Jim Goulart

Here's the link to our Transaction Rumor thread on Zack Greinke, beginning when Bernie's Crew first broke the story. This new thread will discuss the trade, and the rumors thread will be closed. LINK -- Buster Olney of ESPN confirms Former Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke has been traded to the Milwaukee Brewers, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney on Sunday morning. In the deal, the Royals are reportedly acquiring Brewers outfielder Lorenzo Cain, shortstop Alcides Escobar and prospect pitchers Jake Odorizzi and Jeremy Jeffress for Greinke, 10-14 with a 4.17 ERA in 2010 after winning the 2009 Cy Young. The Brewers were expected to receive another major leaguer in the deal. Jim Breem of the blog "Bernie's Crew" reported that player to be shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt.

LINK -- Buster Olney of ESPN confirms Former Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke has been traded to the Milwaukee Brewers, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney on Sunday morning. In the deal, the Brewers are reportedly acquiring Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain, shortstop Alcides Escobar and prospect pitchers Jake Odorizzi and Jeremy Jeffress for Greinke, 10-14 with a 4.17 ERA in 2010 after winning the 2009 Cy Young. The Brewers were expected to receive another major leaguer in the deal. Jim Breem of the blog "Bernie's Crew" reported that player to be shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt.

Matthew Pouliot of NBC Sports / Rotoworld with his 3:00 AM thoughts

Here's the full early morning response from agent39, Josh, as he alluded to on our minor league forum.

Luis Cruz, again playing second base and batting 5th, was 2-for-4 with a double, RBI, and run scored in Mexico Saturday night (box). Cruz is at .316 / .355 / .640 for a .995 OPS over 136 AB's. In the Dominican, Erick Almonte was the DH -- he doubled and singled in four trips, driving in two (box). In this game in Puerto Rico, despite being on the down side of a 10-5 score, Sergio Miranda and Wil Nieves were productive. Miranda (2-for-3), leading off and playing second base, doubled, singled, drove in a run, and stole a base (5th in eight tries), before being pinch-hit for in the 7th. Nieves (1-for-2 at the plate) threw out the only baserunner who attempted a steal against him, doubled, walked, and scored a run before being pinch-hit for in the 9th. Miranda is hitting .370 and has a batting crown in his sights. He hadn't made an appearance in Venezuela since December 7th, but Brendan Katin returned to action Saturday (box). Katin popped out as a pinch-hitter in the 7th, but later singled and scored the game-winning run as part of a two-run rally in the bottom of the 9th.

Don't discount the Ned Yost factor here -- he was here recently enough to be in on all the farm reports and detailed behind-the-scene Brewer analysis as Escobar and Cain came up through the system, and would have had input on the Royals' roundtable. Major-league ready and inexpensive up-the-middle talent is what the Royals were seeking. We also need to remember that young Jake was at A-ball this past year, not even high-A. This isn't Madison Bumgarner here (six months older than 20-year-old Odorizzi), so much can still happen as Odorizzi progresses. Thrilled we're not seeing Rogers' name, and that's not just the New Englander in me talkin'. Jim Breen is a Madison native who has been blogging about the Brewers for over two years. He graduated in June of 2009 with a B.A. in Religious Studies and Government from Lawrence University. What a victory for the blogosphere if this comes about -- God bless Jim and the USA, the studies paid off!

Kicking off Saturday's results: SS Alcides Escobar, batting 3rd, was 1-for-5 with a double and a run scored, fanning once (box).

This ties in with the Gamel thread, but the lineup is again all right-handed save for Prince. I love Casey, but you sell high on McGehee for pitching (hello, Oakland? Yeah, Kouzmanoff was tendered) and take a chance with Mat for one year at third base and move Gamel next year to first base if need be.

Rotoworld: Rangers signed RHP Seth McClung to a split contract. McClung failed to make the Marlins roster in spring training this past season and then spent the rest of the year coaching a prep girls basketball team in his native Tampa. He most recently posted a 4.94 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 40/39 K/BB ratio over 62 innings for the Brewers in 2009. He'll be given a shot to compete for a rotation spot, but he'll be lucky to stick on the major league roster as a swing man.

Martin Maldonado doubled in four at-bats, driving in one run, fanning twice in his team's 4-2 loss in Puerto Rico (box). No opponent attempted a stolen base. Also in Puerto Rico, Sergio Miranda had another productive day, although his team lost, 4-1 (box). Miranda, leading off and playing third base, was 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored, striking out once. Wil Nieves, Miranda's teammate, was 0-for-4 and threw out one of two baserunners, while committing one throwing error. Miranda's .363 batting average continues to lead the PWL. Miranda's .416 OBP is 2nd in the league. His .846 OPS is 5th. A big confidence-boosting campaign for the 23-year-old switch-hitter, to be sure. Alcides Escobar continues to waste, um sorry, spend time in Venezuela. He was 0-for-4 but did manage to drive in a run with a sacrifice fly. He committed another error, throwing, that's seven miscues in 26 games (recap, as box is not loading).

