The Brewers seem to be keeping Luke Voit and Keston Hiura will not not make the team. He's an intriguing option. We could probably get him for nothing and he may benefit from a change of scenery. He's only 26, a former top prospect, maybe Kevin Long could help him. He did have a .765 OPS last season.
However, his numbers against LHP make me think he may not be a good fit. Career .606 OPS vs. LHP
Can’t get him for nothing…
He has a $2 million contract for this year. No one will pick that up. When he clears waivers the Brewers will send him down. He will accept that in order to keep that contract in effect if he can get back to the Majors.
Voit would be the player you might be able to “get for nothing” or almost nothing.
Keaton Huira DFAd. I actually think it’s pretty likely we end up pulling a 1B off the slop pile. Slop pile is getting pretty big rn
Still would be surprised if Hall doesn’t end up getting the majority of games at first this year.
Probably not any harm in picking him up. He had a good first season of 84 games 348 PA with .303/.368/.570 but fell sharply the next 2 seasons and didn't play much either (don't know why ... was he bad or injured???). Had 266 PA over 80 games last season with a 115 OPS+ so there may be something there worth exploring and he's only 26.
I actually think he'll do well for the Orioles. Young team with movement behind him and a pitcher friendly park. Plus they have Grayson Rodriguez getting stretched out as a potential ace.
Not an ideal rotation for a contending team, but for a young team making the transition I can see Gibby being pretty good.
In fairness, Gibby was solid for a good stretch last season until he completely fell off of a cliff. I suspect he’s had enough rest to be effective for a while in the beginning of the season, but he will probably turn into a pumpkin come mid season. Not saying he’s an opening day starter, just better than we last saw him.
Nah, Orioles rotation is pretty bad. Maybe they want to slide Rodriguez in for the home opener to showcase the young talent, but I think that Gibby is just at the top of the rotation at this point.
That’s a good point, you have to think with the Mets and Braves in division and Harper out till the trade deadline too that we’re probably not gonna be super focused on getting out to a blazing hot start, so waiting makes a lot of sense
I wonder if the whole team just has the mindset of “get to the playoffs and go from there” it goes along with the “don’t panic” stuff from topper
It seems Hall was likely to fill one of the last 2 bench spots anyway and I guess Cave is the other. However, there's now another spot to fill. Cave and Hall are both lefties so is a righthanded bat the other one now by default???
It does look that way although I'm skeptical he'll perform in the regular season as he did in ST. That leaves Weston Wilson as the only interesting righthanded bat currently in camp and that's a long shot.
I'd say may as well scoop up Keston Hiura from the Brewers.
I'm not super surprised about Hall being the heir given that Thomson's management style has been rooted in "Do Not Panic." In the World Series he refused to change the lineup to reflect who was hot and who was not because he didn't want anyone to lose confidence or feel like something was wrong. I know a lot of folks weren't happy with that call but it's the management style that took us from a losing season to a winning one.
Slide Hall into first base and see what happens. Keep the game going. If he's a black hole against lefties, deal with it in May. If he surprises against lefties, the fans will eat crow. We've got batting depth that can slide into DH.
Just don't panic.
I think this is it. We have flexibility still. Hall becomes the primary 1B. JT can take a game every once in a while at first when Stubbs catches. DH becomes a rotation, with Casty and Scwarbo probably seeing the most time there. Sosa will get plenty of playing time now, too.
I think Hall has shown he has the power to keep up and help fill the offensive hole Hoskins will leave behind. He's been great in ST. It's not a defensive upgrade but I don't think it's exactly a downgrade either.
Honestly I'm personally very optimistic about Hall. I'm drinking the kool-aid on the dude, and while I wish it didn't come at Rhys' expense I think it's cool he gets a prove-it shot in a non-DH position. He's been great this Spring. But I've just seen a lot of hate for the guy (well, more like, "I "love" the dude but he's bad at baseball") that's left me always doubting what my gut says on him.
What I said since the news is that he'll mash early, and then the league will quickly catch up come May/June and it'll be a matter of how he adjusts. I think he could easily hit 25 homers for us, but again - if he can't hit lefties and can't adjust - we'll be stuck for options come June.
