very good pitchers in the minors ready for the next level Corbin,Peralta, Derby, Lopez, Houser and Woodruff. I also think Perrin, Griep,and Olczak are right behind them. I also think if you aren’t going for a trade of an outstanding middle infielder that Huira could make a jump to the majors
Do you think the Brewers will make a big move at the deadline this year or do what they did last year? They seemed (this winter) to really be going for it. Like you said, they need more offense up the middle and a stud starter to really stay competitive with the Cubs ALL year.
They signed/acquired two star(ish) players with 5 years of control. That doesn’t mean they’re going for it this year, but like Stearns has said many times, they want to be competitive for an extended period of time. So far so good I’d say. With that being said I do think they’ll go for a stud starter as long as they’re still in it and Jimmy Nelson hasn’t made some miraculous strides in his recovery. As for the middle infield they seem content with Villar at second.. He has been pretty solid actually. If Arcia can’t remember how to hit by the deadline they might go get someone for short but I can’t see a blockbuster there.
Maybe they can work a deal with the Reds for their 2ndbaseman?
Just a thought. 🙂
I agree with a lot of what you said, I am perplexed though to why Perez is on your list. He can play anywhere!
Reds going to trade with Brewers that’s new one
They should trade for Castro from Miami to play SS and Merrifield from KC to play 2nd.
One of the two maybe
Not both. Specifically I want Merrifield personally. Then trade for a decent starter.
I honestly don’t think there is a pitcher out on the market with control that they could get that is better then any of the Brewers pitchers in the minors. I do like the idea of trading for Castro or even Andrus for short. would love to have Machado but not willing to deplete minors. I think for second I would just want to go with Orf and Huira over Perez and Sogard. I gotta believe that Broxton or Santana could get one of those ss with the other team throwing in cash.
If MIL needs a rental SS who won’t set the world on fire but will at least give them solid defense and a .240ish BA, Tampa would probably be happy to part with Adeiny Hechevarria for a mid level prospect if MIL picks up the remainder of Hech’s 2018 salary.
This is great news. Even though I’m not a Brewers fan I am a Thames fan. Last year was good and feel like it will be really interesting to see what he does this year.
I love how .250 is a nice start but when a.pure hitter is hitting .250 on the season its very bad
I love how people still use batting average as the main way to evaluate a player.
I do and then I also look at the walks and how much they walk compared to their strike outs too. I also see someone who gets singles and then steal a base is equal to someone who gets doubles
Trying to get Ryan Braun, Domingo Santana, Jesus Aguilar and Eric Thames sufficient ABs will be a task in itself. Although SS Orlando Arcia is not hitting, he has exceptional defensive range, something Brewer’s pitchers benefit from. The Brewers lineup can afford one weak place. Hernan Perez is one f the best Super Subs in MLB. and Brad Miller likely eliminates the need for Eric Sogard. If anything, the C position looks suspect. Manny Pina is a backup Catcher and Eric Kratz is 38 Friday.
Brewers need another starting pitcher good enough to use in the playoffs. We’d trade the farm for an ace-type with multiyear control like Degrom or Syndergaard.
If Brewers get a solid starter they could target Realmuto too. Doubt they’ll do much at SS, Arcia is a defensive beast and is in their long-term plans. This is the first year his offense has been this bad. Good chance he bounces back.
It would be nice to see a trade with the Mets for DeGrom or Synergaard. But they would probably have to empty there farm system which I hope they don’t give up the future for just the present.