Milwaukee Brewers: Who Won Orioles Schoop, Villar Trade?
By Max Neibaur
Jonathan Schoop With Milwaukee Brewers
Brewers General Manager David Stearns had a lot in mind when he traded for Jonathan Schoop.
Schoop’s contract extends into 2019 so he is not just a rental player. That is the reason the Brewers had to give up two key prospects along with Villar to acquire Schoop.
Schoop struggled during his first weeks with his new team. He had to adjust after spending his whole career in the AL with the Orioles.
Still, Brewers fans initially had feelings of buyers remorse. And, for good reason.
Schoop hit over 1.000 OPS with Orioles in July and was coming off being named Player of the Week for the AL upon his debut with the Brewers in August. During August, however, Schoop’s OPS tumbled to just ..612 with the Brewers.
Fans and journalists in Milwaukee expressed new optimism for Schoop when he hit a big grand slam off of Madison Bumgarner. But Schoop has only maintained a .522 OPS during September as of the 15th.
On the positive side, Schoop’s mere presence in Milwaukee’s batting order extends its power potential. The Brewers offensive attack looks especially intimidating when they use what 3B Travis Shaw calls their “goal-line package.”
"“This was the big-boy infield tonight,” Shaw continued about having him and Schoop playing with Mike Moustakas. “It pushes everyone down [the order] and makes our lineup extremely deep.”"
The acquisition of Jonathan Schoop helps Milwaukee in another way. Because Schoop’s contract goes through 2019, Schoop can help the Brewers next season too.
The Brewers top prospect is 2B Keston Hiura. He is not believed to be ready for a complete major league season until 2020.
Furthermore, Milwaukee has prospect INF Mauricio Dubon who the Brewers called up in 2018 before he suffered a season-ending injury. No one knows how much or how effective Dubon might be in 2019.
Moustakas will likely leave as a free agent, but that will still leave the Brewers with a great infield that includes Shaw at third, Orlando Arcia at shortstop, Schoop at second, and breadout run-producer Jesus Aguilar at first.
Therefore, beyond what Schoop can give the Brewers going forward, he has a chance to contribute as a place-holder for prime Milwaukee prospects next season.