[https://twitter.com/byalexcoffey/status/1639273369072697347?s=20](https://twitter.com/byalexcoffey/status/1639273369072697347?s=20)
Looks like the org is high on Hall to get most of the starts this season at 1st
I think if Hall wasn't playing first instead of DHing this might be the case. But now they have an open DH and Sosa can practically play any position. Put him at third or in the outfield to give one of the weaker fielders the DH role.
btw we’re not trading for Christian Walker (D-backs would hang up unless you *start* negotiations with one of our top 3 pitching prospects), and CJ Cron has a .671 OPS and is slashing like .230/.300/.330 outside Coors the last two seasons. Hall/Sosa is gonna have to do for now
At this stage, any trade for a quality player is gonna be at a premium i.e. significant overpay. They might get the same player at the July deadline much cheaper.
something to keep an eye on ... Today is the deadline for the Brewers to add Luke Voit to the roster. Luke Voit can opt out of his minors contract with the Brewers.
probably a slight to moderate downgrade depending on what kind of year he has but his spring training performamce has been real good. Career he's similar to Hoskins with 124 OPS+ vs 125 for Hoskins.
If he opts out he'd probably be the best 1B available to sign. There were some mentions of trades but that would likely come at a higher cost to pull off now.
IDK how this works though, can the Brewers select him to the roster effectively voiding his opt out and forcing a potential trade situation? The Brewers might choose Voit over Keston Hiura and offer a trade for Hiura ...
Just grab the popcorn, sit back and watch what happens. 😊
This game is not helping me out of my Rhys funk.
Always forget Kingery is still here. Guy got paid a whole lot for a whole lot of nothing
I'll be surprised if it doesn't end up being more of the same
Ridiculous pitch clock violation.
Hello u/PhilsBot R U OK? Breathe through it ...
Soto is now 🥑 and Alvarado is Alvarado
Where is the gamethread. Also huge explosion at a chocolate factory just outside of Reading. Mass casualty event taking it appears
death by chocolate 😔
seems PhilsBot tore its ACL and is down on the Internet 😉
The Brewers seem to be keeping Luke Voit and Keston Hiura will not not make the team. He's an intriguing option. We could probably get him for nothing and he may benefit from a change of scenery. He's only 26, a former top prospect, maybe Kevin Long could help him. He did have a .765 OPS last season. However, his numbers against LHP make me think he may not be a good fit. Career .606 OPS vs. LHP
Can’t get him for nothing… He has a $2 million contract for this year. No one will pick that up. When he clears waivers the Brewers will send him down. He will accept that in order to keep that contract in effect if he can get back to the Majors. Voit would be the player you might be able to “get for nothing” or almost nothing.
the intrigue spikes ... Voit was scratched from today's lineup ... it was said NOT to be injury related ... 👀👀👀
Ohhhh👀👀
Keaton Huira DFAd. I actually think it’s pretty likely we end up pulling a 1B off the slop pile. Slop pile is getting pretty big rn Still would be surprised if Hall doesn’t end up getting the majority of games at first this year.
Probably not any harm in picking him up. He had a good first season of 84 games 348 PA with .303/.368/.570 but fell sharply the next 2 seasons and didn't play much either (don't know why ... was he bad or injured???). Had 266 PA over 80 games last season with a 115 OPS+ so there may be something there worth exploring and he's only 26.
Didn’t he play half the season in the minors last year after the brewers got frustrated with him early?
You let hall and whoever run it till the deadline. Fill it in need be then when its cheaper.
The Orioles are really starting Kyle Gibson on Opening Day, LOL
I actually think he'll do well for the Orioles. Young team with movement behind him and a pitcher friendly park. Plus they have Grayson Rodriguez getting stretched out as a potential ace. Not an ideal rotation for a contending team, but for a young team making the transition I can see Gibby being pretty good.
I follow the Orioles as my AL team and I got downvoted to hell on their subreddit for telling them how bad Gibson is
He's not that bad. Had a few gems last season, just was spent by the end of it.
In fairness, Gibby was solid for a good stretch last season until he completely fell off of a cliff. I suspect he’s had enough rest to be effective for a while in the beginning of the season, but he will probably turn into a pumpkin come mid season. Not saying he’s an opening day starter, just better than we last saw him.
They open on the road. Their Home Opener isn't until the next Thursday so they may be lining up someone special for that or a weekend start. 🤷♂️
Nah, Orioles rotation is pretty bad. Maybe they want to slide Rodriguez in for the home opener to showcase the young talent, but I think that Gibby is just at the top of the rotation at this point.
Nola is the opening day starter for the 6th year, now let’s extend him.
Anyone have thoughts about maybe bringing in Bobby Dalbec? Has a connection to Dombrowski and the Sox were shopping him over the off-season
His numbers don't look tantalizing, may as well see what we have can do and reevaluate at the trade deadline.