Luis Cruz did it again. He smacked his 10th HR of the winter, (23 of his 41 hits have gone for extra bases in just 132 AB's). Cruz finished 1-for-4 (one K), but his three-run shot in the 5th was part of his club's 13-4 win (box). Cruz got off to a late start in Mexico, so he does not have enough AB's to qualify for the slugging title -- if he did, his .636 percentage would easily lead the league. His .988 OPS would be 4th. Cruz may qualify by season's end, December 30th - it'll be close.

From Rotoworld: (Felipe Lopez deal along with OF Cole Gillespie) Diamondbacks designated RHP Roque Mercedes for assignment. Mercedes, 24, posted an unremarkable 4.36 ERA and 1.70 WHIP over 53 2/3 innings in 2010 at the Triple-A level. He was removed from Arizona's 40-man roster to clear room for new backup catcher Henry Blanco.And actually, it was AA in the Southern League. stats

Puerto Rico: Catcher Wil Nieves singled and walked in four plate appearances, and actually stole a base. His teammate Sergio Miranda played third base, hit leadoff, and walked in four trips, and stole a base, his 4th in seven tries. Miranda scored the run in his team's 2-1 loss (box). Catcher Martin Maldonado singled in three trips, fanning once, in his own team's 2-1 loss (box). Venezuela: Alcides Escobar, batting 3rd for Lara in a 3-0 win, was 1-for-3 and added a sacrifice fly (box). An error (throwing) was his 6th in 25 games.

Culiacan 13, Hermosillo 2 (box) Brewers infield prospect Luis Cruz (stats) slugged three homers for the first time in his career as part of a four-hit, four-RBI effort to lead the Tomateros past the league-leading Naranjeros. http://mlb.mlb.com/images/2010/12/17/tfMTCzAu.jpg Well. that is pretty ridiculous. For good measure, Cruz' 4th hit was a double -- 14 total bases. Cruz played second base and batted 5th. He's slugging .625 in his 128 AB's. Cruz isn't tiny, -- he's listed at 6'1", 210.

From Adam (see link for full update):The team hired three new area scouts in the U.S.: Shawn Whalen (who will cover the Pacific Northwest), Brendan Hause (Southwest) and former Brewers outfielder Drew Anderson (Midwest). Anderson's territory will include Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota and the Dakotas. He's a Nebraska native who played nine big league games for the Brewers in 2006 and spent this last season between Double-A Huntsville and Triple-A Nashville.

Pretty sure colby was referring to those that might be of assistance to the big league club this season...

Now H-ville can move to Carolina. From the article above -- It is believed that the current Mudcats ownership is in negotiations to acquire a Single-A franchise to replace the Double-A Mudcats. That would seem to indicate that Carolina would still have a team playing in their stadium.

Wednesday's action: Venezuela: Alcides Escobar committed his 5th error at SS in 24 games, singled in five trips (box). Still trying to overcome a dreadful start, his OPS is .563 after 95 AB's. Mexico: Luis Cruz, batting 5th and playing second base, singled, doubled, and scored a run (2-for-5, one K); OPS of .875 after 34 games and 123 AB's (box). Dominican Republic: It looks like Erick Almonte had an 0-for-5 game, but neither the box nor log from the contest is loading properly this AM. His OPS is at .753 through 43 games.

From Ballpark Digest in the initial post: Based on conversations we had at the Winter Meetings, the team in question is most likely the Huntsville Stars, whose ballpark issues do not appear to have any resolution in sight. *** Bad, conversations, bad! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/embarassed.gif Well, hope folks don't mind that we at least brought this to your attention, it was an enjoyable exercise to consider the possibility. Don't think we're guilty of being mis-informed, just a bit anxious to interpret the information. I do think we're learning as a fan forum community this year that you can't really call it until it's all in black and white (right, Yankees and Rangers?). If nothing else, this sheds more light on Huntsville's ballpark and community status. Thanks again for reading, and never hesitate to remind us that it isn't until it is, if you know what we mean...

