Thursday's Frosty Mug
by Kyle Lobner on Dec 15, 2011 9:13 AM CST
in Milwaukee Brewers News
Email
Print
Some things to read while being more careful with your stars.
We're 65 days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Maryvale, and yesterday's big story was Aramis Ramirez's introductory press conference. Todd Rosiak was in attendance and has the story. Ramirez will wear #16 as a Brewer, with George Kottaras switching to #9.
By the way, if you're reading this morning's Mug on the front page you'll notice that Ramirez and Kottaras' new numbers are reflected on the 40 man roster on your left, which is freshly updated. Thanks to -JP- for cleaning up the mess over there, which until this morning still showed Daniel Ray Herrera and Brett Carroll as members of the team.
With Ramirez in the fold the Brewers' Opening Day payroll projects to be somewhere between $95-100 million, which will easily be a record. Howie Magner noted that it looks like Mark Attanasio is willing to lose some money this season in an effort to put a contending team on the field. Let that be your daily reminder that this franchise has one of baseball's best owners.
Beyond that, yesterday was a pretty quiet day. This morning's second biggest news story might be Ryan Braun's legal representation: His agency has hired David Cornwell to serve as their counsel, and he has a pretty significant depth of experience defending clients in drug testing disputes. This week's BCB Tracking Poll shows a majority of voters haven't decided yet regarding Braun's guilt or innocence and are waiting for more details to emerge.
The Brewers, meanwhile, say they're continuing with business as usual while the Braun situation plays out. Doug Melvin says he first learned about the positive test and possible suspension when Tim Kurkijian told him about it at the Winter Meetings.
Today's a pretty good day for rumor and speculation, so let's move on to that. The Crawfish Boxes listed the Brewers as the top candidate to acquire Carlos Lee, but says they'd be surprised if he waived his no-trade clause to accept that deal.
Camden Chat is taking on a pretty cool project this winter, trying to put together one trade the Orioles could make with each major league team. Their Brewer installment in the series has them sending pitcher Jeremy Guthrie and first baseman Mark Reynolds to Milwaukee in exchange for Nick Bucci and Michael Fiers.
This is the spot in the Mug where I dump Prince Fielder notes:
- Larry Stone of the Seattle Times wonders if Fielder would be the biggest free agent signing in Seattle sports history.
- Chicken Friars wonders how Fielder would look as a Padre...but then decides they're better off without him.
In the minors:
- Edwin Maysonet had three hits last night for Caguas in their 4-3 loss to Mayaguez in Puerto Rico, raising his batting line to .362/.400/.447 in 14 games. You can read about that and more in today's Winter League Notes.
- It's been eight days since Mat Gamel appeared in a winter league game. It's possible he's returned home, but if that's the case then his winter league season was only 15 games long.
- I've found more video from the Arizona Fall League: Here's Kentrail Davis hitting a triple.
Projection season usually doesn't start until after Christmas, but at least one writer is getting an early jump on it this year: 2012's first CAIRO projections have the Brewers going 92-70 and taking the Central by two games over the Cardinals. (h/t BBTF)
This morning's Mug is the 988th in Brewer history. Since we all love big, round numbers, I'm hoping you'll join me to celebrate The Night Of (Approximately) 1000 Mugs on January 3.
Around baseball:
Astros: Acquired infielder Jed Lowrie and pitcher Kyle Weiland from the Red Sox for pitcher Mark Melancon and designated infielder Brian Bixler for assignment.
Giants: Re-signed pitcher Guillermo Mota to a one year, $1 million deal.
Mariners: Re-signed catcher Chris Gimenez to a one year deal.
Nationals: Signed pitcher Waldis Joaquin to a minor league deal.
Pirates: Signed pitcher Ryota Igarashi to a minor league deal.
Red Sox: Signed infielder Nick Punto to a two year, $3.5 million deal.
Twins: Signed third baseman Sean Burroughs, catcher Rene Rivera and pitcher P.J. Walters to minor league deals and are expected to sign outfielder Josh Willingham to a three year, $21 million deal.
Today in baseball economics: Dave Stewart pitched in the majors for 16 years, won 20 games in four straight seasons, was an All Star and finished in the top five in Cy Young voting four times. But he's Matt Kemp's agent now, and he's making more in that role than he ever made in a single season as a player.
Now, if you'll excuse me, something adorable has taken over my couch.
Drink up.
91 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
What the hell...
Doug Melvin says he first learned about the positive test and possible suspension when Tim Kurkijian told him about it at the Winter Meetings.
That’s probably he day he just turned back around and laid in his room staring at the ceiling all day.
