Jim Goulart

Apologies if this thought had already been communicated elsewhere (and probably better) within this forum during the past year. Many of you are familiar with the deal Aramis Ramirez signed with the Brewers 12/13/11: -- 3 years/$36M (2012-14), plus 2015 mutual option -- 12:$6M, 13:$10M, 14:$16M, 15: $14M mutual option ($4M buyout) -- $6M in salary deferred in 2014 As was previously made known, the deferred money from 2014 is due in two $3 million payments on Dec. 15 in 2017 and 2018. If the 2015 buyout money is paid, it would be owed in two $2 million payments on Dec. 15 in 2015 and 2016. Ramirez will turn 36 in June of 2014, and obviously 37 in June of 2015. *** So let's look at things a bit. Right away, the scenarios mentioned below rely on Ramirez remaining relatively healthy in 2014 with a solid indication he would enter 2015 healthy as well. The Brewers' next real third base prospect, Nicky Delmonico, is two+ full years away from a chance at regular big league time. In a positive 2014, Ramirez plays 140 games, perhaps a few of those at DH in interleague, and provides Ryan Braun with the cleanup protection approaching Ramirez' career .846 OPS (a number Ramirez only failed to reach twice in the last ten seasons, 2010 and last year). Now if the Brewers pick up their end of the mutual $14 million 2015 option next fall, then regardless of what Ramirez decides on his end, there is no $4 million buyout. So the Brewers would be committing an additional $10 million only to what they already have budgeted, they're just moving up the payment schedule on the buyout money as described above. But what if Ramirez has a monster (or even just nice) 2014 and declines his end of the mutual 2015 option, believing he could net a two-or-three year deal in free agency? Well, two things would happen. One, the Brewers are still off the hook for the $4 million buyout, and two, the Brewers could actually then consider making Ramirez a qualifying offer and thus potentially earn a draft pick. (The qualifying offer amount for 2013 was $14.1 miillion, it will likely approach $15M next fall, not much more than the Brewers would be willing to pay by picking up the mutual option). If both parties accepted the mutual option, in 2015 the Brewers would have a valuable (albeit 36-year-old-turning-37-year-old) asset. If they manage to contend, the Brewers could hold on to Ramirez for all of 2015 or, if out of contention, move him at the 2015 deadline for prospects. To review, if Aramis Ramirez has reasonable health this coming season and through the first half of 2015, the Brewers would benefit in some shape or form by: - Enjoying close-to-usual Ramirez production in 2014 - Not having to pay the $4M buyout on his mutual 2015 option - Potentially netting an (end of) first round compensation 2015 draft pick - Bringing back a productive player for 2015 that can be used to either help contend or net needed prospects at midseason Stay healthy, Aramis, and it's really a pretty attractive situation for the Brewers no matter the outcome. And if 2014 is injury-filled, oh well...darn.

: Josh Prince's acceptance speech, recently honored by his high school in Louisiana Hat tip to @BrewerNation via Twitter

Loma Rica is Mike Walker’s refuge by Kirk Barron, Marysville (CA) Appeal-Democrat For more than six months every year, the life of a professional league baseball player is a hectic one. The rest of the year is an opportunity to regroup and recover from the grueling season. "I live two different lives; one during the season going 150 mph all the time, and then you slam on the brakes and all you do is work out and hang out with the dogs," Milwaukee Brewer farmhand Mike Walker (career stats) said. At the end of every season, the 25-year-old Marysville High graduate returns home to Loma Rica where he grew up and stays there until the start of the next season. "It's definitely nice because there are times during the season where you really get homesick because you're halfway across the country," Walker said. "It makes sense — it's cheaper, you save money and get to see family and friends." While back home, Walker spends time with loved ones and keeps his skills sharp while training with fellow professional ball players Max and Brock Stassi of Yuba City. "I've been fortunate to hook up with some of the local guys here to work out and do the whole professional baseball thing," Walker said. "It makes it easier to be with people who are like-minded and heading in the same direction you are." When February rolls around, the chaos of being a professional athlete starts up again. At the end of spring training, the Brewers post the roster telling the players where they will begin their season, and they make a mad dash to find housing and transportation in their new city, Walker said. Once the season starts, Walker plays nearly every night, often while traveling to two or three cities a week. Before the start of last season, Walker was selected to play in the World Baseball Classic with Australia and played first base while going 5 for 11 in three games. Walker's mother, Anne, is from Australia and he holds dual citizenship, which qualified him to play for the team. Walker was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 14th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft after a successful career at University of the Pacific and completed his third season of professional ball in September as a third baseman with the Huntsville Stars in the double-A Southern League.