So much for the gnashing of teeth and speculation -- well, we never said it was definitive, but boy, we're learning the hard way that assumptions are just that -- assumptions: It's the Cincinnati Reds who will benefit, and the forlorn relationship between the Stars, Joe Davis Stadium, and the Brewers continues. That's not to say it's a bad relationship between the Stars and Brewers' front offices, it's all the material things that surround the relationship. Announcement of Double-A baseball team could come todayGood-bye Pelicans, hello Carolina Double-A baseball D.C. Reeves, Pensacola News-Journal The Pensacola Pelicans baseball team has been sold, a move that clears the way for a Double-A franchise to relocate to Pensacola. "Everything is signed and done now. We enjoyed the run," said owner Quint Studer, who bought the Pensacola franchise in middle of the 2002 season. "We enjoyed that we could see our local players play here and see Talmadge (Nunnari) manage. With the downtown ballpark, (everything) gets elevated." Studer said the Pelicans' sale will be finalized with a closing today, and a formal announcement on a new Double-A franchise is expected. The sale is a major step towards bringing affiliated baseball to Pensacola. The News Journal first reported last week that Studer was close to purchasing a Double-A franchise in the Southern League. Multiple sources have told the News Journal that the Double-A team Studer will acquire is the Carolina Mudcats. Studer would not comment, citing a confidentiality agreement. According to Minor League Baseball, the governing body of affiliated baseball, an owner cannot control multiple minor league clubs. So before an affiliated Southern League franchise could be approved to move to Pensacola, Studer had to sell the Pelicans franchise. "It's been whirlwind of a process," said Nunnari, a Pensacola native who has spent time as a player, hitting coach, general manager and field manager in his 10 seasons with the Pelicans organization. "But I am certainly grateful to have an owner as passionate about baseball as Quint is. There aren't many of them out there." Nunnari is expected to stay on with the new organization in some capacity, but will not be the new team's manager. The Mudcats are the Double-A affiliate for the Cincinnati Reds organization, and the affiliation will stay the same when the team is moved to Pensacola. There will be no professional baseball in Pensacola in 2011. With Studer as owner, the Mudcats would play a final season in Raleigh, N.C., before relocating for the 2012 season. It is believed that the current Mudcats ownership is in negotiations to acquire a Single-A franchise to replace the Double-A Mudcats. Once the deal is completed and Studer locks up the Mudcats franchise, the team name is also expected to change. The organization may run a contest to find a new name in the near future. The Mudcats franchise would be the centerpiece of the Community Maritime Park, playing 70 home games at the new facility, compared to the Pelicans' 45 home dates on the University of West Florida's campus. The level of play also would be greatly improved as the Reds' top prospects would play for the franchise while working to make the Major League club. In the American Association, players often leave when they are offered spots on Single-A affiliated clubs. The Pelicans franchise will relocate to Amarillo, Texas, which gives the American Association a much more concise footprint for its Texas-heavy 14-team league. The team was purchased by Scott Berry and Gary Elliston, the principal owners of another American Association team, the Shreveport-Bossier Captains. They can own both teams since the American Association is not affiliated.

LHP Efrain Nieves made another Puerto Rican League start. He got the win pitching to Wil Nieves with Sergio Miranda behind him (box). Line: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 0 K, 1 HR, 9-to-7 GB / FB ratio His bullpen came on to get the final out in the 6th, stranding the bases loaded, and preserving Nieves' numbers... Caguas Bottom of the 1st Alex Cora grounds out, pitcher Efrain Nieves to first baseman Leslie Anderson. Luis Figueroa grounds out, second baseman Ivan De JesusJr. to first baseman Leslie Anderson. Lou Montanez singles on a ground ball to first baseman Leslie Anderson. Javier Valentin flies out to center fielder Jesus Feliciano. Caguas Bottom of the 2nd Edgardo Baez homers (3) on a fly ball to right field. Ramon Vazquez flies out to left fielder Luis Terrero in foul territory. Aaron Bates walks. Andy Gonzalez flies out to right fielder Jorge Padilla. Omir Santos grounds out, pitcher Efrain Nieves to first baseman Leslie Anderson. Caguas Bottom of the 3rd Alex Cora grounds out, second baseman Ivan De JesusJr. to first baseman Leslie Anderson. Luis Figueroa pops out to shortstop Edwin Maysonet. Lou Montanez grounds out, second baseman Ivan De JesusJr. to first baseman Leslie Anderson. Caguas Bottom of the 4th Javier Valentin lines out to center fielder Jesus Feliciano. Edgardo Baez grounds out, second baseman Ivan De JesusJr. to first baseman Leslie Anderson. Ramon Vazquez grounds out, second baseman Ivan De JesusJr. to first baseman Leslie Anderson. Caguas Bottom of the 5th Aaron Bates pops out to catcher Wil Nieves in foul territory. Andy Gonzalez flies out to left fielder Luis Terrero. Omir Santos triples (1) on a line drive to center fielder Jesus Feliciano. Alex Cora flies out to left fielder Luis Terrero. Caguas Bottom of the 6th Defensive Substitution: Henry Mateo replaces center fielder Jesus Feliciano, batting 2nd, playing center field. Helder Velazquez grounds out, second baseman Ivan De JesusJr. to first baseman Leslie Anderson. Lou Montanez doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Luis Terrero. Freddie Thon singles on a ground ball to shortstop Edwin Maysonet. Lou Montanez to 3rd. Alex Oliveras grounds into a force out, first baseman Leslie Anderson to shortstop Edwin Maysonet. Lou Montanez scores. Freddie Thon out at 2nd. Alex Oliveras to 1st. Rey Navarro singles on a ground ball to second baseman Ivan De JesusJr. Rey Navarro to 2nd. Alex Oliveras advances to 3rd, on throwing error by second baseman Ivan De JesusJr. Aaron Bates hit by pitch. Pitcher Change: Luis Arroyo replaces Efrain Nieves. Brahiam Maldonado grounds into a force out, second baseman Ivan De JesusJr. to shortstop Edwin Maysonet. Aaron Bates out at 2nd.

