Brad’s Offseason Plan

Let’s get a prelude, I’m getting a little wild here. I want to have fun with my offseason plan. With that said, let’s get to it!

Arbitration-eligible (with projected salaries from MLBTR):

• Jonathan Schoop - $10.1 mil - Tender (But not for long)
• Travis Shaw - $5.1 mil - Tender
• Corey Knebel - $4.9 mil - Tender
• Jimmy Nelson - $3.7 mil - Tender
• Stephen Vogt - $3.065 mil - Non-tender
• Hernan Perez - $2.7 mil - Tender
• Junior Guerra -$2.7 mil - Tender
• Zach Davies - $2.4 mil - Tender
• Domingo Santana - $2.4 mil - Tender
• Manny Pina - $1.8 mil - Tender
• Erik Kratz - $1.7 mil - Non-tender
• Dan Jennings - $1.6 mil - Non-tender
• Xavier Cedeno - $1.5 mil - Tender
• Tyler Saladino - $1 mil - Non-Tender

Contract options (pick up or buy out)

• Joakim Soria - $1 mil buyout
• Mike Moustakas - $1 mil buyout
• Jordan Lyles - $250K buyout
• Jeremy Jeffress - $3.175 mil team option

Impending free agents (re-sign, let go or qualifying offer)

• Wade Miley: Bye
• Gio Gonzalez: Bye
• Curtis Granderson: Bye

Elaborate if needed:

These are all very replaceable players. None are needed. See ya later.

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.

Yasmani Grandal - 4 Years, $64 MM (Per MLB Trade Rumors)

Grandal had the third highest wRC+ among MLB catchers with at least 300 plate appearances, behind only Wilson Ramos and JT Realmuto. He was also 6th in defensive runs saved among catchers with at least 500 innings. Ramos and Realmuto, the other top possible acquisitions, were 28 and 30th respectively. Grandal would be an offensive force at backstop.

Trades

Propose a trade or two or several that you think sound reasonable for both sides, and the rationale behind them.

Trade #1: Milwaukee Brewers send Jesus Aguilar, Corey Ray and Zack Brown to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Paul Goldschmidt

What’s a hypothetical offseason without some fun? It’s hard to give up Aguilar, who’s under control through 2022, but I’ve always wanted Goldschmidt on the Brewers. Goldschmidt immediately gives the Brewers a legendary offense, if only for one season.

Trade #2: Milwaukee Brewers send Jonathan Schoop to the New York Yankees for Sonny Gray

It just makes sense. The Yankees need offense in the middle infield and the Brewers need some initial out-getters. Gray is a great reclamation project.

Trade #3: Milwaukee Brewers send Chase Anderson and Domingo Santana to the Washington Nationals for Kyle Johnston and Drew Ward

I need to shed some salary for my big dreams. The Nationals will want to compete in 2019. They need an outfielder to replace Bryce Harper and they’ll certainly need someone to fill in the back of the rotation. Johnston and Ward are nothing special, but the system needs depth, and maybe they’ll be able to help one way or another.

Summary

Intial-Out Getters:

Sonny Gray - $9.1 mil
Jimmy Nelson - $3.7 mil
Corbin Burnes - $600k
Brandon Woodruff - $600k
Jhoulys Chacin - $6.75 mil

Relief Pitchers:

Corey Knebel - $4.9 mil
Jeremy Jeffress - $3.175 mil
Matt Albers - $2.5 mil
Josh Hader - $600k
Xavier Cedeno - $1.125 mil
Junior Guerra - $2.7 mil
Freddy Peralta - $600k
Taylor Williams - $600k

Lineup:

1. Lorenzo Cain, CF - $15 mil
2. Christian Yelich, RF - $9.75 mil
3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B - $14.5 mil
4. Travis Shaw, 3B - $5.1 mil
5. Ryan Braun, LF - $19 mil
6. Yasmani Grandal - $16 mil
7. Hernan Perez, 2B - $2.7 mil
8. Orlando Arcia, SS - $600k

Bench:

Manny Pina, C - $1.8 mil
Eric Thames - $6 mil
Mauricio Dubon - $600k
Keon Broxton - $600k

I calculate this at right around $122,600,000 for the annual payroll. The Brewers’ rotation gets a smidge better and the offense is even better than it was at its best in 2018.

There’s also protection. Davies stays in the system as good, cheap depth and can possibly make his way into the rotation if needed. Jacob Barnes, Taylor Williams or Freddy Peralta can spend time at AAA and come up as needed.

Anyway, let’s see homers!