Brewers still have work to do

After avoiding arbitration with right-hander Seth McClung, the Milwaukee Brewers still have work to do to avoid the same with 1st baseman Prince Fielder, outfielder Corey Hart and 2nd baseman Rickie Weeks.

Game Recaps

For those of you who decided to call in sick today, and for that I'm proud of you, to watch Opening Day because you were having baseball withdrawals, I'll be posting game recaps for most if not all of the games today.

Today did not get off to a good start, however, for the Yankees and Blue Jays. The game has been postponed due to rain and a new date should be set soon for the makeup game.

Two other games are also being delayed due to weather. Arizona is in Cincinnati to take on the Reds and Milwaukee is in Chicago to face the Cubs, both are being delayed due to rain.

A game that is already underway, the Detroit Tigers are hosting the Kansas City Royals, the game is currently in the top half of the 7th. Detroit got the scoring started in the 2nd inning. After a Carlos Guillen double to lead off the home half of the 2nd, both Pudge Rodriguez and Jacque Jones would strike out. After a Bradon Inge walk, Edgar Renteria would single, scoring Guillen from 2nd.

In the 4th inning, after Pudge Rodriguez led off the inning with a walk, Brandon Inge would hit a 1-out double to left and Renteria would be walked to load the bases. When it looked like the Royals would get out of the inning unscathed after Placido Polanco lined out to right field, Gary Sheffield would work a bases loaded walk which scored Pudge Rodriguez to make it a 2-0 game.

The very next inning, new Tigers' acquisition Miguel Cabrera would make his presence felt, lauching a solo HR to left to push the Tigers up 3-0 after 5 innings, but back came the Royals.

In the top half of the 6th, Mark Grudzielanek would hit a 1-out single, then Alex Gordon would pull the Royals within 1 after a 2-run HR to right off Justin Verlander, his first of the season and it was 3-2 in favor of the Tigers.

In the 7th, with Verlander still in the game, Mark Teahan would work a lead off walk followed by a Ross Gload single to put 2 men on and noone out, which signaled the end of the day for Tigers' starter Justin Verlander. Jason Grilli would be brought in to replace Verlander who promptly gave up an RBI single to Jack Buck, scoring Mark Teahan from 2nd to tie the game 3-3. Grilli would be pulled in favor of Bobby Seay who got Joey Gathright to line out to short. Seay was quickly pulled after 1 batter and replaced with Acquilino Lopez to face Mark Grudzielanek. Grudzielanek would untie the game with an RBI single to right scoring Ross Gload.

After 7 innings, the Royals lead 4-3 in Detroit.

Brewers cut Vargas

In a surprising move, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal, the Milwaukee Brewers have released veteran right-hander Claudio Vargas.

Later the same day, manager Ned Yost announced the Brewers official starting rotation:

Ben Sheets
Jeff Suppan
Dave Bush
Carlos Villanueva
Manny Parra

Prince Fielder unhappy with current contract

Brewers 1st baseman Prince Fielder has become frustrated with his current contract. He renewed his $670,000 contract on Sunday, but feels he should be getting paid a lot more.

“I’m not happy about it at all,” Fielder said. “The fact I’ve had to be renewed two years in a row, I’m not happy about it because there’s a lot of guys who have the same amount of time that I do who have done a lot less and are getting paid a lot more."

Fielder will be eligible for arbitration after the 2008 season.

Royals, Brewers to switch leagues?

According to the Kansas City Star, a rumor has popped up that has a trade going down between the Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers.

Though, this isn't your every day, run of the mill, swap of players. It's rumored that the Royals could be moving to the National League Central while the Brewers would return to the American League, where they had been until 1997.

Though this rumor is being dismissed by the Royals, there's talk that they have wanted to return to the National League and actually had a chance to make the move back in 1997, but turned it down after consideration.

Son of a former Padre turned Padre killer

Tony Gwynn Jr spent his childhood in the Padre locker room, around guys like his Hall of Fame Father, but spent the majority of his time in 1 locker in particular...Trevor Hoffman.

He idolized Trevor, would watch his workout routine, how he prepared for a game, how he'd go about his business. Now, Jr is a big leaguer himself and wouldn't you know it, would face the same person he spent a lot of his childhood around, and in the biggest spot of the Padres 2007 season.

If you don't know the whole story, here's a great article from Tom Friend of ESPN the Magazine that tells it from start to finish and it's a great read.

Brewers avoid arbitration with RHP Bush

The Milwaukee Brewers came to an agreement with right-hander Dave Bush on a 1-year $2.55M contract, avoiding arbitration.

The signing of Bush leaves just one more arbitration eligible player left, SS J.J. Hardy.

Cameron, Brewers sign 1-year $7M deal

1.12.08 12:24pm PST

The Brewers and Mike Cameron agreed on a 1-year $7M deal that includes a club option for 2009.

1.11.08 3:06pm PST

According to Buster Olney, the Milwaukee Brewers have signed free agent Mike Cameron to a 1-year deal, though the terms of his deal have not been released.

With this move, the Brewers intend to move Bill Hall to 3rd base and Ryan Braun to left field. That being said, could they possibly look into dealing Tony Gwynn Jr? One team that could be interested, but it would come with the pressure of his father's name in this city, the San Diego Padres.

With Brian Giles not being ready for Opening Day, the Padres are looking to move young prospect Chase Headley from 3rd base to left field with Jim Edmonds in center and possibly Scott Hairston in right, it's not the kind of outfield that excites you.

Maybe the younger Gwynn wouldn't be a bad move, who knows?

