The Brewers eked out a postseason berth in 2020 by virtue of this year’s expanded format, laying claim to the No. 8 seed in the National League despite finishing with a sub-.500 record (29-31). They’re headed back into the offseason with plenty of holes to fill thanks to last year’s slate of one-year pickups, but the infield in particular is rife with uncertainty.
In Keston Hiura, Luis Urias and Orlando Arcia, the Brew Crew has some options up the middle, but the infield corners are far less certain. That reality is all the more clear after president of baseball operations David Stearns acknowledged the deficiency in an interview with The Athletic’s Will Sammon this week when discussing the work that lies ahead between now and Spring Training.
“I think what is clear is our production at first base and third base has to improve,” Stearns tells Sammon. “That, we know. Whether that can come from internal sources or external sources are some of the questions we’re continuing to talk through, evaluate and then determine the best course of action.”
While Stearns’ comment about a need for improvement is of course accurate, it also in many ways largely undersells how dire the situation is. Milwaukee third basemen combined for an abysmal .200/.279/.295 in 2020, which translated to an MLB-worst 56 wRC+ at the position.
Things were better across the diamond, where Milwaukee first basemen batted .229/.303/.467 — good for a 101 wRC+ that ranked 17th in the Majors. However, the bulk of that production came from Jedd Gyorko, whose option was bought out at season’s end. Daniel Vogelbach was red-hot in his short time with the Brewers to end the season, but he only logged eight plate appearances as a first baseman. He could be in line for more of a look at first in 2021, but it’s not guaranteed that he’ll be tendered a contract. Vogelbach is arbitraiton-eligible and struggled enormously from the All-Star break in 2019 up until his acquisition by the Brewers. He’s more of a designated hitter than a first baseman, and the lack of clarity regarding the universal DH could lead to a non-tender.
There are plenty of external options to explore at the infield corners, although Sammon reports that the Brewers’ payroll — like the payroll of most clubs around the league — is expected to decline in 2021. The Brewers’ 2020 payroll was set to open at just shy of $98MM before the season was halted and salaries were pro-rated. They currently have about $47.5MM in guaranteed contracts plus a big slate of arbitration players who could approach roughly $26MM in salary. Several of those names are non-tender candidates, which could give Stearns & Co. some breathing room as they search for upgrades.
Trades for high-profile infielders like Kris Bryant, Nolan Arenado and Francisco Lindor can be ruled out due to the salary associated with those players. Free agents Justin Turner and DJ LeMahieu, similarly, are likely to be too expensive. But the market does have some intriguing bounceback options, with Jake Lamb and Carlos Santana among the veterans eyeing rebounds. Trade possibilities are numerous, of course, and the Brewers will see a whole new set of possible candidates join the field next week after Wednesday’s non-tender deadline. They’ll also have a firmer grasp on what they can afford to spend at that point.
One player sure to be immune from that non-tender fate is lefty Josh Hader, whose name has again popped up on the rumor circuit. Despite Stearns’ prior assertion that he doesn’t envision trading Hader, Fansided’s Robert Murray reported recently that Milwaukee is “open” to such a move. That’s a far cry from shopping Hader, of course, and Stearns again sought to downplay the possibility while instead characterizing any listening on Hader more as due diligence. The Brewers, per Stearns are in a “very similar position” with Hader as they were after the trade deadline when he initially made those comments.
“Josh remains a very large contributor to our team and he has since he got here,” Stearns says. “I don’t really anticipate that changing. And when you have really good players, you’re going to get calls on them. And I don’t anticipate that changing, either.”
Stearns, like many of today’s presidents and general managers, seems to prefer not to operate in absolutes, so it’s only natural that he’ll continue listening should teams continue to try to blow the Brewers away with an offer. And this time next year or even at the 2021 trade deadline, the situation may be different.
