Something Brewing in Milwaukee (2000-????)

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

Notable offseason signings

Bernie Williams leaves the Yankees for a five year, 3.85 million dollar contract in Texas

• OF Bernie Williams signs a 5 year, 3.85 million dollar contract with the Texas Rangers**
• OF Bobby Higginson signs a 5 year, 3.5 million dollar contract with the Oakland A's
• OF Rusty Greer signs a 5 year, 2.9 million dollar contract with the St. Louis Cardinals
• OF Kenny Lofton signs a 4 year, 3.25 million dollar contract with the San Diego Padres
• 1B Tino Martinez signs a 4 year, 2.8 million dollar contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates
• SS Deivi Cruz signs a 3 year, 2.7 million dollar contract with the Atlanta Braves
• 3B Travis Fryman signs a 4 year, 2.7 million dollar contract with the Baltimore Orioles
• C Damian Mill signs a 3 year, 2.4 million dollar contract with the New York Yankees
• C Charles Johnson signs a 4 year, 2.7 million dollar contract with the Chicago White Sox
• 1B Travis Lee signs a 3 year, 2.8 million dollar contract with the New York Yankees
• SP Sidney Ponson signs a 2 year, 1.75 million dollar contract with the Chicago White Sox

** - I "forced" this deal. The Rangers finished with the worst record in baseball, so as a preemptive to losing competitive balance I had them sign the top FA on the market, Williams in this case, and included a NTC with the contract.

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

Offseason #1 has concluded. Gonna do some lineup analysis posts tomorrow .

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

My first season and off-season as General Manager of the Brewers has concluded.

The season wasn't so pretty, we went 60-102 to finish with the worst record in baseball and one of the worst records in recent memory, but some of the young guys had good seasons, which gave me hope not just for this coming season, 2001, but for several seasons down the road. Burnett and Sheets had good season's, Belliard played well, Billy Hall was effective in his month and a half stint in Milwaukee, after spending most of the season at AA. The team definitely had reason to be hopeful for '01 and down the road, but the fact remained that we were coming off a campaign in which we lost 102 games, and that is never good.

The off-season was an extremely productive one, especially for a team coming off such an ugly season. I managed to sign one of the top free agents on the market, Jorge Posada, to a 5 year deal worth 19.25 million dollars. Not only did we land one of the top Free Agents on the market, but it was a position of major needed; catcher. We also managed to swap an expensive, slightly older Geoff Jenkins for Kansas City's Carlos Beltran. Jenkins was probably worth the money he was making, but Beltran is probably the better player, and considerably cheaper. We also brought in a couple role players in Andres Galarraga and reliever Al Reyes.

I'm extremely excited going into this season. I think we have a decent chance to contend, maybe not for the division with the Red Birds still ruling the roost, but we have a good shot at the Wild Card. Beltran should be a bid presence in the lineup, probably better than Jenkins, and Posada will add a lot to the lineup too. A lot, however, could be riding on the shoulders of center fielder Vernon Wells, how well he does this season could dictate how well the rest of the team does. Youth is going to be a major theme with this team, as David Wright will step in as our full time third basemen, and at the tender age of 18, while Bill Hall will take over at SS at just 21, Josh Hamilton will be our starting left fielder and he heads into the season at just 19, turning 20 later in the year, Beltran is just 23, Wells 22, Burnett 24, and the list goes on. The only starting hitter on the team older than 25 is Jorge Posada at 29.

The team could get even younger at the draft this season. I have my eye on a young reliever named Huston Street, and while I don’t like the idea of taking a reliever #1 overall, he is already a major league capable closer at just 17. I think that if the team is in contention at all come June and we need a reliever, Street will be our man. Otherwise I have my eyes on kids like starter Justin Verlander, shortstop Hanley Ramirez, left-handers Frankie Liriano and Cole Hamels, catcher Martin Russell, and right fielder Nick Markakis.

All-in-all, I think the team has a good chance at contending this season, but at the same time I wouldn’t be surprised if we finished sub-.500 again as our kiddies suffer through their growing pains. Either way this should be a fun and exciting season.

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

Around the horn - Catchers

Prized free agent Jorge Posada leads the Brewers battery

The Brewers will not be one of the sufferers of the pandemic spreading around baseball this season; the lack of an elite, or even quality, catcher.

