Jim Goulart

Thanks to the mega-active Twitter and blog efforts of BrewerNation, here's all your Braun media linked.

Padres claim FDLS, too bad. At least MDLS (Miguel) is still on the 40-man, would have hated to see a power lefty arm lost with an option remaining. (Yes, Miguel is out until July with a shoulder issue.) Fautino was a longshot with no options remaining, but it would have been nice to sneak him through to AAA.

This one with detailed write-ups via MLB.com.

At least his brother was clean -- no way he put up these Brewer stat lines tainted.

The Dominican Republic moved to 4-1 in the round robin Caribbean Series and clinched a spot in the championship game. Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela are all at 2-3 and battling for the other championship spot. New Brewers RHP Alfredo Figaro got the start Tuesday as the D.R. won 11-7, but his stat line wasn't all that sharp (box). Figaro's cousin, Rays closer Fernando Rodney, closed out the win for the Dominican squad.

Lance Roenicke, via MLB.com

WSSP's Hot Stove Weekly 2/4 Text from the site: Brewers outfielder Logan Schafer joins Tim and Sparky to discuss how he'll prepare for the upcoming 2013 Spring Training. How much interaction has Logan had with Brewers fans? If you want to download just the Schafer interview, click here.

Baseball America catches up with Brewers 2010 1st rd pick RHP Dylan Covey; diabetes diagnosis led to college instead

Video News Report from Calgary -- Jim Henderson of the Milwaukee Brewers Fri, Feb 1 : Many Canadian kids grow up hoping to play in the NHL. And hundreds are currently living that dream. The number changes drastically though, when it comes to baseball. But that doesn't mean it's impossible. As Brendan Parker tells us, one Calgary product is the perfect example.

Where do you get the 50% number? The only time I have to watch another feed is when the Brewers play the Dbacks and I have to watch FSN-AZ, although now that Mark Grace (4 months jail for DUI) and Darren Sutton are gone, it might be tolerable. Wow, good for you. Comcast in New England provides each game (minus Red Sox, naturally), with one early evening East Coast game and one West Coast game in HD (never a game with a Central start time). On a full night's schedule, only one feed for each game is available, usually the home team. On days when there is a limited schedule, or several matinee games (like Thursdays), both home and road feeds may be available.

Well, a Gallardo - Estrada - Narveson - Fiers - Rogers rotation would accomplish that. But you read into the quotes from Melvin and others and it's hard to see Peralta out of the picture barring a disastrous spring training.

Another Top 15 (with predictions) from Alec @BrewersRumors I do think Peralta will see more MLB time than predicted, I really think he'll be a Rookie of the Year frontrunner.

RHP Donovan Hand featured in hometown Alabama article

The three recent retirees: All linked names lead to career stats -- The last time we saw a detailed profile of OF Lee Haydel was in May 2010: Still on the run: Haydel making impact in minors Former teammate Darren Byrd, a non-roster big league camp invite this year, put it well yesterday on Twitter: Man can't believe my boy Lee Haydel hung up the spikes guy can play wish nothing but the best for him #yerrrrrrr Haydel, 25, was entering his 7th and final committed year to the Brewers in 2013. The 2006 19th round pick, as noted above, had played the last three full seasons at AA Huntsville, and posted his best AA line (.284 AVG, .346 OBP) in 2012, but in a diminished 3rd/4th OF role. If only more line drives had found the doubles lane in the OF to pick up that SLG percentage even a bit, not that it was a pre-requisite for the quick Haydel. *** RHP Brandon Williamson (24 in April) was drafted in the 20th round in 2011 out of Dallas Baptist University. Williamson should receive a lot of credit from coming back from this head injury (photo) in July 2011 while with Helena. You know Williamson was in tough shape when the line drive off his head deflected all the way to right field -- Kurtis Muller singles on a line drive to right fielder Max Walla, deflected by pitcher Brandon Williamson. Danny Vicioso scores. In 20 appearances for Brevard last season (19 starts), and two starts for Huntsville, there weren't a lot of positive numbers to grab on to in Williamson's age 23 campaign, but this was Brandon's call to walk away. He most likely would have still had a spot in the organization if he hadn't. *** BYU's Austin Hall spent his age 23 rookie season in Maryvale, so not seeing Helena must have been discouraging, even as a 33rd round pick. Already 24 (last September), Hall, who is on Twitter, is married and apparently ready to move on with his BYU degree. He can always say he was drafted and played pro ball.

