Wednesday's Frosty Mug: Giving Zack Greinke A Call

Some things to read while a guest stops by.

Election day was a pretty slow news day around baseball, so today's top story is Jon Heyman's report that Doug Melvin and Zack Greinke have spoken recently. Melvin downplayed the relevance of the conversation, though, and Adam McCalvy has a reminder that Melvin and Greinke are close so it's possible the conversation was just two friends catching up.

Melvin is presumably in California where the General Managers Meetings start today. This isn't baseball's Winter Meetings, which will be held December 3-6 in Nashville, but they are an opportunity for all 30 GMs to come together and potentially lay the groundwork for some moves this winter.

Even if Melvin is able to convince Zack Greinke to return to Milwaukee this winter, will it be enough? Nicholas Zettel of Disciples of Uecker makes the argument that the Brewers need to find two veteran starters on the market.

Signing two veterans would at the very least increase the possibility that Wily Peralta would have to open the 2013 season in Nashville. We recapped Peralta's debut season yesterday as an honorable mention in our MVBrewers series. The series will continue at 2 today.

Of course, the starting rotation isn't the only place where the Brewers need pitching help. Brandon Berg of Chippewa.com has a look at the issues the team faces in the bullpen.

Meanwhile on the offensive side, Taylor Green is back home in Canada after spending a few weeks in the Dominican Republic working on his swing this winter. Green hit .300/.333/.350 in eleven games for Escogido in the DWL and told Adam McCalvy he's working this winter to be better prepared for a bench role in 2013.

In the minors:

• Baseball America has this winter's full list of minor league free agents, and there aren't any Brewer surprises on it. Aside from the usual collection of veteran journeymen (Corey Patterson, Claudio Vargas) the most notable players on the list might be former pitching prospects Amaury Rivas and Evan Anundsen.
• Former Brewer Mitch Stetter is also a free agent and posted on Twitter that he'd be surprised if he's back as a Brewer in 2013, but admits that he would've said the same thing last year.
• Hunter Morris and Josh Prince both doubled but it was not enough as Nick Bucci was roughed up on the mound in Phoenix's 13-6 loss to Peoria in the Arizona Fall League yesterday. You can read about that and more in today's Winter League Recap.
• John Steinmiller is in Arizona and has a great extended profile of Hunter Morris.
• Brock Kjeldgaard's fall season is over as he broke his foot on a foul tip in AFL play. The foot will require surgery but he's expected to be ready for spring training.
• Baseball America is reporting the Brewers have released minor league pitcher Manuel Ruiz. He's 24 and posted an 8.27 ERA for Helena in 2012.

The Brewers continued to unveil bobbleheads yesterday, announcing that all fans in attendance for the Sunday, July 7 game against the Mets will receive a Hank Aaron bobble. This is the third time the Brewers have honored Aaron with a bobblehead.

Around baseball:

Cubs: Signed infielder Edwin Maysonet to a minor league deal.
Diamondbacks: Signed outfielder Jeremy Reed, pitcher Garrett Mock and pitcher Eddie Bonine to minor league deals.
Mariners: Claimed outfielder Scott Cousins off waivers from the Blue Jays.
Orioles: Are expected to extend manager Buck Showalter a contract extension this winter and signed outfielder Jason Pridie to a minor league deal.
Yankees: Claimed pitchers Josh Spence and David Herndon off waivers from the Padres and Blue Jays, respectively.

Brew Crew Ball is an apolitical space, but from time to time the line blurs between baseball and politics. Craig Calcaterra of Hardball Talk has a look at the most baseball-relevant stories from last night's election results.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to change shoes.

Drink up.