MLB 2015 - Being the Brewmaster!

[Griever20]

Office of the Owner
October 6th, 2015

Mark Attanasio isn't a really patient man but is willing to invest some money into his club. He more or less left me alone in my first season as GM and we actually didn't talk that much about the team and my plans... until now.

Right off the bat, he told me that after Doug Melvin told him in March that he wanted to step down from the GM post, but would be willing to work for his successor as assistant GM for the rest of 2015, he would give the GM some wiggle room to work with for one season. He also told me right away that I wasn't what he expected

„I thought as a first year GM, you would wait and try to ride out the veterans and if things wouldn't go our way, you could always blame it on the fact that you didn't assemble this roster. Instead, you traded away some of the veterans, Lohse, Garza, Ramirez, K-Rod. You traded away Scooter Gennett, tho I have to admit he wasn't much better in New York. And, you brought in alot of prospects and claimed alot of players on waivers to fill the void.

Still, the team managed to make a run on the Wild Card... and I and the Milwaukee Star, as you may have realized, ask the question... could we have made the playoffs with those veterans on board?“

„Honestly, I don't think so. The only guy really exceeding the numbers he had with us was Kyle Lohse with a 3.88ERA with the Rockies at Coors... but he was the guy blowing off steam, asking to get traded and didn't exactly help our clubhouse culture.

What happened in my oppinion, and Ron agrees to that, is that the guys we brought in came in with a chip on their shoulder one or the other way and lit a small fire under the team. Wood wanted to proove he can pitch effectively and went 8-8 3.31 with us. Mous was upset for getting banished to AAA and ended up working on his swing and got the batting average up to .252.

Luis Sardinas worked on his swing and came back way better, showing off his speed while getting on base with a decent .338 clip. Thorny was thrilled to finally get a chance to start games and while he was third in walks issued(81) in the NL, he was pretty good... until fatigue kicked in late and the adrenalin wasn't there anymore. And, last but not least, Jeremy Jeffress really kicked into gear when we traded away K-Rod.“

„You make that sound like we should not have been even close to the playoffs...“ - „What I want to say is that we shouldn't expect things to fall our way every time. I pointed that in to the rest of the front office... we were 32-17 in one run games with the fourth worst bullpen in baseball... that is pure gambling here.

If you look deep into numbers and scouting reports, our starting staff is consisting off #3-#5 starters with maybe Peralta and in two years Jungmann providing at least some more upside. Apart from Braun and Gomez, we have no hitter with a track record of success out there. We can not project what version of Moustakas will show up next year. Or Sardinas or Davis or even Lucroy after his 2015.

That is why I wanted to grab big prospects like Bird, Bundy and Harvey. Because we need to get the next generation of Brewers on board. We need to bring in high echolon talent to be there when Gomez is maybe even gone and Braun starts to regress even more or can not stay healthy.“

„So, what are your personal expectations for 2016 and what do you see as goals for the offseason?“ - „To the offseason first. I want to add some shutdown relievers that are young and cheap and we need at least one additional starter, ideally somebody with #2 upside to lead our staff... Having Mike Fiers starting opening day after a 7-13 3.94 season is kinda hard to explain to the media.

I hope we can field a .500 team for 2016 that, like this years version, can surprise and make a run on the Wild Card. The division... with the Cardinals on top and the Cubs rising with all their young talent... is going to make things tough anyways. IF things don't go our way tho, I can see us unload guys like Moustakas and, if we aren't able to resign him, Gomez or one of our starters for some prospects. Our time hopefully kicks in when Harvey, Bundy and Bird are up here in 2017.“

I didn't get the feeling that I completely got him on board and he told me once again he wants to be competitive in 2019 and wants to see an extension for Carlos Gomez and pointed out that the attendance went down by 5.4%. He would come back with the final budget and some more things we would like from me when the offseason starts. Before I got out, I told him that we maay see some changes in the front office apart from Doug Melvin leaving the assistant GM job... and he told me that would be all my business.

[Griever20]

The Dodgers fought their way through the playoffs for their first championship since 1988 and they did it with pitching. Clayton Kershaw was 2-0 2.86 in five starts and Zach Greinke was 3-0 1.50 in four starts.

World Series MvP was won by 2B Yoilan Cerse, the Cuban they actually signed to a minor league deal prior to the season. He only played on 62 games and started in 26 of them, batting .261-1-9 for the season, but went hot and hit .478-0-1 with four doubles, two walks and three runs scored.

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The Milwaukee Brewers announced that scouting director Ray Montgomery released today and Logan White was hired as new scouting director on a 5-year deal. White was the long time scouting director of the Dodgers but was let go under their new management. He picked the likes of Clayton Kershaw, Matt Kemp, Russell Martin, James Loney and Dee Gordon.

[Griever20]

Bureau of the GM

November 2nd 2020

To do list:

• Check for open coaching positions
• Make decisions on team options
• Arbitration decisions
• Make decisions about free agents/minor league free agents
• Take a look at the owner goals
• Take a look at the new budget
  

1.Check for open coaching positions
As you have seen, we decided to fire our scouting director. Logan White is a better scout in every aspect and has a track record of success in finding prospects with the Dodgers... and we will rely on him to just to that.

The next open spot to take care of... will be the assistant GM job as Doug Melvin retired from baseball as he announced earlier. We pitched an offer to Kevin Towers, the former GM of the D'backs till 2014. He has a good eye for major league and minor league talent and should be ideal to manage our minor league system and make suggestions in our organisation. We offered a four year deal. In talks with him, I had the feeling we would click quite well... and I want to bring in my guys as scouting director and assistant GM.

2. Make decisions on team options
RHRP Jonathan Broxton(31, 3*) 2-5 4SV 4.29 63IP 0.2WAR
$9M Team Option: DECLINED
For that money, we could add two or three relievers that got better numbers on the board... see ya Jonathan.

3. Arbitration decisions
We have a ton of arbitration cases.

RHSP Wily Peralta(26, 3*) MLB stats: 5-4 3.26 16GS 94IP 8.4K/9 1.9WAR
Estimate: $3.4M, offered a 1y/3.3M extension.
With the injuries... we decided to not offer him a long term deal.

LHSP Travis Wood(28, 1/1.5*) MLB stats: 9-13 4.17 29G/27GS 166.1IP 6.1K/9 1.5WAR
Estimate: $6.825M, we will non-tender him or try to deal him away.

RHRP Chris Hatcher(30, 3.5*) MLB stats: 7-1 3.22 50.1IP 9.7K/9 0.3WAR
Estimate: $900k, offered a 1y/880k extension.

RHRP Brandon Kintzler(31, 1*) MLB stats: 0-0 5.28 15.1IP 6.5K/9 0.0WAR
Estimate: $1.2M, we will non-tender him or try to deal him away.

RHRP Juan Nicasio(29, 4.5* HS, 4* OSA) MLB stats: 3-1 3SV 3.78 59G/2GS 83.1IP 1.2WAR
Estimate: $2.6M, offered a 1y/$2.55M extension.
Logan really likes him and Ron wants to use him as a starter more. Logan has him as 3/3.5* starter... we will take a shot at him for 2016.

LHRP Will Smith(26, 3/3.5* HS, 2.5* OSA) MLB stats: 5-6 4.22 74.2IP 7.6K -0.4WAR
Estimate: $800k, offered a 1y/$780k extension.
There is more in him, he could be way better... and is a cheap lefty at least.

3B Mike Moustakas(27, 2* HS, 3* OSA) MLB stats: .251/.293/.462 98G 16HR 47RBI 2.6WAR
Estimate: $3M, offered a 1y/$2.9M extension.

SS Jean Segura(25, 1/2.5* HS, 1/4* OSA) MLB stats: .252/.303/.358 141G 7HR 40RBI 0.7WAR
Estimate: $945k, offered a 1y/$900k extension.
There is potential... but little else.

CF Logan Schafer(29, 2*) MLB stats: .222/.270/.342 116G/46GS 4HR 21RBI 0.0WAR
Estimate: $800k, offered a 1y/$770k extension.
Perfect backup OF, hit .300 in July and August but was bad as a regular

OF/1B John Mayberry Jr.(31, 1* HS) MLB stats: .326/.353/.527 90G 9HR 31RBI 2.0WAR
Estimate: $1.6M, undecided
The popular opinion is that Johnny caught a hot streak here... Is it worth to keep him around for $1.6M... will be included in trade talks.

4.Make decisions about free agents/minor league free agents
none

5.Take a look at the owner's goals

- Play .500 ball
With a full season of those guys around... doable.

- Sign Carlos Gomez to an extension
He didn't want to talk last year... we will attack that when we have clear look at our salaries, e.g. when the free agents have filed. The truth is however, if he wants a multi-year deal woth more than $22M p.a., we are going to pass if Attanasio likes it or not...

- Increase team attendance from 31731 to 35000 per game
Our attendance fell after a disappointing April and while it rose later... let's just say this may be a hard task.

- Have a final total balance of $19M
We threw alot of money at international amateur free agents and therefore finished with a loss of $11.6M... which was my fault of course. If we aren't deep in contention... this should be doable aswell.

- Keep building your team up, in order to reach the playoffs in the next 6 seasons
The plan!

I can not guarantee all goals, especially the financial/attendance goal or the resigning of Carlos Gomez. My job is to bring this team to the playoffs and we won't reach that by making bad baseball decisions to make my owner happy(or the fanbase, but don't tell it them...).

6.Take a look at the new budget
Our budget will remain at $160M... which is nice, but with the owners goal to have a final total balance of $19M this is a trap in the end. We had a scouting budget of $16.69M and a development budget of $12M and may add to especially the development budget once the roster is completed...

6. Trade Talks and Roster Chatter
I would love to package Travis Wood, Brandon Kintzler and John Mayberry Jr. for something useful. A reliever, a prospect, maybe a shortstop. We will evaluate the free agent market when the time comes.

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News:
The Yankees kicked off the trading season, adding 1B/OF Jake Goebbert(28, 2.5* HS, 2* OSA) from the Padres. He spent most of the year in AAA, batting .298-18-68 .886OPS there. The Padres added 1B Conor Gillaspie(28, 1*, .281-9-40 88G), a left handed batter the Yankees claimed off waivers from the White Sox.

[Griever20]

Brewers, Indians Close Deal

The Milwaukee Brewers have released a statement confirming the trade of 28-year-old LHP Travis Wood, 31-year-old LF John Mayberry Jr., 29-year-old RHP Justin Freeman, 27-year-old minor league LF Shane Peterson and 25-year-old minor league C Juan Centeno to the Cleveland Indians for 23-year-old minor league RF Mike Papi. The deal was finalized today.

On his lifetime ledger sheet, the 28-year-old Wood has won 43 and lost 61 with a 4.12 ERA.

The Tribe was mucho interested in this group apart from Kintzler who drew no interest(the surprise...) we had to add a trio of assets in Centeno, Freeman and Peterson to get the deal done tho. What we got is the #29 prospect in RF/LF/1B Mike Papi(23, 2.5* HS, 4.5* OSA). Papi was the 38th pick in the 2014 draft and mostly played in A-ball this season, batting .265/.359/.390 9HR 63RBI 2.1WAR. He will need a year at least in the minors, but could be the successor of Khris Davis in left field.

Apart from Wood and Mayberry Jr., Justin Freeman(29, 1.5*) will leave us. We signed him to a minor league deal but he unfortunately was not good enough to be NOT included to this deal. Centeno(25, 1/2*) was claimed off waivers in October 2014 from the Mets and was our third catcher this year... but while his defense is good... his bat is not.

OF/1B Shane Peterson(27, 1.5*) was a valuable piece as backup last year.. and we may just see him again as the Indians put him on waivers... and we put a claim on him.
PS: The claim was successful... welcome back.

