Brewers Get K Rod

"Brewers had acquired Francisco Rodriguez and cash considerations from the New York Mets in exchange for two players to be named later. By rule, the two players must be agreed upon within six months of the transaction." ESPN

Hey, you got to give it to the Mets for getting something for K Rod. K Rod hasn't been bad for the Mets by any means, he has a 3.16 era and 23 saves, but he gets paid too much and has a player option for 17 million next year. Also, he has been quite a headache and I don't trust him to keep being dominant with his velocity going down every year.

He is most likely going to close for the Brewers, even though they have John Axford, who has a 2.83 ERA while converting 23 of 25 save opportunities. But the Brewers as a team have blown 14 saves this year.

12 Sox, 3 Brewers

The Sox had another great game and continued their dominance. This was a great win for a couple reasons, four members of the Red Sox -- Ellsbury, Pedroia, Gonzalez, and Drew -- had multi-hit games, while three Sox homered (Ells, Scutaro, and Youk). The got out to a quick start, putting up six runs in the first inning, and never looked back.

Also Adrian Gonzalez got his 100th hit of the season and 1000th of his career while getting a triple. Adrian now has 3 times as many triples as Jacoby Ellsbury.

With Clay Buchholz on the DL we needed to get more confidence with the Wake and he did just that. He gave up 3 runs over 8 IP, but again gave us a long outing.

Another great win, San Diego is next.

Brewers @ Red Sox Preview

Boston is coming off an 8-1 road trip, which is the franchise's best record when playing at least 9 road games since 1977. That's damn impressive with some of the great teams the Red Sox have had over the past 10 years. Now they come home fro a little interleague play against the Brewers.

I have always liked the Brewers. I mean their team is named after beer, how can you hate that? Plus, it was the first baseball stadium I went to that wasn't Fenway.

Tonight we get John Lackey vs Shaun Marcum. Marcum has had a hell of a year for the Brewers (7-2 2.68 ERA), and if his name sounds familiar it's because he was with the Blue Jays last year. Marcum went 1-3 with a 5.34 ERA in five starts against the Red Sox last season. I think the Sox can handle him, and a lot of the guys have familiarity with him, which is rare when playing an NL team.

John Lackey has posted a 5.40 ERA while winning both of his starts since a 3 his DL stint (right elbow strain/mental health). Basically when he is on the mound we are just looking for him not to be epically bad. He has been good in interleague play in his career (14-5 with a 2.96 ERA), but wasn't very good last year (2-1 5.11 ERA).

I bet Lackey gets crushed tonight, but the Sox win anyways.

Red Sox win 8-6
Player of the Game: Gonzalez
Game starts at 7:10pm

Prince Fielder To Nationals?

Buster Onley pointed out today that there is growing speculation around the MLB that the Nationals will be the front runners for Prince Fielder this offseason. He says the main reason is the Nationals recent ties to Scott Boras (Fielder's agent). The Nationals have signed Anthony Rendon, Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper, along with Jayson Werth.

While I understand why people would think this I have to question if the Nationals would have the money. We listed the other day the teams that are in debt, and the Nationals were on that list. From a baseball perspective it makes a lot of sense, I just question if they can swing the money to do it. Plus, if Werth was worth $126 million what the hell is Boras going to try to get from the Nationals.

Fielder's price tag has been going down over the last couple years. Not because of his play, but because a lot of the major markets have their first baseman signed up long term (Yankees, Red Sox). I wonder if the Cardinals can't sign Pujols if they could swoop in and have Fielder be a very nice replacement.

Grienke Close To Comeback

"Greinke threw three scoreless innings for Class-A Brevard County Tuesday, striking out four and allowing just one hit. He's expected to make another start or two in the minors, perhaps with Triple-A Nashville, before being activated from the disabled list. That puts the right-hander's timetable for his 2011 big-league debut sometime in the first week of May (ESPN)."

Milwaukee has been able to hang in their without Grienke (9-8 tied for 1st place in NL Central), but if they are going to stay in this race they are going to need Grienke to come back and be an "Ace". Marcum has been good for them going 2-1 with a 1.90 ERA, but I question if he is going to be able to keep it up since he has had injury problems in the past and there are some reports that say his velocity is down from last year. Grienke is the key to this team. They already have a good enough lineup to make a run at this division, and if Grienke can be "their guy" I think they have a good chance to get it.

