Jim Goulart

Frosty Microbrews: Brewers Future On Deck

AUDIO 2/8 via MLB.com: How impactful will the Brewers eight trades prove to be this season? MLB.com's Dave Raymond and Brewers reporter Adam McCalvy break down the biggest moves, Chris Carter's impact, and when Jonathan Lucroy could say goodbye to Milwaukee.

From the Minor League Forum -- AUDIO 2/9: Latest Rattler Radio podcast with Chris Mehring and Kyle Lobner

AUDIO 2/9: Latest Rattler Radio podcast with Chris Mehring and Kyle Lobner

Latest Top 40 from Miller Park Prospects

I'm going to ask Baseball America transaction guru Matt Eddy about this. Shane Peterson has enough time in pro ball (since 2008, Baseball Cube), that if he had not been on the 40-man at the end of the year, he would have been a minor league free agent. But I've also read that unless you have three years of big league time on your resume, you can't refuse the outright assignment, so not sure if Peterson had a choice here once he cleared waivers. If that's so, it's like the Brewers gained another year of ownership over him. It's something that has confused me for sometime, will see if we can confirm... Matt Eddy: The only time a player may elect FA following an outright assignment is if (1) he has previously been outrighted to the minors, or (2) he has 3 or more years of MLB service. The latter does not apply to Peterson. This reminds me of a player having spent seven seasons with an organization (one short season, and then fulfilling his six-year contract), and then, just before hitting free agency, being added to the team's 40-man roster. Now, with three option years, that player, has effectively been "owned" for ten years by the organization. We've seen players added by the Brewers like this in the past. Don't think they were long-term 40-man roster players after that, however. And now, with what we just discussed, we realize that the same player could be outrighted on the cusp of the 11th season and effectively be owned by that team for 11 seasons. Probably very rare, but must be an example somewhere.

AUDIO via WTMJ Sunday 2/7: Al Bethke of Al's Ramblings on what to expect from the Brewers this season

The Super Bowl pregame was just a distraction from those following an epic Caribbean Series final game, taken by Mexico in walkoff HR fashion -- Guess it would be easiest on my part to just direct you to these three tweets from my timeline Sunday afternoon. Thanks to all for following, hard to believe this thread generated over 16,600 views this winter.

Watch Hernan Perez' triple here as Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com provides the write-up today. Good luck to Hernan in Sunday's final game vs. Mexico. Perez has been playing non-stop with his club since October, much appreciated by his country's fan base. Perez finished 3-for-5 in the 13-3 win over Puerto Rico (R, RBI, one K, one error at second base). Box Score For Puerto Rico, big league camp invitee catcher Rene Garcia was 1-for-4, and threw out one of two baserunners (one passed ball). SS Yadiel Rivera again did not play, and his truly non-stop offseason finally comes to an end. Sunday's Championship Game is at 3:00 PM on ESPN Deportes.

Here is the post from exactly one year ago when the Brewers signed former Pirates farmhand Beau Wallace -- Milwaukee released Wallace this week, as per the Arizona League transactions page. Wallace spent all of 2015 with Maryvale (.724 OPS in 30 games), and while he split his time between catcher, third base, and outfield, by the season's second half he was primarily a third baseman. Wallace turned 23 last July, so he pretty much needed to be in Wisconsin with the Rattlers this spring, and apparently the Brewers didn't see that happening. Good luck to Beau on and off the field going forward.

A little different, not obliged to click, but listen if you wish. Anderson and his wife are currently in a foster-to-adopt program, which earns points with this poster. Just a couple of minutes here, actually -- AUDIO via Life1025.com - Brewers TV announcer Brian Anderson shares his journey of faith, balancing family and career, and his love for Christian Music

Watch Burgos highlights here.

In a truly disappointing 4-2 11-inning loss to Cuba, host country Dominican Republic is now done with an 0-4 record. Plenty of tickets probably just became available. While Puerto Rico dropped an 8-4 game to Mexico, it certainly wasn't RHP Hiram Burgos' fault, check out his line -- 5.2 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 94 pitches (61 strikes), GB:FB 3:7. Burgos was aided by having three of his baserunners stranded in the 6th. In Saturday's win-or-go-home semi-finals, it'll be Puerto Rico vs. Venezuela in a game with Brewers on both sides, and in the evening, Cuba takes on Mexico. Mexico Top of the 1st Jeremias Pineda flies out to center fielder Henry Ramos. Justin Greene singles on a ground ball to center fielder Henry Ramos. With Alex Liddi batting, Hiram Burgos picks off Justin Greene at 1st on throw to Neftali Soto. Alex Liddi called out on strikes. Mexico Top of the 2nd Jorge Vazquez flies out to right fielder Danny Ortiz. Sebastian Valle called out on strikes. Olmo Rosario strikes out swinging. Mexico Top of the 3rd Luis Juarez flies out to right fielder Danny Ortiz. Paul Leon reaches on a throwing error by third baseman T. J. Rivera. Paul Leon to 2nd. Ramon Urias grounds out, second baseman Jose Lozada to first baseman Neftali Soto. Paul Leon to 3rd. Jeremias Pineda singles on a line drive to center fielder Henry Ramos. Paul Leon scores. With Justin Greene batting, Hiram Burgos picks off Jeremias Pineda at 1st on throw to Neftali Soto. Mexico Top of the 4th Justin Greene called out on strikes. Alex Liddi singles on a ground ball to left fielder Ruben Sosa. Jorge Vazquez doubles (1) on a line drive to center fielder Henry Ramos. Alex Liddi to 3rd. Sebastian Valle strikes out swinging. Olmo Rosario flies out to center fielder Henry Ramos. Mexico Top of the 5th Luis Juarez singles on a ground ball to pitcher Hiram Burgos. Paul Leon ground bunts into a force out, pitcher Hiram Burgos to shortstop Ozzie Martinez. Luis Juarez out at 2nd. Paul Leon to 1st. Ramon Urias pops out to second baseman Jose Lozada. Jeremias Pineda flies out to left fielder Ruben Sosa. Mexico Top of the 6th Justin Greene flies out to center fielder Henry Ramos. Alex Liddi singles on a fly ball to center fielder Henry Ramos. Jorge Vazquez singles on a line drive to center fielder Henry Ramos. Alex Liddi to 2nd. Sebastian Valle flies out to left fielder Ruben Sosa. Olmo Rosario walks. Alex Liddi to 3rd. Jorge Vazquez to 2nd. Pitching Change: Miguel Mejia replaces Hiram Burgos. Luis Juarez strikes out swinging.