1.10.08 8:51am PST

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Milwaukee Brewers apparently have serious interest in free agent center fielder Mike Cameron.

If they do acquire Cameron, it could mean that Bill Hall could possibly be traded.

1.9.08 8:46pm PST

According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the Milwaukee Brewers are apparently looking at veteran free agent outfielders Kenny Lofton and Mike Cameron, possibly Luis Gonzalez as well.

Lofton and Gonzalez can be had on 1-year deals while Mike Cameron is looking for a 2 or 3-year deal. I'm not sure the Brewers are willing to give Cameron either, so Lofton and Gonzalez are the likely choices.

Brewers land Cameron

1.11.08 3:06pm PST

According to Buster Olney, the Milwaukee Brewers have signed free agent Mike Cameron to a 1-year deal, though the terms of his deal have not been released.

With this move, the Brewers intend to move Bill Hall to 3rd base and Ryan Braun to left field. That being said, could they possibly look into dealing Tony Gwynn Jr? One team that could be interested, but it would come with the pressure of his father's name in this city, the San Diego Padres.

With Brian Giles not being ready for Opening Day, the Padres are looking to move young prospect Chase Headley from 3rd base to left field with Jim Edmonds in center and possibly Scott Hairston in right, it's not the kind of outfield that excites you. Maybe the young Gwynn wouldn't be a bad move, who knows?

1.10.08 8:51am PST

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Milwaukee Brewers apparently have serious interest in free agent center fielder Mike Cameron.

If they do acquire Cameron, it could mean that Bill Hall could possibly be traded.

1.9.08 8:46pm PST

According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the Milwaukee Brewers are apparently looking at veteran free agent outfielders Kenny Lofton and Mike Cameron, possibly Luis Gonzalez as well.
Lofton and Gonzalez can be had on 1-year deals while Mike Cameron is looking for a 2 or 3-year deal. I'm not sure the Brewers are willing to give Cameron either, so Lofton and Gonzalez are the likely choices.

Brewers taking serious look at Cameron

1.10.08 8:51am PST

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Milwaukee Brewers apparently have serious interest in free agent center fielder Mike Cameron.

If they do acquire Cameron, it could mean that Bill Hall could possibly be traded.

1.9.08 8:46pm PST

According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the Milwaukee Brewers are apparently looking at veteran free agent outfielders Kenny Lofton and Mike Cameron, possibly Luis Gonzalez as well.

Lofton and Gonzalez can be had on 1-year deals while Mike Cameron is looking for a 2 or 3-year deal. I'm not sure the Brewers are willing to give Cameron either, so Lofton and Gonzalez are the likely choices.

Brewers looking at Lofton, Cameron

According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the Milwaukee Brewers are apparently looking at veteran free agent outfielders Kenny Lofton and Mike Cameron, possibly Luis Gonzalez as well.

Lofton and Gonzalez can be had on 1-year deals while Mike Cameron is looking for a 2 or 3-year deal. I'm not sure the Brewers are willing to give Cameron either, so Lofton and Gonzalez are the likely choices.

Pirates add Dessens to bullpen

The Pittsburgh Pirates finally found the right-hander they needed out of their bullpen, they signed veteran Elmer Dessens to a 1-year minor league deal.

Dessens is just coming off a 2-year $3.4M deal, but it should be considerably less with the current contract he just signed with the Pirates.

We'll see how Dessens does in Spring Training, he really struggled with the Brewers and Rockies last season, posting ERA's of 6.60 and 7.58 respectively.

Brewers invite Nix, Bray to camp

The Milwaukee Brewers have invited outfielder Laynce Nix and right-hander Stephen Bray to camp as nonroster players to their spring training camp.

They also invited 4 other nonroster players to camp. They invited right-handers Scott Cassidy and Mark DiFelice, left-hander Chris Narveson and infielder Ozzie Chavez.

Brewers Notes

The Milwaukee Brewers are in the market for a 3rd baseman, allowing them to move Ryan Braun (2007 NL Rookie of the Year) to Left Field.

Though there aren't many names out there on the free agent market, a guy that I think could help them out is former Astro and Padre Morgan Ensberg. Ensberg still has some pop and is a decent defensive 3rd baseman, putting him into a hitters park isn't the worst idea, and he's a cheap option.

Kapler un-retires, signs with Brewers

Gabe Kapler had called it a career until the Milwaukee Brewers came calling. Kapler will sign a 1-year deal with the Brewers, though the details of the contract have not been released.

Brewers interested in Lofton?

According to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick, the Brewers could be looking into acquiring Kenny Lofton if they are able to move Bill Hall to 3rd and Ryan Braun to left field.

Mets sign Matt Wise

According to an AP Report, the New York Mets have signed free agent right-hander Matt Wise to a 1-year 1.2M deal.

Wise was 3-2 with a 4.19 ERA in 56 appearances last season with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Pirates after Estrada?

The Pirates are looking for a veteran catcher that can split time behind the plate with their current catcher Ronny Paulino. The name that they may go after....Johnny Estrada, who was non-tendered by the Mets after being dealt to them by the Brewers.

Estrada made $3.4M last season and is probably going to command a little more than that in free agency, possibly in the $4M/year range.

Brewers interested in Blalock

According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal, the Brewers could be interested in Rangers' 3rd baseman Hank Blalock so they can move 2007 Rookie of the Year Ryan Braun to left field.

Brewers designate Mench for assignment

The Milwaukee Brewers had to make room on their 40-man roster for new acquisition, Soloman Torres, so they designated outfielder Kevin Mench for assignment.

They now have 10 days to release him outright or trade him to another club.