Zack Greinke To Start Year On DL

Zack Greinke, the offseason acquisition the Milwaukee Brewers hoped would put them over the top in their pursuit of an NL Central title, is expected to begin the season on the 15-day disabled list after suffering a hairline fracture in one of his ribs playing pickup basketball. ESPN

Doesn't seem that big of a deal, but last year Jacoby Ellsbury had broken ribs and it basically killed his whole year. The Brewers went all in with Greinke and the acquisition of Shaun Marcum and if things don't go well they could have another CC Sabathia situation, where they leave and the Brewers are left with nothing.

I do think that Greinke will be fine and have an outstanding year in a no pressure situation in Milwaukee. However, once the playoffs come around expect an inflated ERA.

2011 MLB Preview: Milwaukee Brewers

2010 Record: 77-85

Lineup:

1 Rickie Weeks 2B
2 Corey Hart OF
3 Ryan Braun OF
4 Prince Fielder 1B
5 Casey McGehee 3B
6 Yuniesky Betancourt SS
7 Jonathan Lucroy C
8 Carlos Gomez OF

If Weeks can stay healthy this isn't a bad lineup. Prince Fielder needs kind of a bounce back year. Yes, I know he hit 32 HRs with 83 RBIs, but he is a guy that can hit 40+ HRs with 110+ RBIs when he is on his game. Ryan Braun/Corey Hart are good hitters, and if Casey McGee can put put the stats he did last year (.285 BA, 23 HRs, 104 RBIs) this lineup should be in fine shape. Even though this team struggled last year it really wasn't this lineups fault, and this could be a very dangerous lineup if they stay healthy.

Pitching:
1 Zack Greinke
2 Yovani Gallardo
3 Shaun Marcum SP
4 Randy Wolf SP
5 Chris Narveson

Shaun Marcum is one of the most underrated pitchers in baseball, and could be a beast in the NL. I love that this team went out and fixed their rotation. Greinke could be back to his Cy Young self with his new team, and they already had Yovani Gallardo and could be in line for a breakout season now the pressure of being the #1 guy is off him. The key to this rotation will be Randy Wolf. He wasn't very good last year, but had a 2.67 ERa over his last 13 starts, so hopefully that means he figured it out. The big question with this team is their bullpen. Last year they went with a bunch of veterans (Trevor Hoffman, LaTroy Hawkins) and that blew up in their face. This year they are going with young guys (John Axford and Zach Braddock), so it will be interesting to see if they have better results.

Overall:
They have had the lineup to be a dangerous team, and now they have the rotation. I am worried about their bullpen, but this team is vastly improved and with the Cardinals falling apart this could be thier year.

2011 Record: 92-70

Zack Greinke Traded To Brewers

Kansas City Cy Young pitcher asked for a trade and he received it as they traded him and Yuniesky Betancourt for The Royals announced Sunday that they acquired shortstop Alcides Escobar, outfielder Lorenzo Cain and right-handed pitching prospects Jake Odorizzi and Jeremy Jeffress.

I get why KC did it, Greinke didn't want to be there, but they didn't get one prospect back to get excited about.

Escobar is the Brewers top prospect but is seen more of a defensive wizard SS then anything else. Cain is a gap hitting speedster with no real power. The pitching prospect Jeffress is a pot head and was suspended multiple times for weed. and Odorizzi is OK.

KC just gave up a great pitcher for nothing really. But I guess that's the KC way.

The Brewers on the other hand have made some good moves this year in acquiring Shaun Marcum and now Zack Greinke to round up the rotation. Maybe this is a way to entice Prince Fielder to re-sign. Or it could be another CC Sabathia situation where Zack Greinke bolts after the year.

MLB News: Really Jayson Werth?

