Some things to read while waiting to see The Fort Wayne Tin Caps' new uniforms. Spoiler alert: The team will most likely not wear tin caps.

It's quiet this morning, but it likely won't stay that way for long as today is the first day teams can offer contracts to free agents from other teams. Brewed Sports wants the Brewers to make an early splash by signing Kerry Wood and Randy Johnson. Tyler Maas of Bugs & Cranks wants the Brewers to sign Eric Hinske. I'm just hoping the Brewers don't sign anyone who will join Eric Gagne, Jeff Suppan and Jeffrey Hammonds on a future version of this top ten list of worst contracts in Wisconsin sports history.

Baseball Digest Daily released their free agent rankings today. Since lists make a short Mug seem longer, here are the Brewer highlights:

• CC Sabathia is the top rated starting pitcher.
• Ben Sheets is the third rated starting pitcher.
• Russell Branyan is ranked third among third basemen.
• Ray Durham is ranked fourth among second basemen.
• Brian Shouse is the fifth rated lefty reliever.
• Mike Lamb is ranked fifth among third basemen.
• Gabe Kapler is ranked sixth among right fielders.
• Guillermo Mota is the sixth rated "utility reliever."
• Eric Gagne is the eighth rated closer.
• Craig Counsell is ranked eleventh among shortstops.

Depending on who you ask, the Mets may or may not make a play for CC Sabathia. MetsBlog downplays the possibility.

Technically, Salomon Torres could have been a free agent as well, but the Brewers exercised his option so he will be under team control if he decides to return. The Official Site has an overview of the bullpen situation.

As noted in the FanShots, Ryan Braun became the eighth Brewer in franchise history to win a Silver Slugger Award yesterday.

If Braun lives up to his Bill James projection for 2009, he might win another one: .301/.364/.620. Bill James projections for individual players are available on the player pages at FanGraphs. If you want the whole collection, you're supposed to buy the book. I sat down yesterday with a notepad file and Baseball Musings' Lineup Analysis tool and discovered that, despite low projections for Mike Cameron and Bill Hall, a 2009 Brewer lineup featuring Weeks, Hardy, Braun, Fielder, Hart, Cameron, Hall, Kendall and the pitcher's spot projects to 4.965 runs per game. The 2008 Brewers only scored 4.630.

While I'm on the subject of stats, R.J. Anderson of Beyond the Box Score is working on numbers to quantify the volume of wins or losses added by a manager. His initial numbers have management costing the Brewers approximately .04 wins in 2008. I'm pretty sure Yost was responsible for more than that.

Does the entire Brewers' organization have defensive problems? No less than five Brewer prospects appear on Recondite Baseball's leaderboards for errors in the minor leagues this season.

Two trades were completed yesterday, one sending Nick Swisher to the Yankees and one sending Kevin Gregg to the Cubs. Two other stove notes today:

D-Backs: Negotiations with Randy Johnson have apparently hit an impasse, leading Johnson to declare free agency.
Marlins: The team is reportedly listening to offers but not actively seeking a trade involving Jeremy Hermida or Dan Uggla.

Do you love physics and want to use it to understand why a sidearmer's pitches have different movement? It's a bit much for me, but maybe Matt Lentzner of The Hardball Times' article is just what you were looking for.

Oh, and NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum is perpetuating the theory that he's only 15 by spending the offseason getting braces and a puppy.

Drink up.

Some things to read while flashing gang signs to your astronomy buddies.

At the very least, today is off to a better start than yesterday, since I titled today's post "Wednesday's Frosty Mug" and it actually is Wednesday.

So, as you've probably read and perhaps even commented on, Salomon Torres announced his retirement yesterday. I don't think anyone is counting it as an absolute certainty that he won't pitch in 2009, but this makes it seem pretty likely. The Brew Town Beat recounts the story of Torres' final Brewer hat. Where have you gone, Andy Van Slyke? remembers the early career of Torres, including a four-year retirement and return to the big leagues via Korea. Al has some quotes from Doug Melvin and a look at what's left in the bullpen.

