Jim Goulart

Go the 41:30 minute mark:

Friday 2/15:Via 97.3's Mike Heller Show: Tim Allen (go to the 13:30 minute mark) *** Monday 2/20:Latest Milwaukee Tailgate Podcast - "The Brewers opened camp last week and a lot of bad news followed, from Corbin Burnes arbitration spat to Craig Counsell's contract situation appearing to worsen. We talked about it all, and also had some fun with PECOTA projections and the Justin Wilson signing. No, seriously." Via WSSP's Steve "Sparky" Fifer: "Tim Muma of BrewerFanatic.com discusses the Brewers winning their arbitration case against Corbin Burnes. Sparky is livid!!" *** Tuesday 2/21: Via the Journal Sentinel Podcast: Todd Rosiak w/JR Radcliffe - "Live from spring training to chat about a busy early camp for the Brewers. What does Todd make of the Corbin Burnes arbitration situation, namely Burnes' obvious frustration with the organization? Is there any remaining tendril of hope that Burnes could stay in Milwaukee long term? What about Craig Counsell, who's not under contract for next season? Is this the swan song for the National League's longest-tenured manager? What's with the overall bad vibes for this franchise? Plus: the injury to Aaron Ashby, what Christian Yelich had to say about the start of the season and more."

Tuesday 2/14 - Wednesday 2/15: Via WTMJ on State Revenue Funds Potentially Going to the Brewers: Assembly Speaker Robin Vos Chairman of the Baseball Park District Board Tim Sheehy Brewers Pres of Business Operations Rick Schlesinger *** Wednesday 2/15: Via 97.3's Mike Heller Show: Todd Rosiak of the Journal-SentinelVia WTMJ: Dom Cotroneo hosts the latest "Brewers Weekly" *** Friday 2/17: Reviewing the Brew's" Cold Brew Podcast: "Bridges Burnes-ed" Via ESPN Wisconsin's "Homer & Tony": Todd Rosiak *** Reminder that our Minor League Forum includes this recently-posted interview:2022 11th round RHP Cameron Wagoner

Back in August, we linked to a video report discussing Five County Stadium in relation to improvements needed by the 2025 season to comply with demands by MLB / MiLB to meet standards set at the time when there was consolidation across the minor league landscape. The remaining 120 teams entered ten-year agreements knowing these compliancy needs would have to be met. At that time, it was unclear what costs the Brewers, who own the Mudcats, would have to pick up, if any. Now we skip to February 2023, and the city of Wilson, North Carolina - about 25 miles east of the current ballpark home of Zebulon, is seriously exploring building a brand new ballpark (that would naturally meet the MLB requirements). Here is the city's own press release - City Council Approves Agreement to Consider Baseball Redevelopment Project Some of the key takeaways in the links you can review below: The council is looking to build a multi-purpose stadium without using taxpayer money by using private sector funding and other sources. It does not appear the Brewers would be responsible for costs to build the stadium itself. “We are encouraged by tonight’s announcement by the Wilson City Council that proposes building a stadium and surrounding development project that would serve as a new home for the affiliated baseball,” said Rick Schlesinger, Milwaukee Brewers President – Business Operations. “We are impressed with the vision of elected officials and City of Wilson administrators who have high interest in this project to reimagine the future of the community. A project of this nature and scope would have a significant economic impact on the area and create an extraordinarily valuable community asset.” The City will be responsible for financing and constructing the venue according to MLB rules and regulations. The city would own the facility and lease it to the Mudcats and would have access to the facility for many types of uses when the Mudcats aren’t playing. “One of the most important components of public-private partnerships is the quality of the partners,” said Goings. “We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Mudcats Baseball, the outstanding leadership team of the Milwaukee Brewers, and private development partners who share our City Council’s vision and commitment. “ While there is overlap in the reporting, you may find separate tidbits of info within each of the local news reports below, the first includes a brief video: Wilson is about 45 miles from Raleigh, NC (which does not have a minor league baseball team but is a hotbed for college baseball). Zebulon is 20 miles from Raleigh. There is currently a Coastal Plain League team (summer college wood-bat league) in Wilson, the Wilson Tobs (short for Tobacconists, dating back to 1908). The team plays in 84-year-old Fleming Stadium, which also hosts the North Carolina Baseball Museum. The Tobs put out their own press release worth reviewing in full, it includes this rooted-in-recent-reality message: With consistent energy generated from the modern-day Tobs, does a new downtown ballpark really need a professional team to succeed? Great question, and thankfully we have two test cases in our state for guidance. If Wilson’s pro baseball advocates believe that locating a pro team in a new downtown stadium is a recipe for success and instant residential ballpark development, they need to visit High Point and Gastonia, NC. Replacing CPL teams in favor of Minor League franchises in the last three years to spearhead downtown ballparks has resulted in both cities experiencing less than projected attendance and minimal ancillary development. The Tobs call to action is simple, invest in the brand that has stood the test of time and build a new ballpark for Wilson’s hometown team, “We Are Wilson.” *** On the surface, it appears the Brewers could end up the beneficiary of Wilson's move, would not be directly involved in stadium construction costs and would be the tenants of the new ballpark, obviously at the cost of the lease.