That’s a good point, you have to think with the Mets and Braves in division and Harper out till the trade deadline too that we’re probably not gonna be super focused on getting out to a blazing hot start, so waiting makes a lot of sense I wonder if the whole team just has the mindset of “get to the playoffs and go from there” it goes along with the “don’t panic” stuff from topper
It seems Hall was likely to fill one of the last 2 bench spots anyway and I guess Cave is the other. However, there's now another spot to fill. Cave and Hall are both lefties so is a righthanded bat the other one now by default???
If they don't make a trade it would seem Scotty Jetpax might have the inside track.
It does look that way although I'm skeptical he'll perform in the regular season as he did in ST. That leaves Weston Wilson as the only interesting righthanded bat currently in camp and that's a long shot. I'd say may as well scoop up Keston Hiura from the Brewers.
I'm not super surprised about Hall being the heir given that Thomson's management style has been rooted in "Do Not Panic." In the World Series he refused to change the lineup to reflect who was hot and who was not because he didn't want anyone to lose confidence or feel like something was wrong. I know a lot of folks weren't happy with that call but it's the management style that took us from a losing season to a winning one. Slide Hall into first base and see what happens. Keep the game going. If he's a black hole against lefties, deal with it in May. If he surprises against lefties, the fans will eat crow. We've got batting depth that can slide into DH. Just don't panic.
I think this is it. We have flexibility still. Hall becomes the primary 1B. JT can take a game every once in a while at first when Stubbs catches. DH becomes a rotation, with Casty and Scwarbo probably seeing the most time there. Sosa will get plenty of playing time now, too.
I think Hall has shown he has the power to keep up and help fill the offensive hole Hoskins will leave behind. He's been great in ST. It's not a defensive upgrade but I don't think it's exactly a downgrade either.
Honestly I'm personally very optimistic about Hall. I'm drinking the kool-aid on the dude, and while I wish it didn't come at Rhys' expense I think it's cool he gets a prove-it shot in a non-DH position. He's been great this Spring. But I've just seen a lot of hate for the guy (well, more like, "I "love" the dude but he's bad at baseball") that's left me always doubting what my gut says on him.
What I said since the news is that he'll mash early, and then the league will quickly catch up come May/June and it'll be a matter of how he adjusts. I think he could easily hit 25 homers for us, but again - if he can't hit lefties and can't adjust - we'll be stuck for options come June.
[https://twitter.com/byalexcoffey/status/1639273369072697347?s=20](https://twitter.com/byalexcoffey/status/1639273369072697347?s=20) Looks like the org is high on Hall to get most of the starts this season at 1st
Hey guys remember when Sosa had a streak of seven consecutive hits in September last year? That was pretty awesome
Maybe unpopular take but he might push Stott for playing time.
I think if Hall wasn't playing first instead of DHing this might be the case. But now they have an open DH and Sosa can practically play any position. Put him at third or in the outfield to give one of the weaker fielders the DH role.
btw we’re not trading for Christian Walker (D-backs would hang up unless you *start* negotiations with one of our top 3 pitching prospects), and CJ Cron has a .671 OPS and is slashing like .230/.300/.330 outside Coors the last two seasons. Hall/Sosa is gonna have to do for now
At this stage, any trade for a quality player is gonna be at a premium i.e. significant overpay. They might get the same player at the July deadline much cheaper.
Yesterday sucked but I’m still feeling really optimistic about this season all things considered
Rainy day in Philly certainly fits my vibe right now. Genuinely bummed for Rhys
Same. I’ll get back to optimism for the season but right now I’m still in grief mode.
something to keep an eye on ... Today is the deadline for the Brewers to add Luke Voit to the roster. Luke Voit can opt out of his minors contract with the Brewers.
How is he? Seems like he could knowing we may be looking
He had a very good 2020, and has been living off that since.
probably a slight to moderate downgrade depending on what kind of year he has but his spring training performamce has been real good. Career he's similar to Hoskins with 124 OPS+ vs 125 for Hoskins. If he opts out he'd probably be the best 1B available to sign. There were some mentions of trades but that would likely come at a higher cost to pull off now. IDK how this works though, can the Brewers select him to the roster effectively voiding his opt out and forcing a potential trade situation? The Brewers might choose Voit over Keston Hiura and offer a trade for Hiura ... Just grab the popcorn, sit back and watch what happens. 😊