CC Sabathia finished fifth in the NL Cy Young voting, behind Tim Lincecum, Brandon Webb, Johan Santana and Brad Lidge. He finished fourth in the voting at BirdLand. I guess he'll have to settle for being Jeff Passan's #1 rated free agent. (h/t Bless You Boys)

Here are the other Brewers on the list, of 183 free agents:

8. Ben Sheets
40. Brian Shouse
48. Ray Durham
90. Gabe Kapler
91. Russell Branyan
105. Guillermo Mota
107. Mike Lamb
109. Craig Counsell
113. Eric Gagne

MLB FanHouse has their offseason preview for the Brewers, and says their #1 focus should be retaining Sabathia. I've decided my #1 focus for winter will be getting the sun to stay above the horizon longer. I'll let you know how that goes.

Ken Rosenthal has interesting logic. He notes that Doug Melvin doesn't seem to want to make trades unless they net pitching. Then, he suggests the Brewers should trade Mike Cameron and Prince Fielder to the Yankees for Melky Cabrera, Robinson Cano and "young pitching." Unless that young pitching is big enough to be the centerpiece of the deal, the answer is still no.

As he navigates through the offseason, it's important to remember Doug Melvin must be doing something right, as he's the Negro League Museum's 2008 NL Executive of the Year. This is much bigger than yesterday's "Good Guy Award."

Also worth noting: apparently Melvin has a good relationship with the Red Sox, or at least Tony Massarotti said so in his blog listing the Brewers as a possible trading partner with the Red Sox.

Baseball Musings' Probabilistic Model of Range has the Brewers eighth in left field defense in 2008, and Ryan Braun above average at 101.50. Does this officially make him a better defensive outfielder than Corey Hart, who rated slightly below average in right? I'm interested in hearing the debate.

Brewerfan.net has their season ending Power 50 up. Not a lot of big moves or surprising names in there. (h/t Bernie's Crew)

Here's what's simmering on the hot stove:

Blue Jays: C Gregg Zaun, who was upset over the way his request to be traded was handled, will not be back in 2009.
Cubs: Have reportedly offered Ryan Dempster a 4 year/$50 million deal.
Tigers: Kenny Rogers filed for free agency Tuesday. He could retire, but this will at least let him size up the market before making a decision.
Reds: Have reportedly contacted the Rockies to express interest in Willy Taveras, Garrett Atkins and Yorvit Torrealba.

Also, this isn't really hot stove news, but the Marlins may be in trouble with the Players Association regarding failure to pay per diem to players sent away from the team for rehab assignments.

What is a replacement level player? Sean Smith of The Hardball Times breaks it down for you.

Could a replacement level player add some value by bringing postseason experience to the table? Tangotiger suggests they might.

Oh, and if you've ever wondered what it's like to be in the front office of a team that's cutting ties with the face of its franchise and a first-ballot Hall of Famer, Paul DePodesta can offer some insight.

Drink up.

Some things to read once you're done with haiku on the Cardinals' offseason.

So it looks like the rumor about the Yankees offer for Mike Cameron was pretty accurate, or at least close to it, but it also looks like Doug Melvin didn't take the bait. It is about the money, stupid thinks the Yankees might be trading for Cameron in an effort to help lure in his friend, CC Sabathia. If that's the case, one has to wonder if Yankee executives spend their evenings trolling the bars for girls who might have hot friends.

I don't know if Prince Fielder has hot friends, but regardless of that the Nationals are showing interest in him. They might need one of their new uniforms in a really big size.

In all seriousness, though: Do the Nationals have any bargaining chips good enough to warrant unloading Fielder? I can't think of anything.

Because all things in life require balance, here's a trade rumor going the other way: Athletic Supporters looks at what it might take to get Huston Street to Milwaukee.

