Jim Goulart

58:08 Breaking down the Greinke deal from both a Brewers and Royals perspective 1:15:50 Special Guest Jim Breen from Bernie's Crew on breaking the Zack Greinke story Discovering the story Industry reaction before and after the story was confirmed Has this been a life-changing experience? *** Had a blast listening to the chat with Jim, the story he tells about getting laid into by the Journal Sentinel staffer who was up against deadline on Saturday night is priceless. If you're listening at work, just be aware there's some "just guys talking baseball" unfiltered language.

From Rotoworld last February -- Sean Green is hoping to give batters a different look with a below-sidearm delivery. "In September I started dropping down progressively," said Green. "I carried that into the offseason, trying to find something. It feels good. It feels natural." Green is already one of the most consistent wormkillers in baseball, regardless of whether he is facing righties or lefties, but it will be interesting to see if he loses any of his effectiveness against left-handers with the more pronounced approach. Spring training 2010 video A month after the video was shot, Green was found to have a stress fracture in his right rib cage. He was sidelined all the way until mid-August, and Rotoworld reported at the time that he had returned to his 3/4 arm slot after trying out the submarine style earlier.

Thought rather than tacking on to the Greinke thread, we could discuss infield defense here -- ESPN.com: Greinke, Marcum have hidden benefit Randy Wolf is no slouch, either (see here). Pretty sure we can build on the topic over the offseason...

Luis Cruz went 2-for-4, playing both SS and 2B and batting 5th, in his Mexican League team's 3-2 win (box). In Puerto Rico, Sergio Miranda doubled, walked, and scored two runs in his club's 5-4 loss (box not available). In Venezuela, catcher Anderson De La Rosa got his first hit of the winter (now-1-for-9) in a 1-for-4 day at the plate (box not available), and Brendan Katin was 1-for-4 with an RBI (box not available).

Interesting detailed analysis from the Royals' perspective -- Look for the Rany Jazayerli link -- this may be only available for a day or two, so act now, worth your time with the longtime passionate Royals blogger; Buster Olney and an FSN Kansas City rep are also available for a short time via that page *** Another well-done KC radio interview -- J.J. Cooper of Baseball America

Newly re-acquired RHP Roque Mercedes made seven relief appearances in the Dominican as noted on his stat page.

Major League Forum thread on the re-acquisition of RHP Roque Mercedes on waivers from the Diamondbacks (so a 40-man roster spot is involved).

As we noted earlier this week in our Alumni Thread when Mercedes was designated for assignment, not sure why Rotoworld is again indicating "first taste of AAA". Mercedes spent all of 2010 with Mobile in the Southern League and put up pedestrian numbers (stat page here). He has yet to see AAA. He was added to the Diamondbacks' 40-man roster in the fall of 2009 and was optioned last spring for the first time -- so still with two options remaining.

Rotoworld: Brewers claimed RHP Roque Mercedes off waivers from the Diamondbacks. He was former property of the Brewers, having been sent to Arizona in the Felipe Lopez deal in 2009. Mercedes posted an unimpressive 4.36 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in his first taste of Triple-A in 2010. He's just 24, though, and held a 1.78 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 10.4 K/9 rate over 60 2/3 innings between High- and Double-A in '09. He's compete for a bullpen spot in spring training.

If he is, it'll be with another organization. He became a minor league free agent last fall. Love the occasional five-month thread bump...

WSSP -- 12/20 Hot Stove Weekly, more with Casey McGehee near the top of the show

Jim Breen of Bernie's Crew spoke with I-70 baseball Monday night. Here's the link, there's a small box in the center of the page where you can adjust the time within the one-hour blogradio show, pause it, restart it, etc. Jim comes on board around the 14:00 minute mark, the first ten minutes or so of the interview focuses on the process of Jim gaining and dispersing the news in the manner that he did and a discussion of what the host calls the "new media". After that, Jim and the interviewer shift their focus directly to the players involved in the trade.

In Venezuela, it was a nice day for Brendan Katin. Playing LF and batting 7th, he went 3-for-4 with a two-run HR (his 4th HR in a combined 56 AB's in Mexico and Venezuela this winter). His squad won, 5-4, in ten innings (box).

