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Wednesday's Frosty Mug

Some things to read while I work on the logistics of this.

No matter how ugly this offseason gets, at least we know it won't be this bad: The Brewers are not interested in a reunion with Eric Gagne, who spent the 2009 season pitching in the independent Can-Am League. I'm guessing interest in his services will be pretty light.

Speaking of moves that probably won't be made, Ken Rosenthal says the Brewers are unlikely to make a deal to clear up the logjam in their infield, unless "the pitching equivalent of Mat Gamel" is on the table. I'm not sure where the Brewers will find ABs for both Gamel and McGehee, but I'd guess Gamel might start 2010 in AAA if both return.

It's a light news day, so I scraped the bottom of the barrel for a roundup of players that have been mentioned in association with the Brewers over the last few weeks:
  • Brewer Paradise Lost ended their long hiatus with a post advocating for signing Jarrod Washburn.
  • Jack Moore of FanGraphs looks at Edwin Jackson's improved 2009 season, and says he still shouldn't be considered an elite pitcher.
  • Meanwhile, Dave Allen of FanGraphs looks at Joel Pineiro's decreasing walk rate and ability to get ground balls.
  • Lyle Spencer of MLB.com says John Lackey is believed to be seeking "Barry Zito dollars." This could be a great deal, as Zito dollars look great on the surface but perform at a tiny percentage of their expected worth.
  • If Craig Counsell really is considering offers from other teams this offseason, Omar Vizquel might be one name mentioned as a possible replacement. Vizquel, however, appears to want to play for a higher-profile team. The Phillies are the early favorite to sign him.
  • Dayn Perry lists Mike Cameron to the Cardinals as one of ten moves that need to happen this offseason.
After weeks of wondering about his whereabouts, TheJay found Adam Heether yesterday...sort of. A news story from his Venezuelan team's home page says Heether can't be released while he's injured. There's no mention of the details of the injury, or why they would want to release him in the first place...Heether was hitting .214/.389/.371 in his first 21 games.

Elsewhere in the minors, Wisconsin Sports Tap has ranked the top 15 outfielders in the Brewer system. The cupboard is pretty bare at the upper levels of the minors, but there's good depth in the lower levels that could develop into an organizational strength.

Just one transaction of note today:

Phillies: Removed infielder Eric Bruntlett from their 40-man roster.

I don't know why I waited this long to mention this, because it makes me laugh nearly every day: If you haven't seen it yet, you should be checking out the "Faces" series at Lookout Landing.

Over the last decade, we've seen major organizational shifts across baseball to emphasize the development and value of prospects. Minor League Baseball is setting record attendance numbers as fans come out to see the players of the future, and teams are taking great strides to protect their investments. Why, then, are the same players being fed a steady diet of junk food before and after games? Garrett Broshuis has a look at he diet of minor leaguers, and the challenges they face trying to find healthy options.

In yesterday's Fall/Winter League Update, I mentioned that D-Backs first baseman Conor Jackson is leading all Dominican batters with a .561 OBP this winter. That's even more impressive when you remember a detail I forgot: Jackson is recovering from Valley Fever, which cost him a large portion of the 2009 season.

B-Ref sponsorships are a great way to help support a site many of us use every day and frequently take for granted, but they're also a great opportunity for jokes: Baseball Junk Drawer has a top ten list of the best page sponsorship comments. (h/t Beyond the Box Score)

Happy birthday today to:
  • Matt Wise, who posted a 3.93 ERA in 175 games as a Brewer and turns 34.
  • 1991-1992 Brewer Dante Bichette, who turns 46.
  • Mike Felder, who spent 1985-1990 as a Brewer and turns 48.
Today is also the 41st anniversary of the birth of Gary Sheffield. While "Happy birthday" doesn't really seem appropriate, it merited acknowledgment.

I missed it yesterday, but today appears to be another Woot-off Day.

Oh, and don't forget to check the IQ. (h/t @AccidentalWI)

Drink up.

0 recs  |  Comment 54 comments |

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My guess on Heether is that he got hurt before his designated release date, so the team technically can’t release him until he gets cleared by the doctors. It’s obviously not a performance based release, so… that’s my guess.

I’ve got my source in the Dominican Republic looking into it. That’s as close to Venezuela as my sources get.

by Mykenk on Nov 18, 2009 9:16 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

What if he had a torn ACL?

Can he not come back for 8 months (or whatever the time frame is)?

by NoahJ on Nov 18, 2009 12:58 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

He'll show up on "Locked Up Abroad"

On the National Geographic Channel..

Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".

by tcyoung on Nov 18, 2009 1:24 PM CST up reply actions   1 recs

I'm not sure we should take 'release' literally

See: Sheets, Ben. He remained under the Brewers care through a good amount of time up until the surgery. When the Brewers’ contractual obligation to his injury was fulfilled, they released him from their care. Perhaps this is the same thing. Probably to ensure that the parent MLB club doesn’t file legal proceedings or something?

I don’t have a category for "washed-up guys who may or may not be dominant big-league closers sometime soon."

