Jim Goulart

A bit of love for Cam Devanney here (Page Two):

Unless Carlos D. Rodriguez signed a minor league deal with the Brewers to extend his relationship with the organization, he is set to become a minor league free agent, so the Rule 5 draft as it relates to Milwaukee would be a non-factor. If, as we learned Ernesto Martinez did, Rodriguez did sign for an additional year in the Crew's system, then yes, Rule 5 could come into play. Given the state of the first base position across MLB these days and Martinez' dominant second half with Biloxi, it seems it'd be shortsighted of the Brewers to not place Ernesto on the 40-man and avoid a Rule 5 loss. I wouldn't quite place Carlos D. in the 40-man conversation as of yet.

Recent "Locked on Brewers" episodes with Chuck Freimund - Friday 10/11: "Digging through Milwaukee Brewers GM Matt Arnold's comments" Monday 10/14: "Post Season Awards for the Brewers" Wednesday 10/16: "Brewers Gold Gloves and Devin Williams to the Phillies?" Friday 10/18: "What About That Brewers Infield?" *** Bonus Episode, Milwaukee's Tailgate Brewers Podcast | Minor League Extra 76 Teaser "The regular pod is taking the week off this week, but here is a sampler of what you can expect when you sign on to receive the monthly Minor League Extra with Ryan and Spencer. To get the whole thing, as well as Paul's Packer previews, sign up at the Ball and Glove level right here" *** Thursday 10/10: Via the "Wisconsin Sports Daily Show" with Steve "Sparky" Fifer: "Tim Muma of BrewerFanatic discusses the Brewers as they look forward to next season and what that means for the Brewers' roster and game plan in 2025." *** Friday 10/11: Via WSCO's "The Show with Leo and Balky (Hour One): Jack Stern of "BrewerFanatic" (go to the 06:15 minute mark) *** Monday 10/14: Via the "Barrel Banter Podcast": "Season Awards, Grades and Defining Stats" *** Tuesday 10/15: Via 97.3's "Brewing the Offseason": "Tim Allen and Hunter Baumgardt ask...how much baseball are you watching since the Brewers were eliminated? Plus, a look at the players who will be returning or moving on from Milwaukee in 2025." *** Wednesday 10/16: Via 97.3's "The Steve Czaban Show" (Hour Three): Jeff Levering *** Friday 10/18: "Jack Stern and Spencer Michaelis discuss Matt Arnold and Pat Murphy's final press conferences of the season and take listener questions on pending offseason decisions."

Bonus Episode, Milwaukee's Tailgate Brewers Podcast | Minor League Extra 76 Teaser "The regular pod is taking the week off this week, but here is a sampler of what you can expect when you sign on to receive the monthly Minor League Extra with Ryan and Spencer. To get the whole thing, as well as Paul's Packer previews, sign up at the Ball and Glove level right here"

MLB Pipeline: Every organization's Hitting and Pitching Prospects of the Year Brewers Luis Pena, SS/3B (No. 22) It’s rare for this award to go to a short-season player, never mind a 17-year-old playing in his first professional season, but Pena's turn through the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League was undeniable. The infielder won the DSL batting title with a .393 average in 44 games and ranked sixth in slugging percentage (.583), fourth in OPS (1.039) and fourth in wRC+ (175). He added 39 steals as well, placing him third in that category. K.C. Hunt, RHP (No. 29) There’s a certain temptation to go with Minor League Reliever of the Year Craig Yoho here, but Hunt was too good as a starter to ignore. Pitching at Single-A, High-A and Double-A, the 24-year-old righty had the fourth-best ERA (2.03), fourth-best WHIP (0.93) and fifth-best strikeout rate (34.7 percent) among the 313 Minor Leaguers with at least 100 innings.

Other opportunities within.