Ryan Braun finished eighth and CC Sabathia 12th in the SB Nation Voting for NL MVP. Braun appeared on 11 ballots but didn't get a single vote above third place. CC Sabathia picked up two second place votes but only appeared on four ballots. Albert Pujols, Lance Berkman and Hanley Ramirez were the top three, respectively.

In other ranking news, Brewer second basemen ranked 13th in all of baseball Baseball Musings' Probabilistic Model of Range. Rickie Weeks was slightly above average (100.55, with 100 being average) and Ray Durham was fifth from the bottom (92.86). Related: mgl bludgeoned the theory that players with better range make more errors.

Infield Chatter has made a list of the top 50 free agents and projected their destination. His list includes CC Sabathia the Angel, Ben Sheets the Astro, Ray Durham the Met, and Mark Grduzielanek the Brewer.

This will certainly shock you: The Hardball Times has a list of the worst free agent signings in 2008, and Eric Gagne is on it. In his brief appearance, he gave up a home run.

Here are today's notes from the hot stove:

Phillies: Pat Burrell and Jamie Moyer filed for free agency.
Red Sox: Jason Varitek is looking for a deal similar to Jorge Posada's, which pays $13.1 million annually. He'll be home if you need him.
Rockies: Brian Fuentes' agents are supposedly working on a four year deal with the Mets worth around $44 million.
Yankees: Declined Damaso Marte's option for 2009. Marte will be a Type A free agent.

Following up on the Phillies note: their backup plans, should Burrell leave, are Jerry Hairston, Rocco Baldelli...and Kevin Mench. They'd better bid high for Burrell.

No player with 500 home runs has ever been denied entrance into the Hall of Fame. Could Sammy Sosa be the first player to be denied with 600? It seems possible.

Nominations are open for the 2008 Weblog Awards. So if you have, by chance, a favorite sports blog, you could perhaps consider nominating it.

Oh, and apparently time loses all meaning when you work on a cruise ship.

Drink up.

So the morning after election day used to be a huge hangover day for me. This year, I didn't drink and I'm still sick. That's just not fair.

Let's start with awards today. We all know Jason Kendall had a pretty good season defensively, but would you have guessed he was the second best catcher in all of baseball? The Fielding Bible Awards ranked Kendall second at catcher.

They also ranked J.J. Hardy second at shortstop, which fits in nicely with Beyond the Box Score ranking him as the fourth best shortstop overall.

Some other rankings, while I'm on the subject:

• Walk Like a Sabermetrician ranks Brewer leadoff hitters (mainly Rickie Weeks) 20th in all of baseball in 2008.
• Baseball Musings' Probabilistic Model of Range ranked the Brewers as the 8th best team in baseball defensively.
• Want further proof that all free agents cost more than you think they should? Beyond the Box Score rates Ray Durham as the 20th most valuable free agent this offseason...and says he's worth $10 million.

Marc Hulet of FanGraphs has a review of the Brewer minor leagues in 2009. Players featured include Manny Parra, Jonathan Lucroy, Brent Brewer, Jake Odorizzi and Efrain Nieves.

Here's a quick walk around Rumorville: Bleeding Blue and Teal lists the Brewers as one of the four teams most likely to acquire Mariners closer J.J. Putz. There's also whispers out there about a trade involving Braves 2B Kelly Johnson and Ryan Ludwick, which Al thinks could evolve into conversations about Corey Hart.

Speaking of rumors, Jon Heyman of SI.com has one you almost certainly haven't heard every day for two weeks: the Yankees are interested in CC Sabathia.

He's not getting as much of an opportunity to play in the AFL as I'd like, but The Official Site has a nice profile on Lorenzo Cain and his efforts to be more patient at the plate.

If you're excited about the new MLB Network in January, here's reason to be even more excited: the lead studio host for MLB Network will be former Brewer TV guy Matt Vasgersian. Also, while I haven't seen this confirmed anywhere, Al says Trenni will be there too.

