The Crew - 2026

[Pokerbrat2000]

Sucks that the Dodgers got better, but in no way would I be happy if the Brewers had given up THAT much farm talent. Skubal's '26 remaining salary is over $9.5mil, which is another reason I'm happy he's not in Milwaukee.

Yeah, no real surprise at all for me that Skubal is a Dodger. I also predict that he will also be a Dodger after this season. The trade capital was tolerable for the Dodgers for that reason. For the Brewers, 3 months rent of a quality pitcher just doesn't justify forking over that kind of future assets.

As it usually happens in MLB, the rich get richer and the rich keep buying Pennants.

 

[Pkrjones]

Dodgers' '26 payroll is over $320mil w/Skubal addition vs Milwaukee's $135mil.

Factoring in the luxury tax penalty (Dodgers have been over for 3+yrs) their payroll is $430mil vs Brewer's $142mil.

Extreme uphill battle for Milwaukee to stay competitive... would be fantastic to take down LA & win it all. Kudos to management.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Dodgers' '26 payroll is over $320mil w/Skubal addition vs Milwaukee's $135mil.

Factoring in the luxury tax penalty (Dodgers have been over for 3+yrs) their payroll is $430mil vs Brewer's $142mil.

Extreme uphill battle for Milwaukee to stay competitive... would be fantastic to take down LA & win it all. Kudos to management.

I could be wrong, but typically, the Dodgers starting rotation is "costing" them more than the entire Brewer roster. Throw in a contract like the one that they gave Ohtani and you have a REAL discrepancy.

Ohtani Contract in 2023:

-10yr. $700M deal. Ok, so $70M a year isn't so bad, but........read the details of how that money is to be paid:

Ohtani earns $2 million per year through 2033, with the remaining $680 million paid out interest-free from 2034 to 2043! Ohtani receiving only $2M annually, drastically lowergins his luxury tax hit to roughly $46 million per year instead of the full $70 million average value. This massive reduction in immediate cash flow ($68M/year) allows the Dodgers to sign other star players and maintain a high payroll.

Imagine the NFL if the same salary and revenue sharing rules applied.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Brewers bats need help. A stellar pitching performance by The Miz wasted.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I could be wrong, but typically, the Dodgers starting rotation is "costing" them more than the entire Brewer roster.

Took the time to dig into my statement to see if it is in fact true in 2026. In fact, the $191M (not contractually adjusted) that the Dodgers starting pitchers are making, is nearly double what the Brewer's entire roster (on the low end) is making.

"Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation's collective undiscounted cash value approaches roughly $191 million, whereas the entire Milwaukee Brewers active team cash payroll sits around $106 million to $125 million."

 

[longtimefan]

There is a growing wave of screw LA and support the Brew

Seeing posts and articles of lock out to stop this from happening any more

 

[DoURant]

I could be wrong, but typically, the Dodgers starting rotation is "costing" them more than the entire Brewer roster. Throw in a contract like the one that they gave Ohtani and you have a REAL discrepancy.

Ohtani Contract in 2023:

-10yr. $700M deal. Ok, so $70M a year isn't so bad, but........read the details of how that money is to be paid:

Ohtani earns $2 million per year through 2033, with the remaining $680 million paid out interest-free from 2034 to 2043! Ohtani receiving only $2M annually, drastically lowergins his luxury tax hit to roughly $46 million per year instead of the full $70 million average value. This massive reduction in immediate cash flow ($68M/year) allows the Dodgers to sign other star players and maintain a high payroll.

Imagine the NFL if the same salary and revenue sharing rules applied.

It isn't just Ohtani's contract... they did it with a bunch of their star players.

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[milani]

Took the time to dig into my statement to see if it is in fact true in 2026. In fact, the $191M (not contractually adjusted) that the Dodgers starting pitchers are making, is nearly double what the Brewer's entire roster (on the low end) is making.

"Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation's collective undiscounted cash value approaches roughly $191 million, whereas the entire Milwaukee Brewers active team cash payroll sits around $106 million to $125 million."

The United Bank of O'Malley.