~Jeff Sackmann

by Charlie Marlow on Nov 18, 2009 1:24 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Could be a VWL roster thing, too

Maybe you can’t release injured players just to make room for new, healthy ones – of course players come and go a lot in winter ball so who knows. I’d guess Heether is back in Milwaukee or wherever he lives for injury treatment just so the Brewers can monitor things more easily.

by TheJay on Nov 18, 2009 3:15 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, there's that too

In any case, its probably not a situation where his team is like “sorry bud, you can’t leave Caracas until you’re healthy!”

I don’t have a category for "washed-up guys who may or may not be dominant big-league closers sometime soon."

~Jeff Sackmann

by Charlie Marlow on Nov 18, 2009 3:45 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

on funny B-R sponsorships

I recall the Carl Pavano one being hilarious, but I don’t remember why and that sponsorship has expired. It may have been due to the joke I’ve seen several places about the AL renaming their 60-day DL after him (the NL equivalent would be named after Mike Hampton.)

by morineko on Nov 18, 2009 9:22 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

"Why, then, are the same players being fed a steady diet of junk food before and after games?"

…and during.

why is candy in the MLB bullpen? I remember a story about a new guy (Stetter?) in the 2008 bullpen having to carry around a bag full of candy and treats.

by PagsBrewCrew on Nov 18, 2009 9:31 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

How else are McClung and Coffey going to keep their girlish figure

and by that, I mean their great racks

"That's not a weird stat. Rickie is a run-scorer," Yost said. "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter," Yost told reporters. "See, you guys have no concept. He's a run-scorer. So there's nothing weird about it. That's what he does."

by Hyatt on Nov 18, 2009 9:53 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

From other stories

I think the bag is largely full of gum and sunflower seeds.

That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.

by Kyle Lobner on Nov 18, 2009 10:16 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

and energy drinks

I don’t recall seeing candy in the bag—fruit, seeds, and gum, yes. (Two games sitting directly behind the bullpen in Detroit will show you a lot of what the pitchers do in there. Considering how bad the games were for the Brewers, the show in the ’pen was more interesting.)

by morineko on Nov 18, 2009 10:26 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Yesterday

Yesterday was an incredibly slow news day. I expect today to be a polar opposite. I’m guessing mlbtr will be lighting up with rumors of teams interested in various free agents.

Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".

by tcyoung on Nov 18, 2009 9:38 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

So if Cameon goes to the Cardinals

do you think maybe they’ll untuck their shirts after games?

by levnclf on Nov 18, 2009 9:44 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Only when making cameos

Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".

by tcyoung on Nov 18, 2009 10:22 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

STL untucking would be either funny or ironic

Either that, or Cam would be shunned. I think I might enjoy observing the situation to see which outcome develops.

You've got a couple screws missin' up in your toolbox, if you think that you'll stop this man from hittin' moonshots.

by hawing on Nov 18, 2009 11:24 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Yes

Since then it will be traditional baseball played the right way.

by SgtClueLs on Nov 18, 2009 11:31 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

So then...

What should the Brewers adopt as their new move? It has to be something that delights fans while driving STL nation crazy.

You've got a couple screws missin' up in your toolbox, if you think that you'll stop this man from hittin' moonshots.

by hawing on Nov 18, 2009 9:43 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Too hard to see

unless you’re sitting in the front row of the field level. And sober.

You've got a couple screws missin' up in your toolbox, if you think that you'll stop this man from hittin' moonshots.

by hawing on Nov 19, 2009 10:39 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Today's Transaction

That’ll teach Bruntlett to turn another triple play.

by TheJay on Nov 18, 2009 9:47 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

I didn't think of it at first

But Bruntlett is probably another candidate to be the new Counsell. He’s done everything but catch, and he’s played 181 games at short.

That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.

by Kyle Lobner on Nov 18, 2009 10:18 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Rule 5

TheJay was on the same page as the Brewers’ FO. They added Rivas and Cain to the 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft.

Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, "That’s all they need is another home run hitter".

by tcyoung on Nov 18, 2009 10:26 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

FanShotted on the front page.

That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.

by Kyle Lobner on Nov 18, 2009 10:49 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Man...

I’m just ready for the season to get started already…

Although, the Packers have been enough of an enigma to keep me frustrated, happy, angry, hopeful and doubtful this football season….

Maybe Prince should try out for Left Tackle next year… be a two sport guy…

Goooooo-mez!

by Drew C on Nov 18, 2009 10:29 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Maybe my grandmother could try being left tackle

They’ll get about the same quality of play, but for league minimum.

by ecocd on Nov 18, 2009 12:50 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Umm

Sooooo…what’s the harm in inviting Gagne to spring training? Give him a few months to work on his cutter, remind him that this is probably his last chance to pitch in the majors…what can it hurt? Heck, we’re still in negotiations with Mark Moldy - I don’t think we’re in a position to look down on anyone with a pulse who’s willing to start.

