Brewers Rumors

Outrighted To Triple-A: Delaney, Tomko, Boggs, Rivera

By Mark Polishuk | May 27, 2011 at 9:36pm CDT

A few minor moves…

Rob Delaney has cleared waivers after being designated for assignment by the Rays on Wednesday and has been outrighted to Triple-A Durham, reports Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times (via Twitter).
The Rangers outrighted Brett Tomko to Triple-A Round Rock and Tomko has accepted the assignment, reports Anthony Andro of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (via Twitter). Andro also tweets that Tomko has an out clause in his contract for June 1, though Andro isn't sure if Tomko plans to exercise it. In the corresponding move, Texas called up Michael Kirkman.
The Brewers have outrighted catcher Mike Rivera to Triple-A Nashville, reports MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. It is expected that Rivera will accept the assignment.
Also from McCalvy, Brandon Boggs has accepted his assignment to Nashville after being outrighted by the Brewers two days ago. This is the third time Boggs has been outrighted by Milwaukee in the last three months. Rivera and Boggs were outrighted to create roster space for Josh Wilson and Nyjer Morgan.

Outrighted To Triple-A: Boggs, Weinhardt, Nava

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | May 26, 2011 at 2:15pm CDT

Here’s the latest on some minor moves:

The Brewers outrighted Brandon Boggs to Triple-A to clear roster space, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. The outfielder can decline the assignment and elect free agency istead of accepting his third outright of the year.
Robbie Weinhardt, who was designated for assignment earlier in the week, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Toledo, according to the Tigers (on Twitter).
Daniel Nava has cleared waivers after being designated for assignment, according to Red Sox reporter Maureen Mullen (on Twitter).

NL Central Notes: Pirates, Fielder, Cubs

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | May 26, 2011 at 1:04pm CDT

On this date in 1997, Sammy Sosa of the Cubs and Tony Womack of the Pirates hit inside the park homers in the same inning of the same game. Here’s the latest on the NL Central…

The Pirates announced that they signed five amateur free agents: Nicaraguan right-hander Adolfo Flores, Dominican right-hander Juan Mendoza, Panamanian position player Edgar Munoz and Venezuelan outfielders Anthony Claudio and Keybel Escobar. Claudio "resembles a young Magglio Ordonez," according to Pirates Latin America scouting director Rene Gayo.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today says Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder could get a $200MM deal in free agency if he keeps hitting like this (Twitter link). Fielder leads the NL with 41 RBI and has a .285/.380/.548 line 216 plate appearances into the season.
There's only a slim chance that high school right-hander Dylan Bundy will be available when the Cubs select ninth overall in next month's draft, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America (on Twitter). If Bundy and high school outfielder Bubba Starling have already been selected, Vanderbilt right-hander Sonny Gray could be an option for the Cubs.

Brewers Claim Josh Wilson

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | May 25, 2011 at 3:50pm CDT

The Brewers announced that they claimed infielder Josh Wilson off of waivers from the Diamondbacks (on Twitter). In a corresponding move, the Brewers moved Takashi Saito to the 60-day DL; their 40-man roster is now full.

The D'Backs designated Wilson for assignment on Monday. The journeyman infielder has a .227/.280/.315 in parts of five seasons with the Marlins, Nationals, Rays, D'Backs, Padres and Mariners. Though he's primarily a shortstop, Wilson has appeared at every infield position and has pitched in three MLB games. GM Doug Melvin told Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel that the Brewers wanted Wilson's right-handed bat and versatility.

Note that the Brewers have have not claimed Josh Fields from Colorado.

Quick Hits: Herrera, Bautista, Blevins

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | May 23, 2011 at 10:36pm CDT

Today the Brewers claimed Danny Herrera from Cincinnati, the Reds optioned Edinson Volquez to the minors and Josh Hamilton homered in his return from the disabled list. The connection? Back in December of 2007, the Rangers sent Herrera and Volquez to Cincinnati for Hamilton. Here are the latest links from around the league…

The Brewers optioned Herrera to Triple-A Nashville and moved left-hander Manny Parra to the 60-day DL, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (on Twitter).
One Blue Jays person told Danny Knobler of CBSSports that Jose Bautista is “our Derek Jeter.” Bautista hit homer #19 today as the Blue Jays defeated Jeter’s Yankees.
Mike Axisa of River Ave. Blues points out that recently-designated southpaw Jerry Blevins could be an appealing option for the Yankees if they're looking for more upside than Randy Flores offers.
Earlier today, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes suggested that the Yankees are one of many contenders that could look for lefty relief.

Rosenthal On Rodriguez, Tejada, Brewers

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | May 23, 2011 at 7:20pm CDT

MLB executives tell Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that the struggles of large market teams such as the Mets and Dodgers have helped build competitive balance in baseball this year. Here are Rosenthal’s notes from around the league:

Though Francisco Rodriguez has 15 saves (16 chances) and a sparkling 0.76 ERA, his fastball velocity (90.4 mph) continues to drop and two scouts say his stuff is diminished. That perception could affect the right-hander’s trade value this summer.
D’Backs GM Kevin Towers told Rosenthal that righty Josh Collmenter’s arm angle almost makes him look left-handed and helps create deception.
While Miguel Tejada has struggled this year, he’s heating up at the plate and the Giants aren’t about to quit on him, according to Rosenthal.
The Brewers are pleasantly surprised by Yuniesky Betancourt’s defensive work this season. If you haven’t seen these plays, you’re in for a pleasant surprise yourself.
Rosenthal confirms that the Mariners figure to call top prospect Dustin Ackley up before long.

