Post#1829 » by c00lhand208 » Fri Jul 25, 2025 11:18 pm
I don’t know where others are with their bat trade-target desires, but my list looks like this:
*I’d like to see the Brewers lean into their strengths and prioritize addition(s) on that front more so than simply going for the biggest ISO bat on the market & likely paying greatly in assets for it. The more pragmatic move IMO is to upgrade the team’s lineup options by targeting players who best fit tactically in combination between the plate & the field. They should be viewed as obvious bench utility upgrades (at minimum), rotational starting options, or a potential “everyday”starter upgrade.
Ha-Seong Kim - currently dealing with an injury & unclear what his availability might be. A massive IF utility upgrade over Andruw Monasterio. He’s also someone capable of taking over full time duties at 3B, SS, or 2B, if necessary. Otherwise, rotate him regularly with those at SS, 3rd, & 2nd giving them each a rest day. Should force Ortiz to raise his offensive game to maintain a balanced share of PAs at SS — despite Joey’s recent superb defensive play. I view a healthy Kim as a potential difference maker and team ceiling riser despite not being a big ISO bat. He’s just a damn good ball player and winning teams need as many of those as they can get.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa - a clear utility upgrade over Monasterio and someone defensively capable of relieving Ortiz at SS without much defensive draw back, if any. May even push Ortiz offensively or for the position outright. And I don’t believe he’d be super difficult to land in a trade as he should be getting shopped. His drawback is his ISO is lower than Monasterio or Ortiz, but he does have the best plate discipline & he’s the best baserunning threat too.
Ryan O'Hearn - The obvious LH upgrade at 1st (over Bauers). The question is how much in assets will it take? Assuming this puts Bauers through waivers and if he clears maybe he takes the Brewers assignment or chooses to re-sign as a minor league FA. I still like his patience at the plate, his OBP, & his ability to take extra bases, so I’d appreciate seeing him provide the team a potential depth option again.
Amed Rosario - another player who I’m not too sure about his actual availability, but he would be another obvious utility upgrade over Monasterio and gives the Brewers another certified pest for opposing teams to deal with on the basepaths and at the plate.
Willi Castro - should be available and provides more pop as a super utility option; though, his SS & CF playing days are probably best left in the past which makes him a little questionable as a full on Monasterio replacement. Not sure what his cost might be, but certainly less than a Suarez.
Luis Arraez - Not sure on his availability, but an interesting multi-position utility option who can also sort of replace Bauers as the LH platoon bat at 1st. He’s an incredibly difficult out at the plate (extremely rare to strikeout), but presents little ISO threat.
Ramon Urias - yet another question mark regarding availability, but yet another clear upgrade at the plate over internal IF depth options; though, his ability to handle SS adequately is questionable.
Carlos Santana - for an old athletic dude who can still get the job done at the plate while being able to play 1st in the field, when needed. Gives the team a more efficient, but less impactful bat than say Suarez would if they pursued him. I also see Suarez seeing most of his time as a DH, like Yelich, which means they compete for opportunities. The key is that Santana probably comes at a significantly lesser asset exchange for a primary DH. This move for Santana could also involve filling Hoskins role if Hoskins is moved for somebody else.
Steven Kwan - not certain he’s obtainable, but getting him would inject another gritty & damn good ball player in the field & at the plate. In style of play he’s like getting another Sal Frelick; though, in ways Isaac Collins & Caleb Durbin are in that kind of mold too. Getting him would mean rotational off days between him, Fredrick, Collins, & Chourio. Yelich remains the primary DH, but may rotate in occasionally. I like Perkins and this move probably makes him vulnerable to waivers, so this in-part with the likely required asset exchange is why it’s not much higher up on my list even though I see Kwan as a potential ceiling riser for this team (like a healthy Ha-Seong Kim).
Thoughts?