In other news: Kevin Towers agreed to a four year deal for $462k annual to be my assistant GM(the irony...).

Finally, the offseason dealing has started... time to reshape this team and add to the minor league system... and the major league team, at least short term.

[Griever20]

Notable Extensions:
Braves SP Shelby Miller(25, 3/4*, 10-10 4.23 133K) for 6y/$36.6M

Dodgers C Yasmani Grandal(27, 4*, .261-19-63 3.9WAR) for 5y/$54.08M

Indians RF Brandon Moss(32, 3*, .245-38-111 3.8WAR) for 3y/$29.6M

Orioles 3B Manny Machado(23, 5*, .292-24-91 6.0WAR) for 7y/$91.14M
Orioles LF Evan Gattis(29, 3.5/4*, .267-26-95 1.9WAR) for 5y/$23.8M
Orioles SP Wei-Yin Chen(30, 2.5*, 9-15 6.02 93K) for 4y/$30.8M

Nationals SP Stephen Strasburg(27, 5*, 10-8 3.03 216K) for 6y/$96.3M

Tigers LF Yoenis Cespedes(30, 4*, .284-18-74 3.7WAR) for $5y/$54.08M

The Braves added an elite reliever in RHRP Evan Marshall(25, 4.5*, 4-4 15SV 2.93 73.2IP) from the D'backs. Arizona tried to move him on waivers in September a couple of times, but he was claimed both times. Coming back to the desert will be #97 prospect SP Carlos Salazar(20, 1.5* HS, 3.5* OSA, A) and prospect SP Garrett Fulenchek(19, 3.5* HS, 2.5* OSA, R).

The Red Sox flipped RHRP Junichi Tazawa(29, 4*, 4-4 3SV 4.31 64.2IP) to the Tigers for prospects . The japanese recently signed a 1y/$2.96M extension and coming back for him will be prospect RF Desmond Lindsay(18, 1.5*, R) and prospect C Elys Escobar(19, 1.5* HS, 1* OSA, R).

The Pirates take on $7M of salary in C Jarrod Saltalamacchia(30, 1.5*, .234-6-20 121G). The Marlins will get prospect LF Casey Hughston(21, 1.5* HS, 1* OSA, R) and prospect RF Jordan Luplow(22, 2* HS, 1.5* OSA, A).

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Gold Glovers Announced

AL Reliever of the Year:
Los Angeles Angels RHRP Mike Morin(24,5*)
1-3 33SV 1.88ERA 66G 71.2IP 0.96WHIP 11.1K 1.4WAR
Morin's stuff suddently became lethal with his improved changeup and he stole the closer's job late in April.

NL Reliever of the Year:
San Diego Padres RHRP Craig Kimbrel(27, 5*)
7-3 27SV 1.93ERA 57G 0.89WHIP 14.2K 2.2WAR
The second Award for him in his first year with the Padres.

Silver Sluggers Announced

[Griever20]

Rookie of the Year Award

Fun Fact: Pompey already won a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger Award...

Cy Young Award

Fun Fact: This is Kershaw's fourth Cy Young Award

Most Valuable Player

Fun Fact: It's a clean sweep for Pompey and Kershaw's second MvP Award

News:
The White Sox added another arm in SP Rubby De La Rosa(26, 1/1.5* HS, 1.5/2* OSA, 8-9 3.55 117K 25GS). De la Rosa split his season between the D'Backs and Twins and initially signed with the Dodgers in 2007. Minnesota gets prospect SP Tristan Beck(19, 1.5* HS, 4* OSA, R) and 1B Keon Barnum(22, 1.5* HS, 1* OSA, A) in return.

The Twins also dealt with the Orioles and added C Caleb Joseph(29, 2.5*, .269-13-39 104G 2.6WAR) in the deal. Baltimore added 2B Danny Santana(25, 1.5* HS, 1* OSA, .280-8-55 124G 2.4WAR) in a pretty even deal number wise. Logan things that Joseph will have the better career...

The Pirates sent RHRP Kelvin Herrera(25, 4.5/5*, 2-4 2.59 73IP 1.6WAR) to his third team in two years as the Cardinals will enjoy his services and $1.6M of cash. Pittsburgh add a couple of prospects in RF Josh Naylor(18, 4* HS, 4.5* OSA, R) and 1B Carlos En. Rodriguez(18, 1*, R).

To fill the void at third base, the Boston Red Sox added 3B Cody Asche(25, 3/3.5*, .245-20-66 0.4WAR) in exchange for SP Robbie Ross Jr.(26, 1/1.5* HS, 1.5/2* OSA, 8-15 5.67 94K 30GS).

Our division rivals in Cincy added a reliever in RHRP Roman Mendez(25, 4/4.5*, 3-9 2SV 5.82 77.1IP) from the Rangers. They sent prospect C Mitch Trees(20, 2* HS, 1* OSA, R) and prospect RF Reydel Medina(22, 1.5*,R) over to the American League.

[Griever20]

As midnight approached last night, would-be free agents across Major League Baseball lined up to formally file their papers, officially putting themselves on the open market.

General managers across the league enter the fray today with different approaches -- mortgage the franchise to snap up the stars or simply maintain the status quo?

Headlining the list of names filing for free agency are these players:

Starting Pitchers:

RHSP Ian Kennedy(30, 4*, ex-SDP) 11-19 3.93 33GS 201.2IP 7.5K/9 2.4WAR Demands 8y/$86.5M
RHSP Johnny Cueto(29, 3.5*, ex-CIN) 9-9 4.30 25GS 146.2IP 6.8K/9 1.2WAR Demands 7y/$107.5M 1x All-Star
RHSP Brandon Morrow(31, 4*, ex-NYY) 11-10 4.02 33GS 195IP 8.6K 3.5WAR Demands 3y/$25.5M
LHSP David Price(30, 4*, ex-DET) 13-12 4.10 34GS 217.1IP 7.1K/9 3.6WAR Demands 7y/$173M 4x All-Star, 2012 AL Cy Young
RHSP Mat Latos(27, 4*, ex-MIA) 10-11 3.78 32GS 181IP 7.2K 3.9WAR Demands 8y/$152M
LHSP Cliff Lee(37, 3.5*, ex-PHI) 8-7 4.83 18GS 104.1IP 7.0K/9 0.7WAR Demands 1y/$6.5M 4x All-Star, 2012 AL Cy Young

and a bunch of 3* guys.

Position Players:

1B Edwin Encarnacion(32, 4*, ex-TOR) .279-8-20 .916OPS 35G 1.1WAR Demands 5y/$67.5M 2x All-Star, missed most of the year with a torn back muscle
1B Chris Carter(28, 3/3.5*, ex-HOU) .214-29-85 .699OPS 160G 0.7WAR Demands 1y/$1.8M
1B Chris Davis(29, 3/3.5*, ex-BAL) .249-33-97 .811OPS 144G 2.8WAR Demands 5y/$69M 1x All-Star, 2013 AL Silver Slugger
1B Chris Carter(28, 3/3.5*, ex-HOU) .214-29-85 .699OPS 160G 0.7WAR Demands 1y/$1.8M
1B Mark Trumbo(29, 3*, ex-ARI) .228-28-91 .728OPS 155G -0.8WAR Demands 4y/$15.8M 1x All-Star

2B Ben Zobrist(34, 3.5*, ex-OAK) .313-7-53 .828OPS 88G 4.3WAR Demands 5y/$86.5M 2x All-Star

3B Mark Reynolds(32, 3.5*, ex-STL) .196-14-30 .703OPS 128G/56GS 0.9WAR Demands 1y/$1.5M

LF Alex Gordon(31, 5*, ex-KCR) .264-8-41 .746OPS 96G 2.1WAR Demands 6y/$102M 2x All-Star, 4x Gold Glover
LF Justin Upton(28, 4.5*, ex-SDP) .276-21-60 .849OPS 138G/118GS 3.4WAR Demands 6y/$159M 2x All-Star, 2x Silver Slugger

CF Colby Rasmus(29, 4*, ex-HOU) .202-19-63 .637OPS 131G 0.1WAR Demands 5y/$51M

State of the Brewers:
Well, we have a ton of money available... and offered some deals...
SP Cliff Lee 1y/$6M
RHRP Shawn Kelly(31, 4.5*, 1-1 3.95 18G 13.2IP, ruptured UCL 2-3 months) 1y/$2M
LHRP Eric O'Flaherty(30, 4*, 4-1 1SV 2.00 74G 67.2IP 0.9WAR) 1y/$2M
3B Mark Reynolds 1y/$1M

Still after that offers, we have $43.1M available, but with the goal of having a final total balance of $19M... we will have to watch out.

We looked into negotiating with Carlos Gomez for an extension... and his demand was 7y/$245M. We offered a couple of more... team friendly deals... and he told me that negotiating makes no further sense. This means our whole offseason strategy will change right here... right now.

PS: The Rule 5 Draft was uneventful for our team, we didn't lose anybody and didn't pick anybody.

[Griever20]

Signings:
SP David Price(30, 4*) agreed to a 5y/$101.8M deal with the Orioles.
SP Mat Latos(28, 4*) will join the Blue Jays on a 7y/$113.4M deal.

1B Chris Davis(29, 3/3.5*) resigned with the Orioles on a 3y/$35.3M deal.
2B Ben Zobrist(34, 3.5*) signed a 2y/$29.5M deal to play ball for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
LF Justin Upton(28, 4.5*) signed a 4y/$81.8M deal with the Detroit Tigers.
CF Colby Rasmus(29, 4*) will join the Phillies on a 4y/$29.4M deal.

Trades:
The Blue Jays added RHRP Shawn Tolleson(27, 4/4.5*, 7-7 9SV 5.38 75.1IP) from the Rangers. The righty really struggled last year as closer and was quickly removed from that role. Texas gets prospect SP Matt Boyd(24, 2* HS,A) and prospect SS Yomar Valentin(17, 1.5* HS, 1* OSA, R).

Confidental Analysis: Winter Meetings Strategy
December 16th, 2015
From: kevin.towers@milbrew.mlb
To: kc.martin@milbrew.mlb, mark.attanasio@milbrew.mlb, logan.white@milbrew.mlb

Subject 1: Carlos Gomez
The short negotiations with Carlos Gomez post a big question: Do we want to keep him around for $9M next year and then see him leave, do we agree to a deal that would give him $33M annual for seven years, or do we trade him NOW and see a big haul of prospects coming back? I can only advice you to think about flipping him in the right deal. Tyrone Taylor is about ready to replace him.

Subject 2: Starting Pitching
Mike Fiers is 30 years old and there is not alot of upside here. He may be around for a playoff run in 2017 or 2018 as #5 starter. Or we could flip him now. It seems like Cliff Lee is willing to sign on a one year deal and we have lots of budget room to fill out our roster with a veteran like Josh Johnson, who was 7-2 2.88 in 13 starts last year and would be willing to sign for $1.7M. With Nicasio in the rotation, we would have a balanced battle for the rotation next spring.

Subject 3: Jon Singleton
The scouting department and I agree that he is a .230-20 hitter at best at first base, and we have a high upside first baseman in AAA in Greg Bird. I am aware that K.C. likes to keep prospects in AAA till they are ready... but we should at least look around what is available for him.

Subject 4: Teams to Trade with
The Houston Astros are rebuilding and $2.7M over budget is what my sources tell me... and may be looking to flip some of their talent. The Twins added a ton of salary starting with Pablo Sandoval at the deadline and are a whooping $28M over budget... and may be willing to agree to some painful deals which would involve some of our prospects tho.

Looking for a taker for Carlos Gomez could be hard this year... but I think we can pull it off.

