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The Milwaukee Brewers announced their Opening Day roster this evening, and it’s kind of weird:
Presenting your 2018 Milwaukee Brewers Opening Day roster! #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/3jG7wYMtxU
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) March 29, 2018
The Brewers kept all four of their first basemen - Thames, Braun, Aguilar, and Choi - and elected to open the year with only 11 pitchers. Choi was not previously on the 40 man roster after signing a minor league deal this past offseason, so Milwaukee obviously added him in the spot that was opened up after Yovani Gallardo was released. Choi has a minor league option remaining, and it doesn’t sound like we should expect him to stick around for too long in the early going:
Stearns on keeping Choi: "Ji-Man understands his roster situation. He's very excited to be on the team on opening day. Like any player with options, he understands there is flexibility to go up and down."
— Tom (@Haudricourt) March 29, 2018
Stearns on keeping Ji-Man Choi: "We thought having the extra position player made sense. I don’t know how long we’re going to be able to do this. Clearly, this isn’t something that you can do for long stretches in a Major League season."
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) March 29, 2018
The Brewers obviously won’t keep this alignment for very long, if even past tomorrow. It sounds like they are eyeing up a player from the free agent market:
Sounds like #Brewers are trying to sign a reliever cut from another team but just didn't get it done in time for opening day roster. Might be getting some competition from other teams. Did it last two years with Torres and Hughes.
— Tom (@Haudricourt) March 29, 2018
Stearns on likelihood of external pitching move: "We're continuing to explore it... I do think we're gaining some traction in that area. I don't know if we'll get anything done but we'll see where it leads."
— Tom (@Haudricourt) March 29, 2018
Word is that #Brewers are "gaining traction" on outside relief acquisition, just not sure which day it might happen. Obviously not in time for opener, which allowed them to keep extra bat in Ji-Man Choi.
— Tom (@Haudricourt) March 29, 2018
There hasn’t been anything concrete reported yet, but Daniel Hudson, Dan Jennings, and a waiver claim for Josh Lucas are some speculatively suggested possibilities floating around on Twitter that could make sense. We’ll see what ends up happening, but it certainly feels like there’s a strong chance that the Opening Day roster won’t be the roster on day two.