Some things to read while making sure everyone knows.
It might be time to admit that the front office was right and we were wrong regarding Felipe Lopez. With roughly six weeks to go until spring training, Lopez remains unsigned and only one team (the Cardinals) has even been reported as showing interest. David Golebiewski of The Hardball Times thinks Lopez projects to be a 2-2.5 WAR player next season, and may have to settle for a super-utility role to find a job.
It's taking a little longer than expected, but there's light at the end of the tunnel in Miller Park's financing. Latest reports suggest the local .1% sales tax will raise enough money to cover the remaining debt and end sometime between 2015 and 2018.
Like Miller Park, Ryan Braun's contract was money well spent. Braun was listed as an honorable mention on USA Today's best team money can buy.
In the minors:
- John Sickels has unveiled his preliminary list of Brewer prospects to rank in his 2010 guide. Head over there to see if he missed anyone, and pre-order the book while you're there - it's well worth it.
- The Timber Rattlers need your help selecting a left fielder for their 15th anniversary team. Follow that link for information on the nominees, then click over to the front page to vote.
- 2007 4th round pick Eric Farris is an interesting under-the-radar type player in the Brewers system, and posted a .298/.341/.385 line in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League last season. With that said, Adam Foster of Project Prospect says he's "not much of a prospect."
We're almost done selecting players for the BCB All Decade Team, with voting for our sixth bullpen spot open until 4 pm today, when voting for the final roster spot will open. Over the weekend Ned Yost was selected as the team's manager, which might be the greatest possible indictment of the other Brewer managers of the 2000's.
On the other end of the spectrum, Right Field Bleachers has an Anti-All-Decade Team. Clearly, with Ruben Quevedo as the ace of the staff, this team would eat its way to the top...and then back to the bottom.
If you missed it, Morineko's Weekend Mug has much more end-of-year and end-of-decade stuff, so be sure to check it out.
Or, if you're looking for something to listen to today, here's an interview with bullpen catcher Marcus Hanel, discussing offseason moves and "a biblical perspective on the 'changing of the seasons' in Milwaukee."
No transactions to report today, so we'll head straight to the other notes:
Edwin Encarnacion learned something about playing with fireworks over New Years, and is lucky to have avoided serious injury after being hit in the jaw with a bottle rocket. He escaped with first and second-degree burns on his face, and is expected to be ready for spring training.
This time of year, "Minnesota" and "not that cold" don't usually appear in the same sentence, but Dan Wade makes the case that Target Field won't be as cold as people are making it out to be.
Ever wondered about the differences between hitting in baseball and cricket? Me either. But if you had, Mister Baseball has a video for you.
Happy birthday today to:
- Jason Bourgeois, who turns 28.
- 1995-96 Brewer Kevin Wickander, who turns 45.
Oh, and it's nothing personal, it's just an improvement in clothing taste from Seth McClung.
Drink up.