Thursday's Frosty Mug

Some things to read while keeping it clean.

It's a slow news day today but I do have more reaction to the Roenicke hire, so let's get right to it:

• Adam McCalvy has some more background on the new skipper, including a pretty impressive story about a speech Roenicke delivered in the wake of Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart's death.
• Steve Dilbeck of the LA Times says Roenicke will "get the most out of whatever personnel the Brewers provide."
• The Bucky Channel has a guide to obscure facts about the new manager.

I have a little more today on new Brewer Justin James: Indy Baseball Chatter notes that James opened the 2010 season in the Northern League and became the first player ever to appear in that league and the majors in the same season. Jack Moore of Disciples of Uecker says James is "exactly the kind of guy that's worth a flyer and a prayer."

Here's today's Prince Fielder update: Jon Heyman says the Brewers seem "more likely than not" to keep Fielder on the roster to open the 2011 season, but mentions the Mariners as a potential candidate to acquire him.

In the minors:

• The organization has re-signed veteran AAA player Erick Almonte to a minor league deal. Almonte is a 32 year old, 13 year minor league veteran who has spent the last two years playing first base and DH'ing for Nashville. He hit .320/.377/.415 for the Sounds last season.
• The AFL season is over halfway over, but Eric Farris hadn't been held hitless in a game until yesterday. That's not enough to change Keith Law's opinion on him, though: Law still says Farris doesn't have the bat and is too limited defensively to be a major league regular.
• John Steinmiller is still in Arizona following the Rafters, and interviewed Brandon Kintzler yesterday.

Oh, and Nicole has this scouting report on Rick Peterson's pants.

Most of today's news is on the transaction wire:

Athletics: Exercised second baseman Mark Ellis' option for 2011 ($6 million), and declined Eric Chavez's option.
Braves: Claimed infielder/outfielder Joe Mather off waivers from the Cardinals.
Cubs: Aramis Ramirez has exercised his player option for 2011 and will earn $14.6 million.
Diamondbacks: Claimed reliever Brian Sweeney off waivers from the Mariners.
Mariners: Declined infielders Jose Lopez and Russell Branyan and pitcher Erik Bedard's options for 2011 and announced that outfielder Ryan Langerhans and catcher Guillermo Quiroz have rejected outright assignments and become free agents.
Mets: Exercised Jose Reyes' $11 million option for 2011.
Nationals: Declined infielder Adam Kennedy's option for 2011. Kennedy is now a free agent.
Padres: Declined pitcher Chris Young's option for 2011. Young is now a free agent.
Phillies: Claimed infielder Carlos Rivero off waivers from the Indians.
Pirates: Re-signed reliever Wil Ledezma, avoiding arbitration.
Rangers: Declined DH Vladimir Guerrero's option for 2011.
Rays: Declined reliever Dan Wheeler and infielder Willy Aybar's options for 2011. Wheeler is now a free agent, but Aybar remains arbitration eligible.
Red Sox: Third baseman Adrian Beltre has declined his contract option for 2011 and is now a free agent.
Reds: Exercised pitcher Bronson Arroyo ($11 million) and outfielder Jonny Gomes' ($1.75 million) options for 2011, but declined shortstop Orlando Cabrera and pitcher Aaron Harang's.
Rockies: Declined pitchers Jeff Francis and Octavio Dotel's options for 2011. Both are now free agents.

Eric Chavez was due to make $12.5 million before the A's declined his option. Buying out the option year cost them $3 million, and Jeff Fletcher of AOL says that still might be enough to make him one of the five highest paid Athletics in 2011.

Here's an interesting sign of the times: The Astros apparently feel like they're getting enough information on upcoming opponents from their video study and are eliminating the position of advance scout. (h/t Ben Badler)

Tangotiger's Fan Scouting Report is a project I've always found intriguing and done my best to promote here. I'm glad to see it's now available at FanGraphs.

On this day in 1999 the Brewers hired Davey Lopes to be the 13th manager in franchise history. Lopes went 144-195 over parts of three seasons and was fired in April of 2002 after the team got off to a 3-12 start.

Happy birthday today to:

• 2002 Brewer Ryan Thompson, who turns 43.
• 1970 Brewer Tito Francona, who turns 77.

That's all I've got for you today, unless you were looking for some nautical puns.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm falling behind.

Drink up.