[Griever20]

The flights have arrived, the check-ins at the hotels have been completed and the bags have been unpacked. With that, the annual congregation known as the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings can now begin in earnest. General managers from across the league will engage in three days of talk and debate, and fans, reporters and rival ballclubs will all await the developments with keen anticipation. Trade and contract talk will no doubt be heard almost everywhere a team GM can be found and the close proximity of so many club officials will make for rapid feedback on any proposals.

-----

Things kicked off with an announcement by the Brewers... that SP Cliff Lee(37, 3.5*) agreed to join the team on a 1y/$6M deal. The veteran lefty had a rough return from injury last year, going 8-7 4.83 81K in 18 starts with the Phillies. However, he is a 4x All-Star and the 2008 NL Cy Young Winner... and maybe has another good year in the tank.

Reading the analysis of my fellow assistant... we offered a 1y/$1.7M deal to SP Josh Johnson(31, 3*). He had a hot return, but is regarded as fragile by most scouts... however, if he can return to his old shape that won a ERA Crown in 2010... $1.7M is not alot of money.

Before I could look to talk with other GM's.... Gerardo Soto of the Twins strolled over and after a quick chat... he pulled the rabbit out of the hat. "Ok, now down to brass tacks, I offer you Kennys Vargas for Luis Jimenez and Dazmon Cameron." Kennys Vargas... is 25-years old, a switch hitting first baseman with power... who hit .304-8-49 in 89 games this season and .324-12-38 in 71 games in AAA. But... where to play him when Bird is ready...

Asking who he would accept instead of Daz Cameron... he dropped a list: "Arcia, Coutler, Harrison, Mateo, Papi, Taylor". All of our 3*+ prospects. And if we add a starter like Christian Friedrich? "Money", he said and grinned sad... but Friedrich would be better than Jimenez... We dropped names around and he showed more interest in a AAA outfielder... and there is a deal in range... I can sniff one.

News:
Some minor deals involving minor league players went down today... however the biggest name dealt today was 2B Chase Utley(37, 2.5*, .287-10-52 126G), who got the trade news on his birthday. Utley will join the Los Angeles Angels while prospect SS Branden Cogswell(22, 2* HS, 2.5* OSA, A) and prospect SS Roberto Baldoquin(21, 1.5* HS, 2* OSA, A) will join the Phillies. Utley was a 6x All-Star and 4x Silver Slugger with the Phillies and is a career .285-238-938 .853OPS hitter with 1700H in 1604 games.

[Griever20]

Friedrich, Vargas Swap Clubs in Prospect Studded Deal
Trade winds have been blowing through Milwaukee. This time, a deal has materialized between the Brewers and Twins. According to sources inside the organization, Milwaukee will ship 28-year-old LHP Christian Friedrich, 19-year-old minor league LF Troy Stokes, 27-year-old minor league LF Josh Fellhauer, 24-year-old minor league RHP Taylor Williams and $1,000,000 in cash to Minnesota for 25-year-old 1B Kennys Vargas and 21-year-old minor league RHP Jose Berrios.

In his career Friedrich has appeared in 58 games and captured no saves. He has 7 wins and 18 losses and a 5.35 ERA with 168 strikeouts in 197 innings.

In his 142-game career Vargas has hit .293 with 163 hits, 17 home runs, and 87 RBIs and has scored 66 runs.

I'm not sure if Soto is picking my pocket or I'm picking his. In addition to Kenny Vargas, we were able to grab #10 prospect SP Jose Berrios(21, 3* HS, 4.5* OSA). He was pretty good in AA last year for them and he would be a guy with ace upside lingering. Heater(13/14), Curveball(14) and a killer changeup(14/20) if you ask the OSA... Logan is not quite that impressed.

Lefty Starter Christian Friedrich(28, 0.5*) would've been the lost man in spring as we wouldn't have a spot for him. Claimed off waivers from the Rockies, he is more of a groundball pitcher without good stuff or elite control... maybe he can win a job in their rotation.

Drafted 116th overall in the 2014 draft, this was Troy Stokes(19, 1*)' second year in our organisation. He has a golden glove in left field and showed some flashes with the bat in single A at young age. Logan and Kevin tell me he is not worth the consideration... if Soto knows more about that kid... this could be a steal.

OF Josh Fellhauer(27, 1*HS, 1/1.5* OSA) came up quickly in trade discussions with Soto, and I was willing to deal him away. At age 27, he is a great corner outfielder... but not a good hitter...

Taylor Williams(24, 0.5* HS, 0.5/3.5* OSA)... Neither of our scouts like him and the main reason for that is his third pitch, the changeup is not good enough for a starter... they say... If Berrios will pan out better than Williams, I can live with that deal.

[Griever20]

That deal took some time to work it out... and I have not been able to talk with other GM's about guys like Gomez or Singleton. We were able to offer a 3y/$2.85M deal to a newcomer however. Japanese import 2B/SS/CF Hirokichi Inagaki(28) wants to join the majors... and Logan has him as a 3/3.5* guy with some good defense at second, speed and the ability to play center if needed.

We had some loose talks with the Tribe next... but nothing surfaced and went on to meet with Andrew Friedman... GM of the Dodgers. He continues to offer me 2B Justin Turner(31, 1*. .252-6-40) for various combinations of players... but I plan to drop a bomb on him... named Carlos Gomez.

The holy grail of pitching prospects... Julio Urias, the #6 prospect. 19 years old and 5-4 3SV 4.24 in 28G/10GS in AA at that age. The left hander is rated with a 4* potential by Logan and with 4.5* by the OSA. A straight up deal... was not a fair deal said Andrew after sipping on his lemonade.

I had another one in my pocket... "Ok, how about you add Yimi Garcia and I add Jon Singleton to that deal? A-Gon won't be around forever!" ... He said he needed another guy to complete that deal... and asked if he could come back to that... I told him that there is a market for Gomez and he should think about the deal...

It turned out that there wasn't a big market at all for Carlos Gomez... most teams couldn't pay him and those who could... were not really pumped to get him. The Nats showed some interest... however the guy I would love to get in Michael A. Taylor... is injured and not available.

News:
The Tigers added SP Rafael Montero(25, 1/2.5* HS, 1.5/3.5* OSA, 1-11 5.80) from the Mets. Coming back to New York will be #55 prospect LF Julio Martinez(18, 2* HS, 5* OSA, R) and prospect SS Isrrael De La Cruz(18, 1.5* HS, 4* OSA, R).

[Griever20]

The big news were made early today the camp of the Cleveland Indians. Looking to add to their rotation, they pulled the trigger on a huge trade with the Los Angeles Angels involving five players. The Indians grabbed SP Garrett Richards(27, 4.5*, 11-12 4.72 152K 2.7WAR) as main part in this deal. Richards broke his leg late in 2014 and had a bad 2015... but paired with Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer, this could cement their rotation. They also grabbed a couple of minor league prospects in this deal.

The Angels wanted something in return and got it in LF Michael Brantley(28, 4/4.5*, .320-23-115 5.7WAR). As a 2x Silver Slugger and 2014 All-Star, he will fit nicely in an outfield of Mike Trout and Kole Calhoun. This will leave them with Tyler Skaggs as 'ace' tho.

-----

We are still in talks with the Dodgers and have a deal for Urias on deck... but here is the problem: I have to present some kind of center field replacement when I pull off this deal... or Mark Attanasio will rip of my head and put it on his fireplace for pleasure. The obvious deal... for Joc Pederson instead of Urias wouldn't even work woth Fiers AND Singleton in the deal.

So, it was time to get creative... The Boston Red Sox finished 2015 with a horrible 69-93 record that cost GM Ben Cherington and 2013 World Series winning manager John Farrell their jobs(clear cut case of 'what have you done for me lately?'). They hired 33-year old hotshot Armando Martínez out of Mexico to lead this team into a new era... and the guy is either clever or completely insane.

"Listen K.C., I know you want to unload some older talent. My owner wants me to rebuild this team... but I think we can make a run with a pitcher or two. So, what do you need and what do you have to offer?" Well, and I thought what I do here will make my owner mad... He took that attitude serious so neither Jackie Bradley Jr. and Rusney Castillo were available for the right deal... so it looked like there was no deal in store...

When suddently Logan smuggled a piece of paper in my hands while we were talking about former Twins prospect Max Kepler, who is out with a broke elbow...
Minor League CF Manuel Margot
Age: 21
#42 prospect
Gold Glove Award in A-ball
21/29SB, .277-5-60 2.2WAR in A
2.5/4.5* MIL Scouting Department
4/4.5* OSA
?????

I asked about him... and Martinez was willing to talk... for some major league help. Starting with Fiers, he started to like it... adding Singleton as replacement for Ortiz sometime down the road, and he started to love it... but he said he needed one more guy.. and we went back and forth... and even if this works... I have to sell it to my owner...

[Griever20]

Fiers and Margot Swapped

The Milwaukee Brewers addressed a concern today, coming to terms with the Boston Red Sox on a trade that will send 30-year-old RHP Mike Fiers, 24-year-old 1B Jon Singleton and 23-year-old minor league RF Michael Reed from the Brewers to the Red Sox in exchange for 21-year-old minor league CF Manuel Margot.

So far in Fiers's career, the 30-year-old starter has won 23 and lost 32, collecting 398 strikeouts with a 3.73 ERA. Opponents have hit .236 against him.

In the end, it was Michael Reed(23, 1.5* HS, 1* OSA, .267-11-61 0.7WAR AA) who had to be added to the deal. Reed was a 5th rounder in 2011 that worked his way up to AA but never really impressed on the way up. Jon Singleton(24, 1/2*, .201-11-34 78G 0.7WAR) will leave us after a short stint as Kenny Vargas will replace him as every day 1B.

With Mike Fiers(30, 2*, 7-13 3.94 170K 2.9WAR) we give up our opening day starter, which is quite painful but necessary. A major find by the old front office, Fiers was drafted in the 22nd round of the 2009 draft and left us after playing in parts of five seasons with a 23-32 record and a 3.73ERA in 84 games and 69 starts.

-----

Brewers – Dodgers Swap: Gomez for Urias

Milwaukee and Los Angeles announced today in a joint press conference that 30-year-old CF Carlos Gomez and 26-year-old minor league RHP Michael Blazek will be going to the Dodgers in exchange for 19-year-old minor league LHP Julio Urias. "It'll be exciting to join a new organization," one player said. "Some of us could use a fresh start." The players have each passed physicals and are expected to report by day's end.

In his career stats Gomez has compiled a .261 batting average and collected 952 hits, 111 home runs and 413 RBIs.

Carlos Gomez(30, 4*, .264-20-69 3.9WAR) will leave us after six great seasons that saw him becoming part of the NL All-Star team three times and win a gold glove in 2013. Acquired in 2009 for J.J. Hardy, he was a major steal and leaves Milwaukee as a .266/.322/.446 hitter with 99HR 314RBI 188/236SB and 702 hits.

To make this deal work, LA wanted another piece and RHRP Michael Blazek(26, 2*, 3-1 3SV 3.13 69IP 0.6WAR AAA) was the guy that we agreed on. Drafted in the 35th round by the Cardinals in 2007, we got him for John Axford in 2013. He was close to break through and would've been a candidate in 2016... we will have to add some depth to our AAA staff now...

-----

Suggesting this deal to Mark Attanasio, his words were 'It's your neck... this better works...' This better works... well yes, this is what we hope.

The Winter Meetings ended with a couple of deals going down apart from our trading madness.

