The Brewers will have a tough call to make on Jonathan Schoop following the infielder’s struggles in 2018, and general manager David Stearns opted not to tip his hand when it comes to tendering a contract to the arbitration-eligible slugger (link via MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy). “That’s a discussion that we’re going to have to continue to have here over the next couple of weeks to a month,” said Stearns. “…He has had really impressive stretches throughout his career, and unfortunately for both him and us, we didn’t see one of those stretches when he was a Brewer. We’ll sit down to see if we can determine why, and then we’ll go forward.” Schoop, 27, was one of the game’s most productive infielders in 2017 but turned in an awful .233/.266/.416 slash through 501 plate appearances this year — including a brutal .202/.246/.331 slash with the Brewers. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projects him to earn a $10.1MM salary in 2019.
Here’s more from the NL…
- The Diamondbacks’ surprising new deal with versatile infielder Eduardo Escobar opens a plethora of options for the organization this offseason, The Athletic’s Zach Buchanan writes in an expansive look at the team’s options (subscription link). The move first and foremost indicates that the Snakes aren’t gearing up for a complete rebuild, but it does allow the team the freedom to shift some pieces around. Jake Lamb could head to first base in the event of an oft-speculated Paul Goldschmidt deal, Buchanan notes, or Escobar could find regular work at shortstop should Nick Ahmed be moved. If the team doesn’t subtract any pieces, he could even play second base in place of Ketel Marte, whom Buchanan reports has been discussed internally as a center field option. General manager Mike Hazen, who discusses the move at length in the column, made clear that Escobar will be in line for regular at-bats next season, even if the exact plan will obviously dependent on the remainder of the offseason. The 29-year-old Escobar hit .268/.327/.444 with the D-backs following a trade from the Twins and slashed .272/.334/.489 with 23 homers, 48 doubles and three triples on the season as a whole.
- While the Pirates haven’t given a firm indication as to whether they’ll exercise Jung Ho Kang’s $5.5MM club option for the 2019 season, MLB.com’s Adam Berry takes a look at the situation and suggests it’s quite possible that Kang will return for another season. General manager Neal Huntington recently suggested that the team and Kang may need to find a middle ground rather than bringing him back at the full $5.5MM value of the option — implying that the Pirates could pay a $250K buyout and bring Kang back at a lower guaranteed base salary. Berry also notes that it’s unlikely the team will move on from Colin Moran despite mixed results in his first season with Pittsburgh, citing a strong finish and defensive improvements over the course of the season (in addition to the fact that the Buccos acquired him as a key piece in the Gerrit Cole trade not even a year ago).
The Schoop trade looks worse and worse every day. God, that trade was dumb.
for which team ? Why ?
I’d say the Yelich trade makes up for it
I don’t think moose comes back, and they don’t bring hiura up for a bit anyways. schoop will start the year…I doubt he finishes though. he was awful
So what about Dubon? Does he come in with a chance to compete against Arcia or is it time for him to take over for Perez? He would be cheaper and probably equal with defense but can utilize his speed more.
I dislike hernan very much so I would say yes for dubon, but that’s just me
It’s less the trade that was stupid than how the Brewers so poorly acclimated him—didn’t give him much of a chance.
The Brewers will obviously tender Schoop. He is way too talented not to. They will have obviously a couple of ways they go with this . Try and flip him for something which will be selling low on him. Then maybe resign Moustakas. Or give him the second base job and hope he rebounds. The Brewers also have Dubon coming back too. Schoop looked very lost when he came to Milwaukee along with seeming not happy at all. At this time I just don’t believe Milwaukee has enough run producers in the line up without him. He helps the lack of catching offense that is more important to address
Schoop isn’t talented. He’s a swing and miss defensive liability who can’t run. If MIL tenders him they’re foolish.
It was only 1 season ago he hit.293 with 32 home runs and 105 RBI. That could make him worth taking the risk.
2017 was a fluke because the balls were messed up. just look at his career numbers
I bet he has more talent that you.
If you start saying that, then fans shouldn’t talk about baseball because they can’t play like players.
