If I were given the keys to the Brewer kingdom at midnight tonight, this is how I would finish the offseason the the front office has already started.
Free Agents
-Confirm signing of Boone Logan.
I've seen this reported in some places, but haven't seen an official announcement from the Brewers. I like the move and assume the paperwork is just being finished.
-Sign Seung hwan Oh to a 2 year, 6 million dollar deal.
Using the figure that the D-Backs just inked for their contract with Yoshihisa Hirano, the Brewers add another arm to bolster the bullpen.
Trades
1. Trade Isan Diaz, Luis Ortiz and Kodi Medeiros to the Miami Marlins for Starlin Castro and JT Realmuto.
If it took another player to complete the deal, someone like Troy Stokes Jr. should put on the finishing touches. Trading from places of depth, while also looking forward to the upcoming 40 man roster crunch in December of 2018. Manny Pina and Realmuto will combine to form one of the most formidable backstop duos in the National League, while Castro provides experience at 2nd base. Castro's contract is far from prohibitive given the Brewers current salary situation.
2. Trade Brett Phillips, Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, Phil Bickford and Lucas Erceg to the Tampa Rays for Chris Archer.
Here is how I picture this hypothetical negotiation: My initial offer to the Rays was Brinson, Woodruff and Erceg. The Rays countered with Brinson, Burnes, Woodruff, Bickford and Harrison. Ultimately, we were able to meet in the middle. The Rays were inclined to keep Archer until the July deadline, but this package was too tempting to pass up. On the Brewers end, the price is steep, but will be worth it. In adding Chacin and Archer to the rotation, the Brewers potential playoff push starts include Archer, Anderson, Nelson, Davies and Chacin- perhaps the best starting 5 the Milwaukee Nine has ever put together. While it is hard to pass on top pitching prospects, if 2 out of Burnes, Woodruff and Ortiz end up producing as much as Archer and Chacin over the course of their careers, most would consider it to be a phenomenal success from those prospects. Archer adds the top end impact that this rotation needs to push over the top.
MLB Roster heading into Spring Training
C: JT Realmuto
1B: Eric Thames
2B: Starlin Castro
SS: Orlando Arcia
3B: Travis Shaw
LF: Ryan Braun
CF: Lewis Brinson
RF: Domingo Santana
Bench:
Manny Pina
Jesus Aguilar
Eric Sogard
Keon Broxton
Utility Battle in Spring Training- Jonathan Villar vs Hernan Perez
Stephen Vogt and Jett Bandy are both out of options, so could be traded during Spring Training or otherwise released.
MLB Starting Pitching Depth Chart:
Chris Archer
Chase Anderson
Jimmy Nelson *DL
Zach Davies
Jhoulys Chacin
Junior Guerra
Yovani Gallardo
Brent Suter
Aaron Wiikerson
Relief Pitching Depth Chart:
Corey Knebel
Josh Hader
Jacob Barnes
Seung hwan Oh
Jeremy Jeffress
Boone Logan
Oliver Drake
Taylor Williams
Taylor Jungmann
Tyler Webb
Wei-Chung Wang
Adrian Houser
Radhames Liz
Michael Brady
Erik Davis
Mike Zagurski
This is a roster built from top to bottom with the talent, flexibility, depth and balance of youth and experience to compete for a Division Title and World Series in 2018, but also in 2019 and 2020. The team also has the depth at each position, and especially in the pitching staff to navigate the wear and tear of a long season. The starting pitching has the potential to be one of the Brewers' best ever units, while also having the depth to tread water until Jimmy Nelson can return. Josh Hader can return to the bullpen role in which he succeeded last year. Lewis Brinson gets every day starts in CF, while Keon Broxton can be used as a late inning defensive weapon at any of the three positions. Starlin Castro's addition at the keystone allows Eric Sogard and either Villar or Perez to contrinue off the bench, where they are all best suited. By August, Knebel, Barnes, Hader, Oh, Logan, Taylor Williams, and Houser form a dominant bullpen from top to bottom. Guerra, Suter, Wilkerson, and Gallardo are competent place holders able to eat innings when injuries pop up. Jeffress and Drake both will have the opportunity to prove they can contribute, with the depth behind them ready to step in if either falters. Meanwhile, the Farm still hasn't been totally left bare. There is plenty of talent that could supplement the major league roster or used to bolster the line up through trades. Here would be my new Top 15 list:
1. Monte Harrison
2. Keston Hiura
3. Tristan Lutz
4. Corey Ray
5. Mauricio Dubon
6. Trent Grisham
7. Freddy Peralta
8. Mario Feliciano
9. Adrian Houser
10. Marcos Diplan
11. Jacob Nottingham
12. Caden Lemons
13. Carlos Herrera
14. Trey Supak
15. KJ Harrison