A samurai sword collection. If you can do it. I don’t know if you’re allowed.
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Dec 15, 2011 9:22 AM CST reply actions 3 recs
I don't know how the whole process works
but it’s very possible that the league only notifies the player when initially testing positive and doesn’t contact anyone else until the appeals process is complete. I can see why a player might not want to tell his team about it as it may affect his future with the team… particularly if the appeal ends up being successful.
Interesting that Kurkijian was identified as the source… which explains ESPN’s connection. The question then is… who leaked the info to Kurkijian?
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
Probably one of the two guys who did the story for Outside the Lines.
Now that's great tasting chicken!
Assuming Braun & co. are fairly responsible folks
This signals to me that they truly think they’re going to win. I know they’ve said that all along, but it’s somewhat reassuring to know that they actually assume he’ll be cleared.
by The Left Button on Dec 15, 2011 10:56 AM CST up reply actions
What is this referring to?
A samurai sword collection. If you can do it. I don’t know if you’re allowed.
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Dec 15, 2011 10:59 AM CST up reply actions
No.
Braun knew in October, Melvin knew last week.
by The Left Button on Dec 15, 2011 11:40 AM CST up reply actions
Well...
Until it’s confirmed (appeal over), I think it probably falls under various medical privacy laws. The team probably is only notified if there’s a suspension.
But, as I was saying above, it’s pretty incredible that the Braun camp didn’t give the Brewers a heads up and, to me at least, suggests they firmly believe in their chances of winning.
by The Left Button on Dec 15, 2011 11:50 AM CST up reply actions
I'm not convinced
Being honest I think just about everything Braun has said or done since this came out can either be interpreted as being “he’s damn confident he’ll beat this” or “he’s a lying bastard who’s completely bluffing”. Until we actually get some evidence it could be either…
"I love it when any team called 'The Brew Crew' wins": Tad Kubler
"LOLOL I LOVE YUNI!!!!": ThroughBeingCool
Wouldn't be surprised.
It’s supposed to be a highly confidential process, after all.
We pull our pants up and do our jobs here.
by Rubie Q on Dec 15, 2011 11:53 AM CST via mobile up reply actions 2 recs
This. lol
That dog just won't hunt.
by Bush League All Star on Dec 15, 2011 11:59 AM CST up reply actions
True
But if you work in a higly regulated industry, and in this case, drug testing is a high priority of the league, and they are the ones doing the test…..
As an example, if I were to take some sort of NASD exam, in which results werent instantly known, I would assume my firm would be notified as well as me with a pass or fail grade….
Not if you got a higher score than anyone had ever seen before
"Our attitude is we look at ourselves and we grade ourselves. And even if we don’t like what’s happening on the other side, we don’t make a — it’s not our business" - Tony Larussa
Its logical that if you are a member of an organization
And the organization administers a test on one of your employees, whether you pass or fail both you and the organization should be alerted to the results, no matter what they are.
Two points in response:
(1) Obviously: drug test =/= NASD exam.
(2) Given how hard the players fought against drug testing in the first place, I’d imagine the language in the CBA/JDP/whatever pretty strictly limits the number of people who can learn of the test results, at least until they appeal process has finished.
We pull our pants up and do our jobs here.
by Rubie Q on Dec 15, 2011 1:30 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
You really think that an industry who's employees are 100% union
is going to risk breaking terms of an agreement just to notify an employer?
I really doubt it.
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
"Something always good seems to happen when he's in there. Numbers matched up good."
~RRR
by Charlie Marlow on Dec 15, 2011 1:43 PM CST up reply actions
Except the Brewers aren't the ones doing the testing. MLB is.
And that’s not nearly the same thing as your company giving you a test.
"fortunate, but also lucky"
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Dec 15, 2011 7:07 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I'm pretty sure this is why the JDA exists
so, you know, people don’t rush to judgement before the process is over.
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
"Something always good seems to happen when he's in there. Numbers matched up good."
~RRR
by Charlie Marlow on Dec 15, 2011 1:42 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Exactly
It doesn’t really apply in Braun’s case since he has a long-term contract, but let’s say it happened to someone who had only 1 year left or was still negotiating a contract. If the team is notified of a positive test result, then they might think twice before re-signing him.
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
I really hope he makes the jump next year in Huntsville
He turns 24 in June.
by Cheeseandcorn on Dec 15, 2011 9:56 AM CST up reply actions
Maybe you can "double-mug" a few days to make the numbers equal 1,000
by Chuckiehacks83 on Dec 15, 2011 10:02 AM CST via mobile reply actions
The problem isn't that we're short.
