Some things to read while fixing a fracture.
Zack Greinke has been a Brewer for a little more than a month now, but apparently his former Royals teammates aren't done talking about him yet. Jaymes Langrehr of The Brewers Bar spotted some harsh words about Greinke from Royals first baseman Billy Butler, who said Greinke "didn't want to be here," and the Royals are "a better organization with people who want to be here, no matter how good a certain player is."
I'm not sure what to make of that. A fair amount of it is sour grapes, certainly, and that's probably natural when a player asks to leave. Hopefully Doug Melvin is right and winning will re-energize Greinke, because if he's as miserable in Milwaukee as it sounds like he was in Kansas City it could become a distraction in a hurry.
Regardless of that, though, Greinke will almost certainly be the Brewers' Opening Day starter in Cincinnati. As part of his inbox yesterday, Adam McCalvy projected the Brewers' rotation through April. He also discussed Rickie Weeks, the possibility that more moves will be made before spring training and early spring training workouts.
McCalvy also has the details of Kameron Loe's new deal: Loe will make $1.25 million in 2011 and could also reach these incentives:
| Games | Incentive |
| 50 | $25,000 |
| 55 | $30,000 |
| 60 | $35,000 |
| 76 | $10,000 |
| 78 | $15,000 |
| Total | $115,000 |
Despite not joining the Brewers until their 52nd game in 2010, Loe made 53 appearances. That'd put him on pace for 77 appearances in a full season.
If you were hoping to attend the Brewers' home opener on April 4, you should head over to the Official Site and sign up for the ticket lottery. You have until February 15 to do so.
Looking for something to do on Saturday? As part of SABR Day, the Ken Keltner (Wisconsin) chapter is holding a lunch meeting at Long Wong's Chinese-American Sportsbar in Milwaukee, and Doug Melvin will be the featured speaker. Friend of the site Larry Granillo of Wezen-ball will also be there to give a presentation on Peanuts Baseball.
Around baseball:
Athletics: Acquired pitcher Clayton Mortensen from the Rockies for a minor leaguer and signed third baseman Andy LaRoche to a minor league deal.
Diamondbacks: Acquired pitcher Armando Galarraga from the Tigers for two minor leaguers, designated pitcher Rafael Rodriguez for assignment and signed pitcher Micah Owings to a minor league deal.
Nationals: Designated pitcher Shairon Martis for assignment.
Padres: Are expected to sign infielder Jorge Cantu to a one year deal.
Rockies: Signed OF Willy Taveras to a minor league deal and designated pitcher Samel Deduno for assignment.
Today in former Brewers:
- Both Jeff Suppan and Geoff Jenkins made Walkoff Walk's final list of people named Jeff or Geoff that they hate.
- Mike Cameron and Devon White made the B-Ref Blog's list of 28 players worth at least 40 WAR with more defensive than offensive value.
Here's today's sabermetric note: Cyril Morong has a look at the concept of clutch pitching and concludes that it doesn't tend to repeat year-to-year.
Today's baseball economics note is on a smaller scale: Chris Mehring of Rattler Radio's look at the latest developments in an effort to build a new ballpark in Beloit turned into a deeper conversation on the merits and drawbacks of downtown ballparks.
With help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:
- Wisconsin Timber Rattler Eric Arnett, who turns 23.
- Huntsville Star Anderson Machado, who turns 30.
- 2005-08 Brewer Derrick Turnbow, who turns 33.
- 1986-89 Brewer Juan Castillo, who turns 49.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have pipes to thaw.
Drink up.