Catching was one of the Brewers biggest holes in 2000. The team's two primary catchers, Henry Blanco and Raul Casanova, combined to hit an ugly .219/.276/.317 with 13 homers (12 by Blanco), 44 runs, and 50 RBI's, while playing average-at-best defense. Knowing that catcher was a huge hole in the organization and that catching is one of the game's most important assets, GM John Monahan immediately rectified the situation by signing the best free agent catcher on the market, Jorge Posada, to a 5 year, 19.25 million dollar deal. Not only was Posada the best free agent catcher on the market, but he was also arguably the best player on the market, and arguably the best catcher in baseball. Not only was Posada's offense considerably better than the tandem of Blanco - Casanova (his line of .274/.360/.450 with 21 bombs, 119 RBI's, 86 runs, and 171 trounces Blanco and Casanova's total by a wide margin), but he is also a considerably better defensive catcher.

Posada will give the team a boost, not just because he is a considerable upgrade at the position he plays, but because he is just plainly an above-average hitter, and will give the overall lineup a boost. He is a solid hitter for average, hitting a career-high .274 last season, as he has proven in Spring Training, posting a batting average of .451 this Spring. He doesn't have a problem hitting the ball over the fence or putting it in the gap either, as he hit 21 homers with 45 doubles last season, on his way to a .450 slugging percent, good for seventh amongst all Major League catchers. He also managed to walk his way on base 85 times and amassed a .360 OBP, placing him 5th for catchers last season in on-base percentage. And adding to Posada's offensive value is the fact that he is a switch hitter. He should be good for a line .270/.350/.450 again the season, with 20-25 home runs, 100+ RBI's, and 80-90 runs.

Henry Blanco should provide a decent back-up catcher for the team, with Casanova providing injury insurance for Blanco.


Running Lineup:
1.
2.
3.
4. Jorge Posada (C)
5.
6.
7.
8.
9. (Pitcher Spot)

Bench:
1. Henry Blanco (C)
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.


Next up corner infielders.

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

Wait, who had the worst record, You or the Rangers?

I did, I was one game worse than them. But when you're THAT bad its probably better to just be really, really bad and get the higher pick.

If you're talking about the Williams signing, I forced that because they had the second worst record and I wasn't worried about the worst team, myself, falling horrifically under because they're human controlled. I got myself the next-best FA and at a position I needed anyways.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Yes, yes, feel the power of the youth movement!!! Feels good, doesn't it?

I'm excited for year 2. I can't wait to see how the draft shakes out. So many choices...

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

Yes, yes, feel the power of the youth movement!!! Feels good, doesn't it?

I'm excited for year 2. I can't wait to see how the draft shakes out. So many choices...

You ain't kidding. Street is already rated an 87 right out of the draft! I could really use a closer and he could be my easiest way of getting one without giving up anything of value, I'm just kind of leery of taking a closer at #1. Especially when there are guys like Markakis, Han-Ram, Pedroia, Kendrick, Jose Reyes, Frankie Liriano, Verlander, begging to be taken.

Oh, and yes it does !

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

Around the horn - Corner Infielders

18 year old David Wright will be manning the hot corner for the Brewers this season

Last June then-rookie General Manager John Monahan drafted the future of the team with the team's first round pick, and it would appear that the future is now. 18 year old third basemen David Wright will be the team's full-time third basemen to start the season.

The Brewers primary third basemen last season, Tyler Houston, had no problem hitting for power, blasting 20 homers on the season, but his rate stats were horrible, due mostly to a low batting average and an inability to make contact, and he hit just .225/.276/.382. David Wright, though only 18 years old, shouldn't be any worse than Houston was, and has a decent possibility of being even better. David raked at A ball last season, hitting .422/.517/.739 with 15 homers and 61 RBI's in only 199 AB's (52 games). He didn't hit particularly well in a brief stint as a September call-up last season, batting just .167, but he did show a great eye and strike-zone discipline, walking 6 times in 18 at bats for an OBP of .375. Wright's defense could be a bit of a concern, but its not much worse than Houston's was last season. Overall, Wright shouldn't be any worse than Tyler was last season and he should be considered a strong candidate for National League Rookie of the Year.

First base was a bit of a merry-go-round position, with Mark Sweeney, Kevin Barker, and Tyler Houston all splitting time there. Sweeney was productive in the lineup and finished the season with a line of .274/.348/.442 with 16 homers and 57 RBI's, but the team saw that as a fluke season and opted not to re-sign him. The team's primary first basemen this season, at least to start, will be Kevin Barker. Barker will be another part of the team's youth movement, at just 25. Kevin didn't hit particularly well last season in the majors, just .220/.304/.314 with six homers and 31 RBI's, but he hit well at AAA last season with a line of .371/.467/.539 and five homers and 40 RBI's in 178 AB's, which should bode well for this season. If nothing else, Barker is a solid defensive first basemen who should prevent a lot of errors for his infield-mates and keep his pitchers very happy.

