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Some things to read while writing in your notebook (h/t BBTF).
Today we open the fifth week of the Milwaukee Brewers’ offseason, and we’re closing in on the beginning of free agency, which starts five days after the conclusion of the World Series. Over the weekend, we collected several notes on players likely to move on this winter.
First, free agency is likely to lead to Rickie Weeks leaving the Brewers organization for the first time since being selected No. 2 overall in the 2003 draft. Ryan Romano of Beyond the Box Score looks at Weeks’ production in his limited role in 2014 and says we shouldn’t be surprised if he outperforms his projections with a new team next season.
It could also be an interesting winter for Francisco Rodriguez, who is a free agent again after recording 44 saves as a member of the Brewers in 2014, leading all of baseball with 66 games finished and making his fifth All-Star appearance. Carson Cistulli of FanGraphs is asking for your help predicting Rodriguez’s next contract. In another edition of the same series, Cistulli also asked for predictions for Rickie Weeks and former Brewer Chris Capuano.
Tom Gorzelanny might be the least-discussed of the Brewers’ pending free agents, but he’ll also hit the open market after an injury-shortened season wrapped up his two-year, $5.7 million contract. Mike Beisbol of Beisbol’s Org listed the veteran lefty as one of this winter’s five most undervalued free agents.
Yovani Gallardo also could be a free agent this winter, but will likely have to wait a year once the Brewers pick up his $13 million contract option for 2015. Tim Muma of Brewers Mix says that decision makes sense on multiple levels.
Gallardo, by the way, won the voting for the No. 5 position on Brew Crew Ball’s list of 2014’s most valuable Brewers, and Fred Hofstetter has his profile. As of this writing Mike Fiers leads Francisco Rodriguez by a handful of votes in the balloting for the No. 6 spot in those rankings, and you have until noon today to weigh in on that race.
Looking a little further ahead, we’re about two and a half weeks away from finding out if either Brewers finalist, Jonathan Lucroy or Gerardo Parra, will receive a 2014 Gold Glove. We already know that Carlos Gomez will not be honored in this way, though, as he was left off the list of finalists. Noah Jarosh of Brew Crew Ball has a look at the argument in favor of Gomez’s inclusion in that group.
In the minors:
- The Arizona Fall League is off on Sundays, but Teddy Cahill of MLB.com has a story on the Brewers representatives taking part in that league, including outfielder Tyrone Taylor.
- Meanwhile, the Brewer minor leaguer making the biggest impact this offseason has to be 20-year-old shortstop Orlando Arcia, who homered again in Caribes’ 7-6, 10-inning win over Lara on Saturday night (box score). Arcia has gone deep four times in Caribes’ first 15 games.
- Also on Saturday, reliever Manny Barreda, who the Brewers recently re-signed as a minor league free agent, pitched a scoreless inning for Culiacan in Mexico (box score). Barreda has not allowed a run in each of his last four appearances and has lowered his ERA to 3.68.
Athletics: Hired former Cardinals bench coach Mike Aldrete to the same position.
Pirates: Acquired infielder Justin Sellers from the Indians for cash and designated pitchers Jeanmar Gomez and John Axford for assignment.
Rays: Manager Joe Maddon has opted out of his contract and left the team.
Royals: Claimed outfielder Moises Sierra off waivers from the White Sox and designated pitcher Liam Hendricks for assignment.
Of course, all of the weekend’s baseball news is overshadowed this morning by news of the passing of Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras. The 22-year-old, whom Baseball America rated as the No. 3 prospect in all of baseball before the season, and his girlfriend were killed an a car accident in the Dominican Republic. Our thoughts go out this morning to Taveras’ family and friends and the Cardinals organization.
Back on the field, the San Francisco-based portion of the 2014 World Series wrapped up Sunday night with the Giants beating the Royals 5-0 to take a 3-2 lead. Madison Bumgarner pitched a complete game shutout for the victory and has allowed just one run over 31 innings in four career World Series starts.
The two teams are off today, but the 2014 season could end on Tuesday when the two teams play Game 6 at Kauffman Stadium. Jake Peavy is scheduled to start against Yordano Ventura.
Looking back another day, the Royals made history on Saturday by becoming the first team ever to call for a replay challenge in a World Series game. Kansas City asked for a review after a safe call on a pickoff play at second base, and the call was confirmed.
This weekend’s World Series headlines involving former Brewers included the following:
- John Sickels of Minor League Ball has a look at Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain as a “toolsy” player who converted those abilities into big league production.
- Tom Tango asks if Cain is more valuable defensively than Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier.
- Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel talked to Ned Yost about taking the time to enjoy the moment during his first postseason as a manager.
Elsewhere in former Brewers:
- Aaron Somers of Call to the Pen spotted a report listing 2008 Brewer and current FOX broadcaster Gabe Kapler as one of five candidates to manage the Rays next season.
- Bill Baer of Phillies blog Crashburn Alley gave Philadelphia reliever Mike Adams a “B” grade for his injury-shortened season in 2014. Adams posted a 2.89 ERA but made just 22 appearances.
- Michael Trzinski of Reviewing the Brew listed the 1986 Stockton Ports as the second-best minor league team in Brewers franchise history. Starting pitcher Jeff Peterek was the only player from that squad to reach the majors.
It’s relevant to nothing, but I think the most interesting thing I read this weekend was David Manel of Bucs Dugout’s piece on catchers’ visits to the mound, featuring insight from several MLB catchers on their role in that situation. It’s not something I’d thought about much before, but it likely is a key component to a catcher’s game.
Finally, with help from Brewerfan.net and the Baseball Reference Play Index, we’d like to wish a happy birthday today to:
- 2014 Nashville Sound Jay Jackson, who turns 27.
- Eau Claire, Wis., native Brad Radke, who turns 42. He pitched 12 MLB seasons between 1995-2006 as a member of the Twins.
- 1981-86 Brewer Pete Vuckovich, who turns 62 (Today In Brewer History).
- 1974-80 Brewer Bill Travers, who turns 62 (Today In Brewer History).
- 1975-76 Brewer Rick Austin, who turns 68.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to sew this back together.
Drink up.
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