Some things to read while disappearing.
Odds are many of you are back at your desk this morning for the first time following Thanksgiving and the retail nightmare known as Black Friday. It's worth noting, though, that retailers weren't the only ones offering discounts on Friday: Jaymes Langrehr of The Brewers Bar has a look at some of the specials Doug Melvin was offering.
Here's today's Prince Fielder note: As part of his offseason "Fix My Team" series, Steve Phillips of MLB FanHouse says the Brewers should call the Red Sox, Mariners, Mets, Giants and Orioles as part of their effort to flip Fielder for pitching.
Meanwhile, here's another reminder that the Brewers could use some help on the mound: Jim Breen of Bernie's Crew notes that only five of the 24 pitchers used by the Brewers in 2010 posted a below average walk rate.
Over the course of the last week I've fallen behind on Lee Panas of Tiger Tales' defensive posts. Here are three more results from his work averaging out four defensive metrics:
- Prince Fielder was estimated at -9 runs, tied for 20th among 22 first basemen.
- Corey Hart was estimated at -4 runs, 14th among 15 right fielders.
- Ryan Braun was estimated at -1 run, 6th among 11 left fielders.
'Tis the season to write about various Brewers' charity work: Adam McCalvy has a story on Rickie Weeks and his father (Rickie Weeks, Sr.), who are working on a program to help spread baseball in inner cities in Central Florida.
McCalvy also has a recap of Bob Uecker's appearance on Studio 42 with Bob Costas, if you haven't seen it yet.
In the minors:
- Deep Leagues ranked Kentrail Davis 47th on their list of baseball's top 50 outfield prospects.
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Baseball America has a post on Eric Farris, but it's subscriber-only.
Around baseball:
Dodgers: Signed pitcher Jon Garland to a one year, $5 million deal with an option for 2012.
Marlins: Signed pitcher Javier Vazquez to a one year, $7 million deal.
Twins: Paid a (refundable) $5 million posting fee for the right to negotiate with Japanese infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka.
Yankees: Signed pitcher Brian Anderson to a minor league deal.
I know some of you are wondering what to get me for Christmas. I'm tough to shop for sometimes. With that said, I'm hearing Drayton McLane will sell the Astros for $800 million. That'd be a nice stocking stuffer.
Another day, another Rule 5 Draft preview: Today Pro Ball NW has a look at five available players.
Today's former Brewer notes:
- The Sydney Morning Herald has a story on David Nilsson, who is managing the Brisbane Bandits in Australia this winter.
- The B-Ref Blog has a list of 25 bullpens in major league history where at least three pitchers made 50 appearances, posted an ERA+ of 130 or more and struck out at least 60 batters. The 1997 Brewers made the list with Bob Wickman, Doug Jones and Mike Fetters.
There's not a lot in today's Mug, but sometimes that's ok. Today, for example, a short Mug gives you more time to read this excellent Joe Posnanski piece on closers and setup men and how they haven't impacted the game as much as you'd expect.
Happy birthday over the weekend to:
- Huntsville Star Casey Baron, who turns 26 today.
- 1998 Brewer Bob Hamelin, who turns 43 today.
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Carlos Villanueva, who turned 27 on Sunday. (h/t @BernieBrewer)
- 1974-80 Brewer Sixto Lezcano, who turned 57 on Sunday.
- Wausau, WI native Johnny Schmitz, who turned 90 on Saturday. Schmitz played 13 major league seasons between 1941 and 1956 with the Cubs and six other teams.
Now, if you'll excuse me, my scale is broken.
Drink up.