YouTube: The young lady does talk as though she's talking to a youngster, circle of life, I guess.... And of course, Mister Ed fan pages exist, here's a good one.

It probably means the Brewers just want the flexibility to take advantage of a waiver claim should the opportunity come up, if they see someone they like. You'll notice with most MLB free agent signings as of late, the signing is announced, then several days, even a week or more passes before a physical, and then, for those teams with a full 40-man, they DFA a player the day the deal is made official. So, in my opinion, no, nothing is specifically pending.

Just today, several players have been claimed on waivers by other clubs who had room on their 40-man rosters. It could just be the Brewers were tempted by some of those names, and wanted to have an open roster spot at the ready to be able to take advantage of future instances.

Turns out Olmsted had signed his pro contract for 2014 already (may not have been announced by the team yet), and since this is his first outright assignment, he is not able to refuse it. Olmsted will be a minor league free agent after the 2014 season unless re-added to the 40-man roster, and the Brewers have done that before, as I pointed out on Twitter this AM. A bit of luck? Two key members of #Brewers staff, Estrada (Oct. '10) & Kintzler (June '12), were DFA'd by MILW & were available on waivers.

RHP Michael Olmsted outrighted to AAA Nashville, as per Mike Vasallo. EDIT: Trying to determine if Olmsted can elect minor league free agency, likely so, as he did with Boston prior to last season, and if so, how long he has to do so.

The Dominican Winter League regular season has come to a close. Two of the six teams do not qualify for the playoffs. Unless we see otherwise, winter seasons have now concluded for Elian Herrera, Miguel De Los Santos, Hector Gomez, a well-traveled Jason Rogers, and Eugenio Velez. The other regular seasons conclude as follows: Mexican Pacific League Regular season ends 12/30/2013 Puerto Rican League Regular season ends 12/30/2013 Venezuelan Winter League Regular Season ends 12/29/2013 We'll keep you updated on any playoff action as well. The champions of the four winter leagues will compete in the Caribbean World Series, this year taking place in Venezuela in early February.

Additional Sunday Winter League action -- Puerto Rico Box Score Pitching for the third time in four days, it's a save for RHP Jose De La Torre in a 3-1 victory -- Carolina Top of the 9th Pitching Change: Jose De La Torre replaces Miguel Mejia. Jobduan Morales walks. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Jose Castro replaces Rene Garcia. Jose Castro grounds into a double play, pitcher Jose De La Torre to shortstop Luis Mateo to first baseman Jaime Ortiz. Jobduan Morales out at 2nd. Jesus Feliciano singles on a soft fly ball to left fielder Miguel Abreu. Enrique Hernandez strikes out swinging. *** Venezuela Box Score Winter workhorse RHP Arcenio Leon's ERA in 23 winter relief appearances (2.79) is less than 1/2 of what he posted in 35 games (ten starts) at AA Huntsville in 2013 (5.68). Getting K's and groundouts at nice clips all winter, too... Aragua Top of the 8th Pitching Change: Arcenio Leon replaces Cesar Valdez. Guillermo Rodriguez walks. Jorge Cortes strikes out swinging. Carlos Colmenares strikes out swinging. Ronny Cedeno grounds out, second baseman Hernan Perez to first baseman Ernesto Mejia.