All linked names lead to career stats -- We had noted the releases of LHP's Connor Whalen, Elliot Glynn, and Mike Francisco earlier in this thread, and had discussed OF/RHP Hitaniel Arias and OF/C Jose Garcia just two posts above. *** Last June 16th we posted this about just-released Dominican Summer League third baseman Jose Dicent: The Brewers supplemented their DSL squad with two players who had been released by other organizations prior to this season -- 3B Jose Dicent (Diamondbacks system, 2009-2010, idle in 2011) and catcher Yunior De La Cruz (Indians 2011). The Brewers have another Dicent from Santo Domingo in their system (RHP Joel, who we'll probably see on next week's Maryvale roster). Jose is 11 months older, so they could very well be brothers, as that is not a common last name in the annals of Domincan baseball, via Baseball Reference. Jose Dicent, now 22, posted a .362 OBP in 2012, but only six of his 41 hits were for extra bases, thus a .286 SLG. *** LHP Eliezer Montano spent all four of his pro seasons (age 17-20) in the Dominican Summer League, although it should be noted he's from Venezuela. He's most noted for being tall and rail-thin (listed at 6'7", 170 in the latest media guide). Montano had his BB/9 rate down to 3.8 in 2011, but it jumped to 4.5 in 2012, and his K rate was never as healthy as one would think for a tall southpaw. *** OF Franklin Romero, Jr. was the 20th round pick in the 2009 draft out of a California junior college. In August of 2011, I wrote: Wow, what you don't know about a person. Powerful backstory there, and I'm sure other players must have their own personal inspirations. Much respect, Franklin. after reading this 2011 profile story from Bob Brainerd. Earlier in 2011, Romero was also profiled by Mike Woods of the Post-Crescent. Here's , too. Unfortunately, Romero's numbers had not been impressive since his Helena stint. Young man certainly had the passion, we wish him well in the future.

Brewers Weekly - 01/31/13 Doug Russell talks with Brewers pitching coach Rick Kranitz, where they discuss the reasoning behind pitchers and catchers getting an earlier start at spring training than position players, what pitchers do to get ready for the season, and what fans should look forward to this season with the pitching staff. Speaking of pitching, Doug is joined by Brewers pitcher Mark Rogers, who talks about how this spring training is different than others, what he looks forward to this season, and what he hopes to improve on this spring. Doug is also joined by BleacherReport.com's Will Carroll, as they look at where the strengths and weaknesses may be in the Brewers lineup, predictions for the season, and what the pitching situation looks like this season.

From the Brewers via Adam McCalvy: Brewers announce Minor Leaguers Lee Haydel, Austin Hall and Brandon Williamson have retired. Brewers released Hitaniel Arias, Jose Dicent, Mike Francisco, Jose Garcia, Elliot Glynn, Eliezer Montano, Franklin Romero, Connor Whalen. The Francisco, Glynn, and Whalen releases had all been announced prevciously. *** During the overnight, we'll briefly detail these players and send them off with a proper notation of good wishes in the future. Haydel played the last three seasons exclusively in Huntsville. Young man could enter politics down there if he wished.

Hometown Alabama newspaper caught up with RHP Donovan Hand

Via Tom Haudricourt -- Gord Ash said Alfredo Figaro had been invited to pitch for the Escogido team that advanced from the Dominican Republic to the Carribean World Series but had not decided if he would participate.

