The latest on the Brew Crew….
- Yasmani Grandal is now a member of the White Sox, though the Brewers made “multiple offers” to the free agent catcher, as per reporter Robert Murray (via Twitter). Milwaukee had natural interest in a reunion given how well Grandal played in 2019, though Chicago’s four-year, $73MM contract was enough to outbid the Brewers. With Grandal officially no longer an option, catcher becomes perhaps the Brewers’ biggest area of need this winter, as the club will be looking for a solid regular to join in-house options Manny Pina, David Freitas, and Jacob Nottingham. Grandal, by the way, issued a thank-you to both the Brewers and their fans on his Instagram account today.
- With Grandal gone, Mike Moustakas is the biggest remaining Brewers free agent. While Milwaukee would also like to retain Moustakas, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tweets that the infielder “has considerable interest” from other teams. The Phillies, Braves, and Rangers are three of the clubs who have been linked to Moustakas in past reports, and it’s fair to imagine that lots of other teams would see a fit for a power hitter who can play second or third base.
- The Brewers added three players to their 40-man roster yesterday in advance of the deadline for teams to set their rosters in advance of the Rule 5 Draft. As you might expect, “these are not 100 percent easy, clear decisions to make on some players,” Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns told MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy and other reporters. While Milwaukee has only 36 players on its 40-man, teams often leave spaces open for future additions or other roster maneuvering prior to December 12, when the Rule 5 Draft takes place. This means that other teams could select some notable Brewers youngsters who weren’t protected, such as right-hander Zack Brown, currently ranked by MLB.com as the third-best prospect in Milwaukee’s farm system. Brown was quickly ascending up the minor league ladder and was the Brewers’ minor league pitcher of the year in 2018, though his 2019 numbers (5.79 ERA over his first 116 2/3 innings at the Triple-A level) were a step backwards. Stearns admitted that these struggles “certainly influenced our decision,” though “we still have high hopes for Zack Brown.” If Brown is chosen, his new team would have to keep him on its Major League roster for the entire 2020 season to gain his permanent rights, or else the team would have to offer Brown back to Milwaukee.
- Former Marlins infielder Ed Lucas has been hired as the Brewers’ new minor league hitting coordinator, as per Robert Murray (Twitter link). Lucas’ post-playing career has thus far included three seasons in administrative and development roles with the Phillies and Marlins. Lucas played for seven different organizations from 2004-16, a career that includes 163 MLB games with Miami in 2013-14.
Leaving Brown off the 40-man is inexcusable
He looked like toast this year. not even a shell ood what he was
Yeah but he’s still only 24. Can’t give up on prospects because of one bad year. Obviously they weren’t thrilled with what they saw last year, but I’m still surprised they didn’t add him.
The farm system is very depleted. He would be like the 20th prospect in some farm systems. Not a big deal.
Reds have been reported to have interest in Moustakas for 2B
Isn’t the Reds lineup already fairly lefty-heavy? I’m not sure Moose is the best fit for them
just like they had “serious interest” in Grandal?
Yes, ironically, similar to Brewers interest in Grandal too.
Butt hurt much?
Only one team can sign Grandal.
To that team go the spoils.
I like the Grandal on the Sox, he will certainly make an impact to that young team. Maybe a slight overpay, but a great player nonetheless.
Pretty sure Moose is headed to the NL East. I’d like the Phillies to get him in the 2/25 range but I’m sure the Braves are making inquiries, and the Nationals could pivot to Moose if/when Rendon moves on.
Zack Brown is an intersting arm, Milwaukee is rolling the dice on that one.
Would like to see MLBTR publish an article on the best players now available in the Rule 5 draft.
Moose is getting a longer deal this time through the shoot. Expect the Phillies to pull him in for 5/45 or 4/40. However, I would love him on the Rockies to play 2B.
What happens if an unprotected guy is not picked in Rule 5 beyond his original team getting to keep him in minors for coming year? Does he need to be protected next year or be exposed to Rule 5 again? Or does he become free agent after the next year if he doesn’t get added to 40-man after the following season? Or is he like permanently in their minor league system? (I assume it’s not that last one…)
Brown would not be a free agent. He would again be eligible for the rule 5 draft next season. You can file for minor league free agency after 7 seasons in an organization if you’ve never been called up.
I liked Grandal as a Padre but Preller made another of his great moves. Nothing anchors a team like a great catcher.
Who cares anymore just trade away yelich and Braun were not going anywhere anytime soon
We wouldn’t get a wet paper bag for Braun at this point.
Man…someone hide Phattey’s belt and shoelaces…
They never have. This is a franchise that puts up wild card banners in their park, not championship banners.
