WEDNESDAY: Reed cleared waivers and has accepted a Triple-A assignment, tweets Haudricourt.
MONDAY: The Brewers designated outfielder Jeremy Reed for assignment, the team announced today. Catcher Jonathan Lucroy was reinstated from the DL in a corresponding move, and the team's 40-man roster stands at 39.
Reed, a former top prospect, turns 30 in June. He made the Opening Day roster as a pinch-hitter after a strong spring, but was hitless in seven regular season plate appearances. Talking to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Brewers GM Doug Melvin explained the choice to cut Reed and go with three catchers for the time being. The GM also noted that Reed has until Wednesday to tell the team whether he'll declare free agency.
The Brewers will have a tough decision to make when Corey Hart returns from the DL, as catchers George Kottaras and Wil Nieves are out of options and Haudricourt says one of them could be on the bubble.
the only reason I can see them keeping three catchers is that they arent sold on Lucroy’s health? Nieves is Garbage, let him go
It’s not that simple Jim. They wouldn’t have signed Nieves if they were satisfied with Kottaras’ performance last year. Is a hot spring and decent enough start to this year enough to convince them they didn’t need Nieves? Obviously, they are torn because they have put off the decision.
The only spring performance i’ve really been convinced by is McGehee from two years ago(?) i’m not sold on kottaras by any means, but i think id rather have him on the bench then nieves
I’d take Kottaras over Nieves any day. They’re both sub-par, but…that’s why they’re both backup catchers.
I don’t see how having two backup catchers helps your bench much, though Reed wasn’t doing anything either. This is sign they hope to get something back in return for one of them. I see the Brewer bench being a revolving door for much of this year. Counsell is nearing the end. Almonte’s a career minor leaguer. Nyjer Morgan is the only guy you’d feel comfortable sticking in the starting lineup for very long.
Nieves defense is better than Kottaras that is why they are torn id take D over offence any day at catcher
Jeremy, always remembered for his diving catches. If he could have just hit consistently like he did that one year for the m’s, he could have had a pretty nice career. (Always what if’s) He looked real good his spring, so it is dissapointing to see things not pan out. Good luck Jeremy, as curiostiy now burns through me as to who the brewers might pick at catcher.
I remember a few years back when there was rumors of the Mariners trading Reed to the Red Sox for either Bronson Arroyo or Jon Lester. Sure glad that never materialized, although Arroyo was traded for a lottery ticket later on anyways.
Don’t forget about the defensive flexibility Kottaras offers.
He can play 1B, 3B, and RF too!