If Hader keeps piling up strikeouts and saves, the arbitration process will keep ballooning his salary. He’s projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz to earn $5.1MM in 2021, and barring a long-term deal, that number could quickly rise beyond Milwaukee’s comfort level. If the Brewers are well out of the race next summer or carry Hader into the offseason, it might become more realistic to see a low-payroll club more aggressively solicit offers. That’s not to say that a trade this winter is wholly off the table, but at least for the time being, he appears affordable enough that Milwaukee can enjoy the benefit of a Hader/Devin Williams combo late in games to help slam the door in close contests.
Obviously it would take a lot more, but the desire for corner production+Hader made me instantly think of Edwin Rios with LAD. 5 years of control, power out of this world. Plays a passable 3B and is still learning the position/improving
I don’t think Hader is dealt, but Williams being around makes it way more plausible than in the past
How about Rios for Knebel?
I’d do that in a heartbeat if I were MIL. Zero chance LAD would even consider it.
I feel like Rios is the type of player the brewers should be after but I feel like that actually may be an overpay for Hader. Admittedly I’m probably higher on Rios then a lot of people are. I was thinking more along the lines of Zach McKinistry and Landon Knack for Hader. Zach is a decent power hitting corner infield prospect and Landon has the potential to be a fast rising middle of the rotation starter.
Really you think a low ceiling mlb ready corner IF and a Solid pitching prosepct but one with delivery questions and was a drafted as a 5th yr senior(not a ton of projection) is enough to get 3 yrs kf ine of the best lefty relievers in the game? Cmon bro get real
Agree, Rios is a great starting point in a Hader deal that would definitely make Milw think. I think they would need ti add another solid prospect like Ruiz and a high ceiling low A player.
I think a deal could fit many bills. All hitting, Rios+ a DJ Peters type maybe?
Rios+ SP, which Mil seems to always lack. J. Gray or Gonsolin could be 2nd pieces. Although, I think Rios+ Gonsolin is a steep price, maybe too high, for Hader alone
I also don’t think Hader is dealt unless it’s an relatively impressive haul coming back
A 40 HR power 3B with 5 years of control, plus 6 years of a nearly ready SP like Gray(or 5 w/ Gonsolin) fits that bill
La really could make a lot of high impact deals in conjunction, if they choose, go for the dynasty.
Ruiz+ For Snell, Rios+ for Hader. Arenado of course fits in that category somehow
Going to be interesting to see how these negotiations play out+how serious Mil is about dealing Hader
Not going to happen. Friedman won’t trade a high end pitching prospect like Gray. And there are two or three relievers who are free agents now that are as good, or nearly as good, as Hader who will cost maybe 10 million. By next year Hader will be at around 10 million and the Dodgers will still their high end starters.
I could see the brew crew going after renato nunez.
Smith, Davis, Gsellman.
Stupid offer. U don’t trade dom. Alonso str8 up for hader is a deal I do. Esp if I’m using nimmo davis and gimenez to get me Lindor and carrasco. Then I sign jbj jtr and Corey kluber.
Trade Hader. This team won’t be competitive for awhile. Get some prospects save some payroll call it a day.
This team was competitive last year. I’ll grant you, they were not very good but it was only 60 games. If they get the right pieces in a hader deal there’s no reason to believe they won’t be competitive in 2021. They’ve got a lot of young talent on the roster to compliment Yelich.
My man. They weren’t even .500 at any time in the year
The “What have you done for me lately” owls out in full force.
They’re still built to win now (how well, that’s certainly up for debate.)
Never said they were.
Careful what you wish for…I think the same. Renato Nunez!,so it must be a bad idea Ha!
Stearns can’t be that foolish to hold onto him. Over used for 2 straight years, velocity heading down and ERA going up. Get what you can from him as Williams will be just fine.
Over used in a 60 game season? 21 games, 19 innings. Rarely used in back to back games and I don’t recall them bringing him in when the game was tied or the team was losing. I don’t think that constitutes an over use.
Sir, I said the last 2 years. They road him like a dog and it is showing the effects now. That half ass slider he throws is garbage. Get rid of him now before the arm injury happens or the explosion.
Hader gave up runs in a lower percentage of appearances in 2020 than in 2019. Half the runs he gave up in 2020 were in one appearance, which added almost 2 full points to his ERA.