We learn the nature and the how of Juan Baez’ injury absence during part of 2024 in this Sam Dykstra article. Yet another right shoulder pickoff attempt episode. But was Dykstra fully accurate in that description? Wait, let’s go back to the Wednesday May 29th game which saw Baez exit in the 3rd inning, the last time he saw the field until July 10th. https://www.milb.com/gameday/shorebirds-vs-mudcats/2024/05/29/754317/final/summary/all Baez leaves while on defense at third base after a double steal was executed by Delmarva, men safe at 3rd and 2nd. And because this was a Wednesday game with @Joseph Zarr on Link Report duty, we get details on the play in the Carolina portion of the Link Report: Trust our archives for news such as this, be sure to read Joseph’s report.

You have the wrong Tucker with your Vanessa Hudgens reference.

Watched it as it happened, and it indeed was three consecutive swinging strikes, all on breaking balls down, away and out of the zone. It was sweet!

Thursday's Box You'll find Friday's evening box score here, and once again, this game will be streamed. Thursday's game has yet to archive, but should you be researching game action (we wait to see how did Coleman Crow look) the video archive page is here.

Adam’s link now points to the archive -

And yes, tonight is a stream night.

Correct, he won't "need" a 40-man spot, but this new 2025 minor league deal does not preclude the Brewers from adding him later this fall if they get the sense that he is a sure-fire Rule 5 grab by another organization, and they feel they can spare the 40-man room. What this does do is keep Martinez from walking shortly after the World Series completes and hitting the open minor league free agent market. He agreed to a new contract today after a few weeks of discussions. For Ernesto's sake, I hope is agent was successful in netting a nice deal. Clearly Martinez is comfortable in the organization, but he had leverage coming off his big 2025 which featured a huge second half.

Our regular season left off here with postgame shows from the final game. Here is the audio aftermath, so to speak, from the week that followed. While some of the audio/media is up to six days old now, there is relevancy in the archives should you wish to take in the various perspectives. Friday 10/4: Via WTMJ's Morning News (Download Link): Tim Dillard - "It’s gut wrenching of course, and Tim discusses the point of view from a pitcher and being in that position where the game rests on your shoulders. Also, what the hell is wrong with Jesse Winker?" Via the "Wisconsin Sports Daily Show" with Steve "Sparky" Fifer: "Andrew Wagner of Forbes Sports Via WSCO's "The Show with Leo and Balky (Hour One): Jack Stern of "BrewerFanatic" (go to the 6:50 minute mark) Via "The Bill Michaels Show" (Hour Two): Chuck Freimund (go to the 25:45 minute mark) Bart Winkler's "Day After" Podcast: "The Brewers are knocked out of the playoffs, again. Again!" Locked on Brewers with Chuck Freimund - "Heartbreak Again...The Brewers Season Ends in Improbable Fashion!" Via the "Brewers Babes" Podcast (NSFW, occasional language): "In this episode Erin and Lisa discuss the heartbreaking end to the 2024 Brewers season, what happened in the Wild Card series and why the postseason format sucks. They share their reflections about the season and the team, and what they want listeners, fans, baseball "experts" and the team to know about the 2024 Brewers team. They also celebrate their 40th episode and give an update on their Postseason Sausage Race Bracket." *** Monday 10/7: Via the Journal Sentinel Podcast: "We've had some days to think about it, but it's still stunning. Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe look at the things that went wrong for Milwaukee in its three-game series loss to the Mets. Is the franchise just plain cursed? How do they fix whatever problems they have? What are the foremost questions for the offseason and what's the early prognosis for 2025? Would JR have been a legend for predicting a Sal Frelick postseason homer, if Milwaukee had won the series?" Via the "View from Bernie's Chalet" Podcast: "Another Wild Card Heartbreak" *** Tuesday 10/8: Via WTMJ's Midday News (Download Link): "Adam McCalvy talks one last time about the 2024 Brewers season. What’s next for Bob Uecker, the team, the fans?" Via 97.3's Drew & KB (Hour Three): Bill Schroeder (go to the 4:25 minute mark) Via WSCO's "The Show with Leo and Balky (Hour One): Paul Dietrich from Brew Crew Ball (go to the 07:45 minute mark) Latest Milwaukee Tailgate Podcast - "The guys wrapped up another disappointing wildcard round exit, going game by game to discuss some of the decisions that were made and how frustrating the ultimate outcome was before taking tons of your questions." Via WPR.org's "Larry Meiller Show" (Download Link): "Talking to the hosts of Milwaukee’s Tailgate Brewers Podcast, Ryan Topp and Paul Noonan, about the wild-card series loss and what comes next for the Brew Crew." Via 97.3's "Brewing the Offseason": "Tim Allen and Hunter Baumgardt relive the sudden ending to the Brewers season. Hear from callers and hear stories about the Game 3 loss from Tim and Hunter. Plus looking back at some positive moments in the season." Via the "Barrel Banter Podcast": "Looking at the loss (a few days removed and hopefully more rationally), whether the season was a success and what the offseason and 2025 team may look like." Locked on Brewers with Chuck Freimund - "Letting the Disappointment of the Brewers Postseason Sink In" *** Wednesday 10/9: Via 97.3's "The Steve Czaban Show" (Hour Three): Jeff Levering Via the "BrewerFanatic Podcast with Jack Stern and Spencer Michaelis": "Jack and Spencer dissect another heartbreaking playoff series loss - and why this keeps happening to the Brewers - before transitioning into offseason coverage." Via the "Brew Talk" podcast: "Hunter Baumgardt (97.3 The Game) and David Gasper (Reviewing the Brew and 97.3 The Game) discuss the Brewers season ending abruptly in the Wild Card Series. They relive that night. Plus, they look ahead to the offseason and what the 2025 Brewers could look like!" Locked on Brewers with Chuck Freimund - "A Few Things Lie Ahead for the Brewers (Alex Bregman?)" *** Thursday 10/10: Via the "Inside Wisconsin Show with John Anderson and Trevor Thomas": "Sure, the season didn’t end the way we wanted, but there’s still so much to celebrate! This week on The Inside Wisconsin Show, we sit down with Brewers legend and current Associate Manager Rickie Weeks and TV & Radio MVP broadcaster Jeff Levering. Rickie reflects on his playing days, his role as associate manager, and his thoughts on this squad’s incredible journey. Plus, Jeff shares his emotional take on the season that almost was—and yep, Bob Uecker may have played a part." - Want the video instead? YouTube link Locked on Brewers with Chuck Freimund - "A Great Regular Season Should No Longer be the Standard" - Kevin Holden is Chuck's guest Via the "Cream City Pod" with BrewerFanatic's own Spencer Michaelis: Topics Covered: - Brewers series with the Mets - Young guys stepping up, vets unable to follow suit - Bob Uecker's final game? - Are the Brewers doing things the "right" way?

