3/25 Game Thread: Brewers vs. Royals

by battlekow on Mar 25, 2007 1:16 PM CDT in Game Threads

Game time is 2:05 Central. Jeff Suppan is pitching for the Crushers (or is it the Crushed?) against Zack Greinke.

The Royals are a pretty interesting team this year. Greinke is trying to come back from whatever was the matter with him (interestingly enough, after all he's been through, he's still younger than top pitching prospect Luke Hochevar), they have two ridiculous young hitters in Alex Gordon and Billy Butler, plus really good barbecue. If you want a Royal to cheer for, pick Erik Cordier, drafted a couple years ago out of a Wisconsin high school, who's now suffered through both knee and elbow surgery.

Anyway, onto the team you actually care about; if you click on the "Crushed" link above, Adam provides a few more clues about the final roster:

The team is still deciding whether to carry 11 or 12 pitchers to start the season.

The five-man starting rotation is set, leaving 10 pitchers vying for six or seven bullpen spots. Francisco Cordero, Derrick Turnbow, Matt Wise and Brian Shouse are safe bets to make the team, and coming into camp it was thought right-hander Jose Capellan was as well. But Capellan struggled against Texas on Friday night and has a 6.75 spring ERA.

Capellan, who had a 4.40 ERA in 61 outings last season, is not assured a spot in the bullpen, Yost said.

The six non-locks are Capellan, Greg Aquino, Carlos Villanueva, Chris Spurling, Joe Thatcher, and Grant Balfour. Looking back at Jeff's roster breakdown from a few days ago, the locks from the hitters' side are Johnny Estrada, [backup catcher], Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks, JJ Hardy, Tony Graffanino, Craig Counsell, Bill Hall, Corey Hart, and Gabe Gross; ten guys. Thus, there are three or four open spots left for some combination of the Three Pariahs, plus Laynce Nix, Vinny Rottino and a possible third catcher. Since Rottino could just as easily be that third catcher, I'd say it's looking pretty good for Vinny right now.

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Crazy world

I can't believe I live in a world where Brian Shouse is automatically on the roster, and Jose Capellan is on the bubble. I guess I'll just drink a little of whatever Ned's been having, and hope that Shouse can be an effective lefty specialist this year. Assuming Ned uses him that way. Which he won't.

Oh well, if that's the worst the Brewers have to worry about, it ought to be a good year.

by Marty McSuperFly on Mar 25, 2007 1:29 PM CDT reply actions

While you're waiting

...check out this Ned Yost interview:

Q: The Brewers are celebrating the 25-year anniversary of their appearance in the World Series in 1982. As a player on that team, what do you remember?

A: You know what? Not much...I think we hit a bunch of home runs. I remember Harvey Kuenn took over in the middle of the year and we kind of took off from that point. I don't really remember much.

Q: You're an early riser. Is that part of your persona, that you can't wait to start the day?

A: That's got to be it. I'm up at 4 o'clock and here at 5. I'm waiting...When I get up at 4, I'm raring to go.

Holy crap!

by battlekow on Mar 25, 2007 1:30 PM CDT reply actions

wow

two pretty amazing statements right there.

by Griswald on Mar 25, 2007 7:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Cordier's gone

If you want a Royal to cheer for, pick Erik Cordier, drafted a couple years ago out of a Wisconsin high school, who's now suffered through both knee and elbow surgery.

As a Royals fan, I must apologize, but KC traded Cordier away yesterday for Tony Pena Jr. at shortstop. (Angel Berroa was then sent down to Triple-A.) Just an FYI -- Cordier's blazing fastball and oft-injured arm are in Atlanta now.

by garth on Mar 25, 2007 2:25 PM CDT reply actions

Damnit

The one day I stop paying attention to Royals' minor league transactions, it bites me in the ass.

by battlekow on Mar 25, 2007 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Capellan

If Cappellan is only throwing his fastball at 89-91 like he was on friday then his job should certainly be up for grabs. It isn't like he has pinpoint control to fall back on. I really wonder if his arm is hurting.

by dixieflatline on Mar 25, 2007 11:14 PM CDT reply actions

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