Also, I hope Lackey’s agent doesn’t refer to “Barry Zito money” in working teams over for his client. Nothing says “you can’t go wrong my giving my pitcher-client oodles of cash” like allusions to Barry Zito.

"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 Nov 18, 2009 10:37 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

The history is no good

I don’t think he can play for Milwaukee just because of bad blood from the fans. Normally I’d say screw the fans and field the best team you can, but his situation was truly exceptional in Milwaukee.

Plus, there are only so many innings in Spring Training so you still need to pick and choose your reclamation projects with some care.

by ecocd on Nov 18, 2009 12:54 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

“Plus, there are only so many innings in Spring Training so you still need to pick and choose your reclamation projects with some care.”

That is my issue with him coming to ST, I know others had a similar point last year when he was in camp.

I always thought he handled himself well dispite his struggles in Milwaukee and I know he went above and beyond with local charities. Sure some fans will boo him — casuals (yeah, I went there….), but if came back at the minimum and didn’t suck I think most would be fine with it.

The problem is I don’t think anyone in baseball has faith in him to come back and not suck.

by Supertramp on Nov 18, 2009 2:42 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I'd actually agree here
I always thought he handled himself well dispite his struggles in Milwaukee and I know he went above and beyond with local charities. Sure some fans will boo him — casuals (yeah, I went there….), but if came back at the minimum and didn’t suck I think most would be fine with it.

Never forget, he essentially stepped down as the closer because he realized how terribly he was sucking. That takes some balls, and a huge measure of swallowing his pride.

I don’t have a category for "washed-up guys who may or may not be dominant big-league closers sometime soon."

~Jeff Sackmann

by Charlie Marlow on Nov 18, 2009 3:47 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Must we use "balls" and "swallowing" in the same sentence?

"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 Nov 19, 2009 7:12 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I think the harm was created in his last trip to ST

I had thought the reason Gagne was released was that the Brewers thought he needed surgery on his shoulder and he didn’t want to do it (and still hasn’t) and they didn’t have the time or money to have him sit on the DL and rest it. If they or any other team thinks he still has lingering injury issues despite the 100+ IP in ‘09, nobody’s going to show any interest.

On the other hand with Mulder, I’d imagine his issues have been adequately documented by the Cardinals. You’d hope so, at least.

by morineko on Nov 18, 2009 1:50 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

and in weak-hitting catcher news

The Red Sox released George Kottaras. He can’t hit any better than Kendall or Rivera, but he’s cheaper.

by morineko on Nov 18, 2009 10:52 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

And he's a Brewer!

Per THwitter


@Haudricourt Brewers claim catcher George Kottaras off waivers from Boston. http://www.jsonline.com/blo...

by Supertramp on Nov 18, 2009 2:33 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

FanShotted on the front page.

You know, you guys could be FanShotting these yourselves… ;-)

That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.

by Kyle Lobner on Nov 18, 2009 2:55 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Going straight to the end of the post

There is indeed another Woot Off in progress. They haven’t reached the bag of crap yet, so you still have time.

"There is no tomorrow for you, and that makes you very dangerous people."--Jimmy McGinty (Gene Hackman) The Replacements

Time is an illusion--lunch time doubly so.

by snowyman28 on Nov 18, 2009 11:37 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

I keep forgetting how much I love Zack Greinke
"That’s pretty much how I pitch, to try to keep my FIP as low as possible," Greinke said.

E: George 4 (5, throw, throw, throw, throw).

by Jordan M on Nov 18, 2009 6:19 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Yeah that's liked in my google reader

awesome quote.

I don’t have a category for "washed-up guys who may or may not be dominant big-league closers sometime soon."

~Jeff Sackmann

by Charlie Marlow on Nov 18, 2009 7:16 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Site tagline

I don’t know who made it, but I’d vote to modify

Covering the Milwaukee Brewers’ offseason in painstaking detail.

to “Covering the Milwaukee Brewers’ offseason the way the Milwaukee Brewers’ offseason fears”.

E: George 4 (5, throw, throw, throw, throw).

by Jordan M on Nov 18, 2009 9:55 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

I made the initial modification, for two reasons:

1) It’s been a couple of weeks since the Gomez trade, and even longer since the Greinke rumor, so it was time.
2) The tagline always needs to have “Milwaukee Brewers” in it, for search engine reasons.

That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.

by Kyle Lobner on Nov 19, 2009 6:48 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I would prefer

Covering the Milwaukee Brewers offseason one face-palm at a time.

Applying Simpsons and Star Wars quotes to Brewers discussions since 2009.

by Yar Nivek on Nov 18, 2009 10:23 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Ha

That’ll get my vote.

I don’t have a category for "washed-up guys who may or may not be dominant big-league closers sometime soon."

~Jeff Sackmann

by Charlie Marlow on Nov 18, 2009 10:25 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Suggestion accepted

That's all I've got for you today, unless you're interested in some Chris Capuano/Tom Haudricourt Fan Fiction.

by Kyle Lobner on Nov 19, 2009 6:47 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

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