No Brewers filed for free agency Tuesday, but here are some players that did generate hot stove news:

Blue Jay A.J. Burnett officially opted out of his contract Tuesday, leaving him free to seek more than 2 years, $24 million on the open market.
Cardinal Mark Mulder filed for free agency.
Dodgers declined their option on C Gary Bennett and also may be willing to make Russell Martin available.
Marlin Luis Gonzalez filed for free agency.
National Dmitri Young was outrighted to AAA. He accepted the move and is due $5 million in salary in 2009 anyway. He could be eligible for the Rule 5 Draft.
Padre Jake Peavy is reportedly down to three potential teams for next season: the Braves, Cubs and Dodgers.
Yankees Jason Giambi and Carl Pavano both had their option declined for 2009.

Oh, and after three straight nights of waking me up in the middle of the night, I'm about ready to offer Gorman up as a tester for AirDog Hover Vests.

Drink up.

Some things to read while waiting in line to vote. Also, if you were planning on voting for The Pirate Parrot, you should watch this first.

The Brewers actually delivered their formal offer to CC Sabathia yesterday. Ed Valentine who writes about the Yankees for Bugs & Cranks, thinks Sabathia is worth about 6 years, $150 million to the Yankees. That strikes me as about right. Rowland's Office thinks the Braves could sign free agency's best pitcher...but it's Japanese starter Junichi Tazawa, not Sabathia.

MLB Trade Rumors has predicted where the top 50 free agents will end up. He's got CC Sabathia as a Yankee, Ben Sheets as a Brave and Ray Durham as a Diamondback. Perhaps more interestingly, he has Brian Fuentes and Jon Garland as Brewers. Crawfish Boxes says Sheets could rejoin Mike Maddux in Texas.

On the trade front: Buried in this story on Mike Cameron's return, Doug Melvin said he's not talking with the Padres about Jake Peavy. Melvin says he was unwilling to give up young pitching, but it's also possible Peavy would have rejected a trade to Milwaukee, as he appears to have listed seven teams he's willing to play for in 2009.

Here's a deal that would turn some heads: Infield Chatter proposes a three-team deal for the Brewers, Tigers and Rays with the Brewers sending J.J. Hardy to the Tigers and getting Rays SP Andy Sonnanstine and minor leaguer Jeremy Hellickson. The Tigers may be looking to cut payroll.

Meanwhile, Ken Rosenthal says the Brewers likely will not move Prince Fielder this offseason and Rick Peterson does not appear to be a candidate for the pitching coach position, which will likely be filled by bullpen coach Bill Castro.

Craig Counsell and Guillermo Mota filed for free agency Monday, joining Francisco Rodriguez, as well as Rafael Furcal, Omar Vizquel, Edgar Renteria, Brandon Lyon, Paul Byrd, former Rays Cliff Floyd and Trever Miller and Reds Corey Patterson, Paul Bako and David Weathers.

One free agent may not be available after all: Scott Boras, who represents Greg Maddux, said Maddux is leaning towards retirement. Maddux has 355 career wins, eighth most all time. If he pitched in 2009 and won ten games, he'd move all the way up to fifth.

The coaching carousel has some names you'll recognize on it this morning: Bleeding Blue and Teal has a list of potential candidates to manage the Mariners, including Ned Yost, Willie Randolph, Bob Brenly and Ted Simmons. If Randolph interviews, it will be his second interview with Zduriencik, who was part of Randolph's interview in Milwaukee. And as for Ted Simmons, he won't sit home even if he doesn't get the Seattle job: he and former Brewer manager Jim Lefebvre recently joined the Padres coaching staff.

Oh, and be careful with #3 pencils.

Drink up. And go vote!

Some things to read while acknowledging that these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies may be the greatest ever.

Today's collection of links is actually the largest since the end of the season, so let's get right to it.

