I'll be stopping by The Home Stretch with Justin Hull at 2:30 today to talk free agency and more.
Their lead broadcaster job is open, and he's one of (and probably the most qualified of) three known candidates. h/t @Haudricourt
Breaking: Gold Glove awards are just as bad as ever, except now even before the winners are announced
Braun swept the eight MVP ballots, with Prince Fielder second and John Axford third. Axford received the #1 spot on seven of eight ballots in the voting for Most Valuable Pitcher, finishing eight points ahead of Yovani Gallardo. Jonathan Lucroy beat out Mark Kotsay for the team's Unsung Hero Award. Nyjer Morgan was first on seven of the eight ballots for Top Newcomer, beating out Zack Greinke. LaTroy Hawkins won the closest vote, beating out Casey McGehee and John Axford to be named the Brewers' "Good Guy."
They're at 22:1, one spot ahead of the Cubs and Reds (both 25:1). Here are the ten teams ahead of them: 1. Phillies 4:1 2. Yankees 13:2 3. Red Sox 8:1 4. Rangers 12:1 5t. Tigers 14:1 5t: Cardinals 14:1 7. Giants 16:1 8t Rays 18:1 8t Braves 18:1 10. Diamondbacks 20:1 Elsewhere in the NL Central, the Astros are the longest of long shots at 100:1, and the Pirates are 26th at 60:1.
At least one good thing came from them winning the WS.
I can honestly say I didn't see this coming. This decision seems like it happened too quickly. I wouldn't be surprised if he changes his mind and comes back in the next month or so.
Brewers decline $6M option on Betancourt, $17.5M option on Rodriguez.
Yuniesky Betancourt, Craig Counsell, Prince Fielder, Jerry Hairston Jr., LaTroy Hawkins, Mark Kotsay, Francisco Rodriguez and Takashi Saito all have their paperwork in. For the most part, this isn't a surprise. It would have been bigger news if any of the Brewers' potential free agents had chosen not to file for some reason. The only name on the list that caught my eye is Yuni: The Brewers still have a club option to bring him back for 2012. The fact that he filed for free agency could imply he knows something we don't. Or it could mean he's just covering his bases in case the Brewers decline the option. (h/t MLBTR)