The team really doesn't lose anything or add anything by replacing Tyler and Sweeney with Wright and Barker, except for maybe adding a little payroll room and flexibility.

Andres Galarraga will back up Barker at first, with Charlie Hayes backing up Wright at third.


Running Lineup:
1.
2.
3.
4. Jorge Posada (C)
5.
6.
7. David Wright (3B)
8. Kevin Barker (1B)
9. (Pitcher Spot)

Bench:
1. Henry Blanco (C)
2. Andres Galarraga (1B)
3.
4.
5.
6. Charlie Hayes (3B)


Middle infielders next.

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

Around the Horn - Middle Infielders

Top prospect Bill Hall will take over as the Brewers primary shortstop this season

Last August and September the Brewers and their fans caught a glimpse of the team's future at shortstop, and the future is bright and the future is now.

Last season shortstop was actually one of the team's stronger positions, at least to start the season. The team started out with the extremely talented Mark Loretta starting at shortstop, but due to his unhappiness with the team and his impending Free Agency, he was quickly dealt to the Blue Jays, after hitting .400/.464/.520 with the team in 25 at bats. Jose Hernandez then took over the starting shortstop job and did a fantastic job at the plate, hitting .270/.324/.523 with 17 homers and 51 RBI's in 256 at bats with the 'Crew last season before becoming part of the deal that got the Brewers Josh Hamilton. After Hernandez Lou Collier took over briefly and forgettably before being injured, and thats when Bill Hall stepped up to the plate, literally and figuratively. In Hall's brief, 179 at bat stint with the team to end last season he hit .279/.343/.503 with five homers, four triples, 17 doubles, and 23 RBI's. Hall will return to the team this season as the team's definitive starting shortstop, after the team could not come up with a decent veteran shortstop to pair with Hall. As he showed last season and this Spring, hitting .354/.436/.622 with five homers and 20 RBI's in 82 AB's in Spring Training, Hall can really hit, but his fielding is sub-par at best. Last year Hall made seven errors in just 51 games. Hopefully Hall's bat will make up for his defensive deficiencies. Don't be surprised, however, to see the team draft a short stop in the June Draft and switch hall to left field or first base down the road.

Second base is one position the team shouldn't have to worry about now or anytime soon. Ronnie Belliard was a staple at second base for the team last season, the year before, and will be this season. Belliard has proven himself a more than capable Major League second basemen, as he enters his third full season and his age 26 season. Last season Belliard was one of the team's most consistent and best players, hitting .274/.325/.395 with 10 homers and 53 RBI's over the course of the season. Not only is Belliard a good offensive player, but he is also a solid defensive player up the middle. Last season Belliard made just 13 errors over the course of 144 games.

The team lacks a true back-up middle infielder, and will likely have to rely on Charlie Hayes in the event of injuries and days off, until a decent one becomes available on the free agent market.


Running Lineup:
1.
2. Ronnie Belliard (2B)
3.
4. Jorge Posada (C)
5.
6. Bill Hall (SS)
7. David Wright (3B)
8. Kevin Barker (1B)
9. (Pitcher Spot)

Bench:
1. Henry Blanco (C)
2. Andres Galarraga (1B)
3.
4.
5.
6. Charlie Hayes (3B)


Next up, outfielders.

[rockiesfan4ever]

The big cat deserves to start LOL I kid.

Good job so far (I am so cliche)

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

The big cat deserves to start LOL I kid.

Good job so far (I am so cliche)

lol.

Kevin Barker is a left-handed hitter so I might start Galarraga against lefties.

And thanks .

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

Around the Horn - Outfielders

Beltran was swapped straight-up this offseason for Geoff Jenkins

The star's of three young players shine bright in the Brewers outfield.

Last season the outfield was a revolving door, as Marquis Grissom, Geoff Jenkins, Vernon Wells, James and Kyle Mouton, Josh Hamilton, Jeromy Burnitz, and Mark Sweeney all got playing time in the outfield. Grissom and Burnitz were early victims of the re-build process and neither finished the season with the team. The three primary outfielders over the course of last season for the team were Jenkins and Wells, and a combination of Mark Sweeney and the Mouton's. Jenkins was the team's best performer and was named the team MVP last season, batting .263/.358/.486 with 30 homers and 102 RBI's, and also earning himself a Gold Glove for his defensive play in the outfield. Wells was solid in his rookie season, as he hit .257/.316/.458 with 26 homers and 71 RBI's and also earning a Gold Glove in the outfield. Sweeney and the tandem of the Mouton's weren't too bad in the outfield, but left some to be desired.

