Some things to read while losing your whole morning.
We are 21 days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Maryvale, and yesterday the Brewers announced that eight more players will be joining major league camp for spring training. The first announcement contained the biggest names: Pitcher David Goforth, outfielders Mitch Haniger, Kentrail Davis and Kevin Mattison and catchers Cameron Garfield and Adam Weisenburger. We've got much more on them at the previous link.
The Brewers later added a couple more players to the list: RHPs Dustin Molleken (via @MikeVassallo13) and Michael Olmsted (via @AdamMcCalvy). Molleken was recently signed as a minor league free agent after spending 2012 and 2013 in Japan, and Olmsted was a member of the 40-man roster until being outrighted off this winter.
If you're planning ahead for the 2014 season and want to get your jersey shopping done early, then this qualifies as very important news: @AdamMcCalvy notes that Mark Reynolds will wear #7 as a Brewer, while Lyle Overbay gets #24. Overbay wore #11 in his first run with the team, but that's Sean Halton's number now.
Speaking of Overbay, Joel Sherman of the New York Post has his contract details:
Overbay's minor lge #Brewers pact for $1.5M in bigs, can make $750K in PA bonuses, if not on MLB roster 3/22 can opt out 48 hrs later
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) January 22, 2014
It's a sunny day across much of Wisconsin today, but here's a dark cloud: Jonathan Judge of Disciples of Uecker makes the case that Yovani Gallardo has entered the decline of his career and argues for starting him slowly in 2013 to help maximize his diminished impact. Gallardo, for what it's worth, turns 28 in February.
Carlos Gomez turned 28 in December, but his career appears to be headed in the opposite direction. Justin Schultz of Reviewing the Brew heard an interview with Doug Melvin where the Brewers GM suggested Gomez's growth as a player was stunted by being rushed to the majors by the Mets.
In the minors:
- Juan Francisco went 0-for-4 but it didn't matter as Licey beat Escogido 1-0 to take a 3-0 lead in the best-of-nine Dominican championship series (box score)
- Irving Falu went 4-for-6 with two doubles and scored twice but it wasn't enough as Mayaguez lost 5-4 to Caguas in eleven innings in the Puerto Rican championship series (box score). Martin Maldonado went 1-for-5 in the game, and Josh Prince made a surprise appearance as a pinch runner and defensive replacement at second base. Yadiel Rivera singled in his only at bat for Caguas, and Jose De La Torre pitched a scoreless eighth. Caguas now leads the best-of-seven series 2-1.
- Speaking of Rivera, Matt Garrioch of MLB Prospect Guide listed him among baseball's best 22-year-old shortstops.
- Brewerfan.net has a note from Biloxi suggesting that the Brewers are "most likely" going to remain affiliated with the Huntsville franchise when they move following the season.
Back in Milwaukee, the Brewers made headlines yesterday by announcing that a second Bob Uecker statue will be added to Miller Park, this one at the top of section 422 (on the terrace level behind home plate). This one will be unveiled before the Friday, April 25 game against the Cubs.
Speaking of Uecker, Ron Roenicke Stole My Baseball is the new proud owner of the sponsorship on his Baseball Reference page. Yesterday they looked at available sponsorships for teams around the division and noted that every single member of the Brewers' 40-man roster is available.
Around baseball:
Angels: Signed third baseman Ian Stewart to a minor league deal.
Athletics: Signed reliever Eric O'Flaherty to a two-year, $7 million deal and designated outfielder Corey Brown for assignment.
Dodgers: Signed infielder Chone Figgins to a minor league deal.
Mariners: Signed outfielder Endy Chavez to a minor league deal.
Mets: Avoided arbitration with first baseman/outfielder Lucas Duda (one year, $1.6375 million).
Red Sox: Signed outfielder Grady Sizemore to a one-year, $750,000 contract and designated pitcher Brayan Villareal for assignment.
Reds: Hired Lee Tinsley as their assistant hitting coach.
Yankees: Designated pitcher David Huff for assignment.
Today in former Brewers:
- A week ago Yuniesky Betancourt's agent was reportedly saying his client would sign within a week.
- Baseball Think Factory has quotes from a Ned Yost piece about deer hunting during the offseason.
- Chris Mehring of Rattler Radio has Rick Waits and Rick Manning cards among his collection of one-time Cleveland Indians.
Today in baseball economics: The Mariners have been big spenders this winter but may run into a financial wall due to Nintendo's recent financial struggles. They're also expected to name longtime VP of finance and ballpark operations Kevin Mather as the new team president.
Today's coolest graphic comes from Craig Robinson (of Flip Flop Fly Ball fame) at NotGraphs, who did a better job drawing Miller Park with his off hand than I probably would with my good one.
Finally, with help from the B-Ref Play Index, we'd like to wish a happy birthday today to:
- 1999 Brewer Charlie Greene, who turns 43. We covered his birthday in Today In Brewer History two years ago.
- 1975-76 Brewer Kurt Bevacqua, who turns 67.
- 1971-72 Brewer Paul Ratliff, who turns 70.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to cover up this tattoo.
Drink up.