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Around SBN: Uga VII, Requiescat in Pace: A Tribute to a Damn Good 'Dawg

Friday's Frosty Mug

Here are some things to read while waiting for Monday's Mug.

So you may have heard that Ken Macha is the new manager of the Milwaukee Brewers. Reaction from around the web:

  • In-Between Hops has some stats showing Macha's tendencies. The Cliff's Notes version: don't expect a lot of base stealing, pinch hitting or sac bunts. I'm ok with most of that. My question, though, is whether those stats are a function of Macha's management style or the environment in which he worked in Oakland.
  • Two-Fisted Slopper also uses the numbers to develop an expectation of what's to come.
  • The JS Blog has audio from the press conference.
  • If you like knowing what was said at press conferences but don't actually like to listen to things, Al also chronicled it for you.
  • Ken Rosenthal notes some problems Macha had with his veteran players in Oakland. The Brewers downplay it in this link.
  • View From Bernie's Chalet likes the contrast between Macha and Ned Yost.
  • The Brew Town Beat likes the move as well, but raises some questions about Macha's relationships and his aversion to small ball.

So now, the next question: what about Mike Maddux? Baseball Musings is reporting that Mike Maddux and Rick Peterson are both considering the jobs in Milwaukee and Texas, and the only question is who ends up where.

We're probably going to hear a bunch of stories like this for a while: "So, now that the Mariners have a GM that used to work for the Brewers, does that mean they'll trade for (Brewer)?" Today's name in the blank is J.J. Hardy. I'm not sure the Mariners could offer anything in return that would be interesting enough for me to be happy about the trade.

Of course, there is still a hole at third base. Beyond the Box Score says Russell Branyan was the 20th best third baseman in 2008, generating 11 runs with his bat and saving 2 in the field. Bill Hall doesn't crack the top 25.

Eric Seidman of FanGraphs has been compiling a list of his favorite highlights from this season. His #1 highlight is CC Sabathia. I think an awful lot of us agree.

Sabathia was not one of the five Brewers who filed for free agency yesterday, on the first day of fifteen when it's allowed. I've always felt like filing that early creates the feeling that you can't wait to run out the door. If you haven't read it yet, the five Brewers who did file yesterday were Eric Gagne, Gabe Kapler, Mike Lamb, Ben Sheets and Brian Shouse. Here are some other players that filed for free agency yesterday:

Angels: Mark Teixiera, Garret Anderson, Jon Garland
Braves: Will Ohman, Greg Norton, Julian Tavarez
Cardinals: Braden Looper, Cesar Izturis, Felipe Lopez, Jason LaRue, Ron Villone, Russ Springer
Dodgers: Manny Ramirez, Joe Beimel, Casey Blake, Derek Lowe, Greg Maddux
Marlins: Paul Lo Duca
Mets: Oliver Perez, Damion Easley, Matt Wise
Nationals: Chad Cordero, Ryan Wagner, Pete Orr
Padres: Trevor Hoffman
Reds: Jeremy Affeldt, Mike Lincoln
Twins: Eddie Guardado, Nick Punto, Dennys Reyes

UPDATE: Cubs Ryan Dempster, Jim Edmonds, Chad Fox and Bob Howry filed too.

Also, the White Sox declined Ken Griffey's option and the Tigers declined theirs on Edgar Renteria, so they're free agents too.

One trade has already been made: the Royals acquired 1B Mike Jacobs from the Marlins for RP Leo Nunez. Jacobs has above average power but a sub-.300 OBP.

Finally, how many players that can't handle the glove are in the Brewers' farm system? TheJay noted today that Brendan Katin posted a .926 fielding percentage in AAA this season, in the outfield. How is that possible?

Drink up.

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Katin

Must’ve gone to the Roy Johnson School of Outfielding.

If filing on the first day of free agency creates the feeling you can’t wait to run out the door, does declining options on the first day of free agency create the feeling of an ungrateful booting?

Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.

by TheJay on Oct 31, 2008 9:29 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Nah

Those options could have been declined pretty much anytime. In fact, if teams waited this long odds are they’re running out of time…the Brewers only have 4 days left to figure out what they’re doing with Cameron.

I don't specifically articulate my motives, because that wouldn't travel as well as a boo does.

by KLSnow on Oct 31, 2008 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

We should change the poll.

So that “I wanted Bobby Valentine” is an option.

For now I guess I will go with yes, though.

Eric Gagne DL time: May 23-June 29 Brewers record in that span: 20-9

by NoahJ on Oct 31, 2008 10:39 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Updated

To include four Cubs who filed for free agency too.

Really, I just wanted an excuse to add four more tags, and get it over 50.

I don't specifically articulate my motives, because that wouldn't travel as well as a boo does.

by KLSnow on Oct 31, 2008 12:25 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Ohh Bob Howry! We should pick him up,.. I still can’t honestly understand why he made the post season roster. He’s pretty bad…

by SgtClueLs on Oct 31, 2008 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

new Brewer McGehee has one fan

Jim Seimas in the Mercury News says he has a legitimate shot to be on the major league roster in ’09.

by ol Pete on Oct 31, 2008 2:14 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Depends on the terms

But if Sheets was desperate enough to take a one-year deal with a bunch of performance bonuses (innings pitched, etc.), I wouldn’t be upset.

Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.

by TheJay on Oct 31, 2008 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'd take him...

For the right price of course. I’m really curious to see what kind of contract he ends up with.

by Supertramp on Oct 31, 2008 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Seconded.

And with Sabathia, Derek Lowe, A.J. Burnett, Ryan Dempster and Oliver Perez on the market, there’s actually a chance Sheets might have to settle for a shorter deal.

I don't specifically articulate my motives, because that wouldn't travel as well as a boo does.

by KLSnow on Nov 1, 2008 7:56 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I hope he's back

He was rode like a pony express horse in the middle of the season.

by ol Pete on Oct 31, 2008 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Weird

Hard to explain to people how I look forward to a Frosty Mug at 9 in the morning on a weekday, but then don’t touch the stuff on the weekend.

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Oct 31, 2008 3:53 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Counsell's option not picked up

Also, Dillon picked up by the Athletics.

by ol Pete on Oct 31, 2008 6:23 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

not the mariners?

it’s like a love triangle out there…

by PagsBrewCrew on Oct 31, 2008 9:47 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

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