Jim Goulart

Wednesday 12/17: Via David Gasper's "Brewers Daily" YouTube page: "Current State of Brewers Infield Depth" *** Thursday 12/18: Via WTMJ's Midday News (download link): "Christian Yelich talks about his latest announcement to host the 4th Annual Christian Yelich’s Home Plate Charity Concert May 21st, 2026, benefiting the Milwaukee community. Which national and local celebrities will be headlining the event? What is some of the local food being offered? What does it mean to Christian to be hosting this event again?" Via David Gasper's "Brewers Daily" YouTube page: "Peralta Emerging as Top Trade Target" Locked on Brewers with Chuck Freimund - "Yankees Push for Freddy Peralta—Could Brewers Sell Their Star Pitcher Soon?" - Chuck's guest is Grant Bilse from the statewide "Wisco Sports Show" Via the "Brewers Babes" Podcast (NSFW, occasional language): "In this episode the Babes finally get some closure discussing the end of the post season. We each share our favorite moments from the 2025 season, talk about offseason moves including signings, trades, promotions and new powder blues. Erin shares a far-fetched holiday wish for the team, and we look ahead to Spring and the 2026 season." *** Friday 12/19: Via David Gasper's "Brewers Daily" YouTube page: "Checking In on Brewers Outfield Depth"

LHP Angel Perdomo - Angels RHP Evan McKendry - Marlins RHP Robert Stock - Mets

Jackson Chourio's debut box score, designated hitter (his team won 6-3 with a six-run 3rd inning): Struck out swinging in the 1st (video, full at-bat) Reaches on an error by old friend Orlando Arcia to lead off the big 3rd inning: Chourio would score on a sacrifice fly that inning and also drew a two-out walk, left stranded. Chourio was called out on strikes in the 5th and grounded out to second base in the 8th. 0-for-4, R, BB, 2K

Freddy Zamora (2nd round, 2020) is set to be the starting shortstop for Team Nicaragua in the WBC. He is entering his final year of team control unless added to the 40-man roster prior to 2027.

So awkward, even dirty, reading this, though the Brewers aren’t alone. 13? MLB couldn’t negotiate an international draft during the last negotiations, will it be a priority this time around? Wouldn’t the organization be forced to “play dumb” and get defensive if word of this reached a larger audience?

Steward Berroa Tuesday doubleheader (CF, RF) - 2-for-7, 1 BB, 2 R, 2 SB (now 16-for-18), one throwing error. His teammate is 2022 Brewers 2nd rounder Robert Moore, now of the Phillies. Moore had two big games (box, box, HR). RHP Stiven Cruz' winter stint has ended.

Tuesday 12/16: Via David Gasper's "Brewers Daily" YouTube page: "Current State of Brewers Pitching Depth" Locked on Brewers with Chuck Freimund - "Top Dollar: Why the Brewers Must Pay Pat Murphy and Not Take Their Star Manager for Granted"

Monday 12/15: Via David Gasper's "Brewers Daily" YouTube page: "Brewers Swing 2-for-1 Trade with Royals"

Not going to post here each day, but subscribers should continue to go the J-S as they complete the countdown. Luis Lara's feature story is today.

VIDEO via Youth Baseball Midwest's YouTube Page: "Host Brett Graves welcomes one of his Mizzou teammates who is also a pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers Rob Zastryzny who was 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 26 games in 2025. Commanding the strike zone as a pitcher is key to success but learning how to command your pitches at the maximum output can be a very difficult task to master. So, we have former MLB pitcher Brett and current MLB pitcher Rob here to break down learning how to command your pitch arsenal to reach the next level." This extended discussion is for those into pitching nitty-gritty. If you missed Rob Z's October interview which was very Brewers-centric, visit here.

