The Brewers signed top prospect Jackson Chourio to a pre-debut extension back in December, and in doing so their outfield logjam for the 2024 season all the more apparent. While the club made some room on the depth chart by shipping Tyrone Taylor to the Mets alongside Adrian Houser earlier in the offseason, the club still figures to have Chourio, Christian Yelich, Garrett Mitchell, Joey Wiemer, Sal Frelick, and Blake Perkins all in the mix for outfield reps entering the 2024 campaign. That positional logjam has led to plenty of speculation that the club could look to trade from its depth to address other parts of the roster, but The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal suggested today that the club could have another, novel solution to the glut in mind: moving Frelick to the infield.
Frelick, 24 in April, was the club’s first-round pick in the 2021 draft and made his big league debut last season. In 57 games at the big league level last year, the lefty-swinging outfield slashed a decent .246/.341/.351 for the Brewers, putting him right around league average despite modest power production. While his first taste of big league action may have left something to be desired, Frelick was a consensus top-40 prospect entering the 2023 season and sports a career .314/.393/.451 slash line for his career in the minors, including a .311/.388/.432 line at the Triple-A level. Despite that strong pedigree, Frelick appears blocked in the outfield by likely regulars Yelich, Chourio, and Mitchell.
Given this, it’s not necessarily a surprise that Frelick has garnered interest on the trade market. The youngster was recently reported as of interest to the Padres, who have a barren outfield mix after shipping Juan Soto and Trent Grisham to the Bronx earlier this winter. With that being said, the Brewers appear, at least for now, appear to be looking for ways to get Frelick’s bat into their own lineup rather than shipping him elsewhere. Rosenthal reports that Frelick is preparing to play both second and third base in addition to the outfield this spring. With Willy Adames entrenched at shortstop barring a trade, Frelick would join an infield mix in Milwaukee that currently features Joey Ortiz and Brice Turang as the likely starting options with Andruw Monasterio, Owen Miller, and top infield prospect Tyler Black also in the mix for playing time.
More from around the NL Central…
- Speaking of youngsters attempting to learn the infield, Cubs manager Craig Counsell recently indicated to reporters, including Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune, that slugger Christopher Morel is set to primarily focus on getting reps at third base this spring. Morel, 25 in June, slashed an impressive .247/.313/.508 in 429 trips to the plate last year while slugging 26 home runs in just 107 games. Most of that production, however, came out of the DH spot in the lineup. Morel’s rookie 2022 campaign saw him split time between second base, third base, shortstop, and center field though he struggled at every position except second, where the Cubs have Gold Glover Nico Hoerner as an everyday option. The Cubs previously seemed poised to rely on a combination of Nick Madrigal and Miles Mastrobuoni at third base, though if Morel can prove himself capable of regular reps at third base he could open the DH spot for an additional bat via free agency or for the club to use as a way to rest regulars.
- As relayed by Gordon Wittenmyer and Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Reds provided a pair of minor injury updates today. Most notable is that regarding infielder Noelvi Marte, who suffered a hamstring injury while playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic. The youngster appeared to be recovering well last month, and the good news has continued as both Marte and Reds brass indicate he should be ready for Opening Day, though he will be delayed in the start to his spring as he’s expected to miss the first five games of Cactus League action. Left-hander Sam Moll is also delayed entering camp, with Wittenmyer and Goldsmith relaying the southpaw dealt with a bout of shoulder soreness while ramping up last month. That’s led the club to put off Moll’s first bullpen session of the spring, though the 32-year-old hurler has continued to play catch and is expected to be ready for Opening Day. Moll impressed with the Reds down the stretch with a 0.73 ERA and 3.34 FIP in 25 appearances after being acquired from Oakland last summer.
In the small number of games that I have seen on MLB.tv, Morel has looked horrible defensively at 3B. If that changes that would be great.
Good luck on getting Morel to play 3B Cubs, he would make an error DHing.
If you can hit they can always find a place for you in the lineup
That’s what a DH is for.
Frelick playing 2nd really opens up the Brewers lineup. That guy is a do anything gamer with a ton of talent. I feel bad for Owen Miller. Hometown player is probably the odd man out.
