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Wednesday's Frosty Mug: Everyone's having fun without us

We're examining the joys of being baseball's only inactive team in today's roundup of all things Brewers.

By Kyle Lobner

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Scott Boehm

Some things to read while insisting on the hard g.

We are 72 days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Maryvale and MLB Daily Dish reports that yesterday was the "greatest offseason day ever," but for the Brewers it was just a quiet Tuesday. Things may heat up at next week's Winter Meetings, though, and Adam McCalvy has the MLB.com preview.

Of course, given yesterday's flurry of moves, it's possible all the big offseason events have already taken place.

Before leaving for Florida the Brewers may also make an offer to free agent Corey Hart. Hart finally received medical clearance from his doctor yesterday, opening the door for him to sign a new contract. The Brewers have previously been reported as being willing to offer Hart a one-year deal, but there are several other teams in that boat.

Every day without transaction news might actually be good news for Jim Henderson, who currently projects to remain as closer for the 2014 season. Jim Owczarski of OnMilwaukee.com talked to Henderson about his first full season in the majors and preparations for his second.

As long as Henderson remains with the Brewers, Ron Roenicke will be his manager again in 2014. Justin Schultz of Reviewing the Brew has a list of three ways Roenicke can improve as a manager. I agree with exactly one of them.

The Brewers do still have a fair number of holes to fill this winter but their core projects to be at least average. Jonathan Judge of Disciples of Uecker ranked their most notable players 15th in all of baseball, which makes them the fourth best in the NL Central.

Carlos Gomez is one of those core players, and he's still under contract with the Brewers for three more seasons. Yesterday we looked at his September 25 home run against the Braves, the ninth longest hit by a Brewer in 2013.

In the minors:

  • Congratulations are due out to Helena outfielder and 2013 Pioneer League MVP Michael Ratterree, who added another accolade to his resume yesterday when MiLB.com named him a short season All Star (h/t @Haudricourt). The 2013 tenth round pick hit .314/.391/.585 in 65 games for Helena.
  • Meanwhile in the Dominican Republic, Elian Herrera's hot streak continues as he went 2-for-4 with a run in Oriente's 4-3 loss to Aguilas (box score). Herrera has reached base safely in ten consecutive games and has multiple hits in five straight.
  • Elsewhere on the island, Jason Rogers went 1-for-3 with a run in Este's 6-5 win over Licey (box score).
  • And in Puerto Rico, Martin Maldonado went 0-for-3 in Mayaguez' 3-0 loss to Caguas (box score). Jose De La Torre pitched a scoreless eighth inning for the victors.

Back in the US, the Brewers' lease with the City of Phoenix for Maryvale Baseball Park could expire following the 2014 season if the city doesn't continue to make improvements to the facility. That makes this piece of news all the more interesting: Rich Kirchen of The Business Journal reports the Brewers are being mentioned as a possibility to move spring training to Florida and occupy a soon-to-be vacant stadium in Dunedin.

If you'd like more Brewers coverage today but you're sick of reading, my Tuesday appearance on The Home Stretch with Justin Hull on 95.3 FM WSCO in Appleton has been archived and can be heard here. We spent about half an hour yesterday talking Ryan Braun and more, and I'll likely stop back again sometime next week to talk Winter Meetings.

As promised above, here are all of yesterday's moves around baseball:

Athletics: Acquired outfielder Craig Gentry and pitcher Josh Lindblom from the Rangers for two minor leaguers and acquired pitcher Luke Gregerson from the Padres for outfielder Seth Smith.
Astros: Acquired outfielder Dexter Fowler and a PTBNL from the Rockies for outfielder Brandon Barnes and pitcher Jordan Lyles.
Cubs: Hired Eric Hinske as their new first base coach.
Marlins: Signed catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia to a three-year, $21 million contract.
Padres: Avoided arbitration with pitcher Tim Stauffer ($1.6 million).
Phillies: Acquired pitcher Brad Lincoln from the Blue Jays for catcher Erik Kratz and a minor leaguer and signed catcher Wil Nieves to a one-year deal.
Rays: Acquired catcher Ryan Hanigan and reliever Heath Bell as part of a three-team trade that sent minor leaguers to the Reds and Diamondbacks and signed Hanigan to a three-year, $10.75 million contract extension with an option for 2017.
Red Sox: Signed catcher A.J. Pierzynski to a one-year, $8.25 million deal.
Rockies: Signed first baseman Justin Morneau to a two-year, $13 million contract.
Tigers: Signed closer Joe Nathan to a two-year, $20 million contract.
Yankees: Signed outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury to a seven-year, $153 million contract.

Of course, all of yesterday's activity was piled atop a busy day on Monday, when dozens of players were non-tendered for the 2014 season. Brad Johnson of The Hardball Times has a look at the new free agents and broke them into groups.

On Monday news also broke that the Tigers had traded pitcher Doug Fister to the Nationals for a return most analysts are seeing as underwhelming. Ryan Connor of Reviewing the Brew looks at a package the Brewers could have put together instead.

Meanwhile in overshadowed news, yesterday the MLBPA announced longtime MLB first baseman Tony Clark as the union's new head. Clark is the first former player ever to hold this role.

Today in former Brewers:

Finally, with help from the B-Ref Play Index, we'd like to wish a happy birthday today to:

Plunk Everyone notes, by the way, that Gomez (38) and Kuenn (15) are the third and fourth most plunked batters born on December 4.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to call IT.

Drink up.

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