We will finish up Sunday's winter league update once action completes during the overnight hours, but wanted to kick things off because -- Puerto Rico Box Score RHP Hiram Burgos is having a fantastic winter. He's positioning himself at starting rotation option #6 (as Doug Melvin has stated Tyler Thornburg will get first chance at #5), and at the very minimum, is building up trade value nicely. A wise team in trade would have to look past his deceiving age (26) and focus on his pitchability. I've stated it before, but I'm a big Burgos fan, and he's got to be impressing Brewer brass -- it's just one incredibly efficient start after another, much like his amazing 2012 and his healthy portions of 2013. Sunday's start: 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K -- now a 1.60 ERA in 33.2 winter innings (12 BB, 32 K's). Ponce Top of the 1st Reymond Fuentes pops out to shortstop Luis Figueroa. Benji Gonzalez grounds out, shortstop Luis Figueroa to first baseman Kennys Vargas. Jonathan Mota pops out to shortstop Luis Figueroa. Ponce Top of the 2nd Jordan Lennerton flies out to left fielder Daniel Ortiz. Henry Ramos strikes out swinging. Rubi Silva grounds out, first baseman Kennys Vargas to pitcher Hiram Burgos. Ponce Top of the 3rd Jose Lozada pops out to shortstop Luis Figueroa. Jan Vazquez flies out to center fielder Michael Taylor. Jesmuel Valentin singles on a line drive to right fielder Eddie Rosario. Reymond Fuentes singles on a line drive to center fielder Michael Taylor. Jesmuel Valentin to 2nd. Benji Gonzalez pops out to second baseman Irving Falu. Ponce Top of the 4th Jonathan Mota flies out to right fielder Eddie Rosario. Jordan Lennerton called out on strikes. Henry Ramos grounds out to first baseman Kennys Vargas. Ponce Top of the 5th Rubi Silva strikes out swinging. Jose Lozada flies out to right fielder Eddie Rosario in foul territory. Jan Vazquez grounds out, third baseman Danny Gonzalez to first baseman Kennys Vargas. Ponce Top of the 6th Jesmuel Valentin flies out to left fielder Daniel Ortiz. Reymond Fuentes lines out to shortstop Luis Figueroa. Benji Gonzalez flies out to left fielder Daniel Ortiz. It certainly is helping in Puerto Rico and in Milwaukee that Martin Maldonado is available, Burgos' batterymate again. Maldy was 0-for-3 with a walk today, teammate Irving Falu, playing second base, 1-for-3 (double, sacrifice bunt, run scored, one K). Additional winter league Sunday updates by early Monday AM, the link Tweeted out daily.

Details on Miguel De Los Santos and his winter league debut Saturday 12/21.