Brewers Claim Danny Ray Herrera Off Waivers

By Tim Dierkes | May 23, 2011 at 1:10pm CDT

The Brewers claimed reliever Danny Ray Herrera off waivers from the division-rival Reds, reports John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. The Brewers will have to open a spot on the 40-man roster for the 5'6" lefty, who is currently at Triple-A. Baseball Prospectus' Kevin Goldstein first tweeted that Milwaukee made the claim on Herrera.

The 26-year-old Herrera came to the Reds from the Rangers in December of 2007 along with Edinson Volquez for Josh Hamilton. Herrera logged 92 big league innings from 2008-10, posting a 3.62 ERA, 6.5 K/9, 3.2 BB/9, and 0.8 HR/9. Against southpaws, he has a 7.2 K/9, 2.7 BB/9, and 0.41 HR/9 in 44 career innings. He's the definition of a soft-tosser, with an average fastball in the 83-84 mile per hour range. Herrera's out pitch is a screwball, as ESPN's Tim Kurkjian explained in this article a couple of years ago.

The Brewers are the only contender currently without a left-handed reliever on the active roster. Zach Braddock, Manny Parra, and Mitch Stetter are all on the DL.

NL Central Notes: Rendon, Astros, Green

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | May 19, 2011 at 2:31pm CDT

The Cardinals and Reds sit atop the NL Central standings thanks to the two highest-scoring offenses in the National League. Even without vintage Albert Pujols, the Cards lead the league in runs (227) and OPS+ (120). Here's the latest on a few of their division rivals…

Pirates GM Neal Huntington saw possible first overall selection Anthony Rendon three times last week, according to ESPN.com’s Buster Olney (on Twitter). The Pirates are considering a handful of players with the top pick.
Dave Cameron of FanGraphs examines Charlie Morton's unusual platoon splits and says the Pirates right-hander will have to adjust his approach against left-handed hitters if he wants to maintain his early-season success.
When incoming Astros owner Jim Crane talks about spending wisely and having enough money to run the team effectively, it sounds good, but as Jerome Solomon of the Houston Chronicle says, “nothing really matters except results.”
Sean Green accepted his outright assignment to Triple-A and will stay with the Brewers organization, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy (on Twitter). Milwaukee designated the reliever for assignment earlier in the month.

Brewers Designate Sean Green For Assignment

By Tim Dierkes | May 17, 2011 at 11:57am CDT

The Brewers designated reliever Sean Green for assignment to open a 40-man roster spot for catcher Mike Rivera, reports Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Green, 32, posted a 5.40 ERA, 5.4 K/9, 4.6 BB/9, and 58.1% groundball rate with no home runs allowed in 11 2/3 innings this year. He averaged only 84.5 mph on his fastball, the lowest velocity for all relievers aside from Tim Wakefield. Green had signed an $875K deal with the Brewers in December after being non-tendered by the Mets.

2012 Contract Issues: Milwaukee Brewers

By Tim Dierkes | May 17, 2011 at 8:57am CDT

The Brewers are next in our 2012 Contract Issues series. Here's what the team faces after the 2011 season:

Eligible For Free Agency (6)

Prince Fielder may have to share the free agent spotlight with Albert Pujols, C.C. Sabathia, and Jose Reyes. But Fielder, a 27-year-old Scott Boras client, brings an elite bat to the open market. Boras has to be targeting Mark Teixeira's eight-year, $180MM deal, if not more. The Brewers are not expected to be in the mix.
LaTroy Hawkins had shoulder surgery in August of last year, but he's been decent so far in a limited sample. Sergio Mitre has a similar line involving a low ERA, a low strikeout rate, and a good amount of groundballs.
Hamstring and oblique injuries should keep Takashi Saito out until June or so; he's only tossed two innings for the Brewers so far. 42 in February, DL stays are the norm for Saito but he's still good when healthy.
Bench players Craig Counsell and Mark Kotsay are eligible for free agency as well.

Contract Options (1)

Yuniesky Betancourt: $6MM club option with a $2MM buyout. Brewers manager Ron Roenicke seems to be a fan of Betancourt's offense and defense, but the Royals won't be picking up $2MM of his $4MM net price in 2012. I expect GM Doug Melvin to survey free agent alternatives.

Arbitration Eligible (9)

First time: Casey McGehee, Nyjer Morgan, Mitch Stetter
Second time: Kameron Loe, Manny Parra
Third time: Shaun Marcum, Carlos Gomez, Sean Green, Wil Nieves

A few of these players will be cut loose by the non-tender deadline. McGehee is a notable first-time case; he could get $2MM. Marcum has been stellar, and a raise to the $8-9MM range is plausible. I can see about $18MM to retain McGehee, Morgan, Loe, Parra, Marcum, and Gomez.

2012 Payroll Obligation

The Brewers' 2012 payroll obligation, according to Cot's, is $58.08MM including Betancourt's buyout. Retaining arbitration eligibles could bring the total to $76MM or so, leaving $8MM to spend aside from minimum salary players if payroll is maintained. Melvin could have a few million more to work with if players such as Gomez and Parra are non-tendered or traded. The 2010 payroll was $90MM; going back to that level or higher would create another $6MM+ to use. Melvin will have some room to acquire a shortstop, first baseman, and a reliever or two, but it'd be surprising to see him in on any of the big names.

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