Jayson Werth just got a 7 year, 126 million dollars. Let me repeat that, Jayson Werth just signed a 7 year, 126 million dollar deal. The 1 time all star, who is 31 years old got really overpaid, which is kind of scary because if Werth is going for that much, Crawford is going to get an absurd contract. I'm not opposed to the Sox signing Crawford even if it is for crazy years and money.

Best thing that came out of this is that he's not on the Red Sox.

Shaun Marcum A marked Man In Milwaukee

The Brewers and Blue Jays have agreed to a trade that will send two players a little closer to home. The Blue Jays will send Kansas City native Shaun Marcum to Milwaukee in exchange for Canadian prospect Brett Lawrie. MLBTradeRumors

I think this is setting up a Zack Grienke to Toronto deal. With another prospect along with a Anthony Gose and maybe Kyle Drybek they should have enough of a package to get the frustrated young pitcher. It sucks because I lose Marcum to the NL in fantasy but the Cuban Missle Alexi is back which I'm fine with.

Fielder On His Way Out Of Milwaukee

Lately there has been a lot of talk about how Gonzalez and Pujols were affected by the contract signing of Ryan Howard (five-year, $125 million). Basically it set the market, it may have also forced Fielder right out of Milwaukee. The Brewers would love to bring their young slugger back, but it seems far less likely now that Fielder might be able to get around $20 million a year for the next 5-7 years.

I really didn't think they would be able to bring him back, and I think Fielder would like to play for a big market team that has a lot of media coverage (that is just a feeling, no real proof). So, if we entertain the thought that he is out the door you would think the Red Sox would be picking up the phone before the deadline. Some people think they may hold off to get Adrian Gonzalez, but I can really picture this happening. Anyways, here is a list of teams that would most likely be challenging the Red Sox for him...

- White Sox
- Dodgers
- Braves
- Mariners

MLB Previews: Milwaukee Brewers

Lineup:
1. SS Alcides Escobar
2. 2B Rickie Weeks
3. LF Ryan Braun
4. 1B Prince Fielder
5. 3B Casey McGehee
6. RF Corey Hart
7. CF Carlos Gomez
8. C Gregg Zaun

Braun and Fielder add to a scary middle of the line up, but the rest of the line up is so so. Injuries are the biggest concern with this team and there are questions on whether Corey Hart and Richie Weeks can get it together and whether youngster Casey McGehee can grow off of last years production. Carlos Gomez will be interesting to watch because he was absolutely useless for the Twins last year, but maybe he can catch some NL fever. Gregg Zaun makes me want to throw up.

Rotation:
1. LHP Randy Wolf
2. RHP Yovani Gallardo
3. LHP Doug Davis
4. RHP Jeff Suppan
5. LHP Manny Parra

Closer
RHP Trevor Hoffman

Yovanni Gallardo and Trever Hoffman are really the only things worth mentioning. I have zero faith in Randy Wolfe, and Davis, Suppan, and Parra makes me cringe. I hate this rotation with all my heart, and even though the addition of Wolf "improved" it, I still hate it.

Outlook:
The Brewers have a decent offense, but I can't get over that pitching staff. They are all terrible and this team will hover around .500, if that.

2010 record: 75-87

Brewers Sign Randy Wolf

"Free agent left-hander Randy Wolf and the Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to a three-year contract worth $29.75 million, major league sources tell ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney. The contract contains a fourth-year option, sources said (ESPN)."

Nice signing by the Brewers. I like Randy Wolf, though I think he is only an NL pitcher. Anyways he has a solid year (11-7 with a 3.23 ERA). My only question is with the length of the contract. The contract will run out after he is 37 years old, and it becomes even more concerning if that option is a player option and not the team's.

Brewers Give Hoffman New Contract

"Trevor Hoffman has agreed to another one-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, for 2010 -- and he and the team also have a mutual option for 2011, according to ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney. Hoffman, who turns 42 next week, had 37 saves and a 1.55 ERA with the Brewers this season, pushing his career saves total to 591, a major league record. He'll earn $8 million next season, and Hoffman and the Brewers will share an option for another deal in the 2011 (ESPN)."

Hoffman has had a good year for the Brewers and he definitely proved that he can still be affective. It is amazing what this guy has been able to do at his age (37 saves 1.83 ERA). 8 million is a lot of money, but you have to think that this contract will now set the market for closers this offseason.