Tuesday's box score, Brock Wilken, Will Childers) You'll find Peoria's Wednesday box here (afternoon game).

Brock Wilken is playing third base and batting cleanup in Tuesday's starting lineup.

Here's the Peoria roster where you'll notice old friend LHP Justin King (picked up by the Marlins after his mid-season release) will join his former Brewers buddies. First Peoria game is today, Tuesday the 8th, 3:30 Central Time on the road at Camelback Ranch in Glendale. (Javelinas Schedule) This first game can be streamed and will be archived as well. Peoria is also streaming on Wednesday and the streaming schedule can be viewed at the link in the prior sentence.

Will not be posting the pre-game links from Thursday. Thursday 10/3: Postgame shows after the 4-2 shellshock loss to NYM - Via the Journal Sentinel Podcast: "Utterly devastating loss brings Brewers 2024 season to an end" Via WTMJ: Dominic Cotroneo hosts Via 97.3's "Baseball Postgame Show" - Tim Allen hosts Locked on Brewers with Chuck Freimund - "Heartbreak Again...The Brewers Season Ends in Improbable Fashion"

Released on Monday 9/30: Via the Chris Rose MLB Players Podcast: "How Rhys Hoskins & the Brewers won the NL Central" "Rhys Hoskins chats about the emotions surrounding making the playoffs after not being able to play in 2023, possibly facing the Phillies in the playoffs, the differences between Philly and Milwaukee, How the Brewers won the Central Division, Growing up a Giants fan, What a World Series would mean to Milwaukee, what if Shohei Ohtani only pitched and more!" YouTube VIDEO Option