The problem is that I did an extra Mug on Sunday, so we’re running ahead of schedule. As things stand now, Mug #1000 will actually run on Monday, January 2.
Now that's great tasting chicken!
by Kyle Lobner on Dec 15, 2011 10:15 AM CST up reply actions
Well, obviously,
The solution then is you need to take an extra day off. Or, let Mug #1000 be on Jan2, then take Jan3 off to celebrate! Or whatever. It’s your party.
"Aw, people can come up with statistics to prove anything, Kent. Forfty percent of all people know that."
Huh. The article kind of made it sound like Braun's council sucks.
A samurai sword collection. If you can do it. I don’t know if you’re allowed.
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Dec 15, 2011 10:19 AM CST reply actions
counsel*
A samurai sword collection. If you can do it. I don’t know if you’re allowed.
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Dec 15, 2011 10:22 AM CST up reply actions
He should get Counsell to be his counsel when he meets the council.
by Azor on Dec 15, 2011 11:37 AM CST up reply actions 4 recs
f*ck
A samurai sword collection. If you can do it. I don’t know if you’re allowed.
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Dec 15, 2011 12:02 PM CST up reply actions
If we're going down that line
then he could make the basic structural unit of all life into a monarch and then he’d have a c®own-cell.
I defy anyone to come up with a worse effort than that…
"I love it when any team called 'The Brew Crew' wins": Tad Kubler
"LOLOL I LOVE YUNI!!!!": ThroughBeingCool
Have you heard the new Insane Clown Posse single about them making an omelette in prison?
Crow-egg Clown-cell
If Plush had to pick Wearwolf or Vampire, I'm a Wearwolf!
by SRB on Dec 15, 2011 3:50 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Goodness, me.
A samurai sword collection. If you can do it. I don’t know if you’re allowed.
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Dec 15, 2011 3:52 PM CST up reply actions
That's a winner
And by “winner”, I really mean “loser”. But kind of a winner at the same time…
The best bit is that it wouldn’t be anywhere near the top of any list of worst Insane Clown Posse lyrics.
"I love it when any team called 'The Brew Crew' wins": Tad Kubler
"LOLOL I LOVE YUNI!!!!": ThroughBeingCool
Regarding Carlos Lee
I was wondering if this would be coming about, especially since he has been playing 1st base for Houston. I can’t believe that his salary would fit.
I doubt it would happen for a couple of reasons
1. The Astros would have to pickup a decent portion (at least half) of his salary ($18.5M).
2. Lee would have to waive his no-trade clause. He might do it if he went to a contender (like the Brewers), but only if he’s going to start (not the Brewers). I think the Brewers are ready to give Gamel a shot at 1B, so Lee would only back him up. If Braun is suspended, then he would could start in LF during that time, but once Braun is back, Lee would be headed to the bench.
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
3. Who would the Brewers be willing to trade and would the Astros even be interested in him?
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
Gamel
A samurai sword collection. If you can do it. I don’t know if you’re allowed.
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Dec 15, 2011 10:51 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah.
A samurai sword collection. If you can do it. I don’t know if you’re allowed.
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Dec 15, 2011 10:59 AM CST up reply actions
I don't think the Astros expect to get much in return for Carlos Lee..
If Plush had to pick Wearwolf or Vampire, I'm a Wearwolf!
Carlos Lee? Really? we already signed Aramis Ramirez...
how much more lazy-no-hustle do we really want on the team?
I think you are confusing Carlos Lee and Aramis Ramirez with Johnny Estrada.
No worries.
If Plush had to pick Wearwolf or Vampire, I'm a Wearwolf!
Kottaras number 9?? What about Josh Wilson???
Oh wait.
You gotta eat lightning and crap thunder, Plush!
by brewersfanatic on Dec 15, 2011 10:55 AM CST reply actions
Who?
A samurai sword collection. If you can do it. I don’t know if you’re allowed.
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Dec 15, 2011 10:58 AM CST up reply actions
Nevermind.
I think he’s a singer or something.
You gotta eat lightning and crap thunder, Plush!
by brewersfanatic on Dec 15, 2011 11:10 AM CST up reply actions
Hopefully Kottaras did get a good paycheck out of changing numbers
In the new collective bargaining agreement, changing numbers is now a costly process now unless proper notification is given.
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
I remember hearing a story about Jeff Feagles
When he was punter for the New York Giants, he had been wearing #10, which Eli Manning wanted. So Eli bought Feagles an outdoor kitchen as payment for the number. Then Feagles switched to #17, which Plaxico Burress would end up wanting, so Feagles charged Burress a family vacation to get #17.
