Some things to read while shaving.
I think most of us have low expectations for the Brewers' 2011 defense, but will it be bad enough to cost them a shot at contention? Jonah Keri of FanGraphs makes the case that it will, while Miller Park Drunk (kind of) has the counterpoint.
The Brewers announced their lineup yesterday for Brewers On Deck and, while there's plenty to be excited about (Zack Greinke), it's also worth noting that Prince Fielder will not be in attendance. Jaymes Langrehr of The Brewers Bar says it's no big deal, and Adam McCalvy notes that Fielder has already done a tour of Japan and China this offseason.
While we're on the topic of Fielder, MLB Trade Rumors has a list of eight teams (plus the Brewers) that might be interested in signing him next year at this time. The Cubs really stick out from the rest of that list.
At least the Brewers have done their part to produce a winner in their last season with him here: The Platoon Advantage says the Brewers had baseball's fourth best offseason, behind the Padres, Red Sox and Rays. Tom Haudricourt and Anthony Castrovince also have a recap of the offseason.
When we do community projections in another month or so, it'll be interesting to see what people expect from Jonathan Lucroy. The Cub Reporter ranked each team's 2010 catcher tandem by WAR and the Brewers (.1 WAR) ranked 27th.
It's a ridiculously slow news day, but thankfully there are still corners of the web where people are talking about Trevor Hoffman:
- Dex from Gaslamp Ball claims to appreciate Hoffman more than most, as the potential last "True Padre" Hall of Famer.
- He also shared some ideas for a Hoffman statue.
In the minors:
- Fang is back from vacation and working on an excellent new invention in this week's episode of The Offseason.
- Voting is now open for the #10 spot in our BCB Community Prospect Rankings. Go vote, if you haven't already.
Around baseball:
Athletics: Utilityman Adam Rosales may miss Opening Day after having foot surgery.
Braves: Claimed reliever Anthony Varvaro off waivers from the Mariners.
Diamondbacks: Signed infielder Willie Bloomquist to a one year, $1.05 million deal.
Yankees: Signed reliever Rafael Soriano to a three year, $35 million deal.
Today in former Brewer notes:
- MLB Trade Rumors is reporting that the Padres are close to a deal with Gregg Zaun.
- Dave Allen of FanGraphs has a look at Chris Capuano's unusual platoon split.
- The B-Ref Blog has a list showing that Robin Yount's 2856 games are the fifth most ever for a player who spent his entire career with one team.
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Plunk Everyone unearthed this bit of knowledge you didn't have before: Ronnie Belliard has been hit by 24 pitches in his career and has been on first base when someone else was hit 26 times, making him one of just eight players with less than 25 of the former and more than 25 of the latter.
Via the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to Seattle Pilot and 1972 Brewer Ron Clark, who turns 68.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get outside.
Drink up.