Brewers Send J.J. Hardy To AAA (Sox?)

"According to John Schlegel of MLB.com, the Milwaukee Brewers have demoted former All-Star shortstop J.J. Hardy to Triple A in a shakeup that included designating third baseman Bill Hall for assignment and recalling top shortstop prospect Alcides Escobar. The Brewers, who are 14-23 since the All-Star break, also fired pitching Bill Castro (Boston.com)."

There had been a number of rumors of the Sox going after J.J. Hardy, and now maybe this is their chance. he has struggled this season, batting .229 with 11 homers, 45 RBIs, and a .667 OPS, but he has done well in the past. In 2007, he batted .277 with 26 homers and 80 RBIs while making his first All-Star team. Last season, he batted .283 with 24 homers, 77 RBIs, and a career-best .343 on-base percentage. Sometimes people just need a change of scenery, so maybe this is something the Sox should take a long look at...

Latest On Roy Halladay

"The latest on Doc follows his start yesterday, or -- to be more accurate -- concerns who was in the house to witness it. As the Toronto Sun noted, "Halladay drew a crowd from interested teams. Former Philadelphia Phillies general manager Pat Gillick, who is now GM Ruben Amaro's chief adviser, was here, as were Dick Groch, top assistant to GM Doug Melvin of the Milwaukee Brewers, Don Welke of the Texas Rangers and Logan White and Vance Lovelace of the Los Angeles Dodgers." Yesterday, the Chicago Tribune's Rick Morrissey suggested that the Chicago White Sox should be willing to give up a significant chunk of talent to get Halladay, ignoring the cost (ESPN)."

I have no idea where he is going anymore. There have been so many teams that are rumored to be interest that it could be just about anyone. I have said that the Phillies, Dodgers, and Angels make a lot of sense. Though, it would be really interesting if the Rangers added a talent like Halladay into their rotation. The worry there is that they would have to give up a lot of their good young pitching and Halladay could walk after his contract, so the Rangers would have to be damn sure he will stay. Otherwise they will be back to have bottom of the barrel pitching, which they have seemed to have had forever.

Ryan Braun Calls Out Brewers' GM

Ryan Braun hopes general manager Doug Melvin makes a move soon to improve the Milwaukee Brewers. Braun, the top All-Star vote-getting NL outfielder for the second straight season, voiced his frustrations Sunday after the Brewers lost 8-2 to the Chicago Cubs, who won three of four in the series.

"We're at the point right now where it would be important for us to go out there and acquire somebody," Braun said.

"I know [Melvin] is trying to make our ballclub better. I know he recognizes the importance of making a move and making it soon, but at the same time I think everybody's recognized there's a lot of teams that are still in the race."

The Brewers, one game behind the Cardinals in the tight NL Central, host St. Louis for a three-game series beginning Tuesday.

"No matter who is in there, we have to find a way to throw the ball better for us to have success," Braun said. "I think when you're constantly behind in games, it's not easy and it's not fun (ESPN)."

Braun has a point, but this is kind of an unnecessary comment. I don't think he meant anything bad, but with the media the way it is today this will be blown out of proportion. Last year the Brewers went out and got CC, so that they could make the playoffs. I think if Doug Melvin thinks they have a shot he will not shy away from going out and getting a deal done. Milwaukee is only 1 game behind St. Louis for 1st place in the NL Central, so I would expect the Brewers to be buyers and not sellers come the trade deadline.

DC MLB Preview: Milwaukee Brewers

2008 Record: 90-72

Key Additions:
Chase Wright (P)
Trevor Hoffman (CL)
Jorge Julio (P)

Key Losses:
CC Sabathia (P)
Ben Sheets (P)

Projected Lineup:
1. Rickie Weeks 2B
2. J.J. Hardy SS
3. Ryan Braun LF
4. Prince Fielder 1B
5. Corey Hart RF
6. Mike Cameron CF
7. Mike Lamb 3B
8. Jason Kendall C

Prince Fielder is the key to the lineup, he really needs to carry this team if they are going to do anything this year. last year he was very good, but his HR totals went down by 16. The Brewers actually have a good amount of power between Fielder, Braun, and hart. There are not a lot of big names in this lineup, but they are a solid squad that should get better as some of these players progress.