Saturday's Winter League action -- Dominican Box Score Well, looky-here! Licey Bottom of the 6th Pitching Change: Miguel De Los Santos replaces Miguel Sanfler. Victor Diaz walks. Estarlin Martinez grounds into a force out, third baseman Oliver Dominguez to second baseman Angelys Nina. Victor Diaz out at 2nd. Estarlin Martinez to 1st. Jordany Valdespin strikes out swinging. Jim Murphy grounds out, second baseman Angelys Nina to first baseman Donell Linares. Pitching for Toros del Este is 25-year-old (if that's his real age) LHP Miguel De Los Santos (if that's his real name), career stats. This is De Los Santos' first game since his 2012 AA season for the Texas Rangers. Here's a bit of a timeline -- From MLBTradeRumors 9/9/12: The Brewers have claimed left-hander Miguel De Los Santos off waivers from the Rangers, tweets Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Texas released De Los Santos on Friday after designating him for assignment on September 1. The 24-year-old posted a 5.22 ERA with 10.7 K/9 and 5.2 BB/9 in 58 2/3 innings at Double-A Frisco this year covering 22 relief appearances and four starts. Baseball America ranked De Los Santos 29th among Rangers prospects before the season, crediting him for the best changeup in the organization. Not only did the Brewers win the waiver claim, it was a uniquely inexpensive one: Why former Ranger Miguel De Los Santos could be the best dollar the Brewers ever spent This February 2012 scouting report had many of us intrigued, and we learned De Los Santos had a minor league option remaining. Then there was this news in January 2013 -- Via Adam McCalvy: Among the players on the big-league camp roster expected to be limited at the start is left-hander Miguel De Los Santos (shoulder). The Brewers claimed De Los Santos off waivers from the Rangers in September knowing he had a shoulder issue. “We decided we’d rather get him fixed now and get it over with instead of going into the season wondering when he’s going to break down,” Ash said. “He should be back by July.” On March 25th, 2013 - we learned that De Los Santos had been placed on the restricted list and his spot on the 40-man roster would not officially count against the team limit. Here's the Rotoworld note indicating visa issues. So after waiting over a year to see him in "box score" action, we do, but it comes just nine days after this tweet from Adam McCalvy -- #Brewers expect resolution soon on LHP Miguel de los Santos, on restricted list because of age/identity issues. Won't remain with the org. Getting the clearance (both medical and legal) to pitch in the Dominican Winter League likely is a bit easier than the U.S. and MLB clearance standards. Too bad, since a LH arm with that kind of ridiculous strikeout stuff is tough to come by. The saga will continue for a bit longer, it seems. Would the Brewers accept him if cleared for big league camp duty? If they were being "high and mighty" on De Los Santos, they would have released him long ago. So why not? We probably need to wait on a formal MLB statement. NOTE: Brewerfan posters who wish to discuss the De Los Santos situation, please use this De Los Santos thread on the major league forum, thanks. *** In the same Dominican box score as De Los Santos' -- Jason Rogers played right field, and singled in four at-bats (one K). Rogers batted cleanup despite a modest start to his winter season, and that's not surprising (check out the box score batting averages in this shutout loss). Rogers' Toros del Este club is last in the DWL with a team .603 OPS (league team batting statistics). Venezuela (team batting) is by far the most hitter-friendly environment, with Puerto Rico and Mexico more balanced. *** Puerto Rico Box Score 40-man roster RHP Jose De La Torre has now made 13 relief appearances, this one netted him a clean "hold" -- Ponce Bottom of the 8th Pitching Change: Jose De La Torre replaces Andres Santiago. Jordan Lennerton grounds out, pitcher Jose De La Torre to first baseman Andy Gonzalez. Greg Rohan grounds out, shortstop Luis Mateo to first baseman Andy Gonzalez. Henry Ramos grounds out, first baseman Andy Gonzalez to pitcher Jose De La Torre. Getting ground balls has been De La Torre's career calling card, and what likely prompted the Brewers' pro scouting staff to suggest placing a waiver claim on the 28-year-old.

As per Baseball America's Matt Eddy -- Brewers release RHP Cody Scarpetta, the two-time org top 10 prospect who spent three years on 40-man roster. Actually, Scarpetta was granted and used up a 4th option year as well... Scarpetta, 25 years old, had one more year of Brewers team control before reaching minor league free agency, but even if he had excelled in 2014 in the minors, he would have had to be re-added to the 40-man roster next fall and would then need to make the big league roster to stay in 2015 and beyond, as he's out of minor league options. Knowing this, the Brewers might have foreseen better allocation of those AA or AAA innings to others. Turns out this circumstance back when he signed did Scarpetta no favors -- "When the Brewers drafted righthander Cody Scarpetta out of high school with their 11th-round pick in 2007, Scarpetta initially signed for $325,000, but the Brewers voided that contract and re-signed him a few weeks later for $125,000 when he needed to have surgery on a pre-existing injury to his right index finger. Scarpetta became eligible for the Rule 5 draft the following year, and after he spent the 2009 season in low Class A Wisconsin, the Brewers placed him on their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft" - Baseball America At this point, Scarpetta is a rare phantom major leaguer, in a big league bullpen for a day, but never in a game, so he's not in the Baseball Encyclopedia, among other notations. The same thing happened to former Brewers indy league signee Tim Bausher, although his Moonlight Graham moment came with Boston later on. At least Cody has a chance to become official down the road. Good luck to him going forward.

