Who Will the Next Catcher Be?

We will see between now and August 1 if the Brewers decide to trade Jonathan Lucroy.  One question that will become relevant if he is traded is "Who will replace him for the remainder of this season?"

There is the possibility that a major league ready catcher could come back to the Brewers in a Lucroy trade.  However, if that doesn't happen, Martin Maldonado will likely be joined by one of the two catchers (Manny Pina and Josmil Pinto) playing at Colorado Springs.

It is interesting to me that Pina and Pinto appear to be about equal in standing at AAA.  It doesn't seem that either one is positioned as the Brewers' catcher of the future.  They are both hitting well at AAA with averages over .330.

Pinto is two years younger and he has a little bit more time in the majors.  He played 78 games for Minnesota.

In the long term, the replacement catcher if Lucroy is traded is a very small detail.  However, it will be interesting to see who gets the call.

Who Might Get Traded?

It was interesting to read Tom Haudricourt's article about the possibility the Brewers trading Jonathan Lucroy.  I concur with his opinion that Lucroy's trade value will never be higher than it is over the next week and a half.  It will be interesting to see if they make a move.

Reading this article also caused me to think about who could be traded from Milwaukee.  Here is a look at the possibilities.

HIGH CONTROL, HIGH COST

Ryan Braun, 32. Braun is under contract through 2020 with an option for 2021, so if someone picks him up, they will have him for a long time.  However, he is owed $80 million after this season concludes.

MEDIUM CONTROL, VERY REASONABLE COST

Jonathan Lucroy, 30.  If Lucroy is acquired, his new team will have the option of keeping him through next season for $5.25 million.  That' Altuve-like money for an all-star catcher.  It makes sense that the Brewers have a high asking price for Lucroy.

LOW CONTROL, LOW COST

Blaine Boyer, 35.  Boyer is a free agent after this year.  He might bring something very minimal in return from a team looking for bullpen help.

HIGH CONTROL, LOW COST

Chris Carter, 29.  Arbitration Eligible- Can't become a free agent until after 2018 season
Junior Guerra, 31. Arbitration Eligible- Can't becoe a free agent until after 2021 season
I assume Guerra's value is diminished by his advance age.
Will Smith, 27. Arbitration Eligible- Can't become a free agent until after 2018 season
Carlos Torres, 35, Arbitration Eligible- Can't become a free agent until after 2018 season
Similar to Guerra, Torres' trade value is minimized by his age.  He could give somebody bullpen help.

HIGHER CONTROL, LOW COST
Jeremy Jeffress, 28.  Arbitration Eligible- Can't become a free agent until after 2019 season
Tyler Thornburg, 27.  Arbitration Eligible- Can't become a free agent until after 2019 season

EVEN HIGHER CONTROL, LOW COST
Jonathan Villar, 25.  Arbitration Eligible after 2017 season.  Can't become a free agent until after 2020 season.

The All-Star Break Demotion

Seeing the Brewers option Michael Blazek back to AAA Monday, the first day of the All-Star Break, made me curious about the strategy of sending a player down to the minors and maintaining a 24-man roster during that four day stretch. I've noticed a few teams doing this in the past, and I wondered if the move is common or not in the baseball business.

A little research shows me that, every year, more than a few teams take advantage of the opportunity to have just 24 players on their payroll without any competitive disadvantage for four days.  The financial savings for such a move, demoting a player on Monday and recalling a different player four days later on Friday, is not large (about $10,000) but it is not nothing.

Here is a look at teams that have spent the All-Star Break with only 24 players the last five seasons:

2016
Baltimore
Boston
Cubs
Milwaukee
Tampa Bay
White Sox

2015
Atlanta
Boston
Cleveland
Pittsburgh
Seattle
Texas

2014
Arizona
Atlanta
Cleveland
Dodgers
Houston
Pittsburgh
Yankees

2013
Miami
Milwaukee
Minnesota
St. Louis
White Sox

2012
Detroit
Houston
St. Louis
White Sox

Rule 5 Vulnerable Brewers

A listing of 10 top players in the Brewers system who are vulnerable to the Rule 5 Draft in December:

Tristan Archer, 25, P, Biloxi
Carlos Belonis, 22, OF, Wisconsin
Garrett Cooper, 25, IF, Biloxi
Josh Hader, 22, P, Colorado Springs
Nate Orf, 26, OF, Colorado Springs
Angel Ortega, 23, IF, Biloxi
Brett Phillips, 22, OF, Biloxi
Elvis Rubio, 22, OF, Brevard County
Tyler Spurlin, 25, P, Biloxi
Kyle Wren, 25, OF, Colorado Springs