Atlanta added righty reliever David Hernandez(30, 3.5*, 1-3 6.25 31.2IP -0.4WAR) from the Diamondbacks. Hernandez struggled mighty and lost a couple of years with injuries before that. Arizona added some longshot talents in prospect CF Sean Godfrey(23, 1*, A) and prospect RF Donnie DeWees(22, 1.5* HS, 1* OSA, R).

Mets and Rangers swapped assets as 1B Kyle Blanks(29, 1* .230-5-17 55G 0.4WAR) will suit up in New York next year. Texas will get a reliever in Carlos Torres(33, 1.5*, 1-3 3SV 3.43 84IP 0.4WAR) and a prospect in SS Isrrael De La Cruz(18, 1.5* HS, 4* OSA, R).

[Griever20]

Brewers News:

The Brewers announced that they have claimed Michael Blazek(26, 2*, 3-1 3SV 3.13 69IP 0.6WAR AAA), SP Joe Wieland(25, 0.5*, 6-5 2.89 92K 21GS 2.3WAR) and RHRP Chris Witherow(26, 3*, 0-1 2SV 3.22 36.1IP 0.6WAR AAA) off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Brewers and LHRP Eric O'Flaherty(30, 4*) agreed on a 1y/$2M deal. He played for Seattle, Atlanta and Oakland before and had a 4-1 1SV 2.00 67.2IP 0.9WAR year with the Athletics in 2020. O'Flaherty will battle with Boone Logan and Will Smith for the lefty jobs in the pen.

2x All-Star SP Josh Johnson(31, 3*) will join the Brew Crew on a 1y/$1.7M deal. He won the 2010 National League ERA crown, but since leaving the Marlins in 2013, his star has fallen due to a rash of injuries. Johnson made his comeback in 2015 with a 7-2 2.88 57K year in 13 starts with the Padres and should be a integral part of the Brewers... if healthy.

Logan had a hunch, and we decided to follow it... so 2B/SS/CF Hirokichi Inagaki(28, 2/2.5*) will join the picture on a 3y/$2.85M deal. He should be a decent backup/utility/platoon player for the Brewers.

Veteran slugger 3B Mark Reynolds(32, 3*) will bring his power to Milwaukee on a 1y/$1.75M deal. The yourneyman had a .196-14-30 year in San Diego but is a career 238HR hitter that should solidify first base and third base for K.C. Martin's team.

The Brewers will take a chance on RHRP Shawn Kelley(31, 4.5*). The fastball/slider pitcher went down with a ruptured UCL in May last year while playing a 1-1 3.95 13.2IP 0.1WAR year with the Padres. He is expected to be ready for spring ball. Kelley played for Seattle and New York with a career 3.94ERA .

Signings:
SP Johnny Cueto(29, 3.5*) moves from Cincinnati to the Cubs on a 5y/$64.7M contract.
SP Jeff Samardzija(31, 3*) will join the Angels for six years and $10.1M per year.

RHRP Jonathan Papelbon(35, 4.5*) joined the Dodgers on a 2y/$13.6M deal.

1B Edwin Encarnacion(32, 4*) also signed in Los Angeles for two years and $20.6M with year to being a player option.
LF Alex Gordon(31, 5*) will join our rivals in Chicago on a 2y/$31.6M contract.

2016 Hall of Fame Voting

-----

State of the Brew Crew:

The preseason has started and we have approximately $16M left to spend while accomplishing our owner's goal of a final total balance of $19M. There are a ton of arms still out there and some bats... and we pitched a 1y/$1.07M offer to OF Gerardo Parra(28, 2.5*) to add some cheap depth as well as some minor league contracts.

There are two big free agent starters still available in Ian Kennedy and Brandon Morrow... who both want $10M-$15M per year... and I'm not quite willing to pay of for them. Instead, we will shove additional $10M into the player development budget, which is now up to $22M. With the amout of prospects we added this winter and last season... this should be worth more than a overpaid starter rental.

We will take the time until spring ball and evaluate our farm system and look to reshuffle the players and release some of the older, but basically upside-less players with our new scouting director.

[Griever20]

Spring News:
Boston 2B Yoan Moncada(20, 3/5*) will never play a Major League game as his career ends with a torn labrum in his shoulder that will force him to retire. He suffered that injury in a spring training game. Moncada was the #11 prospect prior to the 2015 season.

Blue Jays SP Marcus Stroman(24, 4.5*) suffered a setback from his torn ACL and will be forced out of baseball. The young right hander had a 11-6 3.65 111K 2014 in 26G/20GS and tore his ACL last spring.

Orioles ace SP David Price(30, 4.5*) will miss the first 2-3 month of the regular season with a partially torn labum. The lefty signed a 5y/$101.8M deal this offseason, coming off a 13-12 4.10 172K year in 34 starts with the Tigers.

Oakland's 1B Matt Olson(22, 2.5/4*, .253-23-82 AA) will have to wait a little longer for major league action as he broke his elbow and will miss the 2016 season. Olson was drafted 47th in 2012 and was the #81 prospect prior to the 2015 season.

The Royals and Rockies swapped major leaguers as SP Edison Volquez(32, 1*, 12-9 3.95 134K 31GS) will reinforce Colorado's staff while RF Kyle Parker(26, 2.5*, .222-7-21 130G) will get a shot in Kansas City's outfield.

Baseball America announced their Top 100 prospect list:

1.) CF Byron Buxton, 22, Minnesota Twins(MLB)
2.) RHSP Dan Slania, 23, San Francisco Giants(AAA)
3.) RHSP Triston McKenzie, 18, Chicago White Sox(R)
4.) LHSP Brady Aiken, 19, Chicago White Sox(R)
5.) SS Alex Bregman, 22, Colorado Rockies(A)
6.) RHSP Touki Toussaint, 19, Arizona Diamondbacks(S A)
7.) LHSP Kolby Allard, 18, Atlanta Braves(R)
8.) RHSP Trevor Megill, 22, New York Mets(R)
9.) RHSP Kyle Funkhouser, 22, Cleveland Indians(R)
10.) C Jake Turnbull, 18, Cincinnati Reds(R)

Brewers on that list:

#13 R SP Hunter Parsons, 18, 2-3 8.24 19.2IP in R ball
#19 A SP Julio Urias, 19, 5-4 4.24 80.2IP in AA ball
#21 AA SP Jose Berrios, 21, 10-8 3.31 176.2IP in AA ball
#61 A SS Franly Mallen, 18, .238-0-1 in A ball
#13 A SP David Burkhalter, 20, 2-2 1SV 3.22 44.2IP in A ball
#100 AAA 1B Greg Bird, 23, .294-25-90 in AAA ball

Good for the 5th best minor league system, up from 25th!

Unranked, yet promising:
AAA SS Orlando Arcia, 21, .241-4-40 -0.3WAR in AA ball
AAA CF Manuel Margot, 21, .277-5-60 2.2WAR in A ball
AAA OF Tyrone Taylor, 22, .254-7-28 0.9WAR in AA ball
AAA RF Clint Coulter, 22, .282-13-61 2.5WAR in AA ball

AA SP Dylan Bundy, 23, 5-3 2.53 15GS 2.2WAR in A ball
AA SS Jorge Mateo, 20, .250-1-14 20SB 1.0WAR in A ball
AA CF Monte Harrison, 20, .309-10-57 3.7WAR in A ball
AA RF Mike Papi, 23, .265-9-63 2.7WAR in A ball

A SP Hunter Harvey, 21, 3-4 3.45 16GS 2.5WAR in A ball
A SP Kodi Medeiros, 19, 3-3 1SV 3.13 31.2IP 0.2WAR in R ball
A CF Dazmon Cameron, 19, .234-2-21 13/21SB 0.6WAR in R ball

[Griever20]

Our spring has been relatively injury free apart from Ryan Braun(of course), who will miss opening night with a sprained ankle but should be ready for game two. Jeremy Jeffress missed some time with elbow inflammation in spring and got shelled a bit, but should be fine and will be the opening day closer. As for Gerardo Parra... his services were suddently interesting for a bunch of teams and we let him go after he demanded more than $1.5M.

We were an even 13-14 in spring, third in our division. The OSA has us at a -8.1WAR for the offseason by the way... There is another crisis underway as Ron Ronicke says neither Taylor nor Margot is ready for the majors... and we will start Logan Schafer in center... this will be fun. The good news is... we have a ton of one year deals out there that we can unload for prospects at the deadline if needed... and a deep farm system anyways.

Owner Expectations:
Play .500 ball

Preseason Predictions:
74-88, 4th in the NL Central

Rotation:

Name	Age	League	W-L	ERA	G	WHIP	K/9	WAR	Status
Josh Johnson(R)	32	ML	7-2	2.88	13GS	1.05	6.3	0.9	(SDP)
Cliff Lee(L)	37	ML	8-7	4.83	19G/18GS	1.31	7.0	0.7	(PHI)
Jimmy Nelson(R)	26	ML	7-7	4.52	24G/22GS	1.50	8.0	1.3
Wily Peralta(R)	26	ML	5-4	3.26	16GS	1.27	8.4	1.9
Tyler Thornburg(R)	27	ML	12-12	3.45	32G/31GS	1.32	7.9	2.1
Taylor Jungmann(R)	25	AAA	7-3	3.80	11GS	1.18	6.5	0.5	All stats MLB
Carlos Frias(R)	26	AAA	13-10	3.66	30GS	1.26	6.8	3.2	All stats AAA
Jose Berrios(R)	21	AA	10-8	3.31	30GS	1.31	7.2	2.3	All Stats AA(MIN)
Dylan Bundy(R)	22	AA	5-4	2.87	21G/16GS	1.21	7.4	2.3	All Stats A
David Burkhalter(R)	20	A	2-2	3.22	23G/3GS	1.05	5.8	0.5	All Stats A
Hunter Harvey(R)	20	A	8-4	3.02	24G/21GS	1.05	8.7	3.8	All Stats A
Kodi Medeiros(R)	19	A	3-3	3.13	30G/3GS	1.42	6.3	0.2	All Stats R
Jose Urias(L)	19	A	5-4	4.24	28G/10GS	1.56	7.4	1.1	All Stats AA(LAD)

The decision came down to experience and scouting reports and in the end, Taylor Jungmann and Carlos Frias, who we signed on a minor league deal with a $410k signing bonus, will be in the AAA rotation. Logan is not so optimistic about Cliff Lee and predicts quick regression... and the radar gun shows something between 85-88 more often.. hopefully the control is still there. Looking at the scouting reports... the talent level is basically equal than in 2015... no real ace... no real dropoff.

We have a furry of pitching prospects now and hope some of them will be ready in 2017/2018. Bundy's potential ratings are in free fall while Hunter Harvey looks more or less like he will max out as a 2.5* guy, exactly what we got a ton of. Logan doesn't really buy into the OSA guys like Burkhalter, Medeiros and Parsons but obviously likes Berrios and Urias.

Bullpen:

Name	Age	League	W-L	ERA	G	WHIP	K/9	SV	WAR	Status
Chris Hatcher(R)	31	ML	7-1	3.22	51G	1.15	9.7	5	0.4
Jeremy Jeffress(R)	28	ML	7-3	2.30	65G	1.19	9.2	38	0.6
Shawn Kelley(R)	31	ML	1-1	3.95	18	1.68	11.2	0	0.1	(SDP)
Corey Knebel(R)	24	ML	0-1	3.74	20G	1.38	11.6	0	0.1
Boone Logan(L)	31	ML	7-5	2.40	67G	1.00	12	14	0.9
Juan Nicasio(R)	29	ML	3-1	4.04	60	1.30	9.5	3	1.2
Eric O'Flaherty(L)	31	ML	4-1	2.00	74G	1.21	8.6	1	0.9	(OAK)
Michael Blazek(R)	26	AAA	3-1	3.13	74G	1.16	9.3	3	0.6	All stats AAA
Chris Perez(R)	30	AAA	5-3	4.43	68G	1.34	9.1	2	0.3	All stats AAA
Will Smith(L)	26	AAA	5-6	4.22	69G	1.67	7.6	0	-0.4	All stats MLB
Chris Withrow(R)	27	AAA	0-1	3.22	31G	0.91	10.2	2	0.6	All stats AAA(LAD)

It took us some work to get this bullpen together as Withrow made compelling case for a righty job and Juan Nicasio was the #6 starter in the depth chart this spring. Ron loves Will Smith(not the actor), but I made the decision to keep O'Flaherty up... track record and money my friend. Looking at the group talent wise, we should be vastly improved compared to 2015.

