What we learned: February 27, 2015

Francisco Rodriguez is back.

At the end of yesterday's WWL, I noted that an undisclosed team had signed Francisco Rodriguez, and that it wasn't the Marlins or Blue Jays. Many of us hoped that some mystery team had jumped in, but it didn't take long for the truth to come out: The Brewers had agreed to another contract with Francisco Rodriguez.

Jordan first reported the news of the deal yesterday. Instead of another one-year deal, the Brewers guaranteed Rodriguez two years this time, with an option for a third year. They also guaranteed him $13 million in salary, with $4 million of that deferred. It's hard to figure out why the Brewers keep going back to Rodriguez, but Noah has some theories on why the Brewers choose to re-sign him each year. It's pretty certain that Rodriguez does improve the team, but fans tend to not like him due to his off the field issues. In fact, when people were asked if they were glad the Brewers signed Rodriguez again, 41% said yes and 35% said no, with another 24% undecided.

There's a lot of uncertainty about what to expect with Rodriguez entering this season. Some fans are more optimistic than others. We won't know who is right until Rodriguez steps on the field and proves someone right (and someone else wrong).

Brewers News and Analysis

More on the Francisco Rodriguez Signing

• With the details of the Rodriguez contract known, Derek updated his payroll projections to account for the signing. He also notes that this will basically complete the team.
• It could be a little bit before we see Rodriguez in camp. Noah has a FanShot from Tom Haudricourt, noting that Rodriguez still needs a visa before he cam report to camp.
• Nicholas Zettel of Disciples of Uecker breaks down how the Rodriguez signing will affect the bullpen, Currently, there are 17 options in camp, with about 11 having realistic chances to make the team.
• Adam McCalvy also goes into detail on how the Rodriguez signing will affect the Opening Day bullpen. With eight names lined up for the bullpen and three candidates on the fringe, some tough decisions will have to be made.
• David Schoenfield of ESPN SweetSpot sees the Brewers signing of Rodriguez as risky, and predicts he won't make it through the 2015 season still in the closing role.
• With Rodriguez set to be added to the 40-man roster soon, a spot will need to be cleared since the roster is full. Pete Schwichtenberg of Reviewing the Brew thinks that Logan Schafer should be the player to go. He also believes that Chris Perez will be better than Rodriguez.

More from BCB

• Clint Coulter took the #3 spot in the BCB Community Prospect Rankings. The vote for #4 is open until noon, and Monte Harrison currently holds a small lead over Luis Sardinas.
• International bonus pool figures have been released, and the Brewers have a smaller pool than last year to work with in 2015. However, Derek explains why that may not be an issue.
• Could the Brewers consider moving to Florida for Spring Training? The Brewers have options to terminate their contract with Maryvale, and Noah notes that a Florida city has approached the Brewers with an interesting offer.

Notes from Brewers Camp

• The aches of Spring Training are starting to hit the team. Three pitchers sat out of workouts yesterday as they were dealing with soreness.
• Mark Attanasio addressed the team at camp yesterday before workouts. Adam McCalvy notes that he expressed confidence in keeping the roster the way it is, and he has gained perspective by waiting to address the team until now.
• This could be the last season for Aramis Ramirez. Charlie Wilmoth of MLB Trade Rumors notes that Ramirez is leaning towards retirement after the season.
• Scooter Gennett will get his shot this year to prove that he can be an every day second baseman. Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel profiles Gennett as part of their position by position Spring Training preview.

Other Notes

• Miller Park will offer a special peanut-controlled section for select games again this season. Cait Covers the Bases has the details on which games are covered and how to get tickets.
• If you're at a Timber Rattlers game this year, a new item on the menu may catch your eye. A Grilled Cheese Bacon Cheeseburger has been added to the menu for the 2015 season.
• Pictures of the Carlos Gomez bobblehead are out, and Cait Covers the Bases has the first look at the new bobblehead.
• There will be a fan selected giveaway at the end of the season, and we will get to vote on it at some point. Over in the FanPosts, great198 asks what giveaway you would want the Brewers to select for that game.

NL Central Update

• If the NL introduced the DH, which player on the Brewers would best fit the role? Steven Martano of Beyond the Box Score answers this question for the Brewers, as well as every other team in the NL Central.
• Over on Disciples of Uecker, Nicholas Zettel takes a look at the strengths of each NL Central team entering the 2015 season.
• Marcus Young of Miller Park Prospects looks at the top prospects in the Pirates system.

Around Baseball

Transactions

• The Athletics claimed RHP Chad Smith off of waivers from the Tigers.
• The Blue Jays signed pitcher Johan Santana to a minor-league deal.

Other Notes

• On FanGraphs, Craig Edwards breaks down the payroll of each National League team. This year, the National League has an average payroll of $122 million and a median payroll of $112 million.
• The final results of the "Face of MLB" contest was revealed, and Buster Posey beat David Wright for the spot. Wright won the honor last year, and Posey had beaten Jonathan Lucroy earlier in a vote between the two catchers.
• How will the situation with Josh Hamilton be handled under the Joint Drug Agreement? Nathaniel Grow of FanGraphs tries to make sense of the situation and what could happen to Hamilton. Meanwhile, one of Hamilton's long time friends said in an interview on USA Today that Hamilton should retire from baseball.
• We have our first freak injury of the spring. During a workout on Wednesday, Blue Jays outfielder Michael Saunders tripped on a sprinkler and tore cartilage in his left knee. He is expected to be out until the All-Star Break.
• After getting hit in the face with a pitch last year, Giancarlo Stanton will wear a special batting helmet with a face guard for extra protection. Mike Oz of Big League Stew has a picture of the new helmet.
• Miles Wray of The Hardball Times followed up yesterday's list of the longest playoff droughts among pitchers with one on the longest playoff droughts among hitters. One recent Brewers acquisition makes this list as well
• Yesterday, the FCC ruled in a 3-2 decision to implement rules protecting net neutrality. David G. Temple of TechGraphs explains how this will protect you as a MLB viewer.