Friday's Winter League action -- (First, a quick catch-up from Thursday) -- 2012 8th round OF Edgardo Rivera, who won't turn 20 until April, made his winter debut in his native Puerto Rico as a pinch-runner. Rivera stole eight bases in 12 attempts for Maryvale in 2013 (9-for-10 in his rookie 2012 Maryvale campaign). Unfortunately -- Caguas Bottom of the 8th Pitching Change: Fernando Cabrera replaces Alex Claudio. Ramon Castro singles on a line drive to left fielder Jon Garcia. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Edgardo Rivera replaces Ramon Castro. Jorge Padilla grounds out, shortstop Benji Gonzalez to first baseman Jordan Lennerton. Edgardo Rivera to 2nd. With Edgardo Baez batting, Edgardo Rivera caught stealing 3rd base, pitcher Fernando Cabrera to third baseman Jonathan Mota. Edgardo Baez triples (2) on a fly ball to right fielder Henry Ramos. Rey Navarro flies out to center fielder Rubi Silva. At least Rivera's team held on to win, 3-2. Rivera has just nine extra base hits in 215 Maryvale AB's (.595 OPS). *** Dominican Box Score Elian Herrera, 0-for-4 (one K), played shortstop (error). *** Dominican Box Score The Toros lost, 5-4 in 16 innings, and the Brewers didn't exactly shine. First baseman Jason Rogers and shortstop Hector Gomez batted 5th and 6th, and each went 0-for-7 with two strikeouts (not a misprint). At least Eugenio Velez contributed, 2-for-6 (double, run, RBI, one K). *** Puerto Rico Box Score Irving Falu, leading off and playing third base, was 2-for-4 (double). Catcher Martin Maldonado was also 2-for-4 (run), and has his OPS up to .654 after 73 winter at-bats. Nobody dared run against him in this one. *** On to Saturday, Australia-time -- RHP Eric Marzec is the master of the double-play ball for another scoreless outing -- Sydney Top of the 7th Pitching Change: Eric Marzec replaces Trevor Holder. Guy Edmonds flies out to left fielder Josh Davies. Trent Schmutter singles on a ground ball to shortstop Brad Harman. Michael Lysaught grounds into a double play, third baseman Jared Schlehuber to second baseman Scott Wearne to first baseman Ryan Casteel. Trent Schmutter out at 2nd.

Any player removed from the 40-man is exposed to waivers and is eligible to be claimed by other organizations.

Good topic at BCB here -- Looking ahead: When the Brewers add, who goes?. If Hand, Herrera, or De La Torre were removed, they have enough service time to elect free agency if they wish, although if offered a minor league spot at this point in the offseason, they likely would accept it.

