The Milwaukee Brewers have a tough road ahead. They're in the most competitive division in the MLB and are one of the worst teams in the league.
However, they're under new management with GM David Stearns, and rumors suggest he's ready to fast-track the team's rebuilding period.
ESPN Insider Buster Olney shed light on the topic yesterday. He said the Brewers are willing to trade catcher Jonathan Lucroy, closer Francisco Rodriguez and first baseman Adam Lind - all of whom have good value.
As mentioned last month, MIL has the likes of Jonathan Lucroy and Francisco Rodriguez available for trade talks, as they look to get younger
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 4, 2015
Other teams say 2 players who had options exercised in last 48 hours are available for trade right now--MIL's Adam Lind, SD's Joaquin Benoit
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 4, 2015
The Brewers signed Rodriguez and acquired Lind from the Blue Jays last offseason as they had hoped to rebound from their second half collapse in 2014. However, injuries to a number of their top players (Lucroy, Ryan Braun, Carlos Gomez, Khris Davis, Scotter Gennett) as well as unexpected poor performances from their starting rotation doomed them.
Lucroy, Lind and Rodriguez all have value and could get the Brewers a good return. Stearns cannot be blamed for wanting to make the team younger because their farm system ranked 19th in the MLB heading into last season, which isn't good considering their major league roster is failing to produce.
Milwaukee already has a decent cast of young players such as Davis, Gennett, Jean Segura, Wily Peralta, Jeff Nelson, Tyler Jungmann and Zack Davies, but it doesn't seem as if they're coming together at the right time. Stearns is likely aware of that and wants to keep bringing in young talent to foster competition and a new attitude within the organization.
Let's check out the players Stearns is willing to move and what value they might have on the market.
Lucroy: In 103 games this past season the 29-year-old batted .264/.326/.391 with 51 runs scored, 7 home runs and 43 RBI. It wasn't quite his All-Star campaign in 2014 or his breakout 2013 season, but he managed to put up decent numbers as he dealt with injuries. He's also signed on for only $4 million in 2016 and has a $5.25 million option for the 2017 season.
Rodriguez: K-Rod logged his second consecutive All-Star campaign after recording a 2.21 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 38 saves and 62 strikeouts in 60 games (57 innings) in 2015. Over the past two seasons he has 82 saves, which is his highest two-season total since he notched 97 between 2008 and 2009. He'll make $5.5 million in 2016 and has a $6 million team option in 2017 (or a $4 million buyout).
Lind: The 32-year-old slugger could be the best value here. Lind batted .277/.360/.460 with 72 runs scored, 20 home runs and 87 RBI in 149 games. His 87 RBI were the most he recorded in a season since 2011 and he drew a career-high 66 walks. He'll cost only $8 million for 2016 and becomes a free agent in 2017.
It's also interesting to ponder whether Stearns would be open to moving Ryan Braun. The 31-year-old outfielder will have his five-year, $100 million extension kick in at the beginning of 2016. The slugger battled a nagging thumb injury for most of the season and still batted .285/.356/.498 with 87 runs scored, 25 home runs, 84 RBI and 24 stolen bases, so perhaps there may be some teams poking around if they're in need of outfield help.
However, he did undergo back surgery last month and many will likely see that as a further liability.
Nonetheless, the Brewers will be one of the more exciting teams to watch this offseason as the 30-year-old Stearns looks to reshape the organization to compete with the Cardinals, Pirates and Cubs in the NL Central.