Catchers:

Name	Age	League	Avg-HR-RBI	OPS	G	WAR	R	SB	Status
Jonathan Lucroy(R)	29	ML	.248-10-43	.685	145	2.3	59	6/8
Martin Maldonado(R)	29	ML	.178-2-9	.488	51G/26GS	-0.7	8	1/2
Tim Federowicz(R)	28	Waivers	.254-7-17	.701	59G/43GS	1.0	23	2/3	All stats MLB

We will go with Maldonado and Lucroy again and hope for a rebound out of Lucroy here. Federowicz hit .233 while Maldonado hit .353 in spring... that means however thad Timmy is on waivers as he is out of options. He is not happy about that but if he passes though, we have a good third catcher in AAA... if not we will look on the market for one.


Infield:

Name	Age	League	Avg-HR-RBI	OPS	G	WAR	R	SB	Status
1B Kenny Vargas(S)	25	ML	.304-8-49	.820	89G/84GS	1.6	40	2/2	(MIN)
2B/SS/CF Hirokichi Inagaki(R)	28	ML	DNP
3B Luis Jimenez(R)	27	ML	.297-10-27	.888	72G/33GS	1.4	17	0/0
3B Mike Moustakas(L)	27	ML	.252-16-47	.757	98G/92GS	2.6	43	7/9
3B Matt Reynolds(R)	32	ML	.196-14-30	.703	128G/56GS	1.1	34	1/1	(SDP)
SS Luis Sardinas(S)	22	ML	.288-5-44	.749	112G	3.2	66	38/53
SS Jean Segura(R)	25	ML	.252-7-40	.661	141G/116GS	0.7	44	14/20
SS Hector Gomez(R)	27	Waivers	.235-4-19	.605	97G/51GS	-0.6	20	3/5
1B Greg Bird(L)	22	AAA	.294-25-90	.899	138G	4.1	85	2/3	All stats AAA
SS Orlando Arcia(R)	21	AAA	.241-4-40	.601	132G	0.3	60	13/23	All stats AA
SS Jorge Mateo(L)	20	AA	.250-1-14	.626	63G	1.1	24	20/21	All stats A

The infield is shaping up differently than expected here... Vargas will start at first... check... Inagaki at second... okaay... Sardinas at short and Reynolds and Mous platooning at third base. However, I had to steal Ron a toy to get this infield, as he wanted to play Hector Gomez at short... and I disagree to that... Sardinas is our best leadoff hitter and middle infielder... Gomez is on waivers, so let's hope he won't get claimed. I'm not sure about Inagaki and would've rather seen him play backup...

With Bird and Arcia in AAA and Mateo in AA, we have some infield talent underway. Bird hit .300-0-6 in spring but Logan says he will need another year and Arcia struggled in AA and will platoon in AAA for now...

Outfield:

Name	Age	League	Avg-HR-RBI	OPS	G	WAR	R	SB	Status
LF/RF Ryan Braun(R)	31	ML	.279-23-47	.865	110G	3.5	65	12/14
LF Khris Davis(R)	27	ML	.251-17-75	.697	151G/138GS	1.4	65	2/5	(MIL/NYM)
CF Logan Schafer(L)	28	ML	.222-4-21	.613	116G/46GS	-0.0	21	5/7	(MIL/NYM)
OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis(L)	28	ML	.261-3-28	.694	61G/48GS	0.6	26	3/4	All Stats AAA
OF Ryan Kalish(L)	27	AAA	.302-3-9	.850	44G/10GS	0.6	11	5/6	All Stats MLB
LF Tyrone Taylor(L)	21	AAA	.254-7-28	.662	112G/111GS	1.4	57	10/19	All Stats AA
CF Manuel Margot(L)	21	AAA	-277-5-60	.740	93G/91GS	2.2	68	17/24	All Stats A
RF Clint Coulter(L)	22	AAA	.282-13-61	.778	118G/92GS	1.8	54	5/8	All Stats AA
CF Monte Harrison(R)	20	AA	.293-11-67	.796	124GS	2.9	81	16/21	All Stats A
RF Mike Papi(R)	23	AA	.265-9-63	.749	128GS	2.7	69	2/3	All Stats A
CF Dazmon Cameron(R)	19	A	.234-2-21	.601	56GS	0.6	22	13/21	All Stats R

This is a mess and I attribute this one to mysely and my front office. We are all very confident that either Taylor or Margot is ready to play in center this season, but reality on the field is different. Margot batted .111 in spring and Taylor .313-2-4 in 35PA's... If this Schafer thing doesn't work out... I'll have to steal another toy from Ronnie...

On the prospect side, we have something cooking in the outfield, more than we need NOW... however if Braun continues to go down with random injuries, we will need all of those guys soon. Kirk Nieuwenhuis of all guys will be the backup guy in the outfield... no use to stash a prospect for that job...

So, that the roster... onwards to opening week...

[Griever20]

Week 1: 3vs Colorado Rockies, 3vs Arizona Diamondbacks

April 4th

Colorado Rockies - Milwaukee Brewers 3-4
MIL SP Cliff Lee 5IP 9H 3R 3ER 3BB 4K
MIL SS Luis Sardinas 2-3 2R 2SB(2)
MIL 1B Kennys Vargas 1-3 R 2RBI BB HR
MIL LF Khris Davis 1-3 R 2RBI HR
HR COL: Josh Phegley(1), Nolan Arenado(1)
HR MIL: Kennys Vargas(1), Khris Davis(1)
W: Shawn Kelley(1-0 0.00) L: Edison Volquez(0-1 6.00) SV: Jeremy Jeffress(1 0.00)
Lee had a mediocre debut in a Brewers uniform, but Luis Sardinas was hot today and led off the 6th with a single... to score on Kenny Vargas' 2-run blast... and let of the 7th with a single to score on a sac fly to get us ahead 4-3.

News:
Braves SP Alex Wood(25, 4.5*) started the season with a 3-hitter against the Phillies, outpitching Cole Hamels 6-0. He only allowed a walk and six strikeouts and is looking to repeat his 17-11 3.34 206K year from 2015.

The Red Sox will be without OF Jackie Bradley Jr.(25, 4/4.5*) for the next five weeks has he tore a ligament in his thumb on opening day. In 56 games, Bradley Jr. hit .297-3-16 .853OPS in 2015.

April 5th

Our guys Hector Gomez and Tim Federowicz have cleared waivers

Colorado Rockies - Milwaukee Brewers 5-9(13)
MIL SP Josh Johnson 8IP 5H 2R 2ER 2BB 5K, 1-2 2R DB
MIL 1B Kennys Vargas 2-6 2R 5RBI BB 2HR
MIL 2B Hirokichi Inagaki 2-5 R RBI BB
HR COL: none
HR MIL: Kenny Vargas 2(3)
W: Boone Logan(1-0 0.00) L: Chad Bettis(0-1 108.00)
We had this game wrapped up with a 5-2 lead heading into the 9th... and Jeremy Jeffress blew it royally with three runs on three hits and two walks... Extra innings... that were ended by a GRAND SLAM WALKOFF HR by Kennys Vargas.
Mike Moustakas came up limping and had to leave the game... and will be DtD with some hammy tightness the next days.

News:
Brewers 1B Kennys Vargas(25, 4*) hit two home runs in a extra inning 9-5 win over the Rockies, going 2-6 2R 5RBI BB 2HR. Coming off a .304-8-49 season in Minnesota, Vargas had a hot start with three home runs in two games.

Indians SP Garrett Richards(27, 4.5*) pitched a complete game 7-1 win over the Blue Jays, allowing one earned run, two walks while striking out three. He was their big offseason acquisition at the Winter Meetings, coming off a 11-12 4.72 152K year with the Angels.

Athletics RF Jordany Valdespin(28, 1.5*) collected a 4-5 2R 4RBI 2DB day in a 9-1 win over the Mariners, batting leadoff. Valdespin came over from the Marlins last April and batted .238-2-22 in 91 games for Oakland.

SP Ian Kennedy(31, 3.5*) has agreed to a 6y/$91M contract to play ball for the Chicago Cubs. Kennedy is coming off a 11-19 3.93 168K year with the Padres.

April 6th

Colorado Rockies - Milwaukee Brewers 7-3
MIL SP Wily Peralta 5IP 5H 4R 3ER 2BB 4K
MIL 1B Kennys Vargas 2-4
MIL 2B Hirokichi Inagaki 2-4 R 2RBI HR
HR COL: Charlie Culberson(1)
HR MIL: Hirokichi Inagaki(1)
W: T.J. House(1-0 4.50) L: Wily Peralta(0-1 5.40) SV: Josh Outman(1 0.00)
Peralta allowed four runs but only three earned due to a Lucroy passed ball... and Nicasio imploded for three runs on two hits and three walks in the 7th to put the rally thought away...

News:
Rays SP Matt Moore(26, 3/4.5*) dominated the Orioles through 8.2IP in a 1-0 win, allowing only three hits and one walk while striking out 8. The lefty is coming off a injury shortened 9-5 3.14 100K year in 16 starts.

Mariners SP Jake Peavy(34, 2*) allowed 6H 2BB while collecting 5K's in a 2-0 win over the Athletics, going eight innings in the win. The 2007 NL Cy Young winner came over from the Giants last deadline and went 4-6 5.35 47K in 13 games down the strech.

The Mariners also made a deal today, adding SP Odrisamer Despaigne(29, 2.5*, 6-11 4.18 131K 2015) from the Padres in exchange for OF/1B Logan Morrison(28, 2/2.5*, .266-20-82 2015).

April 7th
offday

News:
Pirates 1B Josh E. Bell(23, 3.5/4.5*) hit two home runs in a 7-5 win over the Cubs, going 2-5 2R 4RBI 2HR. He got a look at the majors last year but this is technically his rookie season... and he has 3HR already. Was drafted in the 2nd round in 2011.

Rays SP Drew Smyly(26, 4*) followed up Moore's performance with 8IP 2H 0ER 1BB 5K in a 2-0 victory over the Orioles. The lefty came over from the Tigers in the Price deal at the 2014 deadline and in 20 starts, had a 4-6 3.78 85K record in 2015.

Athletics SP Jesse Chavez(32, 2*) outpitched new Mariner Odrisamer Despaigne in a 1-0 win, going 8IP 8H 0ER 1BB 6K. Chavez once again was inbetween pen and rotation in 2015, going 7-7 4.00 128K in 37 games and 25 starts.

Red Sox DH David Ortiz(40, 3.5*) opened up his season with a 3-4 2R 2RBI 2HR day in a 3-0 win over the Yankees as they completed a sweep. The 9x All-Star is coming off a .261-25-81 year and determined to lead this team to another ring.