Has he ever played on the dirt? I’m not sure I’m buying this – he might be a great athlete but playing infield is a completely different skill set.
Yes he played regularly at second in college. Plus we can do defensive replacement in later innings
@stubb he played a handful of games on the dirt in summer leagues but never during the NCAA regular season. If he could play there they would have had him there in college. Maybe he pulls it off, but doubtful.
@stubb where are you getting “regularly” from? That word seems to be doing a lot of work.
I have seen a few people say he was a 2B in high school, but think he was almost exclusively an OF at BC.
The Shroom is a DH waiting to happen.
2024 Team Projected Wins Over/Under (DraftKings)
New York 93.5
Baltimore 90.5
Toronto 86.5
Tampa Bay 84.5
Boston 79.5
Minnesota 86.5
Detroit 80.5
Cleveland 78.5
Kansas City 73.5
Chicago 63.5
Houston 92.5
Texas 89.5
Seattle 87.5
Los Angeles 72.5
Oakland 56.5
Atlanta 101.5
Philadelphia 90.5
New York 82.5
Miami 78.5
Washington 66.5
St Louis 84.5
Chicago 84.5
Cincinnati 82.5
Milwaukee 76.5
Pittsburgh 74.5
Los Angeles 103.5
Arizona 83.5
San Francisco 81.5
San Diego 81.5
Colorado 60.5
That’s WAY different than Pecota. Pecota actually has the Twins winning more games than the Orioles, which is strange.
Here are my guesses:
New York 93.5 subtract 2.5
Baltimore 90.5 add 2.5
Toronto 86.5 add 2.5
Tampa Bay 84.5 subtract 3.5
Boston 79.5 subtract 2.5
Minnesota 86.5 add 0.5
Detroit 80.5 subtract 1.5
Cleveland 78.5 add 2.0
Kansas City 73.5 add 0.5
Chicago 63.5 add 1.5
Houston 92.5 add 0.5
Texas 89.5 subtract 0.5
Seattle 87.5 subtract 2.5
Los Angeles 72.5 subtract 0.5
Oakland 56.5 add 3.5
Atlanta 101.5 add 1.5
Philadelphia 90.5 subtract 1.5
New York 82.5 subtract 3.5
Miami 78.5 subtract 1.5
Washington 66.5 add 1.5
St Louis 84.5 subtract 5.5
Chicago 84.5 subtract 0.5 (prior to adding Belli or Chapman)
Cincinnati 82.5 add 2.5
Milwaukee 76.5 add 0.5
Pittsburgh 74.5 add 0.5
Los Angeles 103.5 add 1.5
Arizona 83.5 add 2.5
San Francisco 81.5 subtract 4.5
San Diego 81.5 add 3.5
Colorado 60.5 add 2.5
I think DraftKings sounds about right except Arizona is too low, Mets are too high, and Astros are too high. And Manny, you’re killing me with the Mariners lol. 87 + or – sounds about right too me. [And Manny, Cubs are definitely too low here, once they add Belli they should be 87 or so.)
Yeah, I have Mariners two games behind the Blue Jays for that last wild card.
I have the Cubs a game behind the Reds for the division and a game behind the Padres for the last wild card.
One more quality free agent could be huge for Cubs or Mariners.
Tampa below .500? I don’t think so.
Tyler Glasnow and Wander Franco are big losses, their FO creates magic but I see this as a season where reality caves in.
Cincinnati at 82.5? Better team this year expect some regression but 86 isn’t unreasonable.
Reds pitching looks awful but the young bats should still get 85 or 86 wins plenty of bats several can play multiple positions. If they signed Snell and Monty, they would be up there with Dodgers and Atlanta IMHO.
Reds pitching is better than you think. May be best in division.
Ha always good to hear a good joke!!!! Thanks seaman aholic!!!!
Awful is not the right word at all. Uncertain, questionable, unproven – sure
But the ceiling for that rotation is ridiculous
Joke? Cards in first, that’s a joke. Cubs ahead of the Reds, that’s a joke. This is the year the Reds put it all together. And without spending billions to do it.
The Reds THINK they have players that can play multiple positions yet none have done it nor shown they can consistently, and it may be their downfall. They have the worst manager in the division and that doesn’t bode well in a division with Counsell who uses Bell like a chew toy.
