Infield quickly revamped

Moves provide balance, protection, Counsell says

National Harbor, Md. — It didn’t take long for the Milwaukee Brewers to undergo a 75% turnover in starting players in the infield since the end of the 2016 season.

First, Eric Thames was signed to a three-year deal after playing for three years in Korea. Then, third baseman Travis Shaw was acquired from Boston in a trade Tuesday that sent closer Tyler Thornburg to the Red Sox.

The Shaw deal meant Jonathan Villar would move from third base to second, leaving shortstop Orlando Arcia as the only starter to return at the same position. And he has all of two months on the job.

Assuming second baseman Scooter Gennett is not traded, he becomes a bench player. And super utility man Hernan Perez provides backup at every infield spot if needed.

“Right now, when I look at our position player group, we’ve created some balance there, and depth, and protection, and choices on a daily basis,” manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday at baseball’s winter meetings.

“That’s what (general manager) David (Stearns) was after, to create that. Then you feel like you’ll put guys in position to succeed.”

The Brewers played poorly in the field in 2016, in large part because Villar made 17 errors in 108 games at short before Arcia was summoned and 12 errors in 42 games after moving to third base. Counsell believes things will go more smoothly with Arcia up all season and the athletic Villar playing at second base.

A lot will depend on how Thames, a former outfielder, and Shaw perform at the infield corners.

“From my perspective, we have some unknowns,” Counsell said. “If we can get Villar and Arcia every day in the middle, I think we can be steady and solid there. Defensively, I think it’s a good spot for (Villar). We think it’s going to be his best position.

“I’d love Thames or Shaw to be guys you plug in there every single day. That’s what everybody wants. We need some guys to play on both sides of righty and lefty starters. Perez is somebody that’s going to be important — part of the depth and protection. He’s going to be an important part of this on the corners.”

One of the two prospects acquired with Shaw, right-hander Josh Pennington, had a bone chip removed from his elbow after the season but general manager David Stearns said he should be ready to throw off a mound in camp. Stearns said Pennington might be held back at the outset of the season to be sure he’s ready to pitch.

Standing pat: The Brewers are giving no indication they are looking for catching help. They finished the 2016 season with Martin Maldonado, Manny Piña and Andrew Susac on their roster, and Counsell said he’s fine taking that trio to camp.

“I feel good about our catching situation,” Counsell said. “I think Maldy is an underrated player. I think Piña and Susac are major-league catchers.”

The backup until Jonathan Lucroy was traded to Texas, Maldonado never has hit much in the majors (.640 OPS, 28 HRs, 111 RBI in 355 games) but is a strong defender. Susac, 26, and Piña, 29, have limited experience (96 games and 33 games, respectively), in the majors.

“We look at all three of those guys of being capable of catching more in the major leagues than they have to date,” Stearns said. “Maldy is an elite defensive catcher. There are many ways that catchers can create value on the field. He does a nice job on the other side of the ball.”

Mulling Rule 5: Stearns was going to meet with his staff Wednesday night to discuss the possibility of selecting a player in the Rule 5 draft Thursday morning. The Brewers have one opening on their 40-man roster if they choose to use it and will pick no lower than ninth.

“Every year there are guys you can dream on in the Rule 5 draft,” Stearns said. “It leads to some of the more enjoyable conversations we have. We have some fun with it; we debate. There are always strongly held opinions.

“At the end of it, we’ll have a Rule 5 strategy and determine if we want to make a pick. We do recognize that for a player to stick the entire season (as required), he has to be major-league ready. Sometimes, it’s tough to accomplish that.”

There is some thought that the Brewers might lose a player in that draft such as left-hander Wei-Chung Wang or outfielder Kyle Wren.