Some things to read while correcting bad information.
What does the future hold for Prince Fielder? It's tough to tell at this point, but HotStove.com asked that question of myself, JD from View From Bernie's Chalet and Jared of Right Field Bleachers, and received these responses. Meanwhile, David Gassko of The Hardball Times has a look at career projections, and has Fielder finishing his career with 513 home runs, and a 21.8% chance of reaching 764. Ryan Braun, by the way, projects for 372 home runs and a 3.5% chance.
Speaking of Braun and Fielder, they both told Adam McCalvy that Hanley Ramirez is their favorite player, but also mentioned each other as part of their lists (FanShot).
Corey Hart's arbitration future is somewhat uncertain, but In-Between Hops has a look at some comparable players and their salaries, and thinks Hart and his agent stand a good chance of winning their case.
Howie Magner of Milwaukee Magazine was at Brewers On Deck this weekend, and cited the large attendance numbers and patience of fans waiting in line as a sign that "the disappointing 2009 season hasn’t stopped their fans from caring."
In the minors, we got some relatively surprising news yesterday, as 2008 14th round pick Corey Kemp told The Interrogation Room that he's decided to retire instead of being the starting first baseman at Brevard County this spring (FanShot). Kemp is just 23 years old, and led the Rattlers in batting average (.282), OBP (.376) and doubles (31) last season, while splitting time between catcher and first base, earning a brief promotion to Huntsville to close out the season.
We also learned that Timber Rattler Pitching Coach Chris Hook is on Twitter.
At the Caribbean World Series:
- Martin Maldonado went 1-for-2 yesterday with a bloop single before being pinch hit for in the seventh inning of Puerto Rico's 2-1 loss to the Dominican Republic. Former Brewer Kevin Barker hit the game-winning home run.
- In the other game, Mexico defeated Venezuela 7-2 behind a walk, double and home run from 42-year-old Vinny Castilla, who scored three runs.
File these under "Miscellaneous:"
- Tom Haudricourt will be chatting with fans on Monday, and they've opened up the form for you to send in your questions.
- Wezen-ball ranked MLB stadiums by the statues outside, and has the Brewers (and their statues of Robin Yount, Hank Aaron and Workers) ranked 19th.
- The Brewers were the #8 seed in the NL and advanced to the second round of Knuckle Curve Semi-Drop's MLB Jam tournament.
Around baseball:
Blue Jays: Signed Kevin Gregg to a one year, $2.75 million deal with team options for 2011 and 2012.
Dodgers: Signed Jeff Weaver, Ramon Ortiz and Alfredo Amezaga to minor league deals.
Giants: Signed Guillermo Mota to a minor league deal.
Nationals: Signed Kevin Mench to a minor league deal (FanShot).
Padres: Avoided arbitration with Scott Hairston, who will earn $2.45 million in 2010.
The toughest part of this time of year for Bill Hall is finding a new excuse for previous struggles. Last year it was eyesight, and he had Lasik surgery. The year before that it was the move to the outfield, and he was moving back to the infield. This year, he told John Tomase of The Boston Herald that a 2007 high ankle sprain messed up his mechanics. Fortunately, this year it's not the Brewers' problem.
If you're in the mood for some statistical analysis today, Harry Pavlidis of The Hardball Times has a look at batted ball types, and how they change at various levels of the minors.
A strange thing happened yesterday: I ventured outside of my normal realm with a poem about Seth McClung, and for once no one stopped by to remind me that I suck or accuse me of ruining this site. With that said, it could be worse: I could be writing poetry about Casey Blake's beard.
Happy birthday today for former Seattle Pilot Wayne Comer, who turns 66.
And finally, I know I've mentioned it before, but I wanted to take a moment one more time to say thank you to friend of the site Dan Walsh, whose final post at the Daily Drink ran this morning.
Drink up.