I would hope that Kottaras charged Ramirez something.
You gotta eat lightning and crap thunder, Plush!
by brewersfanatic on Dec 15, 2011 11:27 AM CST up reply actions
Burress ending up never paying Feagles
at least that’s the story Feagles put out there to the media in revenge
it's only costly because players would have to go out and buy up MLBs inventory
something tells me that the MLB warehouses don’t have many Kottaras jerseys in stock…
Right
Plus, it says “changing their number during the season”. The season hasn’t started yet.
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
It also says that number change requests have to be in by July 31 to be used for the next season.
From here on out, players who want to change their numbers have to give MLB eight months notice. As Belson points out, that means requests for a number change will have to be submitted by July 31 for the next season. So anyone who wants to bust a slump or pay tribute to a favorite player will really have to attach himself to that choice.
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
I'm guessing there's an exception in there for players who are changing teams.
Now that's great tasting chicken!
by Kyle Lobner on Dec 15, 2011 4:33 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I forgot that Rogers is currently serving a 25-game suspension for using a banned substance.
Remembered that this morning when updating the roster. That brings me to an interesting question. I don’t know the circumstances behind Rogers’ suspension, but it makes me wonder a bit about the training staff throughout the Brewers’ organization. I’m not saying they did anything wrong, but having one player banned for an extensive length of time could just be random. With (potentially) two players, it starts to make me think about the staff and how they handle what players use. I know they can’t stand over every player and regulate everything, but to have one suspension like this is uncommon for MLB organizations. However, to have two players in the same organization (potentially) serving suspensions has to at least raise concerns a little. Am I right, or am I just over thinking this?
I just want to make it clear, I’m not accusing the training staff within the different levels of the Brewers’ organization of anything. I just think it’s unusual that they are facing two (potential) lengthy suspensions for players when most organizations don’t even have one over a period of several years. I could be off base on all of this. I’m just writing what I’m thinking about right now.
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
I don't see anything there
Rogers wasn’t on the big-league club when he tested positive, and who knows if whatever caused Braun to test positive was ever even brought into the clubhouse?
Two of the hundreds of players in the Brewers’ system testing positive for something doesn’t surprise me at all.
by Cheeseandcorn on Dec 15, 2011 11:11 AM CST up reply actions
Maybe it is nothing, and I hope that is the case.
I may just be paranoid. I just don’t want to see it happen a third (or a real second) time.
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
And I'm sure that *IF* they both actually did the drugs
it’s something they probably did far away from the club (hopefully) and in some seedy back alley or something
He’s actually underrated, but that’s another can of worms…
I don't know if I like that scenario any better or not.
The training staff comment was more related to the possibility of banned substances being used accidentally.
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
Was Rogers on the 40-man when this happened?
I don’t remember.
by The Left Button on Dec 15, 2011 11:52 AM CST up reply actions
Wasn't Rogers in Helena or something?
I doubt it’s the same personnel…
If Plush had to pick Wearwolf or Vampire, I'm a Wearwolf!
Because of the length of time that it takes to notify players of positive tests (plus possible appeal time)
It may have happened in the majors or minors.
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
He wasn't even in the majors last season.
He was in AAA for a couple weeks and then floating around Rk and A+ while intermittently injured. I guess he probably knows the major league staff but I wouldn’t read too much into it. It’s not like PEDs are hard to get.
If Plush had to pick Wearwolf or Vampire, I'm a Wearwolf!
Well, that shows how much I know about the Brewers' minor league players.
Contributor on Brew Crew Ball, Commissioner of Prognostikeggers, Owner of a broken sarcasm detector
Gamel news
There isn’t any. He’s still listed on the Estrellas Orientales website as an active player, and the league was on a 2-day break. According to the Estrellas website, Frankie de la Cruz starts tonight, so it’s up to date.
The Braun thing could have been worse...
He could have tried buying 5 kilos of cocaine.
REWIND YOURSELF!
And...
a half-ton of marijuana per week.
A samurai sword collection. If you can do it. I don’t know if you’re allowed.
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Dec 15, 2011 1:17 PM CST up reply actions
Never been to Costco?
That’s just good business.
We pull our pants up and do our jobs here.
by Rubie Q on Dec 15, 2011 1:19 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
Buy in bulk, I always say.
"If we want to sign a Type A free agent, we would lose a second-round pick, but we don't have a way to get picks back. Our whole Draft process needs to be redone."
~Doug Melvin
"Something always good seems to happen when he's in there. Numbers matched up good."
