Reviewing The Brew
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Milwaukee Brewers: 2018-19 Offseason Brewers Team Needs

By David Gasper

MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 20: Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates after hitting a solo home run against Walker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game Seven of the National League Championship Series at Miller Park on October 20, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 20: Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates after hitting a solo home run against Walker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game Seven of the National League Championship Series at Miller Park on October 20, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – AUGUST 25: A fly ball drops between Christian Yelich #22 and Jonathan Schoop #5 of the Milwaukee Brewers in the 15th inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Miller Park on August 25, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – AUGUST 25: A fly ball drops between Christian Yelich #22 and Jonathan Schoop #5 of the Milwaukee Brewers in the 15th inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Miller Park on August 25, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Need #2: A Plan For Second Base

Jonathan Schoop did not play like the Milwaukee Brewers or their fans hoped he would when he was acquired. The original plan was for him to platoon with Travis Shaw at second base for the rest of 2018 and then assume full time second base duties in 2019 with Shaw moving back to third base when Mike Moustakas left.

But after Schoop hit .202 with a .577 OPS including an 0-for-8 in the postseason, many are questioning if Schoop will be back. In fact, on the RtB Podcast this past week, we believed that Schoop could be a non-tender or trade candidate this winter and that he won’t be back in Milwaukee in 2019.

If Schoop goes, and Moustakas leaves, what’s the plan at second base? Young prospect Mauricio Dubon was just about big league ready in April before he tore his ACL and was out for the season. Can the Brewers trust Dubon to start at second to begin the season coming off that injury and having never made his big league debut yet? Keston Hiura is not yet ready and likely won’t see significant big league time in 2019.

The Brewers could choose to roll the dice on Schoop and hope he can bounce back in 2019 and earn that projected $10.1 million salary.

Should they move on from him, there are a couple of options on the open market. Players like Marwin Gonzalez, DJ LeMahieu, and Brian Dozier figure to get multi-year deals this winter, which could put them out of play for Milwaukee if the Brewers truly believe Keston Hiura will be ready to start in the big leagues in 2020.

If they’re looking for a one-year stopgap that can plug the hole without blocking any prospects long term or break the bank, someone like Jed Lowrie could be a nice option. He’s going to be 35 next season and has been a solid hitter the last two years.

Mauricio Dubon should gain strong consideration, but it’s tough to see the Brewers depending on him since he hasn’t made his debut yet and is coming off a major injury.

If Schoop stays, the whole need is moot. Schoop will then start the majority of games at second base, and if he succeeds, then he’s the full time starter all year. If he fails in the early going again, the Brewers could then turn to Dubon to take over.

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