On Friday, the Brewers released a video of chairman and principal owner Mark Attanasio discussing a wide variety of topics pertaining to the club’s upcoming offseason with broadcaster Brian Anderson via fan-submitted questions. Among Attanasio’s more interesting answers was his response to a question about which minor leaguers he expected to appear in Milwaukee in 2023, to which he stated that the Brewers “might be very active this winter, and depending on which direction we [the Brewers] are active may create openings for guys” (h/t to Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel).
Attanasio is most likely referring to which positional area Milwaukee decides to address, as opposed to whether or not they will make moves to try and remain competitive. Nonetheless, Attanasio’s quote will not inspire confidence in Brewers fans who are hungry to see Milwaukee make major additions in the offseason. In a year in which a competitive Brewers team traded away Josh Hader, only to finish one game out of the final postseason spot, some of the questions submitted by fans seemed to reflect a concern regarding the front office’s commitment to winning. In fairness, the Brewers made the playoffs in four of the last five seasons and have built what has become a perennial division contender on a payroll that has consistently ranked well below the league median. The most important question for Milwaukee does not appear to be whether or not the front office is committed to putting a winning team on the field, but rather whether their core group of players, the same ones that are taking up most of the payroll, are capable of delivering another deep postseason run.
Roster Resource projects the club for a 2023 payroll of $118MM, which is already fairly high for them. The club set a franchise record in 2022 with an Opening Day payroll of $132MM, per Cot’s Baseball Contracts. The Brew Crew enters this offseason with a lot of question marks as to who will fill out their starting lineup. Milwaukee can create some payroll wiggle room by declining Kolten Wong’s $10MM option and non-tendering Hunter Renfroe (who MLBTR projects to make $11.2MM in 2023), but would then be faced with holes in two outfield spots, as well as at second base. Brice Turang and Garrett Mitchell could plug in for the Brewers if Wong and Renfroe depart, but that would put a lot of the burden of offensive success on young players who have yet to establish themselves in the big leagues. There are some lower-cost free agent outfielders that might entice the Brewers, but the market for second basemen is pretty thin. As such, it’s difficult to envision Milwaukee making a major improvement over what they already have, considering their financial restrictions and reluctance for parting with prospects.
Attanasio expressed confidence in the core group of players that have led the Brewers over the last few years, noting that he feels like the club is “really well set up for next year.” The success or failure of said core will likely determine whether or not Milwaukee gets back to the playoffs. Fortunately, there’s no reason to think that the trio of Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, and Freddy Peralta won’t continue to baffle hitters. That being said, if the 2023 Brewers are going to score runs to support their pitching staff, Willy Adames and Rowdy Tellez will have at least replicate their production from last season, and Christian Yelich will have to look more like he did in 2018-2019. If Milwaukee truly is active this winter, they may have to get creative in how they make improvements to their roster.
It’ll be an interesting gamble if they bring up the prospects and keep the entire pitching staff. They’ll have to abandon launch angle/3 true outcomes and move toward putting the ball in play/getting on base with the end of the shift. I’d prefer them bringing up the prospects and giving them a shot, but it can’t be a situation where Counsell uses everyone as utility type players, changing the lineup every day. They need to be allowed time to settle into a routine and stack successes while learning from mistakes. Save the cash and see if they can make a run at some trade deadline acquisitions if they’re in contention. They’re going to need some bullpen arms, so I think Wong and Renfroe are gone anyway (among others).
The shift is not done it will just be less dramatic. Teams are not going to start playing these dead pull hitters straight up, they ll just position fielders right up to the limit.
To waste what time they have left with that core of starters before they reach free agency without investing in a couple of bats would be a shame.
rondon;
They are not going to be able to afford all those starters when they hit free agency. Now is the time to trade one of the blue chippers for multiple quality prospects.
Some of their fans are delusional if they think the Brewers are going to the WS next year. Going “all in” in 2023 guarantees a long rebuild will have to happen. One would think Brewers fans had figured that out. Taking a step back is what’s called for. Cleveland took a step back a few years ago. Now their fans have an exciting young team that made it to the 2nd round of the playoffs this year, and will be in contention for the next 4-5 years.
