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Having slept on it, I am convinced that I need to at least discuss a possible trade with Jacksonville for Stephenson.
They are likely motivated to trade him as a budding superstar (Jesus Casiano) has emerged at that position for them and Stephenson is getting little playing time and has little value to them at this point. And although his performance has suffered this season, at his age and with his talent profile he should be at least a slightly above average thirdbaseman for several years to come.
The other reality is that the only legitimate thirdbase prospect we have at this point is Jose Careaga, who likely needs at least one more full minor league season before joining the Brewers and whose potential doesn't look to be any better than Stephenson's current skill level and probably even a bit lower.
Having said that, I hope to find a way to swing this deal without giving up Rondeau. Although I recognize that in the long run I may need to deal Rondeau, I would like to keep him around for at least one more season as some of our younger outfield prospects move up through the minors. Plus, where the Brewers used to be a little left-handed batter heavy, the shift right now is to being unbalanced in the other direction. And our two best left-handed hitters- Tanner Yurek (currently on the DL and out for at least 5 weeks with a hamstring injury) and Antonio Puente- are both having very poor seasons at the plate. Rondeau is our best left-handed bat currently.
So I find myself contemplating offering up Jamel McNeil in this deal instead of Rondeau. And while as a reliever he is relatively less valuable perhaps in trade, he does remain one of the most talented, if not the most talented, closers in the game. Depending upon how I put together the package, I suspect Jacksonville might go for this. McNeil has been alternating between being unhittable and blowing saves and of course, as discussed previously, is a disruptive force in the clubhouse. But his loss will hurt the Brewers bullpen. With a good deal of relief talent coming up through the ranks it will hopefully be a short-term hurt. And if Stephenson helps the offense score more runs it might be a good trade-off.
The other thought is offering up starting pitcher Diego Ramirez, whose injury-proneness counter-balances his pure talent (which is probably the best on the staff). With the loss of Malolu to season-ending injury, the staff is thin at this point. So that could be problematic and would require that everyone else stay healthy the rest of the season.
Push come to shove, it's possible I let go of Rondeau for Stephenson. I really hope it doesn't come to that though.
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