thumperden

Is Veras arby eligible too? He's 31, and as far as average middle relievers go, has been cheap to this point. Just curious as to what the contract is going to be. Nevermind...this from mlbtraderumors.com. Both players are arbitration eligible this offseason. Veras projects to earn $2.5MM in 2011, while McGehee projects to earn $3.1MM. Veras, 31, posted a 3.80 ERA with 10.0 K/9 and 4.3 BB/9 in 71 innings for the Pirates in 2011. McGehee, 29, posted a .223/.280/.346 line with 13 home runs in 600 plate appearances.

The Brewers signed catcher Mike Rivera to a minor league contract, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. The deal includes an invitation to the Brewers' big league spring training camp and is worth $500K if Rivera makes the Major League roster. Rivera, 35, has spent five of the last six years in the Brewers' organization and will provide the club with extra catching depth. Depth is the key. Not a terrible 3rd or 4th catcher to have in the system.

In reference (literally) to Jim Powell's reference that Alex Gonzalez is the best defensive shortstop he's seen on a daily basis, I give you this...Jim covered the Twins from 1993-1994, your Milwaukee Brewers from 1996-2008 and the Atlanta Braves from 2009-2011. Debate away... mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#AA0000">Age mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#AA0000">G mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#AA0000">GS mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#AA0000">CG mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#AA0000">Inn mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#AA0000">Ch mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#AA0000">PO mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#AA0000">A mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#AA0000">E mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#AA0000">DP mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#AA0000">Fld% mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#AA0000">Rtot mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#AA0000">Rtot/yr mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#AA0000">RF/9 mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#AA0000">RF/G mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#AA0000">PB 1993 Twins color:blue">Jeff Reboulet 29 103 73 49 677.1 343 122 215 6 40 0.983 9 17 4.48 3.04 SS-3B-2B-CF-LF color:blue">Denny Hocking 23 13 9 8 84 43 19 23 1 11 0.977 -2 -31 4.5 3.23 SS-2B color:blue">Scott Leius 27 9 7 5 61 38 10 26 2 7 0.947 -1 -16 5.31 4 SS color:blue">Pat Meares 24 111 103 78 890.1 488 165 304 19 70 0.961 2 3 4.74 4.23 SS color:blue"> mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:#AA0000">Age mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:#AA0000">G mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:#AA0000">GS mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:#AA0000">CG mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:#AA0000">Inn mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:#AA0000">Ch mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:#AA0000">PO mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:#AA0000">A mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:#AA0000">E mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:#AA0000">DP mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:#AA0000">Fld% mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:#AA0000">Rtot mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:#AA0000">Rtot/yr mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:#AA0000">RF/9 mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:#AA0000">RF/G mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; color:#AA0000">Pos. Summary 1994 Twins

You said it DOA! I couldn't agree more. It's a value pick with upside. I hope the Brewers find more depth/prospects this offseason. I'm glad the front office did their homework on this guy. He's probably 2 years from the bigs at least even if he continues to progress like last year. The starting shortstop of your 2013 Milwaukee Brewers will not be this guy and it likely won't be Gonzalez either. I wonder whom it will be.

Not a bad stopgap for one year. He made around $5.25 million total the last two years, so he's affordable. Gonzalez is a defensive upgrade over Betancourt even at the age of 35. Similar bats however. I'd rather have him for one year than Yuni. I'm guessing Gonzalez is about a 2 win upgrade (at first glance) at the position for an affordable price. Probably hits out of the 7 hole too.

I see MiLB lists him as a 2B. His OBP until this year was nothing to speak of. Perhaps he's turned the corner. Looks like he started driving the ball some in 2011. Doesn't steal bases though. He appears to be a nice pick up for the Crew. They pick up what could be a decent prospect at a much needed position. Age 22 and some exposure at AA level with small sample-size success. Has a body like Ozzie Smith...that's as far as the comparison goes though.

If K-Rod does indeed go to San Diego, what is the compensation to Milwaukee? I like Saito, but for how few innings he can work, is it still worth it to sign him? I'm torn on this one.

Agreed...but there's competition for his services and the contracts already doled out are for bigger dollars than that. I don't see it happening, but I hope so too.

For a half-second I was thinking Benito Santiago...please drive through. A league average bat that can play 4,5, and 6. Can't have enough of those guys.

Eldred was a beaten war horse that year and was never the same. It was unnecessary to do that to guys like him, Higuera, etc.

Thank you topper for taking the time and effort to s'plain that to me. I use those numbers in calculations I use too, but it's easier to wrap my head around explaining above and below average. I don't understand why replacement level is used as the break even point (0.0) and is the sabermetric of choice. Average should be interpreted as break even or (0.0) from a layperson's perspective.

There is no way any 2006 retirees ever make the list. Larkin, McGwire, Morris, and Palmeiro the more intriguing (not necessarily the best) prospects. McGwire and Palmeiro for steroids however. I'd like to see more love for Dale Murphy though.

It amazes me to see three players from 1980 make the top 20 list though...impressive.

I wish they'd convert the statistic to Wins Above Average, but that's just me. To me, it's an easier statistic to wrap myself around. I don't care about the production of a replacement player. I base judgments as compared to what a league average player would do. Does anyone have a formula to calculate?

I just thought of something...Tony Plush reminds me of Flavor Flav with that big clock around his neck, gold teeth and a big "yeah boyyee!!"

Tony Plush just said "shoot" in the interview. How can he not know the game situation? How can he possibly be thinking his team is winning in the bottom of the 9th? Think about it...that's pretty far out there man! He wouldn't be batting if his team was up in the bottom of the 9th...that's game over Plush!

Jorge Lopez is rated number 64 at Perfect Game. This kid is a project and a good selection for the Brewers, considering he was still on the board. He's a name to watch. I'm wondering if he's going to Arizona instead of Helena because of his age and frame.

Another pitcher, Jorge Lopez.

Perfect Game listed Jungmann and Bradley at 10 and 14 respectively in their top 331 prospects list. I am satisfied with the Brewers' selections thus far. Number 70 is coming up quickly.

Jason Esposito, a Boras client just went to the O's at 64.

You know when you're from Wisconsin when you say "or no". (wink)

Jed Bradley is another arm that should move to the bigs soon. Has 4 major league average pitches already.

It's Jungmann! I really like what I read on the reports on him. Could and should be a guy that moves through the minors rapidly.

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I'm on board with bringing Bill Hall back for bench flexibility. I'm not a fan of the decisions he made after his big contract signing, which led to his "trade" away from Milwaukee. The bitter guy in me says that if he does indeed get signed by Milwaukee that he owes us one. However, the optimistic side of me says that he's an improvement to the bench, provided he can accept the role. I'll choose to be optimistic today. I stand corrected...8 walks vs. 55 strikeouts in 158 pa to this point. I'm going back to bitter guy.

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I'm on board with bringing Bill Hall back for bench flexibility. I'm not a fan of the decisions he made after his big contract signing, which led to his "trade" away from Milwaukee. The bitter guy in me says that if he does indeed get signed by Milwaukee that he owes us one. However, the optimistic side of me says that he's an improvement to the bench, provided he can accept the role. I'll chose to be optimistic today.