It’s rare that you have a window with three starters of that caliber. They’re gonna face salary issues regardless. They will never spend like the large market teams do and yes, trading one is an option. But there’s no guarantee that pays off either. They have a bird in the hand with those guys and bringing in a big bat or two is not mortgaging the future and doesn’t mean a “long rebuild”.
You don’t rebuild with their 3 top starters all having two plus years. That’s what a fool would do. They can look at your plan next season.
I think its very possible, if not likely, that 1 of those starters gets traded, a) to bring down the projected payroll, and b) to bring back bat or replacement for Wong, Renfroe or whoever else they deem too expensive.
I’m curious who the supposed Brewers fans are that think they’re going to the WS in ’23. They’d certainly be delusional, I was unaware any actually made such a prediction.
You make a lot of good points absolutely. But I think if these prospects are even average offensively it’s going to be a lot better. Turang could be just as good as Wong offensively and defensively minus not as much power as Wong. He grew up around of MLB baseball when his dad played with Seattle. I think Frelick could play himself in regularly cf. He gives us anything and he will be better then last year cf offense. Along with Mitchell playing some center and LF. With Yellich getting more time at DH sharing it with Huira. I think Milwaukee could live with Tellez/ Huira at first. Only way I see Tellez being traded is if they decide to go with Yellich handling some first base. Also Dillard could work him into the first base picture in depending how he does at AAA in the first half. I know Counsel loves Dillard upside. Counsel face lights up about him says he reminds him of Schwarber. Renfroe is a little more difficult. I can’t see them starting out the year with Weimer in rf maybe by mid-season. Renfroe could fetch you something good at the trade deadline if Weimer is ready but what kind of message does that send if we’re winning. Now I get it this is kinda the perfect scenario. We still got third base to deal with. Urias situation is you either plant him at third or move on from him. I know people say we can put him at second or utility guy but the guy simply has proven that he doesn’t hit hardly at all when they play him like that. The only success he has had regularly is if they plant him at third. I also think Milwaukee would be better at making Ruiz the super utility guy, defensive replacement/ pinch runner/ pinch hitter. He played a lot of second in the minors. The catching position I’m ready to go with Caratini/Feliciano combo to see what we got. Now 2023 might definitely be growing pains. But if we keep this starting rotation ( think we could trade Houser and/or Lauer still have enough pitching) for 2024. Would put Milwaukee in a good place to really compete for WS in 2024. I know people say that we wouldn’t get as much if we hang on to Burnes and Woodruff until they hit FA but we can always QO them get the compensation or they may even accept it because by then it may be up 25 million by then
I need a break after reading all that stubby!
I’m not really going to dispute anything you say here, just what I’ve been saying for a little while now…I don’t believe they’re going to lean on the kids much like some people think, or insist they will.
Also, if they don’t change or at least deviate a little from the HR or bust approach offensively, it won’t matter who’s in the lineup.
Oh I wasn’t looking to dispute with you at all was actually agreeing with a lot of what you were saying I was just giving you another perspective on some things was all. just conversation. To be honest I actually respect some things you say
I had watch this press conference and all I can say Is that If people got mad for the softball questions that Donald Trump got when he was on Fox News. This was even worse
You mean like Democrats get now from the American media?
Please keep politics out of this.
Mute.
I agree keep politics out of it but it’s strange that you say that right after saying something political. It’s ironic. Not that I disagree with you but it’s kind of funny.
Tough posers like, “Joe, what kind of ice cream are you eating?” BTW, I believe he got that one right. Might be the only right answer he’s come up with in two-and-a-half years!
Show me on the doll where Trump hurt you. It’s okay. You can tell us. This is a safe space.
Three wrongs don’t make a right.
Is Renfroe really that bad that non-tender is the most likely option? They can’t find 1 trade partner willing to give up something for him..? I find that really hard to believe after offloading JBJ last year (I know it was for Renfroe but still).
