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.

A "friend" left this comment on my Facebook wall yesterday: I responded with the following: Win Expectancy Graph
BR Box Score

The View From the Bleachers has made a list of 9 reasons it sucks to be a Brewer fan. Apparently coming up with a tenth was too much work. I usually try not to troll, but I felt compelled to remind them that being a Cubs fan isn't exactly 100 years of sunshine either.

With that said, after five straight losses to drop from tied to five back, I do feel like I can relate to some of these pictures. XKCD also has a pretty good metaphor for the situation.

In-Between Hops and The Brew Town Beat want me to come down off the ledge. I will, but can I leave Ned up there? Via FNY, I found this list of 10 stupid things Ned has said in the last 4 days.

This did help to cheer me up, though: a Big League Stew interview with CC Sabathia that's almost too funny to be true.

Beyond the Box Score says the Brewers were winners at the trading deadline. That gives us exactly 2 wins in the last 7 days.

Only a couple of injuries today:

Khalil Greene broke his left hand on a storage chest last night. Was he frustrated over his current play or remaining a Padre? We may never know.
Tigers P Todd Jones has been placed on the DL with shoulder inflammation.

You've probably heard endlessly about the Manny Ramirez deal. You've probably heard about Ken Griffey, Jr. going to the White Sox as well. Even if you have, Hal McCoy's interview with Ken Griffey, Sr. covers some things you might not know about Griffey's time in Cincinnati.

Some other transactions you might not have heard about: the Twins are expected to DFA Livan Hernandez today. And the Nationals released Johnny Estrada, Paul Lo Duca and Felipe Lopez in the same day.

Home Run Derby has a story today on obstructed view seats, which come with the added advantage of giving you something to bang your head against when your team drops 5 straight games at home.

People don't usually complain when Erin Andrews obstructs their view, but Mike Nadel is making an exception. The piece goes on and on about her outfit but doesn't include a picture. Thanks to Deadspin for filling that gap.

Oh, and Garfield Minus Garfield is becoming a book.

Drink up.