April 8th

Arizona Diamondbacks - Milwaukee Brewers 2-1
MIL SP Tyler Thornburg 7IP 9H 2R 2ER 1BB 5K
MIL 3B Matt Reynolds 2-4
MIL LF Khris Davis 1-3 R RBI HR
HR ARI: none
HR MIL: Khris Davis(2)
W: Robbie Ray(1-0 1.13) L: Tyler Thornburg(0-1 2.57) SV: Kevin Munson(1 4.50)
Thorny pitched a hell of a ballgame but a couple of runs sparked by Felix Pie saw him lose the game. We only had five hits today.

News:
Dodgers CF Joc Pederson(23, 4.5/5*) collected two home runs in a 9-3 win over the Bucs, going 2-3 3R 4RBI BB 2HR today. Pederson lost 60 games last year due to injury and was .249-16-57 the rest of the way.

Red Sox 1B Chris Carter(29, 3) had a 4-5 R 3RBI day, collecting his second HR of the season, in a 10-8 win over the Blue Jays. Carter is batting .462-2-7 this year for the 4-0 Red Sox after signing a cheap 1y/$1.34M deal in January.

Rays 3B Evan Longoria(30, 4.5*) had a big day in a 9-7 win over the Tribe, going 2-3 2R 5RBI 2BB 2HR in the win. Being the franchise player of Tampa Bay since 2008, Longoria is coming off a .291-22-92 year.

April 9th

Arizona Diamondbacks - Milwaukee Brewers 9-10
MIL SP Cliff Lee 3IP 10H 8R 8ER 2BB 2K
MIL SS Luis Sardinas 1-3 2R 2RBI 2BB DB SB(3)
MIL 1B Kennys Vargas 2-5 R 6RBI HR
MIL C Jonathan Lucroy 2-4 2R RBI 2DB
HR ARI: Felix Pie(1), Chris Owings(1)
HR MIL: Kennys Vargas(4)
W: Juan Nicasio(1-0 9.82) L: Josh Collmenter(0-1 30.86) SV: Jeremy Jeffress(2 9.00)
Both hurlers had nothing today but our offense scored five runs in the 2nd AND 3rd including ANOTHER grand slam by Kennys Vargas in the 2nd.

News:
Phillies SP Cole Hamels(32, 4.5*) bounced back from a opening day loss with 8 shutout innings in a 4-0 win over the Royals, allowing 4H 3BB 9K. Hamels was an All-Star in 2015 and win the Silver Slugger Award for a 18-10 3.12 174K campaign.

Red Sox SP Matt Barnes(25, 2/2.5*) now has pitched 15 shutout innings to start 2016, going 8IP 6H 1BB 7K in a 4-0 win over the Blue Jays. Boston is now 5-0 and Barnes is a big part of their rotation after being 6-6 2SV 3.92 in 42 games and 10 starts in 2015.

Orioles 2B Ryan Flaherty(29, 3*) hit two bombs in a 7-2 win against Minnesota, going 3-4 2R 4RBI 2HR. Drafted out of the Cubs organisation in 2011 in the Rule 5 draft, Flaherty made it a career with the Orioles and is coming off a .251-14-56 season in 124 games.

April 9th

Arizona Diamondbacks - Milwaukee Brewers 1-3
MIL SP Josh Johnson 8IP 4H 1R 1ER 0BB 8K, 2-3 R
MIL SS Luis Sardinas 2-4 RBI SB(4)
MIL 1B Kennys Vargas 2-3 R RBI BB DB HR
MIL C Jonathan Lucroy 2-4
HR ARI: none
HR MIL: Kennys Vargas(5)
W: Josh Johnson(1-0 1.69) L: Patrick Corbin(1-1 2.57) SV: Chris Hatcher(1 0.00)
Josh Johnson brought home our second series win with eight great frames and both Sardinas and Vargas stay hot!

News:
Phillies SP Jonathan Pettibone(25, 1*) pitched eight innings of 2-hit ball in a 7-0 win over the Royals, walking two and striking out three. Pettibone is working off his great movement and had a 6-3 3.44 41K year in 11 starts for them last year.

Rays SP Alex Cobb(28, 2.5/3*) collected a 1-0 win over the Indians and Garrett Richards today, going 8IP 4H 0ER 3BB 6K. Missing all of 2015 on the DL, Cobb was 10-9 2.87 149K in 27 starts in 2014.

Week: 4-2(2-1vs COL, 2-1vs ARI)
Power Rankings: #5
Runs scored: 30(4)
Starters ERA: 4.75(13)
Bullpen ERA: 2.86(8)
Defensive Eff.: .650(14)
Fan Interest: 86

Who's hot?
Nobody

Who's not?
Nobody

Red Sox DH David Ortiz(40, 3.5*) was named AL Player of the Week after going 9-18 3HR 4RBI's.

Brewers 1B Kennys Vargas(25, 4*) was named NL Player of the Week after going 10-24 5HR 14RBI's.

NL Central	W-L	GB
Cincinnati Reds	5-1	-
Milwaukee Brewers	4-2	1
St. Louis Cardinals	4-2	1
Chicago Cubs	3-3	2
Pittsburgh Pirates	3-3	2

A bit fluky... not the pitching, but the offense...

[Griever20]

Week 2: 3@ Chicago Cubs, 3@ St. Louis Cardinals

Time to find out what's the truth here... against the improved Cubs and the reigning NL Central champs St. Louis.

April 11th

Milwaukee Brewers – Chicago Cubs 5-3
MIL SP Wily Peralta 7IP 7H 2R 2ER 2BB 5K, 1-3 R
MIL SS Luis Sardinas 2-4 BB SB(5)
MIL LF Khris Davis 2-5 R DB
MIL C Jonathan Lucroy 2-4 2R RBI HR
MIL PH Mike Moustakas 1-1 R 2RBI HR
HR MIL: Jonathan Lucroy(1), Mike Moustakas(1)
HR CHC: none
W: Wily Peralta(1-1 3.75) L: Kyle Hendricks(0-2 5.25) SV: Jeremy Jeffress(3 9.00)
Moustakas won the game with a 2-run HR that broke a 2-2 tie in the 7th, Lucroy added a solo shot in the 9th... and Jeffress conceded another run while getting the save.

News:
Braves 2B/SS Jace Peterson(25, 4.5*) is out for the year with a broken elbow. Peterson won a Silver Slugger last year with a .265-8-63 .733OPS campaign and will be missed in Atlanta. We had a deal for him on deck at the Winter Meetings including Carlos Gomez... but I let it go because of our prospect infield depth...

April 12th

Milwaukee Brewers – Chicago Cubs 4-3(14)
MIL SP Jimmy Nelson 7.2IP 2H 2R 2ER 2BB 3K, 1-3 DB RBI
MIL SS Luis Sardinas 2-7
MIL LF Khris Davis 2-6 R
MIL C Jonathan Lucroy 1-1 R RBI BB
HR MIL: none
HR CHC: Addison Russell(1)
W: Juan Nicasio(2-0 5.68) L: James Russell(0-2 5.25) SV: Boone Logan(1 0.00)
A strange game that saw everything... good starters, a bench clearing brawl that will cost us Chris Hatcher for the next two games... and Juan Nicasio scoring the winning run in long relief on a wild pitch top 14th.

News:
Dodgers SP Zach Greinke(32, 4.5*) delievered a 9IP 2H 0ER 0BB 10K beauty and came up with a 1-0 win over the Padres. Greinke collected his third All-Star nomination last year and a 1-0 1.69 17K in two starts this year.

April 13th

Milwaukee Brewers – Chicago Cubs 2-4
MIL SP Tyler Thornburg 8IP 7H 4R 4ER 3BB 10K, 1-3 R
MIL RF Ryan Braun 3-4 R 2RBI HR
HR MIL: Ryan Braun(1)
HR CHC: none
W: Johnny Cueto(2-0 3.46) L: Tyler Thornburg(0-2 3.60) SV: Mark Rzepczynski(1 0.00)
Thorny made some mistakes with runner on... but at least Ryan Braun's bat woke up and delievered a 2-run homer.

News:
Dodgers 1B Edwin Encarnacion(33, 4*) delievered all run support in a 3-2 win over the Padres, going 2-4 2R 3RBI 2HR. EE lost most of 2015 with a torn back muscle, playing for the Blue Jays, and is only batting .161-3-9 in 8 games this year.

Yankees SP Masahiro Tanaka(27, 4.5*) pitched a complete game 7-1 win over the Indians, going 9IP 3H 1ER 1BB 7K. He has been an All-Star twice and this was his first start... as he was suspended for 11 games for a brawl on September 30th.

April 14th
offday

News:
Athletics SP Sonny Gray(26, 4.5/5*) collected a 4-0 win over the Angels, going 8IP 6H 1BB 5K. Drafted in the 1st round in 2011, Gray is a 2015 All-Star and posting a 1-2 3.93 16K season in three starts.The bad news: the team lost 1B Mark Trumbo(30, 2.5*) to a ruptured MCL for the rest of the season. Batting .320-0-3 .813OPS in seven games, Trumbo signed a 3y/$13.8M deal this offseason.

April 15th

Milwaukee Brewers – St. Louis Cardinals 2-4
MIL SP Cliff Lee 1.1IP 2H 0R 0ER 0BB K left injured, diagnosis pending
MIL SS Luis Sardinas 2-5 SB(6)
MIL RF Ryan Braun 2-3 R
MIL 1B Kennys Vargas 2-4 RBI
HR MIL: none
HR STL: none
W: Jordan Walden(1-0 0.00) L: Jeremy Jeffress(0-1 6.75) SV: Kelvin Herrera(2 3.38)
A real stinker. We lost both Lee and Eric O'Flaherty to injury(both pending) and Jeffress couldn't keep the relief work together in the 8th... so we lost the game.

April 16th

Cliff Lee... turned out to be DtD with shoulder soreness... and will make his next start.

Milwaukee Brewers – St. Louis Cardinals 5-3
MIL SP Josh Johnson 6IP 4H 2R 2ER 2BB 5K, 2-2 R
MIL RF Ryan Braun 2-4 R RBI DB
MIL 3B Matt Reynolds 1-4 R 3RBI HR
HR MIL: Matt Reynolds(1)
HR STL: Jason Heyward(2), Matt Holliday(1)
W: Josh Johnson(2-0 2.05) L: James Shields(1-1 4.85) SV: Juan Nicasio(1 5.79)
Johnson had another good start, the pen kept it together(somehow) and Matt Reynolds punished his former team with a monstrous 3-run blast in the 6th to get us ahead.

News:
Pirates SS Alen Hanson(23, 2.5/4.5*) had the biggest night of his career, going 4-5 2R 3RBI DB in a 9-1 win over the Reds. The young shortstop is having a .233-1-7 season in 11G in his sophomore year.

Both Dodgers CF Carlos Gomez(30, 4*, .265-4-9 .839OPS) and LF Yasiel Puig(25, 5*, .380-3-14 1.018OPS) hit two home runs today and combined for 6RBI's in a 12-6 win over the Diamondbacks.

Blue Jays 3B Josh Donaldson(30, 4*)'s career is over. He suffered a concussion earlier this month and he won't return to baseball. He ends his career as 2x All-Star and reigning AL Silver Slugger. In six seasons, Donaldson was a .278/.350/.480 career hitter with 98 HR, 350RBI and 600 hits between Oakland and Toronto.

April 17th

Milwaukee Brewers – St. Louis Cardinals 0-4
MIL SP Wily Peralta 5IP 7H 4R 4ER 1BB 4K
MIL LF Khris Davis 2-4 DB
HR MIL: none
HR STL: none
W: Adam Wainwright(3-0 1.19) L: Wily Peralta(1-2 4.76)
We suffer our first series loss as Waino was too much for us... and we will enjoy a much needed offday for our pen tomorrow.

News:
Cardinals SP Adam Wainwright(34, 4*) pitched 8.1IP 2H 0ER 5BB 5K in a 4-0 win over the Brewers today. He is in his 11th season as a Cardinal and is a perfect 3-0 1.19 20K in three starts.