If you've been reading the site over the weekend you likely know all of this news, but in case you've been away all weekend, here's what you missed:

• Dale Sveum will be back for 2009 after all, as hitting coach. (as noted in this FanShot)
• Craig Counsell's option for 2009 was declined. He could still return as a free agent, of course.
• Mike Maddux won't be back either, after being "overwhelmed by a huge deal" to take over as pitching coach in Texas. The Brewers reportedly offered him a multi-year deal. (Noted in this FanShot) The Newberg Report has a story from the Rangers' side.
• Joe Dillon also won't be back. The A's claimed him off waivers after the Brewers DFA'd him last week.
• Ken Rosenthal is reporting the Brewers' offer to CC Sabathia was in fact for $100 million, but the contract was for five years, not four. For me, this removes any possibility Sabathia will return. (noted in this FanShot)
• The Brewers have until tomorrow to decide if Mike Cameron will return in 2009.

Now, other stuff. The Fall GM meetings begin today, giving Doug Melvin the first chance to sit across the table from new Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik. Murray Chass seems to think hiring Zduriencik was the wrong decision, mainly because he had a profile of Kim Ng all ready to go. Of course, everyone expects most of the conversation at the meetings to be about Jake Peavy, but it sounds like Hank Blalock's name will come up as well.

One would assume Doug Melvin is at least listening to offers for J.J. Hardy. The Junkball Blues, meanwhile, crunched the numbers to figure out what kind of production would be needed from Hardy and Alcides Escobar to justify moving Hardy to third and Bill Hall out of the lineup.

Planning on making a trip to Vegas? Current odds have the Brewers at 15-to-1 to win the 2009 World Series. The odds would have to get a lot better before I'd be interested. Right now, 15-to-1 is a better shot than 19 other teams have, and tied with the Dodgers and Twins. (h/t Redleg Nation)

Tim Kurkijian says the Sabathia Sweepstakes is the third most interesting story of the offseason. With Sabathia the Brewers had the sixth best starting rotation in all of baseball, according to Beyond the Box Score.

Sabathia, Ray Durham and Russell Branyan all filed for free agency over the weekend, joining these players:

Angels Darren Oliver, Juan Rivera
Athletic Alan Embree
Cub Kerry Wood and also Henry Blanco,
Mariners Raul Ibanez, Willie Bloomquist, Miguel Cairo
Marlins Mark Hendrickson, Arthur Rhodes
Mets Pedro Martinez, Luis Ayala, Tony Armas, Moises Alou, Ricardo Rincon, Ramon Martinez and also Orlando Hernandez
Phillies So Taguchi, Tom Gordon
Pirates Doug Mientkiewicz, Chris Gomez, Jason Michaels, Luis Rivas
Rockies Brian Fuentes, Matt Herges, Livan Hernandez, Adam Melhuse, Scott Podsednik

At this point I feel obligated to remind you that Orlando Hernandez is free to throw the banana for other teams.

FanGraphs has built the All Free Agent Bargain Team. There are some decent players on there, but that team would lose most of the time.

As we look into the future, few things are abolutely certain, but we can say this: despite boatloads of other teams making the exodus from spring training sites in Florida to Arizona, the Red Sox are committed to training in Florida through 2038.

It's a good thing we'll probably have some time to learn to say his name: The Pirates have signed an 18-year-old shortstop from South Africa named Mpho Ngoepe. There has never been a South African player in the major leagues. Have there been any from anywhere in Africa? I do not know.

Indians minor leaguer Randy Newsom's blogs from Venezuela are really making me want to go see a game there.

Finally, let's say you're the Washington Nationals. You lost 102 games in 2008, the franchise's first 100 loss season since 1976. You set a modern era single season record for lowest attendance in a new ballpark. You could count the number of fans listening to your games on the radio or watching them on TV on your fingers and toes. Do you honestly believe people are going to come out in hordes to buy your new jerseys? You're invited to join them at the unveiling Thursday. Bring a friend, otherwise you might be there all alone.