Nickel and dime this offseason and Stearns should be on the hot seat. Last offseason was almost borderline self sabotage. Brewers ought to consider Lindor if they want to win. SP has improved. 2021 is their year in the NL Central if they choose to take it.
That comes from ownership down, not on Stearns. It would make no sense for the Brewers to trade for Lindor and then watch him leave in 2022.
They overpaid for many players last year for no reason. They spent enough. It was an awful strategy. Go back and check.
So after a year with all the lost revenue..following a year in which they had a club record high payroll, and then dished out $200 million to yelich, you think Stearns should be fired if he “nickels and dimes” this winter?
First, all the decisions he’s made regarding contracts/payroll were ultimately with Attanasio’s approval.
Second, there’s no way they go on a spending spree in free agency this winter. Pay who? And who is jumping in line to sign with Milwaukee?
Third, there wont be any big acquisitions via trade either. Hader is essentially the only chip they have, besides maybe Hiura and Williams who aren’t going anywhere.
You’re the guy that thought the Brewers did a terrific job last offseason not addressing needs and overpaying players they didn’t need? Ok there.
You’ll have to prove that one, because I don’t recall EVER saying something so stupid.
I defended not handing out the dollars it would have taken to re-sign Moustakis and Grandal, but never did i say “Gyorko/Sogard/Morrison/Holt/etc is a good signing”
And by the way, Garcia was not the 4th outfielder. Braun was expected to split time between the OF, 1b and dh. Thats why they moved Yelich to lf.
DH was not part of the equation until the pandemic hit, so that’s a lie. Nobody knew Cain was opting out. Braun to 1B? Why overpay Smoak when there were other needs? And Gyorko. And Sogard. And Holt.
Second, count up all the money spent on free agents and then come back and tell me it was money well spent and well thought out. Neither is true. It was a pathetic offseason and the results backed it up.
Third, your team locked up Yelich to an extension. Can’t cry poor now. Otherwise don’t extend him or you will have a Braun 2.0 on your hands.
Last, your team had a great run in 2018 and ended on a sour note in 2019 in the WC game. The response was to overpay for bench players? What a load of garbage.
You can stop defending the putrid offseason now since you claim you never said the dumb signings were good. That was all I needed to justify the first comment you took issue with.
Apparently reading comprehension is not your strong suit.
But im done trying to explain simple things to you, so have a happy rest of the Thanksgiving weekend (unless you insist on believing..and trying to convince me..that its Easter, or whatever.).
‘If ownerships decides they dont want to spend, they should fire the GM for not spending!!!’
They should fire the GM for signing too many bench players for millions. Sogard, Smoak, Garcia (to be a 4th OF), others.
They signed Garcia as a starting RF. Braun was clearly viewed as the short-side platoon 4th OF that he now is.
Didn’t work out with Garcia in 2020, but let’s not pretend Stearns gave him 10M to pinch hit.
One thing I’ve learned on MLBTR; there is a very vocal part of every fan base that feels they have the worst GM.
I guess some of that may be due to this being a site that focus’s on player acquisitions.
Anywhooo.
The Brewers have made the postseason the last three years, man. Stearns is doing a great job there. He’s really highly regarded around MLB.
I certainly won’t be surprised if they’re in the playoffs in ’21, too.
If you think it’s bad here, stay away from Brew Crew Ball.
I have no desire to witness that particular bloodletting up close.
I believe you. Look. There are Yankee sites where a lot of posters have screen names like “firecashman22” or whatever, man.
Brewers were lucky playoffs were expanded. Hader has to be moved since that is the only thing of value the Brewers have for any kind of decent return. The minor league is fairly bare. Brewers must improve drafting and player development or this will continue.
Stormintazz: Yes, they were lucky to make the playoffs in a SIXTY (60) game season with a record of 29-31. You do realize there would’ve been several teams in the 25-35 to 35-25 records in a normal season? It’s not like they made the playoffs with a 78-84 record in a ONE HUNDRED SIXTY TWO (162).