AUDIO via WTMJ Friday 2/5: Doug Russell sits down with Brewers General Manager David Stearns for an all-reaching interview that goes beyond the game.

I'm going to ask Baseball America transaction guru Matt Eddy about this. Shane Peterson has enough time in pro ball (since 2008, Baseball Cube), that if he had not been on the 40-man at the end of the year, he would have been a minor league free agent. But I've also read that unless you have three years of big league time on your resume, you can't refuse the outright assignment, so not sure if Peterson had a choice here once he cleared waivers. If that's so, it's like the Brewers gained another year of ownership over him. It's something that has confused me for sometime, will see if we can confirm...

We now learn that Avalo was an $80,000 signing. OK Brewers, keep stocking 2016's Dominican Summer League team. We're now up to six signings we know about, the latest a 6'2" LH-hitting Dominican outfielder with the awesome name of "Yorki Franco", as per the January 12th transactions on the Brewers' site. This tweet provides a sweet picture -- As noted for all six of the signings thus far, we'll know just a tad more come media guide time, and then will follow their exploits when the DSL Summer season begins (looks like May 28th, perhaps June 4th).

Instructional video from Tyler, geared towards young Long Islanders, his home base

Instructional video from catcher Charles Galiano, geared towards young Long Islanders, his home base

Hernan Perez' Venezuelan team had already qualified for the "final four" single elimination phase of the Caribbean Series, but they took care of Cuba Thursday afternoon regardless, by a 3-1 score (box). Perez, again batting 7th and playing second base, was 1-for-4 (one error). *** Big walk-off 14-inning win for Puerto Rico, 2-1 over the Dominican Republic (box score). Catcher Rene Garcia was 1-for-5 (one K), and caught the entire game (1-for-2 vs. opposing basestealers). Shortstop Yadiel Rivera did not start, but was a mid-game entry, 0-for-2 (two K's). He made this nice play, however. Here's the HR that ended it. Puerto Rico was the "home" team, but the Dominican stadium crowd was subdued. Yadiel (#13) was happy! *** Standings here On Friday, it's Mexico - Puerto Rico, and in the only game of importance, two winless teams, Cuba and the D.R., play for a spot in the semi-finals Saturday. The Championship Game is Sunday. Will Puerto Rico save Hiram Burgos for Saturday's much more-meaningful game? We'll see... EDIT: Looks like Burgos pitches Friday in a seeding-only game (tweet). "Ramón Vásquez manager of Puerto Rico will have to Hiram Burgos as opener, he guesses that will launch 7 entries. Roberto Peña will be Catcher."

AUDIO via Thursday 2/4's WTMJ Brewers Weekly hosted by Justin Garcia -- The full show The above includes the two individual interviews linked below: Chase Anderson Aaron Hill

Here's Garcia's two-run knock, blooper that found no-man's land in center --

Puerto Rico Caribbean Series Box Wed. 2/3 Puerto Rico crushed Cuba, 12-1 to even their record at 1-1. Catcher Rene Garcia was 1-for-3 with a walk and drove in four runs (sac fly, two-run single, RBI groundout). Yadiel Rivera did not play in this one. On Thursday, it's Venezuela-Cuba in the afternoon, and Dominican Republic-Puerto Rico in the evening.

AUDIO via WSSP Wed. 2/3: Hot Stove Weekly

Caribbean Series Box Wednesday afternoon 2/3 Hernan Perez, batting 7th and playing second base, was 2-for-5 (RBI, run scored), but Venezuela dropped their first game of the tournament, dropping to 2-1, after a 6-4 loss. Yes, that's Yuni B. with two RBI for Mexico. Details on Puerto Rico's game late tonight.

From the December 23rd release list -- Lubking has found work with the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the independent American Association. *** From our post on August 14th -- Carver was signed today by the Joliet (IL) Slammers of the independent Frontier League