As per Matt Eddy of Baseball America -- The Brewers have released Hitaniel Arias and Jose Garcia. The two of them combined for $1,000,000 of bonus money in 2007 (Garcia $550,000 - Arias $450,000). Arias (career stats), 22, a 6'6", 230 lb. specimen, failed as an outfielder in his age 17-20 seasons (.636 OPS). The Brewers announced he would attempt to transition to pitcher in 2012, and he did so, but for only two appearances before being sidelined for the duration of the season. Garcia (career stats) will turn 22 in March. He, too, was looked upon as a potential RH power bat (.600 career OPS), and was also hinted at as a 2012 position change candidate (three games at catcher in 2012, at which he was listed for the first time in the Brewers media guide). Four years ago, we posted this: Dominican Republic: RHP Rolando Pascual, 2005 -- $710,000 OF Jose Garcia, 2007 -- $550,000 RHP Wily Peralta, 2005 -- $450,000 SS Yohannis Perez, 2006 (DR vis Cuba) -- $450,000 OF Hitaniel Arias, 2007 -- $450,000 RHP Roque Mercedes, 2004 -- $375,000 RHP Luis Guerrero, 2007 -- $185,000 RHP Adrian Rosario, 2006 -- $125,000 RHP Santo Manzanillo, 2005 -- $80,000 C Orton Rodriguez, 2007 -- $65,000 RHP Pedro Lambertus, 2006 -- $55,000 RHP Carlos Villanueva, 2002 -- $50,000 (by San Francisco, acquired as a rookie baller with RHP Glenn Woolard for Wayne Franklin/Leo Estrella) RHP Juan Sandoval, 2000 -- $42,000 (by Seattle) RHP Edwin Linares, 2007 -- $40,000 RHP Amaury Rivas, 2005 -- $30,000 RHP Jose Sanchez, 2007 -- $24,000 LHP Rafael Lluberes, 2002 -- $16,000 RHP Rigoberto Almonte, 2008 -- $10,000 Venezuela: 3B Edgar Trejo, 2006 -- $130,000 RHP Francisco Rivero, 2008 -- $90,000 IF Allixon Cequea, 2006 -- $85,000 OF Jose Rangel, 2007 -- $38,000 SS Alcides Escobar, 2003 -- $33,000 C Jonathan Requena, 2006 -- $30,000 OF Freddy Parejo, 2003 -- $16,000 2B/CF Hernan Iribarren, 2002 -- $15,000 LHP Jose Romero, 2005 -- $14,000 C/OF Anderson DeLaRosa, 2003 -- $10,000 RHP Luis Pena, 1999 -- $6,000 *** To be honest, Peralta and Escobar's "hits" more than make up for the big "misses" listed.

Japanese club relinquished, signing now official, he'll be in big-league camp on a non-roster invite.

kalle8, you described that just fine. There is definitely a science to catching up on a game on the MLB.TV archive. First you have to remember to turn off the show score functionality altogether, for that or other games. And as kalle8 notes, knowing the full running time of the game video can be very troubling when you're hoping for a Brewer comeback, particularly on the road when you're rooting for a bottom of the 9th to be necessary, and you realize there's no way that can happen given the time remaining. I love being able to DVR via the Extra Innings TV package, I love Brian and Bill but it's also nice to get the opposing announcer perspective, as you will for 50% of that package. But I also treat myself to MLB.TV for my laptop or office, and manage to make use of both. Obviously having very limited HD offerings with Extra Innings is a big bummer. I have very limited other hobbies or vices that dent my "wife says it's OK" outlays, so I'm able to justify paying for both in my mind .

The Caribbean World Series begins Friday in Mexico. The field is now set. The Brewers had no representatives play in the Mexican League, on any team, all winter. *** The Venezuelan champ was crowned last night, as Pablo Sandoval led Magallanes over Lara 11-9, knocking out Kelvim Escobar and Anderson De La Rosa (along with Chris Jakubauskas, who last pitched on 12/20). Two Brewers may end up with "rings", as RHP Jesus Sanchez and 1B Sean Halton played for Magallanes early this winter season. *** In the Dominican, RHP Fautino De Los Santos pitched in the postseason for champ Escogido and may be the lone Brewer to actually participate in the Caribbean World Series actively. Taylor Green played a bit for that club to begin the season. *** No Brewer played for Caguas, the Puerto Rico champ, during the regular or post-season this winter, although youngster Jose Sermo was listed on their roster. *** Fautino or bust!

Before the link, a reminder: Yovani salary info: 13:$7.75M, 14:$11.25M, 15:$13M club option ($0.6M buyout) Gallardo may void option by earning 6 points based on 2010-14 Cy Young vote (5 points for 1st place, 3 points for 2nd place, 1 point for 3rd place) full no-trade clause for 2010-12 seasons, may block deals to 10 clubs thereafter *** Looking ahead at potential pitching trade targets for Red Sox Among the few pitchers who might fit the bill in future years are Milwaukee’s Yovani Gallardo, Oakland’s Jarrod Parker and Arizona’s Ian Kennedy. Beyond that, the pickings appear slim — especially for Boston, since it’s unlikely the pitching-rich but revenue-poor Tampa Bay Rays are going to send them Jeremy Hellickson or David Price unless for a king’s ransom. Gallardo’s Milwaukee Brewers could find themselves in rebuilding mode quickly if they can’t rebound from last year’s 83-win season. Gallardo would have two years of contractual control left during which he’d be 28 and 29 before hitting free agency, making him a prime trade target.

VIDEOS: More Brewers On Deck fan-fest (Player Q&A) FSN Wisconsin Brewers on the Bradley Center floor (wow, John Axford -- painful)