According to sources, Bernie Brewer is at the top of the list should the NL have the DH for next season.
Gavin Lux from Wisconsin is a huge potential hitter for LA. The Dodgers are loaded and it may be otugh for him to find a regular spot. He has tools to get good enough on the infield defensive front. Him and a nice youn pitcher or two….may get it done. Yankees and Chisox have youth and talent to make a trade happen for Hader. I hope not the Phillies. Your thoughts?
Yanks, have corner low cost in Voit and lesser extent Anduhar. Starting point for Hader
@jersey
If Brewers trade Hader, it won’t be for multiple players who already have been logging service time. They want 5-6 years of control, not 3-4, which is what they already have in Hader. Andujar has minimal value (injury history and lead glove). May as well offer Voit straight up. Wait, you could add Sanchez, since they’re about to nontender him. Any other slop you think might get it done?
I’ve been saying for a while now that a package focused around Gavin Lux, DJ Peters, and Cody Hoese will get the job done.
There is no way that Hader gets you that from LAD, sorry to ruin your moment
Lux alone is a non starter. Then you want Hoese+Peters? Lol gonna be more coming back to LA for that haul
All of 2B, SS and 3B do not have long term answers for LAD atm. Not saying they aren’t filled for 2021, talking 5+ years. Lux (and Hoese) very easily fits the long term plan. Lux is 21 still and already murdered AAA. That’s just not happening man. Even if that’s the going rate, LA says no
Yeah, all LAD has to do to clear the way for Lux is not re-sign their position player FAs: Turner. Kiké, or Joc. That lets Chris Taylor move into the OF/3B rotation while giving Lux full-time reps at 2B. I think they’re very much planning on giving Lux significant playing time in 2021.
White Sox have the prospects to fill the Brewers needs. Jake Burger 3rd base, Gavin Sheets 1st base, Yelish’s friend Blake Rutherford outfield & Reynaldo Lopez starting pitcher for Hader.
Trade Hader because —
— it could help restock a horrible minor league system
–Get the Crew a decent corner. Gyorko is not the answer
–his hair cut is an embarrassment
–his haircut is an embarrassment — trade him to the Yankees for anything.
Voit for Hader?
Voit and? No way one-for-one.
I feel like C.J. Cron could be a good fit with the Brewers.
I’ve been saying for a while now that a package focused around Gavin Lux, DJ Peters, and Cody Hoese will get the job done.
I think the only trades that I would really only want to do is Yankees ( Andujar and Frazier) or the Dodgers ( Rios and Lux) if any. Maybe the Angels with Walsh plus three prospects. Now if you do trade Hader you have to sign Knebel to close while you work Williams into the role. Another aspect is they would probably want to know what way you go with Rasmussen to the pen or starter.
Lol Ruiz and Lux for almost anyone, let alone a reliever
He said Rios, not Ruiz.
I’m thinking this means the Brewers are punting this season. The real trade value will be during July trade deadline for Hader, etc. that will be FAs after the year. Team will save money when trading Hader/Avisail Garcia when they do.
Sir, I said the last 2 years. They road him like a dog and it is showing the effects now. That half ass slider he throws is garbage. Get rid of him now before the arm injury happens or the explosion.
A 19 inning season shows little as to any effect due to small sample. Hate to see how much more dominant he could be if he refines that”half ass slider!” You probably think Williams should have struck out every batter.
Half ass slider? Lmao!!! I’m not sure what games you were watching last season but when he threw his slider it was pretty lights out. His issue was losing control of his fastball on a couple outings which drastically inflated his numbers given the small sample size. I don’t think there’s a team out there who believe he’s going to regress much over the next 3 years
FYI he still posted solid numbers even with those two bad outings:
ERA+ 122
ERA 3.79
SO/9 14.7
WHIP 0.947
BB/9 4.7
Now if you remove his two bad outings his general performance paints a much different picture.
ERA 1.02
SO/9 14.8
WHIP 0,510
BB/9 2.55
So as you can see Hader was still dominant last season in 19 out of 21 games.