Milwaukee has signed two 17-year-old RHP's out of the Dominican Republic, 6'3" Adrian Bello and 6'0" Wilmer Duarte. It is likely, but not a guarantee, that these were bonus signings in that $10,000 minimum range a month before the next international signing period for players who qualify (generally a year younger than Bello and Duarte). If Milwaukee had remaining funds of note in their pool, then these pitchers may have signed for a bit more.

Sunday 12/14: Via the Journal Sentinel Podcast: "The Brewers are on the board with a trade (acquiring Ángel Zerpa for Nick Mears and Isaac Collins) and even a Major-League free-agent signing (granted, it's an under-the-radar player in Akil Baddoo). Where are we at with a possible Freddy Peralta trade? Journal Sentinel reporter Curt Hogg joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss the state of the Brewers here in the dead of winter. Topics also include backup catcher, the prospect of stretching Aaron Ashby as a starter, Pat Murphy's long-term future in Milwaukee and Baja Blast Mountain Dew." Latest Milwaukee Tailgate Podcast - "Steve sat in for Jaymes this week and walked the guys through their thoughts on the Angel Zerpa for Issac Collins and Nick Mears trade, a couple of depth signings in the OF, the release of the Brewers 2026 ZiPS projections and, of course, the cuteness of Christian Yelich's new pooch." Locked on Brewers with Chuck Freimund - "Brewers Overpay? Milwaukee Sends Issac Collins and Nick Mears for Angel Zerpa — Fair or Fail?"

Meccage won't turn 20 until March, yet the J-S reports he's now married. Bryce had posted engagement photos/video on Instagram in September 2024. Congrats!

Via Curt Hogg / Todd Rosiak in the Journal-Sentinel (subscription based) - Journal Sentinel’s top 10 Brewers prospects: Who just missed the cut? Coming off breakout year, Tyson Hardin comes in as Brewers' No. 10 prospect

Steward Berroa's Dominican League line is growing more sizable at 35 games and 112 plate appearances - .284/.414/.455 (.869 OPS). Nice game Sunday (box) playing center field for just the 4th time (first start). Outfield assist to third base, 14th stolen base in 16 tries, single and walk. *** Unfortunately, things did not go well on the mound Sunday in Venezuela for RHP Stiven Cruz. Making his 8th appearance but first start, Cruz managed a scoreless first inning, allowed one run in the 2nd, and was lifted after each of the first three batters in the 3rd doubled. In fact, four of the five hits he allowed overall were doubles. His line is available here (box). Cruz' team did rally for a 9-8 win.

The Rays have given permission to Jadher Areinamo (Danny Jansen trade) to return to Venezuelan Winter League play, not only to assist his team, but also in a quest for the league's Triple Crown, which the recently turned 22-year-old is attempting to accomplish in his rookie winter season. *** Source: "The information about Areinamo was released by journalist Efraín Zavarce, during the IVC broadcast. The journalist quoted Wilfredo Polidor, the recruit's agent, who confirmed that the slugger will wear a uniform again this season. So far, Areinamo has an offensive line of .368/.420/.692, only surpassed by Gorkys Hernandez in the batting lead (.372). The return of the slugger, who has not played since November 30, is scheduled for next Tuesday against Caracas. At the time of saying goodbye to the tournament, the player had 17 consecutive games giving at least one hit, which speaks of his offensive capacity. His absence allowed Balbino Fuenmayor to surpass him in home runs 14 vs 13, and in RBIs he is second with 43 to Wilson García's 46."