Astros SP Dallas Keuchel(28, 1.5*) pitched a 5-hitter against the Angels with one walk and two strikeouts. The 2014 AL Gold Glover is 1-1 2.12 4K in three starts in his fifth year in Houston.

Week: 3-3(2-1@ CHC, 1-2@ STL)
Power Rankings: #11(-6)
Runs scored: 48(9)
Starters ERA: 3.93(9)
Bullpen ERA: 2.72(4)
Defensive Eff.: .681(12)
Fan Interest: 86

Who's hot?
Nobody

Who's not?
Nobody

Houston LF Preston Tucker(25, 2/3.5*) was named AL Player of the Week after going 9-19 3HR 10RBI's. Drafted in the 7th round in 2012, Tucker is in his rookie season, batting .297-3-15 in 12 games.

Cubs SS Addison Russell(22, 4/5*) was named NL Player of the Week after going 10-24 3HR 5RBI. Part of the Hammel/Samardzjia deal in 2015, he was the #5 prospect in 2015. For 2016, Russell is .333-3-10 1.012OPS in 12 games.

NL Central	W-L	GB
St. Louis Cardinals	8-4	-
Cincinnati Reds	7-5	1
Milwaukee Brewers	7-5	1
Pittsburgh Pirates	7-5	1
Chicago Cubs	7-6	1.5

[Griever20]

Week 3: 3@ San Francisco Giants, 3vs Chicago Cubs

April 18th
offday

The Brewers announced that LHRP Eric O'Flaherty(31, 4*) is out for the season with a torn labrum in his shoulder. The lefty signed a 1y/$2M deal this offseason and pitched three scoreless before the injury. AAA LHRP Will Smith(26, 3/3.5*) was recalled.

News:
Rockies SP Jordan Lyles(25, 1/1.5*) pitched eight scoreless in a 5-2 win over the Mets that his pen tried to blow, allowing four hits, 1BB and struck out four. The righty had a hot start, going 1-0 0.89 18K in three starts after losing 14 games last year.

Angels 2B Chase Utley(37, 2.5*) went a perfect 5-5 with 3R 2RBI in a 13-3 win over the Minnesota Twins. Utley is in his first season away from Philadelphia, batting .244-0-4 in 12 games.

April 19th

San Francisco Giants - Milwaukee Brewers 3-2
MIL SP Tyler Thornburg 7IP 8H 3R 3ER 3BB 5K
MIL SS Luis Sardinas 1-4 R BB DB
MIL 1B Kennys Vargas 2-5 DB
MIL LF Khris Davis 1-4 R DB
HR MIL: none
HR STL: Asdrubal Cabrera(1)
W: Madison Bumgarner(1-3 3.18) L: Tyler Thornburg(0-3 3.68) SV: David Robertson(3 3.38)
Thorny was once again the tough luck loser after giving up a 2-run homer to Cabrera in the 6th.

News:
After the game, the Brewers announced a 2-year extension worth $7M in total for SP Josh Johnson(32, 3*), with a team option for year two.

The Giants extended 1B Brandon Belt(28, 4.5*) for three years and $32.9M. Belt, the reigning Gold Glover at first base, is batting .224-1-4 .619OPS in 14 games... and fans don't exactly like the extension.

April 20th

San Francisco Giants - Milwaukee Brewers 0-1
MIL SP Jimmy Nelson 7IP 6H 0R 0ER 3BB 3K
MIL 3B Mark Reyolds 2-2 BB
MIL C Jonathan Lucroy 2-3
HR MIL: none
HR STL: none
W: Jimmy Nelson(1-0 0.00) L: Tim Lincecum(0-3 5.66) SV: Chris Hatcher(2 1.17)
I start to see why Ronny likes Nelson... 14.2 scoreless to start the season. And a win as we scored the game's lone run when Brandon Belt(of all guys) made an error that plated Inagaki.

April 21st

The Milwaukee Brewers and Major League Baseball have announced that OF Brandon Guyer(30, 2.5*, .224-1-2) was claimed off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays. Guyer was sent to the MLB team and Kirk Nieuwenhuis was waived and DFA'd.

San Francisco Giants - Milwaukee Brewers 5-3
MIL SP Cliff Lee 5IP 4H 4R 4ER 5BB 2K
MIL CF Brandon Guyer 1-2 2R HBP
MIL 2B Hirokichi Inagaki 1-3 R 2RBI BB HR
HR MIL: Hirokichi Inagaki(2)
HR STL: none
W: Chris Heston(1-0 3.00) L: Cliff Lee(0-1 9.42) SV: Scott Oberg(1 0.00)
Lee continues to be a $6M train wreck while Brandon Guyer, playing center field, had a good debut. Still, we lost our second series in a row.

News:
Orioles SP Kevin Gausman(25, 4.5*) pitched a complete game 4-hitter in a 5-0 win over the Rays, walking one and fanning 8. In his fourth season, Gausman is 1-2 4.12 20K in four games.

The Braves won 11-0 over the Pirates and SP Mike Foltynewicz(24, 2.5/3*, 2-1 2.89 3GS) pitched eight scoreless, allowing 4H 3BB 7K in the win. His mate 3B Kelly Johnson(34, 1.5*, .315-1-9 15G) went 4-62R 3RBI DB TP aswell.

Blue Jays RF Jose Bautista(35, 4.5*) had a 2-4 3R 4RBI BB 2HR day in a wild 9-8 win over the White Sox at home. He collected his 6th All-Star nomination and his fourth Silver Slugger in 2015 and is batting .255-4-13 .910OPS in 16 games.

The Orioles and Mets agreed to a major trade that sents 1B Chris Davis(30, 2.5*, .238-4-7) and prospect SP Luc Rennie(21, 1*, S A) to the New York Mets. Baltimore will get back C Travis D'Arnaud(27, 4*, .364-1-4) in this deal.

April 22nd

Chicago Cubs - Milwaukee Brewers 1-4
MIL SP Josh Johnson 7IP 3H 1R 1ER 2BB 14K
MIL 1B Kennys Vargas 1-3 R RBI BB HR
MIL 3B Mike Moustakas 2-3 2R 3RBI 2HR
HR CHC: Aaron Gordon(4)
HR MIL: Mike Moustakas 2(3), Kennys Vargas(6)
W: Josh Johnson(3-0 1.86) L: Ian Kennedy(0-2 4.67) SV: Jeremy Jeffress(4 4.66)
Josh Johnson celebrated his extension with 14 punchouts and the Mous delievered the run support with two blasts.

News:
Brewers 3B Mike Moustakas(27, 2*) had two home runs in a 4-1 win over the Cubs, going 2-3 2R 3RBI 2HR. Claimed off waivers from the Royals, Moustakas playing time is limited in 2016 with Mark Reynolds blocking him. He is batting .278-3-5 in 10G/3GS still.

Mets SP Zach Wheeler(25, 4*) pitched eight shutdown innings of 4-hit ball in a 1-0 win over the Mets, walking four and striking out eight. Acquired from the Giants for Carlos Beltran in 2011, Wheeler is 2-1 2.89 27K in four starts.

Arizona LF David Peralta(28, 3/3.5*) hit two jacks in a 14-5 win over the Rockies, going 2-4 2R 5RBI BB 2HR. The left handed batter is .340-3-9 .964OPS in 14 games.

Yankees SS Didi Gregorius(26, 4*) had a rare 2-HR day in a 13-5 rout of the Blue Jays, going 2-4 3R 3RBI BB 2HR in the win. Acquired from the D'Backs in the 2014 offseason, Gregorius is batting .274-2-6 .716OPS in 16 games.

Rangers 3B Joey Gallo(22, 3.5/5*) hit two out of the park in a 5-4 win over the Mariners, going 2-3 2R 4RBI BB 2HR. The young slugger is strugging to bat over .220 and is .177-3-7 in 17 games.

Twins LF Oswaldo Arcia(24, 5*) went 2-3 2R 4RBI 2BB 2HR in a 7-3 win over the White Sox. Scouts are mulling about his superstar potential after a 24HR season in 2015, and he is .255-3-6 .872OPS in 13 games this year.

April 23rd

Chicago Cubs - Milwaukee Brewers 2-3(11)
MIL SP Wily Peralta 6IP 5H 2R 2ER 1BB 7K
MIL SS Luis Sardinas 2-5 R SB(7)
MIL 3B Mark Reyolds 1-3 R 2RBI BB HR
HR CHC: Kyle Schwarber(1)
HR MIL: Mark Reyolds(2)
W: Boone Logan(2-0 2.35) L: Pedro Strop(0-2 7.20)
We simply don't make it easy on our pen. A 2-run bomb by Reynolds in the 7th tied the game back up at two and 41903 in attendance saw us walk off on a wild pitch bottom 11th.

News:
Angels SP Tyler Skaggs(24, 4*) hurled in a complete game 6-1 win over the Tigers, allowing 6H 1ER 1BB 5K. The lefty was part of a 3-team deal in 2013 and is 1-1 2.93 31K in four starts this year.

White Sox 1B Mike Napoli(34, 2.5*) collected seven RBI's in a 20-6 dubbing of the Twins, going 3-6 2R 7RBI DB HR. Napoli signed a 2y/$14.7M deal with a team option this offseason after a 20HR year in Boston and is batting .273-1-9 in 11 games this year.

April 24th

Chicago Cubs - Milwaukee Brewers 9-6
MIL SP Tyler Thornburg 5IP 9H 6R 6ER 2BB 2K
MIL 3B Mark Reyolds 2-4 R RBI HR
MIL C Jonathan Lucroy 3-4 2R
MIL PH Mike Moustakas 1-1 R RBI HR
HR CHC: Jorge Soler(2)
HR MIL: Mark Reyolds(3), Mike Moustakas(4)
W: Johnny Cueto(3-0 3.54) L: Tyler Thornburg(0-4 4.33) SV: Justin Grimm(1 1.23)
This time, Thorny earned the loss as we gave him enough run support off Cueto and their pen. Braun drove in two with a sac and a RBI-BB today... Still, our fourth series win.

News:
Nationals SP Jordan Zimmerman(29, 4.5*) pitched a no-hitter in a 7-0 win over the Mets, walking two and whiffing eight. This is the second career no-hitter for Zimmerman, who threw one on the final day of the 2014 season. He is coming off a 22 win season that saw him finish second in the NL Cy Young voting and he is 3-0 1.59 22K in four starts this year.

Cardinals RF Jason Heyward(26, 4.5*) had a 4-5 2R 3RBI HR day in a 6-1 win over the Phillies. In his first year in St. Louis, he got his second All-Star nomination and his third Gold Glove handed to him. That netted him a 5y/$100M extension and he is paying it back with a .354-5-18 .995OPS year in 19 games so far.

Cardinals 2B Kolten Wong(25, 4.5*) is out for six month with a torn abdominal muscle. After posting a 3.8WAR season last year, Wong was batting .322-1-6 .790OPS in 17 games prior to the injury.

In a surprising deal, the Rockies traded away LF Corey Dickerson(26, 4*, .333-3-8 0.6WAR) to the Seattle Mariners. In return, they get the #11 prospect 3B César Gutíerrez(17, 4.5* HS, 5* OSA, S A) and AAA RF Jabari Blash(26, 1.5*).

