We're talking about expectations for the Brewers' young shortstop and more in today's news roundup.
Some things to read while drawing the line.
We are 37 days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Maryvale, and when Jean Segura gets to camp he's going to have a tough act to follow in his second full season. Curt Hogg of Disciples of Uecker has a look at Segura's hot-and-cold 2013 season and attempts to project his performance going forward.
It remains to be seen if the Brewers will have a new first baseman to take throws from Segura this spring. The Mets continue to ask a high price for Ike Davis, but Ken Davidoff of the New York Post says that needs to change. (h/t MLBTR) Meanwhile, Ryan Connor of Reviewing the Brew wonders if former Rangers utilityman Jeff Baker could be part of the solution.
Scooter Gennett is likely to be standing somewhere between the Brewers' new first baseman and Segura on Opening Day. Chris Mehring of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers has a look at Gennett's top five games during his Midwest League season in 2010.
The Brewer bullpen remains one of the team's most notable unanswered questions with a few weeks left in the offseason. Justin Schultz of Reviewing the Brew downplays the significance, though, noting that most recent World Series winners have had average relief pitching.
Is positional flexibility a better indicator of possible success? Nicholas Zettel of Disciples of Uecker has a comparison of how the Brewers and Cardinals have handled moving players around to fill needs.
In the minors:
- The Brewers announced yesterday that they've released one-time top pitching prospect Nick Bucci, who has been limited to just eleven appearances over the last two seasons due to injury. Tom Haudricourt reports (via Twitter) that Bucci, who was drafted out of high school, wanted to go back to school.
- Martin Maldonado went 0-for-2 with a walk and scored Mayaguez's only run in their 3-1 loss to Caguas in the Puerto Rican postseason last night (box score). Irving Falu went 1-for-5 for Mayaguez, while Yadiel Rivera went 2-for-3 with a double for Caguas and Jose De La Torre pitched a scoreless eighth inning.
Back in Milwaukee, the Brewers announced their "Fan-tastic Forty" promotion for season ticketholders will return for 2014. Highlights among the prizes include free parking for the season, a tour of the Miller Park roof and a club suite party with Craig Counsell.
If you'd like more Brewers coverage today but you're sick of reading, my Tuesday appearance on The Home Stretch with Justin Hull on 95.3 FM WSCO in Appleton has been archived. I spent a little more than half an hour in the studio yesterday discussing the Brewers' lack of offseason activity and more.
Around baseball:
Astros: Third base coach Eduardo Perez has left the team and will be replaced by first base coach Pat Listach.
Athletics: Avoided arbitration with reliever Jesse Chavez (one year, $775,000).
Dodgers: Are expected to sign manager Don Mattingly to a three-year contract extension through the 2016 season.
Orioles: Re-signed pitcher Eddie Gamboa to a minor league deal.
Padres: Signed 1B/OF Xavier Nady to a minor league deal.
Pirates: Re-signed infielder Robert Andino to a minor league deal.
Rays: Claimed pitcher Pedro Figueroa off waivers from the Athletics and designated outfielder Jerry Sands for assignment.
Royals: Signed catcher Ramon Hernandez to a minor league deal.
This isn't exactly a "Former Brewers" note, but our Tweet of the Day features an awesome picture from County Stadium during the 1957 World Series:
Bushville RT @JeffAshPG Classic. Game 4, Sunday, 10/6/57. MT @MLBcathedrals Milwaukee County Stadium during 57 Series pic.twitter.com/lhLHL3D3H6
— Howie Magner (@howiemag) January 7, 2014That picture made me feel a little warmer, but I'd guess you and I are both still missing baseball during these cold months. Howard Megdal of Sports On Earth has a baseball fan's guide to surviving the winter.
Today in baseball economics: After hitting a snag in December, last night the Cardinals received permission from the Memphis city council to purchase their AAA affiliate in the city. St. Louis now owns four of their minor league teams.
Finally, with help from Brewerfan.net and the B-Ref Play Index, we'd like to wish a happy birthday to:
- 2013 Helena Brewer Michael Turay, who turns 24.
- 2013 Wisconsin Timber Rattler Taylor Wall, who turns 24.
- Matt LaPorta, the Brewers' first round pick (#7 overall) in the 2007 draft, who turns 29.
- 2006 Brewer Geremi Gonzalez, who would have turned 39.
- 2008-09 Brewer Mike Cameron, who turns 41. We covered his birthday in Today In Brewer History last year.
- 1993 Brewer Matt Maysey, who turns 47.
- 1983-86 Brewer Randy Ready, who turns 54.
- 1973 Brewer Wilbur Howard, who turns 65.
- West Bend, Wisconsin native, UW-Madison alum and 1957-61 Milwaukee Brave John DeMerit, who turns 78.
Today is also the fifth anniversary of the Brewers signing closer Trevor Hoffman as a free agent in 2009, setting the stage for him to represent the Brewers in the All Star game later that year and record his 600th career save in Milwaukee in 2010. We covered that event in Today In Brewer History two years ago.
Plunk Everyone notes that Cameron's 87 career HBP are the second most ever for a position player born on January 8, and Gonzalez's 24 hit batsmen are the third most ever for a pitcher born on this date.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I've still got it.
Drink up.