Reports out of Venezuela: Source: Jackson Chourio will debut on Thursday, December 18, against the Leones del Caracas in Maracaibo. He will play as far as the team goes and can play defense but not every day. César Suárez commented on Venevisión. *** Source: Jackson Chourio will debut this Thursday, December 18, against the Caracas Lions at Luis Aparicio “El Grande”. He will play as the designated hitter for the first games, after that he will have no restrictions. *** Translated article via the official league website: Maracaibo - The star Jackson Chourio is ready for action and proudly wear the uniform of the Zulia Eagles, in a new season of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. The outfielder, who has just turned his second campaign in the Major Leagues with the Milwaukee Brewers, will begin his participation with the rapacious team starting this Thursday, December 18. "I'm very happy to play again in my country, and with my hometown team. I think that, at this time, it is a good opportunity to help my teammates achieve the goal of being champions," said Chourio. Chourio, who in 2025 became the youngest player to achieve multiple seasons with 20 or more home runs and 20 or more stolen bases in Major League history, will join the team during the tenth week of the championship, according to his agent César Suárez. For the 21-year-old, it will be his fifth harvest as an eaglet. Since his debut in the 2021-2022 season, he has a .293 average with 63 hits, including 16 extra-base hits, 33 runs scored and 18 RBIs. *** The LVBP regular season started on October 15 and will run to December 27, 2025. Playoffs are scheduled to begin on December 28th, with the final series is expected to begin on January 23rd, 2026. *** Chourio's Zulia Eagles are currently 24-23, in what appears to be a very balanced league (standings page). There is normally a "Round Robin" stage of the postseason, and then formal final playoff matchups. As such, the extent of a potential end date for Chourio is to be determined.

Pretty impressive trade tree! The Milwaukee Brewers acquired outfielder Gerardo Parra from the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 31, 2014, at the trade deadline, sending out minor league prospects outfielder Mitch Haniger and left-handed pitcher Anthony Banda. The Milwaukee Brewers traded outfielder Gerardo Parra to the Baltimore Orioles on July 31, 2015, for right-handed pitching prospect Zach Davies. The Milwaukee Brewers traded pitcher Zach Davies and outfielder Trent Grisham to the San Diego Padres on November 27, 2019, for infielder Luis Urías and left-handed pitcher Eric Lauer and cash The Milwaukee Brewers traded infielder Luis Urias to the Boston Red Sox on August 1, 2023, for minor league pitcher Bradley Blalock The Milwaukee Brewers acquired relief pitcher Nick Mears from the Colorado Rockies, sending pitching prospects Bradley Blalock and Yujanyer Herrera to Colorado on July 27, 2024 (Pending official announcement) - The Milwaukee Brewers traded outfielder Isaac Collins and right-hander Nick Mears to the Kansas City Royals for hard-throwing southpaw and ground ball specialist Angel Zerpa

Thursday 12/11: Via the Brew Crew Review Podcast: "Xmas Episode 2025" Via David Gasper's "Brewers Daily" YouTube page: "Winter Meetings Day 3 Wrap Up" Via WTMJ's Midday News (download link): "Former Brewers broadcaster Pat Hughes talks about a new CD with some of Bob Uecker's best calls." (go to the 13:15 minute mark) Via the "Wisconsin Sports Daily Show" with Steve "Sparky" Fifer: "Legendary Brewers & Cubs Play-By-Play Announcer Pat Hughes discusses his close relationship with the late Bob Uecker. Pat gives his insight on the off seasons for both the Cubs & Brewers." NOTE: Apparently the Uecker CD is only available in that format, and not yet as a streaming download. *** Friday 12/12: Via the "Brew Crew Scoop" Podcast: "Brandon Woodruff accepted the qualifying offer for 2026. This likely means the Brewers will be shopping their pitching surplus around the league, including expiring Freddy Peralta. We talked about some potential trade candidates and what it would take to get the Brewers to make a move. Additionally, we talked other offseason predictions, Brice Turang to team USA, the new powder blue uniforms (and lack of blue pants), the news around the league from the Winter Meetings, and the signing of Akil Baddoo." Locked on Brewers with Chuck Freimund - "Elite: The Brewers Starting Rotation is Still Mighty Even if They Lose Peralta" Via David Gasper's "Brewers Daily" YouTube page: "Brewers Make First Signing of Offseason!"

Wow, Rotten Tomatoes critics adore it. Good week for me to have just started a staycation.