It’s a different story if they were waiving him during the season, but with so many other options available in the free agent market, Renfroe doesn’t carry much value until the market clears out. He’s definitely not worth $11m
I disagree. There may be a team that would trade a low level prospect (not a team top 30 prospect) to rent Renfroe for a year.
126 OPS+ and league average defense. He’s an above average player and unless they are signing Judge, the OF on the market are not better.
If Profar opts out they may get someone that puts up a similar WAR at a couple million less AAV, but for 3 plus years.
It’s a matter of where they feel they can use that $11m elsewhere. It’s a question of whether they can get a guy like Pham, Haniger, Peralta, Joc or Soler for cheaper. I’m sure they could deal Renfroe to someone, but with so many options in the market that are similar to his hitting profile, it diminishes his value bc a team can get a similar guy without giving anything up other than $.
I personally think your wrong with Renfroe. He got plenty of value. a very good defensive value for right. Then with not being able to put second basemen in short right will make him that more value with also the DH in the National League it ups it even more. He would get us a 15 to 30 rank prospect. Any team would actually want him.
What did those guys do in 2022?
Pham – 0.4 WAR 87 OPS+ 35 years old
Haniger – 1.4 WAR 114 OPS+
Peralta – 0.7 WAR 109 OPS+ 35 years old
Pederson – 1.3 WAR 144 OPs+
Soler – 0.4 WAR 95 OPS+
So are they supposed to take a one off shot at signing Pederson to a multi year deal or bring back the guy they know on a one year deal?
Attanasio: “high priority is to buy some more buses to throw my management team under.”
There was no option but to trade Hader. Get over it. Also, Christian Yelich is a sign stealer. He’ll never touch those number again. Ditto Keston Hiura.
punting on 2023
Bet Mark wishes he didn’t sign Yelich to the team friendly contract now, if Yelich doesn’t improve over winter into spring training, look for Brewers to find a way to unload the contract even if they have to eat part of the deal’s money. They somehow need to retain their starting pitchers and with Lauer really improving they have a compliment of hurlers to keep them in W.S contention for years.
They’d also need Yelich to sign off, since he has a no-trade clause from what I understand.
I don’t see them getting much in return even if they eat a major chunk of the money..and at that point, it’s not really going to benefit them much.
Yellich has a no trade clause so they can’t trade him
It’s Yelich. Not Yellich. That’s alls I can stands, can’t stands no more.
Those things disappear with the green salad of salvation. $$$$$
mark gotta be top 5 worst owner in the mlb. bro constantly uses the “small market” excuse as to why they can’t afford players to actually contend while the bucks are in the same market and have developed a dynasty in like 5 years
MLB economic’s and NBA economic’s = Apples & Oranges. You have to know this.
Bud (Popeye) Selig-It seems to me that popit actually does not know this.
as long as mark owners the brewers they will never win anything of any value. bro hangs banners for making the wild card. he sets the bar very low
Harder did not get enough in return. Also he was not ready for free agent big money until after 2023
It’s Hader, not Harder, good grief.
Very active leading to open playing time for rookies. Wong&Renfroe=gone in trades. Urias wouldn’t surprise me as traded. That would save money to keep Woodruff and Burnes. Turang&Frelick join in replacement. Brewers make their expected big trade of 1 of top 2 SPs if they’re out of a playoff run in a mini rebuild next deadline or they’re in it and make 1 push and trade next offseason.
Sounds like it’ll be one step forward, two steps back with roster construction next year. There’s a chance they’ll be competitive like Cleveland was, but they could finish in 3rd place depending on what the Cubs do.
Instead of worrying about retaining players he’s worried about team executives leaving. A $118 million dollar payroll isn’t going to cut it. Brewers fans should have known something was up when they traded Hader. This team can be good if they can retain their top 3 starters which they won’t.
I’m not sure what to make of the comments made by Attanasio, but why wouldn’t he invest more into the team since STL is basically the only other team expected to compete.