Neither Erick Almonte nor reliever Zack Segovia played in the Dominican Monday. Their regular seasons end Tuesday. Segovia's club is tied for first place, so depending on the post-season set-up, both might see additional action. Teammates SS Edwin Maysonet and C Wil Nieves played in their team's 4-2 loss in Puerto Rico (box). Maysonet was 0-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base (his 2nd in as many tries this winter); Nieves went 0-for-4. One baserunner stole a base on the combination of Nieves and Nieves. LHP Efrain Nieves made the start in the game and took the loss -- 5 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 1 HBP, 8-to-6 GB/FO ratio Mayaguez Bottom of the 1st Eddie Rosario singles on a fly ball to center fielder Henry Mateo. Irving Falu singles on a bunt ground ball to first baseman Jaime Ortiz. Eddie Rosario to 2nd. Fernando Cortez grounds into double play, shortstop Edwin Maysonet to second baseman Ivan De JesusJr. to first baseman Jaime Ortiz. Eddie Rosario to 3rd. Irving Falu out at 2nd. Eddy Martinez-Esteve grounds out, third baseman Jayson Nix to first baseman Jaime Ortiz. Mayaguez Bottom of the 2nd Roberto Perez singles on a ground ball to shortstop Edwin Maysonet. Donny Leon flies out to right fielder Jorge Padilla. Angel Sanchez doubles (2) on a fly ball to right fielder Jorge Padilla. Roberto Perez scores. Kennys Vargas doubles (1) on a line drive to right fielder Jorge Padilla. Angel Sanchez scores. Chris Amador flies out to center fielder Henry Mateo. Kennys Vargas to 3rd. Eddie Rosario flies out to center fielder Henry Mateo. Mayaguez Bottom of the 3rd Irving Falu singles on a bunt ground ball to first baseman Jaime Ortiz. Fernando Cortez grounds out, shortstop Edwin Maysonet to first baseman Jaime Ortiz. Irving Falu to 2nd. Eddy Martinez-Esteve pops out to second baseman Ivan De JesusJr. Roberto Perez walks. With Donny Leon batting, wild pitch by Efrain Nieves, Irving Falu to 3rd. Roberto Perez to 2nd. Donny Leon singles on a fly ball to left fielder Luis Terrero. Irving Falu scores. Roberto Perez scores. Angel Sanchez hit by pitch. Donny Leon to 2nd. Kennys Vargas grounds out, pitcher Efrain Nieves to first baseman Jaime Ortiz. Mayaguez Bottom of the 4th Chris Amador flies out to left fielder Luis Terrero. Eddie Rosario singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jorge Padilla. With Irving Falu batting, Eddie Rosario steals (3) 2nd base. Irving Falu grounds out, second baseman Ivan De JesusJr. to first baseman Jaime Ortiz. Eddie Rosario to 3rd. Fernando Cortez grounds out, pitcher Efrain Nieves to first baseman Jaime Ortiz. Mayaguez Bottom of the 5th Eddy Martinez-Esteve called out on strikes. Roberto Perez grounds out, third baseman Jayson Nix to first baseman Jaime Ortiz. Donny Leon walks. Felix Molina flies out to center fielder Henry Mateo.

Newcomer SS Edwin Maysonet has been a teammate of LHP Efrain Nieves and catcher Wil Nieves (unrelated as far as we can tell), and IF Sergio Miranda on San Juan of the Puerto Rico Winter League. Maysonet, a native of Puerto Rico, has only hit .213 in 34 games (108 AB's); .587 OPS but with 15 RBI -- he's clutch! (Stat line included on MiLB.com player page)

Because they are receiving major league spring training invites, there is a thread on the Major League Forum for any commentary -- Two More Non-Roster Spring Training Invitees -- SS Edwin Maysonet, C Shawn Riggans

Tom Haudricourt tweet, with text copied below: Brewers have signed SS Edwin Maysonet and C Shawn Riggans to minor league deals with invites to ML camp. *** Maysonet, 29, has 76 big league at-bats (major and minor league stats). Luis Cruz has no options left and may wish to choose free agency if removed from the 40-man roster next spring, so Maysonet has a good chance to be Nashville's full-time shortstop. Riggans, 30, with 188 big league at-bats, was let go by the Mets last season and ended the season with New Jersey of the independent Can-Am League (major and minor league stats).

Baseball America spoke with Buck Rogers -- details on stadium improvements and more

Mark lost two years plus of development to injury. The only place he's 25 will be as of his birth certificate as of this coming January 30th.

Captions for each interview are from WSSP -- 12/20/10 Brewer play by play announcer Brian Anderson joins the Greinke talk 12/20/10 Former Brewer Paul Wagner talks some off season baseball 12/20/10 Robert Ford from KCSP in KC weighs in on the Greinke trade 12/20/10-Brewers GM Doug Melvin discusses the Greinke acquisition

From the Miller Lite Football Show on ESPNMilwaukee Tom Haudricourt with the Sunday AM update From the D-List on ESPNMilwaukee. These interviews will be available for a week or so, then it appears they'll roll off. Doug Melvin, Casey McGehee 12-20

Did Blog Comment Tip Bernie’s Crew Blogger Off to Zack Greinke Trade? A clue as to how Jim Breen originally was notified -- actually in a public blog post comment, and then Jim did the follow-up.

Luis Cruz' Mexican League team romped to a 17-3 victory (box), and as you'd expect given the final score, Cruz contributed. Again batting 5th and playing second base, Cruz was 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. In Venezuela, Brendan Katin was 0-for-3 with a walk and a K (box). He batted 6th and played left field. Catcher Anderson De La Rosa made his first start of the winter, and was 0-for-3 with a K, but did throw out a baserunner. De La Rosa is now 0-for-5 on the season. Escobar's Venezuelan teammate, Alcides Escobar, played in both ends of a doubleheader and was 1-for-7. We'll post Alcides' numbers at winter season's end in a week or so, but the daily updates will stop for now.

Sporting News: More losers than winners in Greinke trade A fun analysis...

Here's our thread in the Major League Forum -- closing this one out...