12/19 Audio via WTMJ Brewers General Manager Doug Melvin

Thursday's Winter League action -- Puerto Rico Box Score 40-man roster RHP Jose De La Torre earned a hold, but did allow a run. Ponce Top of the 8th Pitching Change: Jose De La Torre replaces Miguel Mejia. Rubi Silva flies out to left fielder Miguel Abreu in foul territory. Ivan De Jesus grounds out, third baseman Andy Gonzalez to first baseman Aaron Bates. Jordan Lennerton singles on a line drive to center fielder Jorge Padilla. Jonathan Mota doubles (7) on a line drive to center fielder Jorge Padilla. Jordan Lennerton scores. Henry Ramos flies out to right fielder Edgardo Baez. *** Puerto Rico Box Score Leadoff man Irving Falu, time at second and third base, 0-for-3 with a walk (.542 OPS in 101 AB's). Teammate catcher Martin Maldonado was 1-for-4 with an RBI (.635 OPS in 69 AB's). Maldy threw out one of two baserunners. *** Dominican Box Score It was an 11-inning 5-4 win for the three amigo teammates Eugenio Velez, Hector Gomez, and Jason Rogers. Velez was 0-for-5 (one walk, one K), Gomez 2-for-6 (triple, three K's - that's seven K's in two games), and Rogers 2-for-5 (walk, and the go-ahead top of the 11th inning RBI). *** Dominican Box Score 1B Juan Francisco a quiet 0-for-4. Elian Herrera, playing second base (first error of the winter, most of his prior 25 games in left field), was 2-for-5 (run, one K). RHP Alfredo Figaro with an awkward hold, retiring only one of four batters, he was really bailed out -- Estrellas Bottom of the 7th Pitching Change: Alfredo Figaro replaces Victor Marte. Leandro Castro singles on a line drive to left fielder Yamaico Navarro. Michael Martinez doubles (4) on a ground ball to left fielder Yamaico Navarro. Leandro Castro to 3rd. Juan Diaz pops out softly to shortstop Carlos Triunfel. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Josh Whitesell replaces Yordy Cabrera. Alfredo Figaro intentionally walks Josh Whitesell. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Aneury Tavarez replaces Josh Whitesell. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Nelson Perez replaces Alberto Rosario. Pitching Change: Juan Cedeno replaces Alfredo Figaro. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Mel Rojas replaces Nelson Perez. Mel Rojas strikes out swinging. Elian Herrera strikes out swinging. *** Venezuelan Box Score RHP Arcenio Leon's 22nd winter appearance was extra-brief (HBP, walk) -- Lara Top of the 7th Luis Valbuena walks. Pitching Change: Edwin Quirarte replaces Jose Guanchez. Robert Perez called out on strikes. Pitching Change: Miguel Sulbaran replaces Edwin Quirarte. Mike Moustakas flies out to right fielder J. C. Linares. Pitching Change: Arcenio Leon replaces Miguel Sulbaran. Paulo Orlando hit by pitch. Luis Valbuena to 2nd. Andrew Lambo walks. Luis Valbuena to 3rd. Paulo Orlando to 2nd. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Hernan Iribarren replaces Anderson De La Rosa. Pitching Change: Chase Huchingson replaces Arcenio Leon. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Oswaldo Navarro replaces Hernan Iribarren. Oswaldo Navarro strikes out swinging. *** Head start on Friday's activity -- Australia Box Score Scoreless inning and a hold for RHP Eric Marzec -- Sydney Top of the 7th Pitching Change: Eric Marzec replaces Joe Burns. Zach Shepherd strikes out swinging. Guy Edmonds walks. Daniel Arribas grounds into a double play, shortstop Darryl George to first baseman Brad Harman. Guy Edmonds out at 2nd G'day, mate!

One year. If they had picked up a previously released player, the Brewers would own the player until the 7th minor league season had been completed.

RHP's Johnnie Lowe and Santo Manzanillo have been brought back on minor league contracts. Lowe will be 29 in March, Manzanillo turns 25 tomorrow (12/20). Lowe made five appearances in Venezuela this winter, the most recent back on November 12th. They did not go particularly well, as evidenced in his linked stat line above. Manzanillo's true only positive season was 2011, but it was indeed impressive. Never the same since shoulder surgery (car accident in the D.R.).

Russell "the Muscle" Branyan is batting .190 in 142 combined Dominican/Mexican winter at-bats. This makes me sad. That being said, his .783 OPS in 128 Mexican Winter Leage at-bats is higher than Juan Francisco's in the Dominican.

