Milwaukee Brewers 2017 Team Preview
By Jason Burke
Easily the biggest addition for the Milwaukee Brewers this offseason has been Eric Thames, who has been using the Korean Baseball Organization as his own personal launching pad over the last three years. Thames last appeared in Major League Baseball in 2012 with the Blue Jays and Mariners, but in his time since has put up home run totals of 37, 47 and 40 the past three seasons.
In addition to the power numbers, Thames has some speed that should help with the Brewers’ league-leading 181 stolen bases as a club. His walk and strikeout totals, while not exactly even, haven’t been too far apart the past two seasons, either. In 2015 he had more walks at 103 to 91 and last season the strikeouts outnumbered the walks 103 to 74. As a replacement for Chris Carter, who was DFA’d by the club, Thames presents some definite upside–if he can come close to those power numbers and possess the same eye at the plate.
The rest of the additions that the Brew Crew made aren’t as splashy, but could end up being solid contributors in one form or another. By trading away Tyler Thornburg to the Red Sox, Milwaukee brought back Travis Shaw and their number 11 and 18 prospects (BA) in Mauricio Dubon and Josh Pennington. Shaw should get a look at third base this season, but will be in competition with utility man Hernan Perez, who had a solid season in 2016.
The final trade of the offseason came with the Los Angeles Angels, with catcher Martin Maldonado and minor leaguer Drew Gagnon headed to Anaheim in exchange for catcher Jett Bandy. Bandy, Susac and Manny Pina will all be in competition for the starting backstop job this spring.
Other additions this winter include former Nationals, A’s and Twins left-hander Tommy Milone, who should be an average depth option for the club in the rotation, everyone’s favorite mosquito attractor Joba Chamberlain to a minor league deal, and utility infielder with a solid glove Ehire Adrianza, formerly of the Giants.