NOT A TRANSACTION, just a note (we'll see): RHP Lance Lusk, 24, had a nice 2022 at Sam Houston State, and then the independent Atlantic League, as shown at the link. Brewers are relentless in pursuing off-the-radar (pun semi-intended) fireballing relief arms. Lusk hits 96 MPH within this clip: Good luck to Lusk and the Brewers regarding the showcase / tryout.

Monday 2/13: Via WTMJ: Dom Cotroneo hosts The Athletic's Keith Law talking Brewers Prospects) Latest Milwaukee Tailgate Podcast - "This week the guys talked about the ongoing Craig Counsell extension question, the permanent zombie runner, a new defensive stat, where Brian Anderson will play and, of course, the Fellowship of the Brew." Via the Journal Sentinel Podcast: Curt Hogg w/JR Radcliffe - "Six predictions for the 2023 Brewers season"

Gabe Holt finds work in the Frontier League, hopefully makes his way back to affiliated ball:

Always nice when opportunities, even non-affiliated ones, find those wishing to pursue their dream. After not pitching in 2022, RHP Peyton Long (30th round, 2019) finds work in the partner Pioneer League with the Vibes in Colorado Springs. Long had been released after his 2021 season with low-A Carolina (8.39 ERA in 22 relief appearances).

Friday 2/10:Reviewing the Brew's" Cold Brew Podcast: "Ashby Injury, WBC rosters, and Walk of Fame Snub Draft" Latest "Brewers Babes" Podcast: "Erin and Lisa each draft five players in recent Brewers history who we LOVE to see in Blue and Yellow. Some you may expect, and also maybe a few deep cuts. We also groan about ads on uniforms and talk about who we're excited to see at Spring Training!"

Monday 2/6: Via 97.3 the Game: "Tim Allen's Winter Meetings Show kicks off with an interview of Brewers Bench Coach Pat Murphy" *** Thursday 2/9:Via WTMJ: Dom Cotroneo hosts "Brewers Weekly" (Curt Hogg of the Journal-Sentinel is the guest) *** Reminder that our Minor League Forum includes these interviews: 2022 1st round SS Eric Brown Jr. 2022 8th round LHP Nate Peterson

Sunday 2/5: Latest Milwaukee Tailgate Podcast - "The guys discuss the recent Bally's Sports news, what it might mean for the Brewers this year and beyond, the Brewers' Walk and Hall of Fame, and how pitching might be effected by the shift." *** Monday 2/6: Podcast via Baseball America: Kyle Glaser and Ben Badler break down the Brewers farm system, including Jackson Chourio's lofty potential, if Robert Gasser is their next pitching success story and why the Brewers system aligns perfectly with their big-league needs.

If there's one thing we've learned, it's pay attention when the #Brewers go the undrafted route when signing potential high octane relief arms with developable pitchability. Here's the new feature article out:

Jon Olczak, the 2015-2019 Brewers farmhand (2015 21st round out of NC State) was let go in the pandemic purge of spring 2020. Now 29 years old, he gets another affiliated opportunity after two years in the Astros' system, including 47 games (45 in relief) at AAA in 2022. Olczak received a big league spring camp invite with the Crew in '19 and another with Houston last spring.

Not sure what the alternatives are (or if that connotation is even needed), but I absolutely foresee trouble looming if the “thumbs down” icon sticks around. Yikes.

Monday 1/30: Via WSSP's Steve "Sparky" Fifer: "David Gasper of ReviewingTheBrew.com discusses the remaining questions of the Brewers off-season." *** Wednesday 2/1: Via Locked on Brewers: The final "Locked on" for a while as Brandon steps away as a new promotion at WTMJ opened up for him Via the "YNK: You Know What I Mean?" Podcast: Christian Yelich (two hours plus, a bit of NSFW F-drops) Via WTMJ: Dom Cotroneo hosts the latest "Brewers Weekly" - New York Times baseball columnist Tyler Kepner is a guest within, and the full interview with him is archived separately *** Thursday 2/2: Via Eric Cressey's latest @elitebaseballpod: Devin Williams