Thursday's Frosty Mug: Moving Day

Some things to read while losing your head.

Day three of the offseason was a big one for former Brewers moving on with their careers. First, yesterday morning the Brewers announced that Chris Narveson and Blake Lalli had elected to become minor league free agents. Both players had been outrighted off the 40-man roster earlier this season. This is the end of a six-year run in the organization for Narveson, who pitched in 92 MLB games as a Brewer between 2009-13.

Later yesterday we also heard that the Brewers have placed Mat Gamel and Taylor Green on waivers as part of the process of outrighting them off the 40-man roster. If unclaimed, both players will also be eligible to become minor league free agents. Gamel would have been arbitration-eligible this winter despite not having played in a game since last April, and Green missed the entire season with a hip injury.

Meanwhile, it looks like the door may be open for one former Brewer coach to come back. Doug Melvin told reporters he'll call former Brewer hitting coach and Cubs manager Dale Sveum to discuss a possible return to Milwaukee. (h/t @AdamMcCalvy) The coaching staff appears set for next season, so it's unclear what Sveum's role would be.

Maybe Sveum can help the Brewers get more out of their best players. Jim Owczarski of OnMilwaukee.com has a look at four stars the Brewers need to make bigger contributions in 2014.

One of those stars is Yovani Gallardo, who saved a somewhat disastrous season with a hot finish. Lou Olsen of Reviewing the Brew gave Gallardo a B- for his 2013 performance.

Another one of those stars is Rickie Weeks, though, and his ship may already have sailed. Ryan Connor of Reviewing the Brew has a look at Scooter Gennett's contributions from his first major league season and concludes that "Gennett may not be a centerpiece of a contender, but he can be a contributor to a good team if utilized correctly." Milwaukee's Own Brew Crew Fans named Gennett the Brewers Rookie of the Year, while also selecting Jonathan Lucroy as team MVP and Kyle Lohse as the best pitcher.

Contributions from young players like Gennett are one of the major reasons the Brewers were able to spend just $1.2 million per win in 2013. GammonsDaily.com notes that they're in the middle of the pack in dollars per win.

In the minors: 2013 34th round pick Dylan Brock has been suspended for the first 50 games of the 2014 season after testing positive for clomiphene, a banned substance. It's most commonly used as a fertility aid. Brock pitched in nine games for the AZL Brewers in 2013, posting a 2.84 ERA.

Around baseball:

Astros: Claimed pitcher Raul Valdes off waivers from the Phillies and declined pitcher Phil Humber's contract option for 2014.
Indians: Claimed pitcher Tyler Cloyd off waivers from the Phillies and designated pitcher Clay Rapada for assignment.
Rangers: Fired bench coach Jackie Moore and first base coach Dave Anderson.

Today in former Brewers:

• Casey McGehee, who hit .289/.371/.512 with 27 home runs in Japan this season, is considering a return to the US for 2014.
• John Axford will make a "virtual appearance" at the Milwaukee Film Festival this weekend, introducing "2001: A Space Odyssey."

Today in baseball economics: Tuesday night's NL Wild Card game drew a 33.7 TV rating in Pittsburgh, making it the most-watched baseball game in that market's history. (h/t @BiertempfelTrib via @JaymesL)

This morning's edition of Today In Brewer History marks the third anniversary of Ken Macha being fired on the final day of the 2010 season. Today is also 2011 Brewer Brett Carroll's 31st birthday, and Plunk Everyone notes that his eleven career HBP are the most among active players born on October 3.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to replace this sign.

Drink up.