~RRR
by Charlie Marlow on Dec 15, 2011 2:18 PM CST up reply actions
I am likely deluding myself
But I am really struggling to see the market for Fielder that Boras would have everyone believe exists.
The real trouble for Prince...
…that the guys on MLB radio discussed this morning, is that absent Texas, he could be looking at six / seven year offers from teams that will never see the playoffs (Seattle, Baltimore, CUBS). Nothing but the stalking horses.
In all seriousness
While the Mariners and the Orioles are going to struggle for the next few years its not fair to insult the Cubs too much. With Epstein in charge if things go well for them its even possible that in a few years they might make it up to third in the division…
"I love it when any team called 'The Brew Crew' wins": Tad Kubler
"LOLOL I LOVE YUNI!!!!": ThroughBeingCool
by MrLeam on Dec 15, 2011 1:38 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I wonder if anyone has thought of
A 7 year deal for x and then given a mutual option on the last 3 years that would make it a case where, like with CC, hes better off declining, and trying another bite at FA.
And then do something crazy like defer money, and also give a huge $10 mil perhaps signing bonus to limit the per year value of the contract.
I don't think he cares about playing for a playoff contender
as much as maximizing his pay. If he can do both, I’m sure he’d love it.
Pujols is the Barack Obama of baseball.
He's kind of screwed.
But I want him to come to Baltimore. That would be SWEET.
A samurai sword collection. If you can do it. I don’t know if you’re allowed.
by TwoShoesMcGooze on Dec 15, 2011 2:06 PM CST up reply actions
It is this reason why I would not rule out the Jays coming in with a 5 year deal
But with a high average value say 5 years for $135million. Fielder might go for that knowing that he could then be a free agent when 32 and still have a good chance of another 4-5 year deal.
I suppose it might depend who wins the Yu Darvish bidding which sounds like is going to be won with a bid of over $50million.
That deal for Punto
Looks like very good value compared to what alot of other MI have signed for this off-season. I think I would rather the Brewers had sign him for those terms than the deal they gave Sea-bass
Nobody considers Punto a starting SS though, that's the difference.
If Plush had to pick Wearwolf or Vampire, I'm a Wearwolf!
Comparing apples to apples, though
Punto got less than what was given to Hairston and Willie Bloomquist. He’s younger than Hairston and much more valuable than Bloomquist.
Now that's great tasting chicken!
Teams obviously value him much less than online metrics like UZR do
I agree I would have signed him for a utility role at that price. He doesn’t seem to be a realistic alternative to Gonzalez though.
If Plush had to pick Wearwolf or Vampire, I'm a Wearwolf!
Hairston over the last three seasons: 3.8 fWAR in 360 games.
Punto over the last three seasons: 4.9 fWAR in 276 games.
Maybe injuries hurt his value more than they should have.
Now that's great tasting chicken!
That is entirely UZR though. If teams don't buy UZR, then they probably don't like Punto.
If Plush had to pick Wearwolf or Vampire, I'm a Wearwolf!
I won't dispute you if you say that when he's on the field, he has significant value
There’s just a lot of risk with him. It’s kinda like Furcal.
Is anyone else enjoying...
… the fact that every reporter who knows Boras is saying the Cubs are going after Fielder hard and every reporter who knows Epstein is swearing it isn’t true?
I’ve crossed the line somewhere from being upset about Prince leaving to just enjoying watching Boras, Ryan, and Epstein try to out-propaganda each other.
"fortunate, but also lucky"
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Dec 15, 2011 7:06 PM CST reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Brew Crew Ball
Related FanShots on Brew Crew Ball
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cincinnati
|
25 | 20 | .555 | 0 | Lost 1 |
|
St. Louis
|
25 | 21 | .543 | 0.5 | Lost 2 |
|
Houston
|
22 | 23 | .488 | 3 | Won 4 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
21 | 24 | .466 | 4 | Won 1 |
|
Milwaukee
|
19 | 26 | .422 | 6 | Won 2 |
|
Chicago
|
15 | 30 | .333 | 10 | Lost 10 |
(updated 5.26.2012 at 6:00 PM CDT)
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
Baseball Nation Recent Stories
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- College player makes impossible over the fence catch to save tournament game (Video)
- Security!: Camden Yards guard collides with Royals’ Mike Moustakas
- The Juice: Nelson Cruz matches career high eight RBIs, Pujols stays hot in Seattle
- Benches clear at Fenway as Red Sox-Rays rivalry heats up
- Keeping good company: Albert Pujols becomes fourth-youngest player to hit 450 home runs