 

[Heyjoe4]

There is a growing wave of screw LA and support the Brew

Seeing posts and articles of lock out to stop this from happening any more

I can't speak for everyone, but I'm tired of the Dodgers. Would love to see the Crew take the Dodgers down in the NLCS, especially after the Skubal trade.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Brewers bats need help. A stellar pitching performance by The Miz wasted.

I haven't followed the Crew that closely this year. Yesterday's shut out was bad, and wasting another fine outing by the Miz is salt in the wound.

I thought the Crew was winning a lot with "small ball" - a lot of hits and runs scored without relying on big hits. Do I have that right, or is there a real offensive production problem with the team?

I hope this was a one off. The Brewers' record so far would indicate that's true.

 

[Heyjoe4]

The United Bank of O'Malley.

And here I thought MLB had some sort of cap-like structure, similar to the NFL.

Nope, sounds more like the NBA. Teams can spend what they want but face punitive luxury tax tiers, or whatever they are called. This makes it easier to "buy" a championship, and that has worked well for the Dodgers the last two seasons.

All the more amazing the Crew is neck and neck with the Dodgers for best record in baseball in August.

 

[Heyjoe4]

It isn't just Ohtani's contract... they did it with a bunch of their star players.

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Hey D thanks to you and Poker for more detail on player costs and when they impact a team and a player.

MLB needs to eliminate the ability of teams to avoid, or rather defer, the luxury taxes. Maybe I'm wrong about that, it's complex.

The impact of player costs (salary) and how they impact a team for the MLB and NBA can be hard to figure out. Makes me appreciate the relatively straightforward cap rules in the NFL. Yeah there are still games teams play with this - deferred bonuses, timing of payments - but it's still way better than what MLB and the NBA do.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I could be wrong, but typically, the Dodgers starting rotation is "costing" them more than the entire Brewer roster. Throw in a contract like the one that they gave Ohtani and you have a REAL discrepancy.

Ohtani Contract in 2023:

-10yr. $700M deal. Ok, so $70M a year isn't so bad, but........read the details of how that money is to be paid:

Ohtani earns $2 million per year through 2033, with the remaining $680 million paid out interest-free from 2034 to 2043! Ohtani receiving only $2M annually, drastically lowergins his luxury tax hit to roughly $46 million per year instead of the full $70 million average value. This massive reduction in immediate cash flow ($68M/year) allows the Dodgers to sign other star players and maintain a high payroll.

Imagine the NFL if the same salary and revenue sharing rules applied.

Makes me grateful for the "Rozelle Rule" and the salary cap in the NFL. Along with revenue sharing, it really does help small market teams, and Green Bay is the smallest.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

It isn't just Ohtani's contract... they did it with a bunch of their star players.

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

Thanks for posting that. I was actually thinking about digging into the Dodgers salaries, because I suspected Otani wasn't the only player with this kind of deferral. While the info you posted is crazy, isn't shocking, this is how big market teams land star players.

That made me think about the Brewers and when they get Yeli a new deal, I thought I remembered some of the money was "deferred".

Well folks, this is how they do deferals in those "small markets".

Christian Yelich Extension:

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• • The Deal: Signed a nine-year, $215 million extension in March 2020 covering the 2020–2028 seasons (plus a 2029 mutual option).
  • The Deferrals: From 2022 to 2028, $4 million is deferred annually out of his $26 million yearly salary, totaling $28 million in deferred money.
  • The Payout: Milwaukee will pay out these deferred installments of $2.5 million annually each July 1st from 2031 through 2042
  
  So to summarize.
  
  - Dodgers and Ohtani: $680M deferred for 10 years.
  
  
  
  - Brewers and Yeli: $28M deferred for 10 years.
  
  Really, the deferral is 20 years on both of those contracts. Since the lump sums are pushed out in whole for 10 years and then payment of such amount is amortized over another 10 years, interest free.
  
  Also, this isn't like the NFL where they are just playing with salary cap numbers. Ohtani isn't actually getting a check for $70M/year and the Dodgers are pushing out $68M of it on their books. They are only sending him a check for $2M and in 10 years, he sees the additional $68M.
  