Dumbest argument ever
He becomes a free agent if he’s non tendered right? Man I’d love him in Anaheim. He’d fit in Seattle if they trade Dee and move Cano to first. Boston makes sense, but they need to adress the Pen first. St. Louis makes sense, Colorado is DJ is too expensive. LA if they wanna keep Hernandez as a super utility. So many damn teams could be in on him, he’s got major upside. It’s gonna drive the price up, not to 10 mil but pretty close… I would tender him if I’m Milwaukee. But who knows.
The thing is that only the great players have solid seasons year after year. Even then we see a Verlander that went south and then took years to right himself.
Most analytic people tend to look at select stats and jump to conclusions each winter. Now we see that mindset in the GM’S that trade players as if MLB is a fantasy league.
I’ve known major league players and managers. There are things that happen behind the scenes to players, good and bad – in relationships, with family members, injuries happening and healing, etc. One manager I knew had a star player whose wife ran off with an ex-teammate. The media held the story back. The guy had a lousy year and his stats tumbled. The next winter he asked for a trade close to home to be with his kids. Got it. His production went back up the following year.
I like following teams such as the Royals, Cardinals, and Indians. They tend to develop their players and stick with them. They use free agency and trades sparingly. When the players are having off-years, there are still things they can do to help the team win. It builds cohesiveness between the players, and when the team does start to win it’s far more satisfying for the fans. Also note that those organizations keep their managers and front offices in place.
lol. the Cardinals sign players and trade every year and deadlines
Do they turn over more then 50% of their roster each year, snarkie?
lol
Cardinals have no use for him. We already have an elite defensive second baseman whose bat seems to be heating up.
And you don’t think Schoop can potentially be moved to Third? I mean let’s be honest, do you really think Mozeilak is gonna sign Machado or Donaldson?
We’ve got in house options who can do a perfectly fine job for a fraction of the cost of Schoop. His experience is very limited at third, too. Not a fit for the Cardinals.
Wisdom and Gyroko are plenty at third vs Schoop.
And Carpenter and Martinez at first also give plenty of options for Carp to play some third
If the Cards want to address 3B, it would only be for an actual upgrade. Which isn’t Schoop
if anyone, who had a disappointing season, come to the angels it seems those low point becomes norm.
I thought you said we had no high priced talent on this team.
Forget about Schoop cause he’s just high priced.
Working in references to Major League, the best baseball movie ever, gets all the up votes.
If they non tender him he will certainly be Schooped up quickly, even after the terrible season.
He can come back to Baltimore, we will take him
I don’t and I would much rather have DJ LeMahieu
But why would he choose to return to Orioles.
Why would he choose Baltimore? Because he’d be comfortable here and he’s proven he can hit here. He’d have no pressure on him and he’d be in the lineup everyday. I doubt it happens but there’s plenty of reasons on his side why it works.
What is the biggest contract someone has ever gotten directly after being non-tenderred?
I’m probably wrong about this… 2016 NL home run leader who was non-tendered after leading NL in HR.
What was his contract, 2017 with NYY?
I’m probably wrong but Chris Carter might have signed a 1 year 3 mil deal.
The Yankees paid Russell Martin $4MM on a one-year deal following the Dodgers’ decision to non-tender him.
May not be the biggest, just the biggest that immediately came to mind for me.
Hiura kid is a hitting machine (although he wore the Golden Sombrero) the other day in fall ball, but despite that should probably at least start out out AA move AAA if tearing it up still. Until Union rules change why rush him, keep Shoop one more year just because he’s a vet and should bounce back.
Schoop is a below average player. Take out his big 2017 season he’s a career .245 hitter. I saw were he could get $10 million for next year. If that’s correct you are way overpaying for him. I would not pay anything above $5 million. Brewers would be making a huge mistake in tendering him as no one would trade for him at $10 million and he would likely be a useless player again in 2019.
Take out his bad years and he’s a career 293 hitter
Well if you never play the guy he certainy is going to be useless. Schoop is a below average OBP guy for sure. When he’s right he’ll make up for that with his power and solid defense at the keystone. MILW can non tender him but he’ll have no problems finding a starting 2B job somewhere. That’s why you guys gave up a decent package to get him.
I don’t understand the arbitration system. Schoop had a dreadful year and he GETS A BIG RAISE!!!???
Schoop not playing everyday clearly had an effect in his performance. It seems pretty simple to me.. Not sure what there is to figure out.