Jake Bauers making Brewers impending roster decision difficult

Hoskins has been on the IL since early July with a thumb sprain. He is currently on minor league rehab assignment where over 13 games he has a .271/.351/.479 slash line that includes a pair of home runs and four doubles. As reported by Adam McCalvy at MLB.com, he must be reinstated by September 9 his fit on the Brewers right now is a “hot topic” among executives.

Should the Brewers seriously consider rostering Rhys Hoskins, Andrew Vaughn, and Jake Bauers simultaneously?

Carrying three primary first basemen isn’t a conventional roster move, but with the season entering its final stretch, the playoffs on the horizon, and all of these players being unable to be optioned to the minor leagues without being exposed to waivers, Milwaukee should seriously consider prioritizing offense and keeping their best bats on the active roster.

Of the group, Bauers is arguably the most debated candidate to retain. In two seasons with the Brewers, he han’t hit above .200, but he’s delivered in key moments, has become a threat on the bases, and is the only left-handed hitter of the three. His case is bolstered by last year’s postseason performance, where he earned a spot on the playoff roster and hit a clutch, go-ahead pinch-hit home run in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series.

Vaughn cooled off in August, posting a .250/.320/.375 slash line after an explosive first month where he hit .365/.426/.731. However, he’s long been known as a streaky hitter and continues to be a tough out for opposing pitchers. Despite the dip, he’s shown more than enough to prove he belongs to stick around on the best team in baseball.

The smartest strategy might not be choosing just one first baseman, but rather keeping all three, riding the hot hand, and rotating one into the DH spot when possible. That said, once Christian Yelich is healthy, Milwaukee will likely want to keep him off his feet by using him as the primary designated hitter, especially given his back issue that has crept up late in the season.

With neither Hoskins, Vaughn, or Bauers eligible for a minor league option, without passing through waivers and being removed from the 40-man roster, keeping all three gives Milwaukee flexibility to mix and match based on matchups and momentum. In the postseason, production matters more than tradition, and having the freedom to roll with whoever’s swinging the hottest bat could give the Brewers a key edge.