Week: 3-3(1-2vs SFG, 2-1vs CHC)
Power Rankings: #14(-3)
Runs scored: 67(14)
Starters ERA: 3.75(9)
Bullpen ERA: 2.47(3)
Defensive Eff.: .685(9)
Fan Interest: 86

Who's hot?
Nobody

Who's not?
SP Cliff Lee 3G 0-0 11.57 9.1IP 6K
CF Logan Schafer 7G 2-24 .083 0HR 0RBI

Blue Jays RF Jose Bautista(35, 4.5*) was named AL Player of the Week after going 8-25 5HR 8RBI's. He is in his eighth season in Toronto, batting .262-6-16 .995OPS in a contract year.

Giants IF Asdrubal Cabrera(30, 2*) was named NL Player of the Week after going 12-22 2HR 7RBI's. He signed on a 3y/$36.5M deal this offseason after playing for the Indians, Nationals and Rays before and has won two Silver Slugger Awards. Cabrera is batting .324-2-12 .855OPS in 18 games.

NL Central	W-L	GB
St. Louis Cardinals	12-7	-
Cincinnati Reds	11-8	1
Pittsburgh Pirates	11-8	1
Chicago Cubs	11-8	1
Milwaukee Brewers	10-8	1.5

[Griever20]

Week 4: 3@ San Diego Padres, 3@ Los Angeles Dodgers

April 25th

Milwaukee Brewers - San Diego Padres 5-1
MIL SP Jimmy Nelson 7IP 4H 1R 1ER 2BB 6K
MIL 1B Kennys Vargas 1-5 3RBI DB
MIL 2B Hirokichi Inagaki 1-3 R BB
MIL PH Brandon Guyer 1-1 R RBI HR
HR MIL: Brandon Guyer(2)
HR SDP: none
W: Jimmy Nelson(2-0 0.42) L: Tyson Ross(2-1 2.17)
The biggest AB of the night ended in a 3-run double off the bat of Kennys Vargas and Nelson was nearly flawless... and kept the pen out of action for seven frames.

News:
Nationals 2B Daniel Murphy(31, 2.5*) collected four hits in a 6-5 win over the Cardinals, going 4-4 4R RBI HR. Murphy spent most of his career with the division rival over in New York but signed a surprising 4y/$50.8M deal this offseason. He is batting .333-3-11 .882OPS in 19 games... so there is some value.

Angels C Chris Ianetta(33, 1*) had two jacks in a 11-5 win over the Texas Rangers with a 2-3 2R 4RBI BB 2HR day. Ianetta has won a Silver Slugger Award last year and had another hot start, batting .283-3-8 .897OPS in 18 games.

April 26th

The Brewers and LHRP Zac Rosscup(27, 2/2.5*) agreed to a 1y/$761k deal. Rosscup was in the Cubs organisation in 2015 but didn't pitch in the majors. He was assigned to AAA Colorado Springs.

Milwaukee Brewers - San Diego Padres 1-8
MIL SP Cliff Lee 4.2IP 11H 7R 6ER 1BB 1K
MIL 1B Kennys Vargas 2-4 R RBI HR
MIL LF Khris Davis 2-4 2DB
HR MIL: Kennys Vargas(7)
HR SDP: Matt Kemp 2(4)
W: Brett Marshall(2-1 3.86) L: Cliff Lee(0-2 9.95)
Lee is living on borrowed time out there...

News:
Padres RF Matt Kemp(31, 4.5*) hit two over the fence in a 8-1 win over the Brewers, having a 3-4 2R 4RBI 2HR day. Kemp, who has two All-Star nominations, Gold Gloves and Silver Sluggers apiece, is in his second year with the Padres, batting .2789-4-14 .774OPS in 20 games.

Marlins RF Giancarlo Stanton(26, 5*) had a two HR day in a 12-2 landslide win over the Twins, going 2-4 3R 3RBI BB 2HR. Stanton had an abysmal 2015, batting only .204 but is hot to start this year, batting .325-6-16 .992OPS in 21 games.
Yankees 1B C.J. Cron(26, 3.5*) went 3-4 3R 5RBI BB 2HR in a 9-6 win over the AL East leading Tampa Bay Rays. Cron came over for a reliever and a prospect from the Angels at last year's trade deadline and is batting .250-3-11 .699OPS in 20 games this year.

Orioles SS Danny Santana(25, 1*) had a four hit day in a close 3-1 win over the Blue Jays, going 4-4 2R RBI DB TP, being part of all Baltimore runs. Santana came over from the Twins for C Caleb Joseph this offseason and is batting .412-0-2 in just five games.

April 27th

Milwaukee Brewers - San Diego Padres 1-8
MIL SP Josh Johnson 6IP 4H 3R 3ER 3BB 1K, 2-2 RBI DB
MIL RF Ryan Braun 2-4
HR MIL: none
HR SDP: none
W: Andrew Cashner(1-3 3.81) L: Josh Johnson(3-1 2.31) SV: Craig Kimbrel(3 1.13)
The Padres batted around in the 5th, scoring three and all we got was an RBI-double by our pitcher...

News:
The Pirates won a slugfest 14-9 in Philadelphia and two guys had a big day in this one. CF Andrew McCutchen(29, 5*, .294-5-18) who has led the NL in batting average, OBP, SLG and OPS last year, went 5-5 5R 3RBI DB HR, and his LF Gregory Polanco(24, 4.5/5*, .315-1-11) collected a 4-53R 2RBI BB TP day.

Orioles LF Evan Gattis(29, 3.5*) hit two home runs in a 5-3 win over the Blue Jays that completed a 3-game sweep, going 2-4 2R 4RBI 2HR. Acquired from the Astros for another outfielder and a pitching prospect, Gattis is batting .232-5-14 .695OPS in 21 games this year.

April 28th
offday

News:
Angels SP Tyler Skaggs(24, 4*) delievered eight innings of shutout ball in a 2-0 win over the Mariners, going 8IP 3H 0ER 2BB 6K. In his second season since coming over from the D'backs, Skaggs is 2-1 2.27 37K in five starts.

April 29th

Milwaukee Brewers – Los Angeles Dodgers 8-5
MIL SP Wily Peralta 6.2IP 8H 4R 4ER 2BB 6K
MIL RF Ryan Braun 2-4 2R 2RBI DB HR
MIL 1B Kennys Vargas 4-4 2R 3RBI BB 2HR
MIL 3B Matt Reynolds 1-4 R 2RBI BB HR
HR MIL: Ryan Braun(2), Kennys Vargas 2(9), Matt Reynolds(4)
HR LAD: none
W: Wily Peralta(2-2 4.55) L: Zach Greinke(2-2 3.77) SV: Jeremy Jeffress(5 3.55)
We batted around today and Kennys Vargas is red hot this month... Peralta had to concede some runs and Knebel wasn't good either...

News:
Yankees 1B Yonder Alonso(29, 1.5*) went 3-3 2R 3RBI BB 2HR in a 7-5 win over the Blue Jays, helping to extend Toronto's losing streak to five. Alonso, who was with the Padres the last three years, signed a one year deal in New York this offseason and is batting .309-4-7 .895OPS in 17 games so far.

Mariners LF Corey Dickerson(26, 4*) hit two homers in his fifth game for Seattle, going 2-3 2R 4RBI BB 2HR in a 8-3 win over the Angels. Dickerson is batting .345-6-18 1.005OPS between COL and SEA in 2016.

April 30th

Milwaukee Brewers – Los Angeles Dodgers 9-2
MIL SP Tyler Thornburg 6.1IP 5H 2R 2ER 5BB 2K
MIL SS Luis Sardinas 3-5 3R SB(9)
MIL RF Ryan Braun 1-3 2R RBI 2BB DB
MIL 1B Kennys Vargas 2-4 2R RBI DB
MIL C Jonathan Lucroy 3-5 R 5RBI DB HR
HR MIL: Jonathan Lucroy(2)
HR LAD: none
W: Tyler Thornburg(1-4 4.05) L: Hyun-Jin Ryu(4-1 3.09)
Thorny finally got his first win and we found our hitting here in Los Angeles...

News:
Cardinals SP Lance Lynn(28, 3*) dominated the Bucs through eight innings in a 3-0 win, allowing 2H 2BB 9K. Lynn was an All-Star in 2012 and has won 10+ games in every since then... and he is 2-1 3.15 29K in five starts in 2016.

Phillies SP Cole Hamels(32, 4.5*) held the Mets scoreless through eight innings in a 2-0 win, allowing only three hits, 1BB and striking out seven. The veteran lefty is coming off a 18-win season and a Silver Slugger Award and is 2-3 3.18 30K in six starts this year.

Mariners SP Taijuan Walker(23, 4/4.5*) missed a complete game by one out, settling in for 8.2IP 8H 0ER 1BB 2K in a 7-0 win over the Angels. The young right hander won 12 games last year and was named the ALCS MvP aswell. Walker is 3-3 3.62 26K in six starts.

Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo(26, 4.5*) drove in all four runs in a 4-3 win over the Marlins, going 2-3 2R 4RBI BB 2HR. Rizzo is batting .267-6-21 .861OPS this year after driving in just 68 last season despite 28 home runs.

May 1st

Prior to the series finale, the Brewers announced some roster moves today. SP Cliff Lee(37, 1* HS, 3.5*OSA) was released today. The veteran was 0-2 9.95 11K in 19IP and five starts. The team recalled RHP Taylor Jungmann.

CF Logan Schafer(29, 2*) and his .113-0-2 bat was shipped to AAA Colorado Springs and CF Tyrone Taylor(22, 2/3*) was placed on the 40-man and called up. According to sources within the organisation, there was a long and tense discussion about the lineup between GM K.C. Martin, and with Segura and Taylor in the lineup today and no Inagaki... is seems like Martin had the last word.

Milwaukee Brewers – Los Angeles Dodgers 8-0
MIL SP Jimmy Nelson 8.1IP 3H 0R ER 4BB 4K
MIL SS Luis Sardinas 2-5 R
MIL 1B Kennys Vargas 1-3 2R 3RBI BB HR
MIL 3B Matt Reynolds 2-3 2R 5RBI BB 2HR
HR MIL: Kennys Vargas(10), Matt Reynolds 2(6)
HR LAD: none
W: Jimmy Nelson(3-0 0.30) L: Brett Anderson(2-2 5.59)
Nelson dominated today and out offense was alive... tho not because of the changes I forced Ronnie to make...

News:
Tigers 3B Nick Castellanos(24, 4/4.5*) drove in four runs in a 5-2 win over the Braves, going 3-4 2R 4RBI 2HR in the win. Drafted in the 1st round in 2010, Castellanos has been struggling this year before that game, going .211-2-7 .600OPS in 23 games.

Week: 4-2(1-2@ SDP, 3-0@ LAD)
Power Rankings: #5(+9)
Runs scored: 100(11)
Starters ERA: 3.73(9)
Bullpen ERA: 2.28(2)
Defensive Eff.: .694(7)
Fan Interest: 88(+2)

Who's hot?
3B Mike Moustakas 13G 6-20 .300 4HR 6RBI
3B Matt Reynolds 9G 7-28 .250 5HR 10RBI
1B Kennys Vargas 6G 10-24 .417 4HR 11RBI

Who's not?
Nobody

Indians 2B Jose Ramirez(23, 4/4.5*) was named AL Player of the Week after going 11-22 2HR 5RBI's. Signed as IFA in 2009, Ramirez is batting leadoff for the Tribe with a .364-2-10 .904OPS season in 22 games.

Brewers 1B Kennys Vargas(25, 4*) was named NL Player of the Week after going 10-24 4HR 11RBI's. The switch hitter is batting a hot .293-10-28 1.026OPS in 24 games this season and looks like a major steal.

NL Central	W-L	GB
St. Louis Cardinals	19-9	-
Milwaukee Brewers	14-10	1.5
Cincinnati Reds	15-11	1.5
Chicago Cubs	14-12	2.5
Pittsburgh Pirates	12-14	4.5