Dominican: Erick Almonte played LF, was 0-for-2, fanning once. He was ejected after that K in the 4th inning (box). Mexico: Luis Cruz played second base, and his club scored nine runs, but Cruz had a tough 0-for-5 day, striking out twice (box). Puerto Rico: In his team's wild 11-10, 13-inning win (box), catcher Martin Maldonado was 1-for-4 with a walk, K, and a run scored. Maldonado threw out one of two baserunners. Some big offensive team numbers down south Tuesday, and on an individual level Sergio Miranda participated, going 3-for-6, leading off and playing third base with a triple, two runs scored, two RBI in his team's 13-3 win (box). In that same game, catcher Wil Nieves was 1-for-4 with a walk. Venezuela (Monday, late report): Anderson De La Rosa got his 2nd AB of the winter, grounding into a forceout. In that game, Alcides Escobar singled in four trips (recap, box unavailable). FYI -- Brendan Katin hasn't appeared in a game in Venezuela since December 7th, so it appears his stay there was as brief as his Mexican League stint earlier this winter.

We'll keep an offseason audio / video thread pinned at the top of this forum this winter, certain links may also be posted in their corresponding topic thread depending on the circumstance. First of all, here's the post in the Shaun Marcum thread that includes multiple interviews from all sides. WSSP -- New Pitching Coach Rick Kranitz interview WSSP -- Mon. 12/13 Hot Stove Weekly Show (this full show audio includes the Kranitz interview)

Toronto's GM discusses Brett Lawrie in detail in this additional audio interview. Adding to the audio available from this thread -- Brett Lawrie talks to Toronto Sports Radio (Yes, he discusses the MillerParkDrunk photos, improperly credited to Deadspin; also dances around the Arizona Fall League decline...) More audio, this from press conference day: Shaun Marcum on ESPN Milwaukee (thanks Drew, for being at least a bit enthusiastic and informed) and WSSP (Marcum is hardly a scintillating speaker, but it's not all his fault on this one)

Yeah, the Cody Adams era (error?) was one to forget -- ineffectiveness, injuries that were never clearly defined to the media, an amphetamine suspension midway through 2009, and unavailable in 2010. Taken 62nd overall, the Brewers had two other 2nd round picks that year -- high school RHP Seth Lintz, who still has tons to prove (taken 53rd), and Cutter Dykstra, taken immediately after Lintz at 54. RHP Robert Currie had the 6'6", 230 lb. build, and was the 12th round pick in '09. His two-year Helena numbers were fine, but he'll be 24 in April -- he needed to make that Timber Rattler bullpen last April, apparently. LHP Matt Costello was another 23-year-old (turns 24 this week) who didn't make a full-season squad in April, but he was quite the life preserver for a gassed Wisconsin staff in the second half, with decent numbers (some odd R/L splits in the respective smallish samples). Considering if there's one place where it's OK to be older (future middle reliever type), this release easily surprised me more than any of the others. Two others fall in that same just-turned or just-about-to-turn 24 years old range this winter -- LHP Caleb Thielbar (18th round, 2009) struck out 100 and only walked 22 in his 114.2 innings over two seasons, but proved too hittable with the Rattlers before a demotion back to Helena, and 30th round 2009 pick Brandon Sizemore was red-hot in his pro debut against younger Maryvale kids in his rookie season, but posted pretty ordinary numbers in Helena this season. 2007 17th round OF Erik Miller needed to shine when given a nice starting opportunity with Brevard to begin 2010, but didn't. A real tough season followed after his demotion back to Wisconsin. Lind and Sauter were undrafted free agent signings. Dominican Leaguers Cequea and Salaya had been suspended for PED use this year. (Apparently RHP Leonard Lorenzo, also suspended 50 games, remains in the organization.) Capellan, Mejia, and Roman were one-year DSL'ers who failed to throw strikes in their few outings. Outfielder Barrini, injured for all of 2010, saw his only action in the DSL in 2009. Hey, a reminder that LHP Craig Breslow was released by the Brewers while in A-ball, went the indy route, and has built himself quite the major league career. Good luck to those who choose to keep playing.