Around the League: 2017 offseason edition / 2018 Season

[Orphan Black]

So the Brewers trade for Yelich and then immediately sign Lorenzo Cain.

[Heyward]

Brewers signed Cain, 5 years, 80 million.

[bravesnumberone]

Milwaukee going for it.

[Braves1976]

So the Brewers trade for Yelich and then immediately sign Lorenzo Cain.

Yep, next move includes trading Santana, unless they are dumping Braun by eating a lot of salary. My guess is Santana is traded in a deal for a starter, probably not Teheran or Braves though. I am expecting it to be an AL team.

[Heyward]

How is Santana's defense?

I'd do Julio for him if the Brewers would, under control for 4 more years.

[Braves1976]

How is Santana's defense?

I'd do Julio for him if the Brewers would, under control for 4 more years.

He isn't good at defense, but might be good enough in LF if keeps it up with the bat.

[auyushu]

Of that group, someone will point out Justice and Gant - but there's almost no chance you get someone with that type of upside these days with the advances in scouting and technology.

Mookie Betts (5th round, 2011) and Cody Bellinger (4th round, 2013) say this is simply not true off the top of my head. Way too soon to say how good he'll be, but the Rangers Willie Calhoun is a nice prospect that was drafted in the 4th round in 2015 as well. There are usually a couple really good players available in the 4th and 5th rounds each year, it's just a matter of finding them.

Now I agree with you that I'd give up the 4th rounder if we could get Moose to a really friendly 4 year deal, but lets not act like great talent isn't coming out of the middle rounds from time to time still.

[Heyward]

He isn't good at defense, but might be good enough in LF if keeps it up with the bat.

Considering AA values defensive players, i dunno if that happens.

But Braves still have alot of trade chips if they want to make a move.

[Enscheff]

Brewers signed Cain, 5 years, 80 million.

And here we were talking about getting Cain for 3/45 or 3/50....

It never fails. We always talk about stupidly pozzy scenarios haha.

Have I learned my lesson yet? Probably not!

[nsacpi]

Moose and Frazier should get deals between what Jay Bruce and Cain got.

[Heyward]

Idk if it happens but would anyone be against Moose. His market is DRY, you might be able to get him at a bargain. I guess maybe Philly, or KC could bring him back.

And there's tons of players who have been drafted late that turn into studs.

We'd still have two early picks in rounds 1 and 2.

[Braves1976]

Considering AA values defensive players, i dunno if that happens.

But Braves still have alot of trade chips if they want to make a move.

I wouldn't rule it out if AA really likes his bat and the price is right but more likely Santana heads to the AL for pitching IMO. However, Santana may be okay in LF and not as bad as he looked at times in RF last season. So AA may consider that as well if the price is one he likes.

[Heyward]

And here we were talking about getting Cain for 3/45 or 3/50....

It never fails. We always talk about stupidly pozzy scenarios haha.

Have I learned my lesson yet? Probably not!

If Cain was younger, i wouldnt mind him.

But paying him at his age 34-36 seasons in the final 3 years is gonna sting. Alot of his value is in baserunning and defense.

[Enscheff]

How is Santana's defense?

I'd do Julio for him if the Brewers would, under control for 4 more years.

He ranks 145 out of 207 OFers with 25+ chances last year based on Catch Percentage Added.

If +9% is 80 grade, and -9% is 20 grade (Kemp and Trumbo), then Santana's -2% is probably grade 40/45.

Inciarte (+5%) is about grade 65/70, and Markakis (-1%) is grade 45/50.

Other OFers we've been talking about:

Cain (+4%) is grade 60/65
Brinson (+4%) is grade 60/65
Yelich (-1%) is grade 45/50

[50PoundHead]

And here we were talking about getting Cain for 3/45 or 3/50....

It never fails. We always talk about stupidly pozzy scenarios haha.

Have I learned my lesson yet? Probably not!

In fairness to all who pined for Cain (myself included), with the market being this dormant this long, it's really difficult to get a read as to what the contracts will end up looking like.

[Braves1976]

MLBTR: "Santana and Phillips could both be hotly pursued assets, with a variety of teams — the Athletics, Braves, and Rays all make some degree of sense on paper — potentially representing suitors with some pitching on offer."

I could see AA having interest in Phillips depending on the cost in return. There are questions about his bat but his strong arm and defense fit. He can play all three OF positions.

[Southcack77]

Now that you've already lost your #3, I just don't see it as enough of a loss - IF you can gain Moose for favorable terms. It gives you the flexibility of becoming more sure of what you have in Riley (and the potential of moving him to LF as Markakis' replacement in 2019 if he has another big year and forces your hand). At that point you can spend big on an arm if needed.

Braves' "successful" (reached the bigs or current Top 20 prospects) 4th Round picks:

Bryse Wilson (2016)
J. R. Graham (2011)
Cory Gearrin (2007)
Kyle Davies (2001)
David Justice (1985)
Ron Gant (1983)
Rick Behenna (1978)
Rowland Office (1970)

Of that group, someone will point out Justice and Gant - but there's almost no chance you get someone with that type of upside these days with the advances in scouting and technology. I wouldn't hesitate to give up any of those others for 3-4 years of Freeman/Acuna/Moustakas heart of the order, but that's just me.

As for Cain, I'm certainly not in favor of signing him over Moustakas (if at all).

It's not about who you would literally pick in the 4th round, though it could be. At least not for me.

I'm a pass on Moustakkos unless its really too good to be true and I still won't be all that happy. But that isn't real likely I don't think. If his price is low, he probably ends up back in KC I would think.

[Southcack77]

Pretty good moves by the Brewers, I think.

Happy to not have to hear about Yelich any more. Or Cain.

[nsacpi]

Pretty good moves by the Brewers, I think.

Yes. They done good.

[BeanieAntics]

Mookie Betts (5th round, 2011) and Cody Bellinger (4th round, 2013) say this is simply not true off the top of my head. Way too soon to say how good he'll be, but the Rangers Willie Calhoun is a nice prospect that was drafted in the 4th round in 2015 as well. There are usually a couple really good players available in the 4th and 5th rounds each year, it's just a matter of finding them.

Now I agree with you that I'd give up the 4th rounder if we could get Moose to a really friendly 4 year deal, but lets not act like great talent isn't coming out of the middle rounds from time to time still.

Hell, Brian Dozier was an 8th rounder out of Southern Miss. I think the Twins have gotten plenty of value out of that pick