Not even close to true. Played in two NL Championship series in the last 8 years.
What is wrong with that Seattle has we almost made a wild card game and we were this close banners. You have to celebrate what you can.
And how many years did the Cubs have something to celebrate? But keep reminding us about 2016
Baseball America has a list of the 15 most attractive Rule 5 available guys…Brown isn’t on the list….He really got wacked at AAA, and he never was a “stuff” guy anyway.
Some are forgetting the obligation to keep a player on your 26-man once you take him in Rule 5. Brown might be a reasonable future play, but I can’t see him contributing in 2020. And he would have to be able to do that. Ya, you can play with the 60 IL and all that, like the O’s did with Santander, but for a contending team, it’s a lot of work.
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Thanks for the insight. With the addition of the 26th man you gotta figure teams will be a little more inclined to select a player. Drafting a pitcher like Brown and using him in mop-up duty makes sense for re-building teams.
Brewers and Chirinos look like a nice fit. Wonder if Grandal just drove up Chirinos’s price too?
I think the brewers ought to explore trades for Hader, Yelich, and Cain if they’re not in contention by July. This isn’t a deep roster, and the farm is pretty bare
They could get a king’s ransom for Hader right now but I don’t think they’d consider trading him at all.
And he’s coming back for season 3 of Barry on HBO too!
Not only do the Brewers still have high hopes for Zack Brown, they also remain high on his Band !!
As a huge white sox fan, thank you brewers for being to cheap to keep one of the best catchers in baseball! Go sox!
Man…someone hide Phattey’s belt and shoelaces…
Because the Sox overpaid, that makes the Brewers cheap? Don’t understand the logic.
Exactly. Try replacing the offense iod Grandal and Moustakas with rookies or cast offs. Good luck with that Milwaukee. Cheapskates don’t go to Workd Series
Wow…aggro much? Calm down, there, buddy. It’s still just November.
As a Brewer fan I would have loved to see Grandal back, but I wouldnt be upset if he left. Hes got good power but his on base isn’t the best. The Brewers need more on base hitters and theres plenty of catchers that are better in that field then Grandal is and for cheaper too
It’s about time for Moose to get treated fairly in free agency. He is slightly above average defensively, he can mash the ball, he’s a dirt dog and his teammates love him. Not sure why teams didn’t line up for him last year but would love to see him get a 3yr / $40M offer from someone. That seems fair/reasonable to me.
Because he’s a .250 straight pull hitter? Because his defense is definitely not above average and his range is extremely limited? He’s a great dugout guy but his play style is being deflated by infield shifts.
A lot of people are gonna think this is crazy: but I think Moose is gonna sign with the Royals for 3yrs/30M. Not many teams interested in a 3B, and with Donaldson a free agent all the competive teams will be after him. Royals could sign Moustakas as a free agent and move Soler into the outfield.
You do NOT want Soler full-time in the OF. That’s the very reason he almost never played more than 100 games in a season up until 2019.
And why (they won’t, but for arguments sake, lets say they do) does signing Moustakas have to do with moving Soler to the OF? Where are you moving him from? Soler doesn’t play 3rd base. You’d have to move Hunter Dozier. Which he could theoretically go to first base. But I don’t get the Soler comment. Did I miss something?
That was my original thought too, I’m assuming he was suggesting putting Moustakas at DH and moving Soler to the OF.
Brown got shelled his junior year of college, how does he end up getting picked in the 5th round? Obviously turned out be a pretty good pitcher overall but his minor league stats are better than his college stats.
Brewers are going to go backwards badly after two really good seasons. You can’t replace the offense of Grandal, Thames, and Moustakas with garbage or hopefuls. They also stand to lose Lyles and Pomeranz who really helped their second half success last year. Look for the Brewers to finish no better than 3rd in their division. Always going cheap means ultimately going nowhere.
It is a long way till Feb lets just what happens
Let see what happens it is a long way till feb many pieces to fall yet
Remember three years ago when Thames was nothing but a hopeful? I also dint get why so many keep calling them cheap. Did you see the offers? Do you know this to be the case? Or did Grandal seize upon a solid offer and move on? Because it happened so fast, I doubt it’s a matter of being cheap. Out of resources maybe, but Milwaukee is one of the smallest market teams in the league.
Moose is still out there, and it’s still only November. Stearns has had a pretty good track record, so let’s not go throwing in the towel just yet.
It is a long way till Feb lets just what happens
Lots of pieces to fall between now and Feb
White Sox locking up Grandal and Abreu until 35 years old….ouch not how you build a championship. Above average players who are old and expensive. I wonder if they would take Cain off our hands?