Here are some things to read while waiting for Monday's Mug.

So you may have heard that Ken Macha is the new manager of the Milwaukee Brewers. Reaction from around the web:

• In-Between Hops has some stats showing Macha's tendencies. The Cliff's Notes version: don't expect a lot of base stealing, pinch hitting or sac bunts. I'm ok with most of that. My question, though, is whether those stats are a function of Macha's management style or the environment in which he worked in Oakland.
• Two-Fisted Slopper also uses the numbers to develop an expectation of what's to come.
• The JS Blog has audio from the press conference.
• If you like knowing what was said at press conferences but don't actually like to listen to things, Al also chronicled it for you.
• Ken Rosenthal notes some problems Macha had with his veteran players in Oakland. The Brewers downplay it in this link.
• View From Bernie's Chalet likes the contrast between Macha and Ned Yost.
• The Brew Town Beat likes the move as well, but raises some questions about Macha's relationships and his aversion to small ball.

So now, the next question: what about Mike Maddux? Baseball Musings is reporting that Mike Maddux and Rick Peterson are both considering the jobs in Milwaukee and Texas, and the only question is who ends up where.

We're probably going to hear a bunch of stories like this for a while: "So, now that the Mariners have a GM that used to work for the Brewers, does that mean they'll trade for (Brewer)?" Today's name in the blank is J.J. Hardy. I'm not sure the Mariners could offer anything in return that would be interesting enough for me to be happy about the trade.

Of course, there is still a hole at third base. Beyond the Box Score says Russell Branyan was the 20th best third baseman in 2008, generating 11 runs with his bat and saving 2 in the field. Bill Hall doesn't crack the top 25.

Eric Seidman of FanGraphs has been compiling a list of his favorite highlights from this season. His #1 highlight is CC Sabathia. I think an awful lot of us agree.

Sabathia was not one of the five Brewers who filed for free agency yesterday, on the first day of fifteen when it's allowed. I've always felt like filing that early creates the feeling that you can't wait to run out the door. If you haven't read it yet, the five Brewers who did file yesterday were Eric Gagne, Gabe Kapler, Mike Lamb, Ben Sheets and Brian Shouse. Here are some other players that filed for free agency yesterday:

Angels: Mark Teixiera, Garret Anderson, Jon Garland
Braves: Will Ohman, Greg Norton, Julian Tavarez
Cardinals: Braden Looper, Cesar Izturis, Felipe Lopez, Jason LaRue, Ron Villone, Russ Springer
Dodgers: Manny Ramirez, Joe Beimel, Casey Blake, Derek Lowe, Greg Maddux
Marlins: Paul Lo Duca
Mets: Oliver Perez, Damion Easley, Matt Wise
Nationals: Chad Cordero, Ryan Wagner, Pete Orr
Padres: Trevor Hoffman
Reds: Jeremy Affeldt, Mike Lincoln
Twins: Eddie Guardado, Nick Punto, Dennys Reyes

UPDATE: Cubs Ryan Dempster, Jim Edmonds, Chad Fox and Bob Howry filed too.

Also, the White Sox declined Ken Griffey's option and the Tigers declined theirs on Edgar Renteria, so they're free agents too.

One trade has already been made: the Royals acquired 1B Mike Jacobs from the Marlins for RP Leo Nunez. Jacobs has above average power but a sub-.300 OBP.

Finally, how many players that can't handle the glove are in the Brewers' farm system? TheJay noted today that Brendan Katin posted a .926 fielding percentage in AAA this season, in the outfield. How is that possible?

Drink up.

Here's a rumor: It's time for the Mug.

BDD Recaps

So, a quick recap of yesterday's events: Sometime overnight Sunday, a blogger with no cited sources and very small traffic said Ned Yost would be fired. This news was met with much rejoicing but backed with no actual evidence. Given that, Tom H. went ahead and posted an unsubstantiated rumor, again, to much rejoicing. Of course, it later turned out the rumor was false. Tom has taken this opportunity to bash all blogs in response.

Among bloggers, the best response I've seen came from roguejim's fanpost on the matter. Also, The Yost Infection has another rumor, with citation.

This would have been better if it had been posted on Yost's last day: In-Between Hops has a funny Yost anecdote that may explain some of the team's struggles on the road. Ned's handling of J.J. Hardy is less amusing.

One last managerial note: In light of yesterday's firing that wasn't, Big League Stew asks which manager will be fired first in 2008. If only voting for it made it so.

WhatIfSports has run a simulation and ranks the Brewers 28th of 30 teams. That's disappointing but not really surprising, as my WIS teams never seem to win either.

So, I didn't know the Brewers had let Abraham Nunez go, but they must have because the Mets have signed him. Am I just behind the curve on this one, or is this news to others?

On injuries:

Ronnie Belliard has been placed on the DL with a strained calf.
Chad Fox is back on the DL with inflammation in his elbow.
Andruw Jones is headed to the DL and may require surgery to remove fluid and torn cartilage from his knee.
Jake Peavy's elbow is so bad he has trouble turning doorknobs, but an MRI revealed no structural damage.

Some writers just make you feel like you're there: I didn't watch, or even see the highlights of last night's Twins game, but after reading this account from Aaron Gleeman, I feel like I sat front row.

And by the way, the Dodgers were not a fan of the violin playing during BP before yesterday's game. That's much better than this sound, which has been playing during Brewer AB's for most of the season.

Drink up.