Drink up.

Some things to read while enjoying pumpkin yogurt.

Still no official news on the managerial front, but as noted in the Fanshots, Tom H. seems to think Ken Macha is the frontrunner. Chuckie Hacks still prefers Bob Brenly, and has the following to say about Macha: If Macha promises to be exactly what he's accused of being here, a manager who works based on statistical evidence, then I'm ready to wholeheartedly endorse him. I can do without "real managing." View From the Bleachers wants to keep Brenly bad enough to consider naming him the heir apparent when Lou Pinella retires.

Also, remember a month or so ago when I asked if Jack Z. might be a better fit to serve as GM of the Brewers than Doug Melvin? Nevermind. It's looking increasingly likely that Jack Z. will hire Ned Yost to manage the Mariners. He says he's looking for winners. I'm less disappointed about him leaving now.

It's been several days since we heard the Brewers were planning on making an offer to CC Sabathia, now we have the first rumor of specifics: The Atlanta Journal Constitution is reporting the offer is expected to be 4 years, $100 million, and that Sabathia is more likely to stay a Brewer if Mike Cameron is also brought back. That would leave the Brewers on the hook for $95 million next season before free agency even begins.

There's still not much word on the market for Ben Sheets. Crawfish Boxes has decided the Astros need another pitcher, but doesn't want that pitcher to be Sheets. If the Brewers are going to keep Cameron and make a legit run at signing Sabathia, there's almost certainly not room for Sheets in Milwaukee. So where will he go?

Maybe having money available for free agents is overrated after all. The Rockies, for example, are using their spare pennies to attempt to re-sign Glendon Rusch.

Also likely available as a free agent: Ray Durham. MLB Trade Rumors says the Brewers will not be eligible for compensation picks if/when Durham signs with another team.

This one is making my head hurt: Jeremy Jeffress, easily the Brewers' top pitching prospect, left a game in the AFL last week complaining of shoulder discomfort. He was pitching a day ahead of schedule so he'd be available to pitch a fall league all-star game. He was diagnosed with shoulder fatigue, even though he never actually saw a doctor, and now, as noted in this FanShot, it's being reported he could return to action in the AFL. Are they trying to kill this guy? I love fall baseball as much as (actually, probably more than) the next guy, but seriously, there is nothing in the AFL worth risking the health of a stud prospect over. Shut him down.

Here are some notes from the hot stove today:

• Matt Holliday may be available. Be sure to consult the home/road splits (110 OPS+ at home, 89 away) before you even consider it.
• At least one team has been eliminated from the Jake Peavy sweepstakes, as he has reportedly told the Padres he'll reject a trade to the Rangers.
• John Smoltz is reportedly considering going into the season unsigned and making a midseason return.

Here's something to spark another debate on the merits of bringing Mike Cameron back: Kerry Whisnant says players with high strikeout rates are, on average, more productive. I tend to think the argument should be flipped, that more productive players are more likely to get away with having a high strikeout rate, but I suppose a case can be made for both sides.

This dugout will look awfully familiar: the coaching staff of the 2009 Washington Nationals will feature both Marquis Grissom and Pat Listach.

Oh, and the folks over at Fire Joe Morgan may be getting their wish.

Drink up.

Here are some things to read before rushing out to get John Hodgman's new book. If you rush out fast enough, perhaps you'll see me there.

Tom H. says the Brewers likely will not announce their new manager until after the World Series. View From Bernie's Chalet hopes it's Ken Macha and not Bob Brenly. MetsBlog notes that Willie Randolph is also a candidate and if the Brewers hire him, it will save the Mets $2.25 million he is owed if he doesn't manage in 2009.

Yesterday I noted that the Brewers hope to have Mike Maddux back as pitching coach in 2009. It appears they're not the only team interested in his services. The Dallas Morning News is reporting Maddux could be a candidate for Texas' pitching coach vacancy.

