DeathToFlyingThing’s Offseason Plan
Let's design a Brewers offseason to achieve three goals:
(1) Continue to develop advanced prospects at the MLB level.
(2) Continue to compete for an NL Central title or win the NL Central in the immediate term.
(3) Maintain a long-term competitive window.
The way to accomplish this right now, this offseason, is to (a) spend to the max for short-window contracts; and (b) keep advanced, elite prospects.
Arbitration-eligible (with projected salaries from MLBTR):
Write "tender" or "non-tender" after each of the following names. You can also trade a player before or after tendering a contract.
- Jared Hughes - $2.2 mil Tender
- Jeremy Jeffress - $2.6 mil Tender
- Stephen Vogt - $3.9 mil Non-Tender
- Jonathan Villar - $3.0 mil Tender
- Jimmy Nelson - $4.7 mil Non-Tender (backloaded two-year, $8 million contract).
- Hernan Perez - $2.2 mil Tender
- Corey Knebel - $4.1 mil Tender
Explain the toughest calls if necessary:
No tough calls here. However, I do believe there are other players that may be cut from the MLB roster (Non-Arbitration non-tenders), particularly to make room for additional waiver claims:
- Jesus Aguilar (role might be squeezed out via depth. Unless he's the next Jack Cust, in which case trade Thames)
- Jett Bandy (repetitive depth)
- Keon Broxton (repetitive depth. I'm sorry Keon, I love you but this is tough!)
- Oliver Drake (repetitive depth. I'm sorry Oliver, I love you but this is tough!)
- Wei-Chung Wang (role might be squeezed out via depth)
- Aaron Wilkerson / Jorge Lopez (potentially repetitive depth)
Contract options (pick up or buy out)
- none
Impending free agents (re-sign, let go or qualifying offer)
- Neil Walker: made $17.2 mil in 2017 (ineligible for QO). Big offer. Maximum 2-years $40 million, probably 2 years $34 million for this exercise.
- Anthony Swarzak: made $900K in 2017 (ineligible for QO). Let Go. I really like Swarzak, and actually believe he might be signed, but in my scenario, I'm going with Bryan Shaw's track record.
- Matt Garza: made $12.5 mil in 2017. Let go!
Elaborate if needed:
Free agents
Peruse the list of potential free agents and name one, two, or more that you would pursue, the maximum offer that you would extend to them, and a brief explanation. An example:
Trades
Propose a trade or two or several that you think sound reasonable for both sides, and the rationale behind them. Example:
Summary:
Here's what this exercise accomplished: yes, I loaded up more than $115 million in multi-year commitments, but the bulk of the deals are one- or two-year commitments. However, impact depth remains in the system, especially at the advanced level, ready to allow the War of Attrition that is 162 Games take its toll on the roster that can react to nearly any scenario. This is a team that is also rounded out at the margins, and ready to contend from the get go and throughout the season.
Opening Day:
10-Day DL: One Pitcher
10-Day DL: One Position Player
10-Day DL: Wild Card! You choose!
RHP Chase Anderson
RHP Jacob Barnes (bullpen)
RHP Tyler Chatwood
RHP Zach Davies
RHP Junior Guerra (bullpen)
LHP Josh Hader (bullpen / elite swingman)
RHP Jeremy Hellickson
RHP Jared Hughes (bullpen)
RHP Jeremy Jeffress (bullpen)
RHP Corey Knebel (bullpen)
RHP Bryan Shaw (bullpen)
LHP Brent Suter (swingman / shuttle)
RHP Taylor Williams (bullpen)
RHP Brandon Woodruff
This bullpen will prevent 100 runs. This team can win 90 simply on the strengths of the pen.
C Manny Pina
1B Eric Thames
2B Neil Walker
3B Travis Shaw
SS Orlando Arcia
LF Ryan Braun
CF Lewis Brinson
RF Domingo Santana
OF shuttle Brett Phillips
Jarrod Dyson
Chris Iannetta
Hernan Perez
Eric Sogard
Jonathan Villar
The offense remains the weakness of the club, but the potential upside of Brinson, Phillips, and Arcia is too great to "punt," and a couple of adroit veterans should keep things from souring. The defense, overall, should be excellent!
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