Thursday's Frosty Mug

Some things to read while discovering West Consin.

Good morning and welcome to day two of the Francisco Rodriguez era. He's still our top story today, and here's what people are saying about him:

• Ron Roenicke told reporters yesterday that Rodriguez and John Axford will share closing and setup duties.
• John Axford welcomed K-Rod on Twitter.
• In an interview on WFAN, Mets GM Sandy Alderson hinted that one of the two PTBNLs may be a player who has played for the Brewers this season, but is in the minors now. Adam McCalvy noted that Mike McClendon fits those criteria.
• The Journal Sentinel has video of Doug Melvin's press conference, where he suggested none of the Brewers "top" prospects will be included on the PTBNL list.
• Dave Cameron says "Even if Brewers are planning on using K-Rod as a setup guy, what happens if Axford gets hurt? Betting 2012 budget against that seems unwise."
• Joe Pawlikowski of FanGraphs elaborated on that point, saying, "Really, the deal was a big bet on Axford. If he remains healthy and effective the deal should work out well. If not, well, the Brewers could be scrambling for solutions in the 2012 off-season.
• Matthew Pouliot of Hardball Talk says the world will not end if Rodriguez's option vests, saying the Brewers should be able to trade him if they're willing to eat $5 million of his 2012 salary.
• Alex of View From Bernie's Chalet reiterated some of my concerns with the deal.
• Jack Moore of Disciples of Uecker noted that K-Rod had the right to veto trades to ten teams, but his former agent failed to submit the list of teams this spring.
• Jon Heyman says the Brewers and Mets both got what they need from this deal.
• Pat Lackey of WHYGAVS used this deal to draw a distinction between the Brewers and Pirates front offices.
• The Yankees were reportedly offered and rejected a similar deal.
• Jaymes Langrehr of The Brewers Bar notes that John Axford and LaTroy Hawkins are the only Brewer relievers with positive WPA on the season to this point.
• Rodriguez will take the roster spot vacated when Cody Scarpetta was returned to AA following Sunday's game.
• Cory Provus reacted to the deal here.

Today's best news might be this: Despite taking on some salary in the K-Rod deal, the Brewers aren't done making moves. Ken Rosenthal reports that they're still looking for opportunities to acquire a shortstop or third baseman. Adam Bernacchio of MLB Daily Dish thinks the Brewers should stick with Casey McGehee, but could improve at shortstop. Here's today's edition of Yuni Notes:

• He's the starting shortstop on Rob Neyer's 2011 Un-Star Team.
• Aaron Gleeman listed him as his third favorite active comedian.
• Yuni is featured prominently in Brewers in 11's fan fiction.
• If the Brewers don't have a sudden change of heart and DFA Yuni by the end of the day tomorrow, I'm going to owe Rubie a six pack of Abita Turbodog.

While the Brewers don't have much tradeable talent in their minor league system, they do have two of baseball's most valuable players on the roster now. Ryan Braun (#31) and Yovani Gallardo (#36) made Dave Cameron of FanGraphs' list of baseball's top players by trade value.

Speaking of Braun, David Laurila of FanGraphs talked to him and Rickie Weeks at the All Star Game about the art/science of hitting.

When the Brewers resume play tonight, it's likely Nyjer Morgan will be starting against right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez of the Rockies. Matt Klaassen of FanGraphs has a look at the Brewers' platoon in center field (FanShot). Adam McCalvy has a preview of the second half.

Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, however, will not be in the lineup. He's nursing a bruised wrist.

This is a pretty cool gesture by the team: They've taken out a full page ad in the Journal Sentinel this morning congratulating Prince Fielder on winning the All Star Game MVP.

Today's most interesting collection of charts and graphs await you at the following link: David Pinto of Baseball Analytics has a look at John Axford's ability to get swings and misses with fastballs up and curveballs down.

I keep feeling like we will eventually run out of things to say about Zack Greinke, but we never do. Today Royals Review compares Greinke to Roland 'Prez' Pryzbylewski from The Wire. I've never seen the show, so I have no idea what that means.

In the minors:

• Khris Davis made MLB Depth Charts' Under The Radar NL All Star Team. Toby Harrmann wants to know why he's still in Brevard County.
• FakeTeams listed Tyler Thornburg among their top prospects in the Florida State League, but discounted his performance a bit by noting that he's almost 23.
• Steve Gardner of USA Today says Caleb Gindl could make an impact as a potential callup for the Brewers. I like Gindl as much or more than the next guy, but I don't see it.
• The affiliates went 1-4 last night, with Kentrail Davis going 3-for-4 with two runs scored in Brevard County's 8-5 win over Jupiter. You can read about that and more in today's Minor League Notes.
• Wisconsin lost in heartbreaking fashion last night, giving up a grand slam in the 12th inning to fall 7-5 to West Michigan. I was there and took a picture of my messy scorebook for you. Rattler Radio has the video highlights.
• Ben Oglivie is West Michigan's hitting coach, and he talked to Mike Woods of the Appleton Post-Crescent before the game.
• Bus Leagues Baseball has an interview with Brevard County center fielder D'Vontrey Richardson. (h/t @SessileFielder)
• Stadium Journey has a largely negative review of Herschel Greer Stadium in Nashville, giving it 2.7 out of five stars.
• Marc Hulet of FanGraphs has a look back at his pre-season Brewer top ten prospect list.

Meanwhile, here's one player that won't be a Brewer minor leaguer: Mass Haas is reporting that 46th round pick Ahmad Christian has enrolled in classes at South Carolina and won't be signing.

The Brewers have been somewhat inactive in the Latin American market this summer, but Infield Fly Rule has a reminder of some of the successes (and failures) they've had there in the past.

In power rankings: Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune has the Brewers holding steady at 8.

Around baseball:

Cardinals: Signed pitcher Jaime Garcia to a four year, $27.5 million contract extension through 2015 with club options for 2016 and 2017.
Indians: Placed pitcher Mitch Talbot on the DL with a lower back strain.
Rangers: Released pitchers Manny Delcarmen and Seth McClung.

You already know about Garcia and much more if you've read this morning's edition of Around the NL Central, a key footstep on the path to enlightenment.

Today in baseball economics: The Marlins, who are struggling to draw fans in their final season at (ballpark name that will probably change before the Mug is published), are closing the upper deck at their games for the remainder of the season. They're averaging 17,274 fans per home game this season, over 5,000 per game worse than their nearest NL competitor (the Nationals).

It's been a while since we've had a BCB meetup: My plans to hold one on Opening Day fell through and I haven't really worked on one since. This Halos Heaven pinball tournament, though, got me thinking: Anyone know of a place in/around Milwaukee where we could do something similar? Would anyone be interested in doing it?

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to check my map.

Drink up.