Welcome back to the debate on the value of Rickie Weeks. Beyond the Box Score lists Weeks as 2008's 14th best second baseman, and actually credits him with saving 4 runs in the field. Ray Durham was 20th, creating 22 extra runs with the bat and costing his teams 9 in the field. If Weeks really is +4 runs in the field, then he's better defensively than all of the following:

• Dan Uggla
• Ian Kinsler
• Mark DeRosa
• Akinori Iwamura
• Kelly Johnson
• Joe Inglett
• Kaz Matsui
• Howie Kendrick
• Ray Durham
• Orlando Hudson
• Asdrubal Cabrera
• Aaron Miles
• Jamey Carroll
• Jeff Kent
• Alexei Ramirez
• Mark Grudzielanek

MLB Trade Rumors reports that Mike Cameron could be a Type B free agent if the Brewers decline his option for next season. I still expect him back.

This has already been Rec'd a whole bunch of times so most of you have probably seen it, but if you haven't yet check out TheJay's calendar of important offseason dates, which answers at least 12-15 of the questions I've posed in this blog over the last couple of weeks.

Today's Sabathia Smorgasbord is more of a light breakfast. CC was a nominee, but did not win the MLBPA's National League Ooutstanding Pitcher award, which instead went to Tim Lincecum.

If this isn't resolved soon, I'm going to need a witty alliteration for Jake Peavy, as well: Bernie Miklasz says the Cardinals are out of the running for Peavy. It is about the money, stupid says the Astros are out as well. Texas seems like a long shot to land him, but Lone Star Ball has compiled some reasons why they should try.

Elsewhere on the hot stove, the Dodgers have declined Angel Berroa's 2009 option, making him a free agent. The Cardinals have also declined the option on Mark Mulder, who has thrown just 12.2 innings over the last two seasons.

So I'm becoming a fall/winter league nerd, I'll admit it. Yesterday I traded a few emails with an ESPN employee with his finger on the pulse of the minor leagues, and he had this to say: I think that accurately sums up why we should be paying more attention to these games. If you're interested in the personal side of it, check out Indians minor leaguer Randy Newsom's blog from Venezuela.

That's all I've got for you today, unless you need a laser level?

Drink up.

Here are some lyrics from the "Weird" Al Yankovic song, Albuquerque: "You got any ability to play like a winning team in September?"
"No! We're out of ability to play like a winning team in September!"

Sunday's Win Probability Graph
Sunday's BR Box Score

Saturday's Win Probability Graph
Saturday's BR Box Score

Friday's Win Probability Graph
BR Box Score

I have a handful of links today, but nothing more entertaining than Tyler Maas' day in the life of Craig Counsell. So I'll lead with that.

So on Friday I started a conversation about general managers. I noted that Doug Melvin seems to be losing some ground among fans and Jack Zduriencik is still being called a GM of the future. I expected some discussion but a general consensus towards keeping Melvin around for next season. What I got instead was a poll showing 60% of readers think Jack Z should be GM next season. I'm surprised.

This is never good: the 2008 Brewers are being compared to the final scenes in Animal House.

Ray Durham hasn't played since straining his hamstring Friday. I haven't seen any reports on the seriousness of the injury. Rickie Weeks went 3-for-4 in his place on Saturday, but went 0-for-4 with 3 K's yesterday. Weeks is still hitting .310/.431/.548 in September.

Crawfish Boxes took a look at the long-term ramifications of Ben Sheets' most recent injury.

Statistically Speaking ranked CC Sabathia 3rd on his NL Cy Young ballot.

Jon Heyman is playing World Series matchmaker. Once he's done combining every possible big-market matchup, he notes that a Twins-Brewers WS would be pretty cool too.

The Brewers have fallen all the way to 15th in Phil Rogers' power rankings and 16th in the Whisnant Rankings.

