2018 Brewers Discussion - Yelich Signing on Page 45

[paulpressey25]

I remember when Kenny Lofton was a big free agent name in '97. No way he was coming here or that we could afford him but Sal Bando took him out to dinner at an Italian place on the East side. That way his agent had more "leverage" and it could look like the Brewers were being active even though they weren't. He signed with Cleveland (who had traded him a few months before to the Braves) for 4/30.

Agreed. Those were the bad old days. Feels like Stearns though knows what he's doing. This is so different.

And if I had to guess, Attanasio is riding high in cash right now from his wealth management business with a screaming stock market. After turning 60, I could see Mark opening the wallet and going into "principal" on his money to set up for an amazing two-year run here.

If they get one of these top line pitchers, going to be incredible.

[Wisky4life]

I'd say keep Santana and try and sign a few pitchers. Easier said than done but at least 1 starter and 1 more bullpen arm would be amazing.

[MickeyDavis]

Brewers payroll was down the last 2 years and Attanasio said they would "bank" most of that cash for future years. I just didn't (I don't think anyone did) think it would happen THIS year. As PP said Attanasio turned 60 last season and maybe he wants to make a run and then sell the team. Who knows.

The Cubs have been pretty quiet, they have to look ahead to next season when it's likely they sign Harper. Even though he wants to play for the Cubs he's going to get a record breaking deal. They cleared a lot of cash after last season, they're only at about $85 million right now.

[Outlander]

I was so excited, as an 11 year old, that he would sign here

Me too. However on the same day Lofton signed with the Indians they traded for Marquis Grissom and Jeff Juden instead.

[Kerb Hohl]

Brewers payroll was down the last 2 years and Attanasio said they would "bank" most of that cash for future years. I just didn't (I don't think anyone did) think it would happen THIS year. As PP said Attanasio turned 60 last season and maybe he wants to make a run and then sell the team. Who knows.

The Cubs have been pretty quiet, they have to look ahead to next season when it's likely they sign Harper. Even though he wants to play for the Cubs he's going to get a record breaking deal. They cleared a lot of cash after last season, they're only at about $85 million right now.

The Cubs are at $160 million right now (pre-Darvish).

[MickeyDavis]

I must have been looking at the wrong spreadsheet. It's no secret Harper wants to play there with Bryant. It will be interesting to see how much he gets.

[DingleJerry]

Yea I think we all assumed the Yanks and their launching pad would be a godfather offer for Harper. But with what Stanton and Judge you'd think they wouldn't want to drop another 40 per years on one offensive player when they're so weak on starting pitching. Still, Gardner is done after this year so he can easily go over to LF with Judge/Stanton switching at DH if they're willing to pay.

[Kerb Hohl]

Yea I think we all assumed the Yanks and their launching pad would be a godfather offer for Harper. But with what Stanton and Judge you'd think they wouldn't want to drop another 40 per years on one offensive player when they're so weak on starting pitching. Still, Gardner is done after this year so he can easily go over to LF with Judge/Stanton switching at DH if they're willing to pay.

It will be pretty crazy, because they have to pay to keep some of their guys after 2019 (if they want them), but if they went in on Harper and Keuchel, a combined $60-70 million/year, let's say they probably would be back at something like a $220 million payroll after adding a few other pieces in 2019, but they'd have reset their luxury tax burden to 20% on that. They'd have some holes to fill, so not sure if they'd go that route. Machado is probably a better fit than Harper, but Harper and the Yankees have been linked for a long time.

[Turk Nowitzki]

The latest from our supposed insider at Brewerfan:

As I was told, Darvish's camp was looking for final offers. Brewer's gave theirs and then Cubs came in and exceeded Brewer's offer. I/we assumed that Cubs would get Darvish as their were no other offers coming in....at all. This went on for a few days. Darvish's camp just sat tight and is still sitting.

2 days ago Brewer's came back and matched Cubs. Brewer's don't know yet if Cubs or even other teams have matched. Waiting on Darvish's side now. And the thought from Baseball execs is that if Darvish keeps these teams waiting to much longer that they will A) sign other pitchers decreasing the need for Darvish. B) Teams will withdraw their offers as teams don't want to be jerked around. And because of the latter statement. A Decision is "expected" by Monday. As all teams on Darvish are getting impatient and even a little perturbed.

And my source is not aware of where the bidding/numbers/years is at. But..........it's going to be extremely pricey!!!

Not surprised that teams are getting impatient.

[dbrodz7]

I keep coming on here every couple hours hoping for a new post with an update, but I've just got this one from 12:22 staring at me.

[MickeyDavis]

It's too quiet.

[trwi7]

It's too quiet.

Adam Dunn will be here soon enough.

[MickeyDavis]

[crkone]

Read on Twitter

[Ryan5UW]

Doesn't surprise me too much. I have a feeling the roster might not look too much different on opening day from what it does right now. I don't see them ending up with Darvish or Arrieta, and for exactly what Rosenthal said I don't expect them to trade for a pitcher like Archer. They could still make a minor move or two, but I could see the roster staying essentially where it is, with none of the OFs being moved prior to opening day.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Doesn't surprise me too much. I have a feeling the roster might not look too much different on opening day from what it does right now. I don't see them ending up with Darvish or Arrieta, and for exactly what Rosenthal said I don't expect them to trade for a pitcher like Archer. They could still make a minor move or two, but I could see the roster staying essentially where it is, with none of the OFs being moved prior to opening day.

I'd be surprised if none of the OF's are moved. Now that might just be moving Keon for a rookie ball lotto ticket but I think we'll see something.

[M-C-G]

I've been wanting Braun to move to first for a while. It surprises me that many want to carry forward the AguiThames platoon despite their production last year. It just feels (not saying I have looked up any numbers) that Thames production came in too many bursts early and late and didn't give us enough consistency throughout the season.

Braun playing at first with Thames spelling him. Yelich, Cain, Santana OF with Phillips as our 4th feels about perfect to me.

And personally I am not sure what we get out of Sogard and/or Villar, but I think I am willing to risk that between the two and Perez, we have enough in house talent to make 2nd work this year, though if Villar looks like trash, I'm not hesitating dumping him and giving Perez much more time at 2nd.

Obviously adding a pitcher and getting Nelson back would be huge. Adding two pitchers and getting Nelson back and our rotation is as good as I can remember.

[Kerb Hohl]

If the choice is emptying the farm for Chris Archer or having a bit of a logjam in the OF and maybe a bit less of a "contender" roster, sign me up for the logjam in the OF. I don't think Archer is making this team a WS contender.

[humanrefutation]

I don't believe they're done. They're just being patient. Which is the right thing to do.

[Kerb Hohl]

I don't believe they're done. They're just being patient. Which is the right thing to do.

They're probably not done, but I'm cringing at the thought of them giving in and emptying out the rest of the farm to hang a "we took 2nd behind the Cubs and lost a Wild Card game" banner for 2 or 3 years.