Projected Rotation:
1. Yovani Gallardo
2. Dave Bush
3. Manny Parra
4. Braden Looper
5. Jeff Suppan

CL: Trevor Hoffman

Yovani Gallardo better turn into the ace he was supposed to be this year. He was out a lot of last year with a knee injury, but it sounds like that won't be a problem this year. Manny Parra has a great arm, but does not command the strikezone well, so he is kind of a wild card. the rest of the rotation sucks. I love Hoffman, but I have a bad feeling that he should have hung up it after last season. The Brewers really overpaid for him.

Minors Watch:
Mat Gamel - Is a very good hitter, but is so bad defensively he may have a lot more value if he was in the AL.

Alcides Escobar - Had a great year in 2008, but really doesn't have a spot on the team since he is a SS and Hardy is blocking his way.

Overall:
The Brewers went for the title last year, and in the process gave up a good amount of their farm system. They will take a step back this year, even though they have some good young players in their lineup. Pitching will be a real problem, and I just don't see this team improving for a while.

Record: 76-86

Prince Fielder Signs 2 Year Deal

"First baseman Prince Fielder and the Milwaukee Brewers reached a preliminary agreement Thursday on an $18 million, two-year contract (ESPN)."

Prince Fielder has to be happy to get this out of the way. All these young players you are seeing signing these short contract is because they are trying to make some money while not giving up a chance to become free agent (when eligible). Fielder (just like Papelbon) is set to be a free agent after the 2011 contract. So most likely he will sign a 1 year deal for the 2011 season, and then try to make the big bucks in free agency (he will only be 27 years old).

Fielder had somewhat of a down year from his 50 HR year in 2007, but he still hit 34 HRs and 102 RBIs. The RBIs would be higher if he was on any other team, but the Brewers just really lack offense. In the end, Fielder has to be happy that he just increased his contract from $670,000 to $9 million a year.

Oh and just to clear something up. My hatred for the Cecil Fielder does not extend to his son, because he also hates his father...look it up.

Hoffman Signs With Brewers

Trevor Hoffman signed with the Brewers today. The exact terms have not come out, but it is believe to be for 1 year, with a club option for a 2nd season. It actually really surprises me that Hoffman went to the Brewers, since the Dodgers had come into the mix only yesterday, and Hoffman had always said he wanted to stay on the West Coast. My guess is the Brewers just offered more money, or the Dodgers wouldn't extend an option year. Anyways, Hoffman is the career-saves leader, but he is near the end of his playing days. He can still be effective, but they will need a strong setup man in front of him, since he is only a 1 inning type of guy. I always liked Hoffman, and I hope he doesn't completely implode in Milwaukee, but something tells me he will.

-BMack

Brewers First To Offer CC Sabathia A Contract

The Brewers started the bidding war that's sure to get out of control this off-season. There hasn't been word about how much the Brewers offered, but my guess would put it around 5-7 years for about $120-150 million. CC really enjoyed his time with the Brewers, but there's just no chance that he's going to stay. First off, they don't have the location. Something tells me that CC doesn't want to spend his career in Milwaukee when teams like New York can give him all the exposure he wants, or a place like LA that can give him exposure, warm weather, and women.

Another reason he'll jump ship is because there's no guarantee that the Brewers will be good again. I mean CC had to basically pitch every game just to get them in the playoffs this year, and I just don't see this team being a power every year.

The last reason is teams like New York, LA, and Boston (among others) have much deeper pockets. What ever the Brewers offer him, these teams can match it, plus give him all the great things that come with playing in major market (commercials, fans, etc).

My only worry with CC is that there is too much mileage on this guy. I don't think the Sox will be after him, but even if they were I would be a little hesitant. He's pitched so many innings over the last two seasons that I think it's just a matter of time before he goes down. I know people will bring up his playoff stats, and how that should also be a concern, but I think that was only a problem because he was so overused.

-BMack