Some things to read while waiting by the phone.
Unfortunately, we open today with bad news. The team announced yesterday that Bob Uecker will require additional surgery to repair a small tear at the site of the valve replacement operation he underwent this season (FanShot). Uecker's recovery time is expected to be 8-10 weeks, which would leave him enough recovery time to be ready for spring training. We wish him the best of luck and a speedy recovery.
Here are today's managerial meanderings:
- Jaymes Langrehr of The Brewers Bar doesn't want a former Brewer as manager.
- Ryan Divish of the Tacoma News Tribune has a look at the managerial style of former Indians manager Eric Wedge, and says, "If you hired Wedge, you would get a quietly intense former catcher who expects his players to play the game the right way, and would protect them from criticism at all cost."
- Let's Go Tribe! has a look at Wedge's powers of persuasion.
- The Blue Jays are reportedly planning on interviewing Rays bench coach Dave Martinez.
One more 2010 Brewer won't be back with the team next season: Adam Stern, who appeared in six games for the Crew in May, was granted minor league free agency yesterday. Stern went 0-for-8 as a Brewer, but hit .325/.399/.462 in 86 games for Nashville.
It's possible Todd Coffey won't be back, either. MLB Trade Rumors has a look at the possibility the Brewers will non-tender their 2010 leader in games pitched. Coffey made over $2 million in 2010, and is likely due a small raise for 2011. As of this writing, 54% of voters think the Brewers will keep Coffey around.
And, of course, there are other Brewers we wish wouldn't come back: Brew City Sports' tournament to crown 2010's worst Brewer is down to the final eight.
Back at Miller Park, construction crews are working on installing the new video board in center field. Step one was removing the 15,000 lb "Miller Park" sign located above the scoreboard, and Adam McCalvy has the vertigo-inducing photos. The team hasn't decided what to do with the sign, but it'd look great in my yard. Meanwhile, SgtClueLs has the best idea I've heard yet for the new scoreboard.
In the minors:
- The Toronto Sun has named Brett Lawrie its 2010 Canadian Minor League Offensive Player of the Year. Congrats to him on the honor.
- Rattler Radio has video of Wisconsin's top ten moments of the season.
Around baseball:
Athletics: Outfielder Jeremy Hermida and pitcher Ross Wolf have declined assignments to the minors and are now free agents.
Red Sox: Re-signed catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia to a one year deal.
Rockies: Are expected to decline pitcher Jeff Francis' option for 2011, making him a free agent.
This is still in the "just a rumor" stage, but it's interesting nonetheless: Will Carroll is reporting that the Cubs will give interim manager Mike Quade the full-time job, and promote Ryne Sandberg to bench coach for 2011.
The Rays may be out of the playoffs, but the most interesting thing I've seen written about them in some time came out this week: Seth McClung has a look back at his time in the Rays organization, and how Joe Maddon and others have turned it around.
I never know if anyone else finds stuff like this interesting, but I do. The AAA Portland Beavers, forced to move after their stadium was converted into a soccer-only facility, are being purchased by Padres owner Jeff Moorad and temporarily moved to Tucson. The plan is to eventually move the team to a new facility in suburban San Diego. Despite being a surprise contender in 2010, the Padres ranked just 11th in the NL in attendance with about 26,000 fans per game this season. That doesn't sound like a market that will support AAA baseball.
There's really not a lot out there this morning, so I was forced to scrape the bottom of the barrel a little harder than usual. Here's what I found:
- 92% of voters at Royals Review rated Ned Yost's debut season a 3 out of 5 or higher.
- Oysta Buns reached beyond the grave to get some legendary managers' take on Bobby Cox.
- Lookout Landing has some fan fiction regarding Ian Snell.
- Where Have You Gone, Andy Van Slyke? quoted Almost Famous.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to find a more direct route.
Drink up.