Milwaukee Brewers: The Hypothetical Perfect Off-Season Plan

Trade Domingo Santana or Keon Broxton

There’s only room for one underwhelming reserve outfielder on this 25 man roster and both Santana and Broxton are currently filling that role. Depth is obviously key to a David Stearns structured team, but there are plenty of young outfielders coming up that are just about ready to take a roster spot.

The Milwaukee Brewers tried to trade these players last winter and couldn’t find a taker. Now that the Brewers know that they’re going to have to lower their asking price on these young outfielders, it’s more likely that a deal will get done this winter to clear space.

Both players have potential, but to fully realize it, they’re going to have to play on a different team.

Current Payroll Projection: $118.45 million

Sign Tyler Clippard To A 1 Year/$2.5 million deal

Tyler Clippard, 33, posted some decent numbers with the Blue Jays in 2018, finishing with a 3.67 ERA in 68 appearances and a 11.1 K/9 rate. He also lowered his walk rate and WHIP from the year prior.

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While Clippard is no longer the dominant late inning weapon he once was, he has experience in the role and would be a nice fourth option for Craig Counsell. Since Josh Hader, Corey Knebel, and Jeremy Jeffress are all returning, he won’t need to be the hero out there.

He’ll basically replace Joakim Soria in the bullpen on a much cheaper deal.

Current Payroll Projection: $120.95 million

Re-Sign Stephen Vogt To A 1 Year/$2 million Deal

The Milwaukee Brewers will need another catcher alongside Manny Pina. Nottingham might not yet be ready and Erik Kratz has already been let go during this hypothetical offseason.

Vogt is a respected leader in that clubhouse and he swings a pretty good bat. Is his shoulder strong enough to deal with a full season behind the plate? That’ll be the big question, but signing Vogt to a minor league deal with a $2 million guarantee if he makes the roster isn’t the worst thing in the world for the Brewers.

It’s a low risk, high reward move for the Crew.

Final Payroll Projection: $122.95 million

We came in below our stated budget of $130 million during this hypothetical offseason. This will leave room for any potential mid-season acquisitions as well.

What did you think? Were there any moves that you absolutely loved or hated? I’d love to know what you think in the comments below.