  
  

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

There is a growing wave of screw LA and support the Brew

Seeing posts and articles of lock out to stop this from happening any more

Yup. The current CBA between the owners and players expires at the end of this calendar year. Some owners are pushing for a salary cap, both ceiling and floor, where some owners want to keep things "as is".

Also, no surprise that players themselves or at least their reps, don't want a hard cap, viewing it as an artificial limit on player earnings. However, the players union is engaging in a deep dispute with owners over proposed revenue splits and spending floors.

Who is representing the fans, you know MLB's customer, at the negotiating table?

 

[milani]

And here I thought MLB had some sort of cap-like structure, similar to the NFL.

Nope, sounds more like the NBA. Teams can spend what they want but face punitive luxury tax tiers, or whatever they are called. This makes it easier to "buy" a championship, and that has worked well for the Dodgers the last two seasons.

All the more amazing the Crew is neck and neck with the Dodgers for best record in baseball in August.

MLB is a different creature altogether. It morphed where other pro sports did not. The Dodgers may be exactly what you describe. But today's MLB is a product of the late George Steinbrenner. It has not been truly competitive for over 3 decades.
Parity is something it will never have. Warren Giles, who was president of the NL back over 60 years ago, had this whim that the entire 10 team league would all finish at 81-81! Then they would go nuts trying to figure it out. Oh well.

 

[OldSchool101]

The Milwaukee Brewers are acquiring right-hander Dustin May and left-handed reliever JoJo Romero in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals, sources tell ESPN

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Brewers made a trade with the Cardinals. They got right-handed starter Dustin May and left-handed reliever JoJo Romero. They traded away 2 minor league outfielders, Alexander Frias and Josiah Ragsdale.

May could be a solid addition to the starting lineup or come in and give some solid middle relief. Romero is an interesting pitcher to have.

Overall a good move for the Brewers I think.

We traded away a YoYo and got a JoJo!

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

The Brewers are acquiring Antonio Senzatela from the Rockies for LHP Mark Manfredi and SS Juan Martinez, per source.

 

[Heyjoe4]

MLB is a different creature altogether. It morphed where other pro sports did not. The Dodgers may be exactly what you describe. But today's MLB is a product of the late George Steinbrenner. It has not been truly competitive for over 3 decades.
Parity is something it will never have. Warren Giles, who was president of the NL back over 60 years ago, had this whim that the entire 10 team league would all finish at 81-81! Then they would go nuts trying to figure it out. Oh well.

Thanks for the history, I didn't realize it was this bad.

Big-market clubs will be able to buy championship contenders. But they are business people first. They need to show that paying big salaries and luxury taxes provides a solid return on investment. It's still all about the money, and who gets it.

 

[oompatailgate]

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ did the crew trade for anyone moving the needle - or the front office use the needle

 

[oompatailgate]

trades = dumpster diving

 

[Heyjoe4]

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ did the crew trade for anyone moving the needle - or the front office use the needle

About all they accomplished is adding depth to C. I didn't know depth at C was a problem.

 

[milani]

Thanks for the history, I didn't realize it was this bad.

Big-market clubs will be able to buy championship contenders. But they are business people first. They need to show that paying big salaries and luxury taxes provides a solid return on investment. It's still all about the money, and who gets it.

And it becomes 162 pro wrestling matches.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ did the crew trade for anyone moving the needle - or the front office use the needle

I like what the Brewers did before the trade deadline. They definitely improved their pitching depth/bullpen IMO.

I think Dustin May was a good pickup. They now have a guy that can start or go 3-5 innings in middle relief. I think they slide him in as their #3 in the starting pitcher rotation.

I think the trade that isn't being talked about enough is the Antonio Senzatela trade. Senzatela is a very good veteran pitcher that at one time was an excellent starter, but started having problems. Once the Rockies put him in the bullpen, he has had some really nice outings in relief. He should be able to make high-leverage, multi-inning appearances out of the Brewer bullpen.

Both May and Senzatela also have playoff experience, which I think Murphy will appreciate.

I know some are disappointed that they didn't land Skubal. I read that they did make an offer, so it wasn't like they didn't try. I just think the Dodgers were willing to give the Tigers a better offer, knowing they could resign Skubal after this season. That is unlike the Brewers plans for Skubal, which would have just been a 3 month rental.