Comments on: All Questions Answered: End of Season 2015

By: Michael Schwarz

Michael Schwarz — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 14:41:16 +0000

Hear, hear. It’s taking a while for perception to catch up to reality.

By: J.P. Breen

J.P. Breen — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 18:52:41 +0000

I’m unfamiliar with Hwang, so I’ll have to reserve judgment on that front. Prior to the introduction of David Stearns, the Brewers wanted to address the hole at third base with a long-term solution — such as Wilmer Flores — but weren’t able to do so. I suspect the position will be addressed in some capacity over the winter. Knowing the reputation of Stearns and Arnold, though, the Brewers are more likely to acquire the best talent possible in trades. If one happens to be a third baseman, great. If not, though, the organization will scour the free-agent market and pick up a low-cost option like Asche. Personal speculation: I thought Conor Gillaspie would end up on the Brewers last season, but the club didn’t grab him on waivers. They may grab him on a minor-league deal with an invite to big-league camp.

By: J.P. Breen

J.P. Breen — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 18:45:22 +0000

Segura still carries value because he’s a shortstop and the shortstop position around the league is horrible. However, as mentioned in an earlier comment, I think he’s a couple years away from being moved off shortstop. If he’s not able to consistently implement the swing changes he successfully showed at times in 2015, he’ll quickly become a non-factor in the league. As it stands, though, he should carry some value this offseason. And before you disagree, take note that guys like Marcus Semien and Didi Gregorius actually headlined offseason trades prior to 2015.

By: J.P. Breen

J.P. Breen — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 18:42:32 +0000

Absolutely. It’s a strategy that teams like the Cubs and Astros have utilized in recent years. The Cubs did this with Scott Feldman in 2013 and flipped him over the summer in the deal that netted them Jake Arrieta. Furthermore, they signed Jason Hammel to a short-term deal in 2014 and packaged him with Samarzidja to get Addison Russell from the Athletics. The Astros did this with guys like Jose Veras — but the model you’re describing is best exemplified by the Chicago Cubs, and it’s one the Brewers should absolutely emulate.

By: J.P. Breen

J.P. Breen — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 18:38:14 +0000

Probably. Schafer is a weird case study, actually. I saw him in Double-A and Triple-A in 2011 and 2012, and the dude could straight-up hit. He didn’t have much power and didn’t have special plate discipline, but his bat-to-ball skills were there. His swing plane changed in 2013, though, and he’s looked lost ever since. I don’t know if the org tried to get him to hit the baseball on the ground more or what, but he abandoned the opposite field and became a slap hitter, abandoning the stroke that allowed him to drive the ball. If he could ever re-discover that, he’d be able to be a solid fourth outfielder for a club. It’s just becoming more and more clear that his swing has become a mess.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 18:37:15 +0000

What are your thoughts on Segura’s future as a player and with the Brewers?

By: J.P. Breen

J.P. Breen — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 18:34:51 +0000

Interesting question. For me, the Brewers’ only have three legitimate shortstop candidates in Segura, Sardinas, and Arcia. Yadiel Rivera isn’t a starting shortstop in the big leagues for me, and I think Sardinas is even stretching it a bit. I prefer Arcia’s glove out of the three, but they’re all above-average defenders at the position. Segura profiles as someone who will deteriorate defensively because of his body type, so that plays into it, too.

I’ll say this — Sardinas (2016), Arcia (2017), Arcia (2018), Arcia (2019). I don’t think the organization pushes Arcia to the big leagues next year, though he should be up by the end of the season. The Brewers’ plan for Segura may have changed since hiring Stearns; however, everything I had been told surrounding Segura is that the team plans to trade him this winter.

By: A.J.

A.J. — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 18:32:52 +0000

Would it make sense to go after Jae-gyun Hwang (if posted) as a potential long-term 3B? Or would it make more sense to try to buy low on Cody Asche and hope to make him a viable piece of the future?

By: J.P. Breen

J.P. Breen — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 18:30:37 +0000

I mean, I’m only basing my opinions off the positive recommendations of other people, but Stearns and Arnold seem to be great hires for an organization that is searching to flip the page and remold their image. Ray Montgomery has done a masterful job, in my opinion, and those working for him have nothing but glowing things to say about him. I’d be shocked if he’s replaced.

In terms of the Brewers’ player development system, though, I think Law is a couple years out of place. The organization had numerous issues in the mid-to-late 2000s. They lacked investment in the lower levels and their communication was spotty. In the last three or four years, though, the Brewers have pumped money into the lower levels, have invested in their Dominican complex, have hired more coaches to teach fundamentals, continue to analyze their previous shortcomings, and have implemented a quality draft strategy since 2012. As far as I’m concerned, any criticism of the organization’s minor-league system is working from notes in the past. I think we’re seeing the fruits of the Brewers’ overhaul, too, in a much improved farm system.

By: Lucas W

Lucas W — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 18:27:42 +0000

Is there any precedent for teams in the Brewers’ current position to look to sign veteran free agents to 1-year bounce back contracts? With the hope that since we have the playing time available to take a risk on someone that wouldn’t be playing much otherwise, the player would return to form and could be flipped to a contender at the deadline.