This season the outfield picture should be a lot more clear and consistent, and should stay the same, for this season. Jenkins was traded to Kansas City in the offseason for 23 year old Carlos Beltran, while Wells returns to man center field, and Josh Hamilton appears ready to be a full-time major leaguer. Beltran was great last season, putting up a line of .300/.389/.589 while hitting 39 homers and driving in 119 runs and stealing 17 bases. Although Jenkins won a Gold Glove last season and Beltran did not, Beltran is also an elite defensive outfielder, and although he is a center fielder by trade he will play right for the Brewers while Gold Glover Vernon Wells will continue to hold down the fort in center. I wouldn't expect Beltran to hit quite as well as he did last season, but a reasonable expectation would probably be .280/.380/.550 with 30-35 homers and 100+ RBI's and 30-40 steals. Vernon Wells should improve upon the numbers of his rookie season, particularly his rate stats, and I would expect him to hit closer to .280/.350/.500 this season, while knocking 30 homers and driving in 100 runs, while still playing Gold Glove defense. Where Beltran and Wells are pretty good guarantees and you should know what you'll get from them for the most part, Hamilton remains a bit of a question mark. His defense, particularly his arm strength, is unquestionable, but his offense is touch-and-go. He crushed the ball last season in AAA, hitting .344/.431/.611, but struggled in his brief stint with the big club and hit just .254/.320/.403. Its hard to say how he'll do this season, but I would say a line of .270/.340/.400 is a safe bet, while stealing 20-30 bases and playing great outfield defense.

The outfield should be a bit better this season, especially with Wells continued maturation and the upgrade of Jenkins to Beltran, but not exponentially better.

Alex Sanchez, Mark Smith, and Dave Krynzel will provide depth off the bench.


Running Lineup:
1. Josh Hamilton (LF)
2. Ronnie Belliard (2B)
3. Carlos Beltran (RF)
4. Jorge Posada (C)
5. Vernon Wells (CF)
6. Bill Hall (SS)
7. David Wright (3B)
8. Kevin Barker (1B)
9. (Pitcher Spot)

Bench:
1. Henry Blanco (C)
2. Andres Galarraga (1B)
3. Alex Sanchez (OF)
4. Dave Krynzel (OF)
5. Mark Smith (OF)
6. Charlie Hayes (3B)


Starting rotation next.

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

That doesn't look like the Brewers at all.

Well it is the '01 Brewers and most of the players are young .

But I know what you mean, it probably looks like the Mets, if anything .

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

Gonna do the starting rotation tonight, but I probably won't do one for the bullpen, and then I'm gonna get the season underway !

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

Around the Horn - Starting Rotation

A.J. Burnett will returns to lead the Brewers rotation, after being the team's best pitcher last season

They say pitching wins games, and if that is so the Brewers should be just fine.

Last season A.J. Burnett and Ben Sheets compromised one of the NL's better, younger top two starters. Burnett won the team Cy Young Award, going 12-8 with a 3.68 ERA and 143 strikeouts in 163.2 innings after being acquired from Florida in exchange for Jeromy Burnitz and Jamey Wright. Sheets wasn't quite as good, but he was still solid from start-to-start. Sheets went a deceiving 8-15 with a 4.62 ERA and 169 K's and led the team with 222 innings pitched. John Snyder also had a solid season, putting up a 4.90 ERA in 191 innings, despite going just 7-16, but the rest of the rotation would give one voluntary amnesia.

As the team heads into its second season of the re-build, this pitching outlook is ever-so-slightly brighter. Burnett and Sheets both head into their second full Major League seasons, and should only get better. A.J.'s 3.68 ERA as a rookie should only get better, and I would expect it to drop by at least a fifth of a run, down to 3.48, and possibly a third of a run, down to 3.38, especially after posting a 2.12 ERA this Spring. Sheets, however, I would expect much more dramatic improvement, as he enters his second season. Last season he posted an ERA of 4.62, and it would be reasonable to expect that to drop by around a full run, to 3.62. After those two the rotation is much bleaker, though. Snyder returns after his solid season, but its unlikely he will be able to duplicate that success based on his .75:1 walk to strike out ratio and his WHIP of 1.73. The final two starters, Jayson Durocher and Matt Williams, are nothing to write home about. Both are relievers by trade, and while Durocher may be solid, Williams is probably gonna get knocked around until the team finds a replacement.

Sheets and Burnett should definitely be better this season, but the rest of the starting rotation will probably be significantly worse.


Starting Rotation:
1. A.J. Burnett (RHP)
2. Ben Sheets (RHP)
3. John Snyder (RHP)
4. Jayson Durocher (RHP)
5. Matt Williams (LHP)