What We Learned: The David Stearns era officially begins

Yesterday's Results

Cubs 6, Brewers 1

Jake Arrieta made his final case for the Cy Young award with a dominating performance on Friday. He pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out seven. He could have gone longer, but the Cubs had him on a pitch count so he came out after the sixth inning. Meanwhile, Ariel Pena's day didn't go as well, as he allowed four runs on five hits and two walks, though he did have six strikeouts. The only Brewers offense came from a Khris Davis solo home run in the seventh inning.

Cubs 1, Brewers 0

After two rough starts to begin his MLB career, Tyler Wagner had a good one to finish up his 2015 season. He allowed just one run in six innings, and worked around seven hits and two walks. However, he got no support as the Brewers offense managed just two hits and one walk against Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs bullpen.

Cubs 3, Brewers 1

The Brewers season came to an end with a whimper on Sunday afternoon. Jorge Lopez did ok, allowing three runs in five innings, but the Brewers offense was held in check again. Shane Peterson drove in a row on an RBI double, but that was all the Brewers could put together. Dan Haren held the Brewers to one run, three hits, and a walk, and the Cubs bullpen only allowed one walk over the final three innings.

Brewers News & Notes

• The Brewers finished the 2015 season at 68-94. That will give them the #5 pick in next year's draft, a pick that will be protected and come with a bigger bonus pool.
• David Stearns is beginning his career as GM with some shake-ups in the coaching staff. While manager Craig Counsell, hitting coach Darnell Coles, and third base coach Ed Sear will return, all of the remaining coaches (bench coach Jerry Narron, pitching coach Rick Kranitz, first base coach Mike Guerrero, outfield coach John Shelby, bullpen coach Lee Tunnell) will not return for 2016.
• Have some questions about the Brewers? Derek is starting up a mailbag and is now taking questions for the first mailbag coming up soon.
• Over in the FanPosts, danhoff asks who the next big signing will be for the Brewers. Also, nullacct discusses how the Brewers should be building the team, and Aaron128 looks ahead to 2016.
• As the season came to a close, Adam McCalvy spoke with owner Mark Attanasio, who gave some of his thoughts on the 2015 season and the current direction for the Brewers.
• Could Ariel Pena make the rotation in 2016? Cash Kruth of MLB.com notes that Pena's performance in his few starts has opened some eyes on the coaching staff.
• Prior to Saturday's game, the Brewers honored their minor league players of the year at Miller Park. Cait Covers the Bases has the details from Saturday's ceremony.
• This season, Wisconsin native Matt Stolz had a goal of biking to all 30 MLB parks. He began his journey at Safeco Field on Opening Day, and finished it up at Miller Park on Friday. Cait Covers the Bases has the story on his journey across the country.

NL Central Update

• Cardinals @ Braves
  Friday: Braves 4, Cardinals 0
  Saturday: Braves 6, Cardinals 0
  Sunday: Braves 2, Cardinals 0
• Reds @ Pirates
  Friday: Pirates 6, Reds 4
  Saturday: Reds 3, Pirates 1
  Sunday: Pirates 4, Reds 0

Around Baseball

Roster News

• The Angels have announced that Billy Eppler has been hired to be the team's new general manager.
• Cubs starting pitcher Dan Haren will retire when the 2015 season is over for the Cubs.
• The Giants signed international center field prospect Eddy Julio Martinez to a $2.5 million contract.
• Padres interim manager Pat Murphy will not manage the team in 2016.
• The Reds have announced that manager Bryan Price will return in the 2016 season.
• Red Sox manager John Farrell will return in 2016. Farrell had recently finished treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and had taken a leave of absence during the season.
• The White Sox will retain manager Robin Ventura for the 2016 season.