I have always maintained the Reds win in spite of Bell instead of because of him. He is not good at much except making out the lineup card. So far talent has exceeded his ability to muck things up, but he needs to quit micro-managing. I was hoping they would hire a more experienced manager or at least one who had some baseball instincts. Chris Sabo would be good. He’s managing a team in the Middle East/ India league that’s owned by some former major leaguers. If you wanted to go home grown and a novice, how about Corky Miller.
Baltimore is winning more games than New York this year. Book it.
Predicting wins is overrated, never taking into consideration injuries and slumps
Both happen even to the best players
I will just wait until game # 162 is played rather than trust a betting system to tell me how many wins each team will have at the end of the season
Correct me if I am wrong, but the Cubs have a bigger problem at 3rd. They will sign Chapman before they sign Bellinger at this point. The Giants will sign Bellinger. The Bluejays probably will have no say in the pursuit of these two. It really sounds like they are done spending to me for the most part. The Giants will also sign Snell. Montgomery will sign with the Cardinals and the Yankees will get nothing among the Big four free agents who are left. This is how I think that it will play out. The Big four all want to win. The Angels is not the way to go if you want to be in the playoffs.
Joe
Busch at 1B is an unknown. Morel at 3B is strong bat and weak defense. But Belli is a known commodity to Cubs. Not sure Cubs will offer Chapman more than two years because Shaw is more of a sure thing than either Busch or even PCA. PCA has a high ceiling but has yet to prove he can hit. Shaw will hit. But I could see Belli, Chapman or neither, sure.
Ok Manny. I’ll say this, that is valid information that you stated there. The record for most errors by a 3rd baseman in one inning all time is by Bob Brenly of the Giants in a game in April of 1986. He had 4 errors in the 4th inning of a game. If Morel plays there, He will tie that record the first month of the season. They will wish that they had signed Chapman. I’m not a Chapman fan, but Morel will be a train wreck over there. As a Cardinals fan, I hope that if it does happen, that it happens while playing against us. The Cubs are smarter than that IMHO. I can tell you that they are not done yet. The dumb thing that the Cubs did was not making an offer to the 3rd baseman that they had at the end of last year. Now all that is left is high priced Scott Boras guys. The Cubs have just cost themselves more money.
Morel’s issues at third are primarily throwing accuracy. He’s 24, has a very strong arm and a former infielder as his new manager. Maybe he doesn’t work out there, but maybe they help him find the arm slots to throw from. Before the first spring training game has even been played is too early to stick a fork in him… And the Cubs weren’t going to overpay for Candelerio like the Reds did. They also have Matt Shaw, who they’re also grooming for third base.
Joe
I agree that Jeimer seemed like a better fit for Cubs and Reds could have used that money for more pitching.
If Morel starts the season at 3B, I could see him moving to DH in a couple months and Shaw being called up early.
I am not certain that Morel will tie Brenly’s record, but only because it is rare that four balls get hit to 3B in the same inning.
Very true Manny. Believe it or not, Bob Brenly is actually tied for that record! Lol
This is the Brewers saying “hey, all you teams out there we’re trying to trade Frelick for a 3B or a pitcher, we’re not a pushover. We have plans for him and we don’t need to trade!”
He’ll be on another team in a few weeks max.
So the brewers value Mitchell over Frelick in the OF but imo Frelick is the better player, he’s gonna become a consistent .300 hitter in time
I like them both, but I agree that I would pick Frelick if forced to only keep one.
I like both, but Mitchell has the higher ceiling, and the crew would be selling low on him right now. GM needs to stay healthy, and cut down on the k rate, if he does that, he’s a perennial gold glove CF w an average/above average bat.
Sal likely will never be a + CF defensively, and his lack of power limits his ceiling, especially playing corner OF. Though Sals plate discipline/speed will make me sad to see him go.
It might have more to do with Frelick having more ability to play other positions than valuing Mitchell more as an outfielder.
Or he’s (more) willing to play a different position.
And I didn’t see anything that even implied this is a permanent move. So if he struggles they probably (hopefully) won’t continue the experiment.
