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Aramis Ramirez will return in 2015.
The one option decision we were waiting on for weeks has been made. Aramis Ramirez has decided to exercise his half of the mutual option and return in 2015. With this move, most of the core positions for the Brewers are now filled. It could be a quiet offseason for the Brewers, who don't need to make any big moves now. They could get by with just filling out the bench. Of course, Doug Melvin could surprise all of us with another move, but for now, things are set up for a solid core in 2015.
Cram Session
More from BCB
- Ryan Braun's cryotherapy procedure has provided an initial improvement for his thumb, but isn't enough yet. Gord Ash reported during an interview that Braun will need two more cryotherapy procedures before the start of the season.
- Our MVBrewers series continued yesterday with the first honorable mention: Rickie Weeks. The series will continue with the next one this afternoon.
- Taylor Green is returning to the Brewers on a minor-league deal. Also returning is RHP Manny Barreda and RHP Tim Dillard (h/t Adam McCalvy).
- SB Nation is doing its own series of awards this year, and we need your help to come up with some nominees for the Brewers.
Adam Lind
- Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports that Lind was both caught off guard and excited when he was told that he was traded to the Brewers.
- Jeff Sullivan of FanGraphs breaks down the Lind-Estrada trade and how it works out for both teams.
Other Notes
- Justin Schultz of The First Out at Third suggests that Jeremy Jeffress could be MLB's next lights-out closer.
- There will be 20 all-fan giveaways in 2015, and the first two were announced yesterday: a Rob Deer bobblehead on April 12 and a Wily Peralta bobblehead on April 26.
NL Central Update
- The NL Central could be the most competitive division in baseball next year. Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com looks ahead to the offseason for all five NL Central teams.
- Here is today's update on the Joe Maddon talk, and Big League Stew has all of the updates. In his introductory press conference with the Cubs yesterday, Joe Maddon says that the Cubs will be thinking playoffs next year. Following the press conference, he went to a bar and bought a round of drinks for everyone. Meanwhile, tension is still building in Tampa following his departure, but reports say Joe Maddon made an offer to stay in Tampa before leaving.
- The Cubs signed Tsuyoshi Wada to a new one-year deal. His new deal is for $4 million with $2 million in incentives, overriding a $5 million option he had.
- After losing bench coach Mike Aldrete to Oakland, the Cardinals promoted assistant hitting coach David Bell to be the new bench coach.
- Jeff Sullivan of FanGraphs has his five favorite facts about Aroldis Chapman.
Around Baseball
- Twelve players received qualifying offers yesterday prior to the start of free agency. Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish has a list of the twelve players.
- The Twins made it official yesterday, hiring Paul Molitor to be their next manager.
- Who's the sleeper team for next year? Mike Petriello of FanGraphs has his very early prediction for which team will surprise everyone.
- Could Ned Yost's strategy of run prevention be seen more often in MLB in the coming years? Michael Bradburn of Beyond the Box Score anaylyzes how defensive metrics are being used more and more now.
- Madison Bumgarner may be getting what we wants right now, but there's one thing he wasn't able to do: Ride a police horse in the World Series parade.
- August Fagerstrom of FanGraphs recaps the year in "Little League Home Runs", which includes a Brewers moment that you probably don't want to remember.