On injuries:

Matt Holliday missed action over the weekend with a stiff back but could play again tomorrow.
Blue Jays SP Shaun Marcum will need Tommy John surgery and is out for the rest of 2008 and all of 2009.
Hideki Matsui has been shut down for the season and will have knee surgery today.
Marlins SP Anibal Sanchez left Friday's start with a leg injury.
Angels SP Joe Saunders will miss his scheduled start tomorrow with a kidney stone.

While we're on the topic of injuries, what are your expectations for an injured player on a non-contending team? Dusty Baker and Hal McCoy are making an issue of the fact that Ryan Freel and Norris Hopper haven't been seen around the Reds clubhouse since injuries ended their seasons. Should it be an issue?

Looking for a "buy low" candidate pitcher for 2009? Are you desperate enough to consider Russ Ortiz? Apparently he's eying a 2009 comeback.

Or, you could buy really low and trade for Adam Kennedy, due $3.3 million next season and hitting .269/.303/.343 in 2008. He's upset because he's not getting to play everyday in St. Louis. I can't imagine why.

Oh, and here's an exchange between Gabe Gross and Abraham Lincoln. Classic.

Drink up.

I'm not sure if you've heard, but the Brewers played yesterday. Unfortunately, it was more of the same.

Win Expectancy Graph
BR Box Score

Even Mike Cameron's return (1-for-4 with a K) and a Jason Kendall home run weren't enough to save the Brewers last night.

Sounds like the locker room after the game might have been a little lacking in realism, as well. Salomon Torres said the Brewers will still catch the Cubs, and Ned Yost said everything short of "math is still on our side." I'm officially starting to worry.

I'll just go ahead and lump all the bullpen stuff together in bullet points:

• Buster Olney ranked the Brewer bullpen 11th out of the 14 remaining playoff contenders.
• In-Between Hops crunched the numbers and suggests that the bullpen may actually be suffering from underuse.
• The Official Site says David Riske might have a sore arm. Seriously, someone couldn't just walk up to him and ask?
• Chuckie Hacks has made Gagne into a verb.

So, with an unreliable bullpen forcing him to go farther into games, is CC Sabathia wearing out? Dixieflatline says no, over at The Hardball Times.

I haven't talked much lately about defense. Would it surprise you to discover that the Brewers are the sixth best defensive team in baseball? Beyond the Box Score makes that case. Other notes from the same post: Jason Kendall is the top defensive C in baseball, Ray Durham is tied for the worst defensive 2B (and not with Rickie Weeks), and Prince Fielder's defense has cost the Brewers 17 runs this season.

The new Whisnant rankings have the Brewers 9th.

On injuries:

Giants SS Emmanuel Burriss could be done for the year with a strained oblique.
Rays C Shawn Riggans will be out 3-5 days with bursitis in his knee.
Rays RP Juan Salas had to be taken to the hospital after suffering an epileptic seizure at Fenway Park yesterday but should be fine today.
Marlins C Matt Treanor will likely be relegated to emergency-only duty for the remainder of the season after fouling a ball off his left knee.
Rays CF B.J. Upton has a strained quad and will miss a few days.
Billy Wagner is out for the rest of 2008 and could be the first pitcher out for all of 2009 with a torn MCL in his elbow.
Jack Wilson is finished for 2008 with a hairline fracture in his finger.

Yesterday I mentioned that A's OF Rajai Davis had entered the game as a pinch runner and hit a grand slam in the same inning. Recondite Baseball followed up on that. Today, another strange line: Tigers 1B Mike Hessman was hit by two pitches in the same inning last night. It was only the fifth time in baseball history that that's happened.

Via Baseball Musings, I found out that Chris Young shook off his catcher before throwing the pitch Gabe Kapler used to hit a home run and end his perfect game on Sunday. Oops.

This seems unlikely at best, but worth mentioning: Mark McGwire may consider a 2009 return.

Oh, and apparently the pizza is terrible in Cincinnati.

Drink up.