I don’t know what to make of the Frelick rumor. I am just surprised that Brewers believe they know what they have in Frelick. OTOH, they should deal from strength and OF is probably the only strength on this team, other than maybe RP. I don’t really want them to deal Frelick because there were moments last season where it seemed like he was the only consistent hitter on the team; and its not like he was THAT good.
I predict that MIL will do just as the Twins did last year when they had like 8 OFs on the 40-man: keep them all. Not sure if that’s wise, but it seems that when teams have too many of a certain position they either keep them all or add to the glut (CIN INF)
Pre-ST guesses (compared to DraftKings)
NYY 93.5 (-1.5)
Baltimore 90.5 (+1.5)
Toronto 86.5 (+2.5)
Tampa 84.5 (-1.5)
Boston 79.5 (+.5)
Minnesota 86.5 (-2.5)
Detroit 80.5 (+2.5)
Cleveland 78.5(-2.5)
KC 73.5 (+4.5)
Chicago WS 63.5 (+1.5)
Houston 92.5 (+.5)
Texas 89.5 (-1.5)
Seattle 87.5 (+2.5)
LA Angels 72.5 (-1.5)
Oakland 56.5 (+2.5)
Atlanta 101.5 (+.5)
Philadelphia 90.5 (+3.5)
New York 82.5 (-.5)
Miami 78.5 (-3.5)
Washington 66.5 (+2.5)
St Louis 84.5 (-6.5)
Chicago 84.5 (+.5)
Milwaukee 76.5 (+3.5)
Cincinnati 82.5 (+1.5)
Pittsburgh 74.5 (+.5)
LA Dodgers 103.5 (-2.5)
Arizona 83.5 (-3.5)
San Francisco 81.5 (+2.5)
San Diego 81.5 (+3.5)
Colorado 60.5 (-1.5)
Milwaukee over might be my favorite bet.
Wow. Somebody is really down on the Cards and D-Backs!!! Lol. (I understand re: Cards but I thought DraftKings was already being harsh on Arizona, but then you kick them while they’re down…ha.)
I don’t trust StL either. They signed 3 pitchers, one ace, one backend, and one that gave up 44 homers. They trimmed some fat from the 40man and should hit well but defense will be mediocre or poor and outside Gray the starters are all underwhelming
I like Sal alot, but really hope an OF needy team gives the Brewers an offer they like for him. Playing Sal at 2B/3B likely takes away a lot of his defensive value.
IF he can play it…. it adds to his defense value….
“Most of that production came from DH” Actually, .225 .288 .477 came from DH, most of Morels production came when he played the field which is why the Cubs are focusing on getting him defensive playing time. If Morel was as productive as a DH they would leave well enough alone.
DH is a mental position, same as closer and Morel isn’t a guy who really excels coming off the bench cold to take an at bat. He’s a high energy guy that needs to play the field to be his best self at the plate.
As for all the comments on Morel making errors, Morels errors come in the form of throwing errors, not fielding.
This all begs the question if Morel is at 3B, who is the DH?
Also probably means that the 1B thoughts are over with the acquisition of Busch.
If Madrigal, Mastrobuoni or even Wisdom are in the lineup they need to be playing the field ahead of Morel.
That swings us to the 1B, CF combo (Happ, Suzuki, Hoerner, Swanson and catchers are locked).. I’m sure there will be an occasional day off or no field day from this crew, but they need to be out there, together for 140+.
Let’s play positive and Bellinger signs…..Belli CF, Busch 1B, Tauchman DH? Or Tauchman CF, Belli 1B, Busch DH?
I’m hoping this flag from Counsell is signaling no Chapman and yes to Bellinger.
I would certainly be ecstatic to see Morel wipe 6+ years of terrible defensive data off the charts and settle in there, but willing to bet that, barring an acquisition, it will be a revolving door off “starters” at 3B by April 10 until Matt Shaw jumps in somewhere before 2026.
From what I’ve read, Busch is more than capable of playing first. He was athletic enough for the Dodgers to try him at second and third but to no avail. Regardless, his defense is said to be pretty good at first base.
Morel, as I said, needs to play. At least that is my opinion based on his energy level and his numbers last season support this. I imagine he will settle into a utility role.