Wednesday's Winter League action -- Dominican Box Score Juan Francisco's average dropped to .267 after an 0-for-3 night (two K's, now 42 on the winter season in 146 AB's), although he did reach once on an HBP to keep his OBP at a promising .360. Francisco played first base here, and committed his 9th error. It took a bit of research, but I, like you, was curious, so here's the breakdown. 39 games total 8 games at designated hitter 9 games at first base (last night was his first error) 23 games at third base (eight errors) *One game in which Francisco played at both corners... *** Dominican Box Score He's back! Veteran switch-hitter Eugenio Velez played his 18th game of the winter, but first since November 8th. He reached base three times (2-for-4, double, walk), but is still getting his legs under him, caught trying to steal second twice. Velez is now 8-for-11 in SB attempts this winter (30-for-38 in 2013's AAA regular season). Velez had two Brewer teammates in Wednesday's Toros del Este lineup. Hector Gomez played shortstop, but it was a miserable night at the plate, 0-for-5 with a golden sombrero (four K's). Gomez (.281) now has a 23-to-2 K-to-BB ratio in 121 AB's. Jason Rogers walked and scored a run in four plate trips (0-for-3, two K's). He played left field in this one. *** Dominican Box Score Elian Herrera played shortstop (watch out this spring, Jeff Bianchi), was 2-for-4 (walk, two runs scored, two K's). *** Puerto Rico Box Score Leading off and playing second base, another of the Brewers' switch-hitting utility winter ball crew, Irving Falu, had his club's only base hit in his club's 1-0 loss. Not only that, he was the only baserunner and was caught stealing after his 1st inning base knock, so his club only had the minimum 27 AB's. Falu is now 6-for-9 in the SB department (20-for-30 at AAA in 2013). Falu's teammate Martin Maldonado struck out in a 9th-inning pinch-hit at-bat. A 5'11" Cuban RHP with no major league affiliation, Jorge Martinez, made the stellar start, and Nationals' LHP Xavier Cedeno tossed the final inning. Here's a quick google translated Nov. 10th article on Martinez (no age listed): GUAYNABO - When we arrived this morning to the dugout Cangrejeros we find Jorge Alberto Martinez , joking , telling stories and above all free. Four months ago, Jorge Alberto left his native Cuba looking for progress and a dream to play in the majors. The native of Matanzas in Cuba told us what makes one only Cuban baseball , Cuban baseball in the small ball is not played , there are good power hitters , he said. In Cuba , the players belong to teams near his residence , Martinez told us that Matanza Stadium , the Victoria de Giron , is just two minutes from home and on game days only walked to the park. When we were traveling , we stayed in area hotels sentenced . In the Cuban league play over 80 regular season games with the participation of 16 teams. In this local winter league is different, we are only five teams and play 40 games. In Matanzas the players got along fine until we crossed into the opponents locker room , we all know. In the largest of the Antilles , Jorge, shared team with the likes Yasiel Puig, Yoenis Céspedes, José Dariel Abreu and its leader Victor Mesa. About Abreu signing with the White Sox this said , Abreu is good friend of mine , we played many games against is tremendous player and be human . The right-hander was number 50 in throwing a no-hitter in the Cuban League . In this game of the 2008-2009 season, and thanks to the great performance of Martinez, who used his curve to handcuff experienced his opponent, his team blanked Matanzas Industrial Latinoamericano Stadium in Havana. The possible inclusion of Cuba in the Caribbean Series , said this team will be in Villa Clara Cuba , they beat us in the National Series this summer. My goal is to reach the majors, as everyone dreams , but right now my focus is here I am playing with the Crabbers , and I have to show what I have here first.

Via WSCO in Appleton -- 12/18 audio: Bob Brainerd joined Justin Hull on the Home Stretch to talk Brewers

Reminder -- Brewers AAA & AA affiliates could both be in new ballparks in '15, but only if partnerships are renewed w/Nashville & Biloxi by this fall.