Morel has a lot going for him but also is overcoming a lot as well. His hand injury, the fact he was basically just thrown into various defensive roles and being called up at such a young age.
If Morel plays the field who’s the DH? Huh? As long s it isn’t Wisdom anybody else is fine. Tauchmann can lead off and DH he did it last year when Cody was in CF. Canario is 10 miles better there than Wisdom. Doubt the Cubs keep Mervis and Busch as 2 LH 1B, So maybe McGeary takes a step up. Madrigal is a contact option if he’s still here. Fact is some people have to go. They need to open up some 40 man spots. I’m not worried about bats, I still think the pen can use a little help. I’m thinking Stanek could be a good option. Unless somebody at Iowa takes a big step forward. You can never have enough bullpen help.
People forget about Canario, he can be optioned but I think he’s proven all he needs to in the minors for now. Let’s get him some major league at bats and see if he needs to go down to work on some adjustments.
Uncle–you are repeating my question—we know it won’t be Wisdom. The question is—of the 1B/CF combo (with Bellinger)….is it Belli CF, Busch 1B, Tauchman DH or is it Belli 1B, Tauchman CF, Busch DH?
Without Bellinger then who is the DH? I would agree with you both that it’s probably, Busch 1B, Tauchman CF, Canario DH.
If Madrigal and Morel are in the lineup at the same time, 100 times out of 100 Madrigal is at 3B and Morel is the DH.
Agree adding to the depth of the pen. Last year at this time there was the thought that the Cubs were really deep with guys like Assad, Samspon, Wesneski, Kilian, Thompson, et al and then Assad had a brutal April (nice bounce back), Keegan got hurt, Samspon got hurt, Wesneski went on the roller coaster and Kilian just floats out there in AAAA purgatory. So, to your point, keep adding.
“Unfortunately” the Cubs don’t have any 60 day IL candidate to open up spots—so far your and my sanity I really am hoping right now that Wisdom is dangling and hanging at the #40 spot and first on the DFA pad with the next signing.
You and I are the opposite, I’m less confident about their offense and I really don’t have confidence at all in Tauchman as anything other than a fourth outfielder.
I like Morel, but he’s volatile. Busch and PCA haven’t done anything at the major league level, granted they never have been given a shot. I don’t like Mervis based on the Cubs comments about how he handled himself while up. Just too many question marks and I think they need to raise that floor.
The pen is a safer bet, we have plenty and really just needed Noris to add insurance for Alzolay. The Cubs have bullpen pitchers up the wazoo. Neris, Alzolay, Wesneski, Lietter, Merryweather, Cuas, Smyly, Assad or Wicks, Almante, Little plus some minor league depth pieces… bullpen is fine just fine.
Wisdom will be in the line up when we face lefties.
If Bellinger is re-signed, he plays center until PCA can push him off completely or if Busch falls flat at first. Tauchman is capable in center but not good defensively.
I love Madrigal but right now he is a bench weapon/match up guy and the defensive replacement at third. I don’t want to see him traded from a team aspect but it would be best for him a la Tommy LaStella.
Morel is a wild card, you are clearly one of those guys that thinks playing the field doesn’t affect hitting when it does. Morel needs to play to be his most effective, unless you’re happy with a DH who doesn’t get one base and doesn’t hit for a respectable average. He needs to make at least 45% of his starts in the field.
Dras—I am really with you—if the magic pixie dust is playing Morel on defense to make him a better hitter, I’m all for it. But, where the stats show that he was a better hitter when he played the field last season the stats also say he can’t play a competent level of defense. It’s the chicken or the egg argument, that’s all.
And to your point about Wisdom being in the lineup against lefties—-his numbers against lefties last year were worse that Morel’s as a DH. (217/277/492)
Best thing (or worst) is that it is Feb 19 and we have no idea what the real roster construction is going to be.
I agree, Tauchman is a fourth outfielder at best, but as of today, he’s probably #3.
Maybe three weeks from now Bellinger signs or/and PCA makes the roster. Maybe Busch ends up being the odd man out. Who really knows? Perhaps they have Gold Glove caliber guys at four or five positions and bite the bullet and go with Morel at 3B.
This is just a let it play out scenario and see where they really are in six weeks. I think we all agree that there will be some important roster movement in the time between.
JD Martinez is still out there. He was projected at 2 years 40 million. I think he would take 2 years with an opt out after the first year. He could platoon with Busch at 1B and DH and be the middle of the order bat the Cubs need for a couple of years. Wouldn’t cost as much as Bellinger and could be awesome in Wrigley. Against LH pitching Canario and Martinez could form a serious power combo. Bellinger isn’t coming, People need to get over him.
The fact Counsel has Morel taking the majority of the reps at third shows he is the right man for the job (Counsel). Morel needs to improve his defense and bouncing him all around the field wasn’t going to do that.
Cubs definitely need another big bat because looking at their probable starting Opening Day lineup, that team as they are currently constructed will struggle for 3rd in the NLC.
That’s a statement with absolutely zero basis in fact. The Cubs are perfectly capable of winning games 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2. Would another power bat look nice? Yeah probably. Faxt is we don’t know what we have in Busch and Shaw yet. Shaw has been working out at 3B all winter. The morons who tell me he hasn’t got the arm to play 3B are humorous at best. He was a SS but he doesn’t have the arm to play 3rd? He’s not ready? Nico was in the bigs his second year. Guys evolve at their own speed. Canario has power. Busch has power. Morel has power. Suzuki finally started to show some power. There’s enough to go around right now. Would we like some more? Yeah but only on a short term deal. We don’t want to block the real power coming on soon. We don’t want or need anybody on a 10 year contract. That would be idiotic. Plus we now have the Manager to win those 1-0,2-1 and 3-2 games.
It’s a very tall task for the Cubs to ask Busch and PCA to replace the production of Bellinger (and to a much lesser extent first base). I also don’t really see Tauchman replicating his offense next season either.
Of course, the same could be said about Bellinger replicating his stats and Nico swiping 40 bags again.
I don’t think the original poster is wrong saying the Cubs will be around 3rd or 4th in the division. They took a step backwards this year. The question is, did they step back to load up and punch someone in the mouth? They added unproven talent that had a higher ceiling but a lower floor than the guys they had. The bullpen is the only area where you can say we definitively improved. Pretty good chance we improved first base though.
I’m not willing to say the Cubs took a step backwards until I actually see them play. I’m not even willing to say that until at least May 1 at the earliest. I’m even willing to say I think they took a step forward by challenging the young guys to step up. I’ve been asking them to do it for 3 years now.
All those “excess” outfielders on the Brewers have minor league options. and none of those guys has had any sustained success at the major league level. The Brewers would be foolish to trade off any of them until they know for certain who they want to keep as they are all controllable for multiple seasons.
Mitchell/Chourio might be the most dynamic OF’s in the group but Frelick has the best bat to ball skills. He’s going to be a career 300+ hitter playing plus defense and can play all 3 spots. All these dudes have options plus there’s a DH to mix in PA’s.
Would be idiotic to trade any in the OF group right now let alone Frelick
I’ve been trying to figure out why nobody specifically mentions that Weimer can just be stashed in the minors..where he can get regular at bats..to alleviate the logjam.
Or why I rarely see the idea floated that Yelich could see plenty of time at DH. Perhaps less likely now with the recent signings.
Sal Frelick and Garrett Mitchell are positioned to play around 70-75% of the games at the moment. Not sure why this site keeps pushing the narative that Frelick is buried and has no where to play.
VS RHP
DH Yelich
LF Frelick
RF Mitchell
VHS LHP
DH Sanchez (
LF Yelich
RF Wiemer
Because people forget about the thing called minor league options, and that the young guys have them. And insisting Weimer will not only be on the big league roster but a regular in the lineup means someone else gets squeezed.
Why is baseball so stubborn regarding young designated hitters? The goal is to wins games, not have the oldest lineup.
“… and in doing so their outfield logjam for the 2024 season all the more apparent.” Missing something there, Deeds? What an incompetent fool.
And one who also doesn’t know the Brewers! Mitchell won’t be a “regular,” come on. He missed almost all of last season and has yet to prove he’s an MLB-caliber player. Frelick has proven more and if anything, Sal is blocking Mitchell.