ClosetBrewerFan

I'm going to assume the Rule 5 draft will occur as usual and that the 2020 season counts for purposes of determining eligibility even though some of these players did not "play" in 2020. Here are the rules: The Rule 5 draft is held each December at the Winter Meetings, and it consists of a Major League portion and a minor league portion. By November 20, each club must set its 40-man roster and submit reserve lists for all major and minor-league levels (See Minor League Rosters). Between November 20 and the Rule 5 draft, a club may add Major League free agents to its 40-man roster but may not add any player from its minor league reserve lists. After 4 or 5 years as a professional, a player must be added to his club’s 40-man roster or exposed to the 29 other clubs in the Rule 5 draft. (Under the new CBA, a club has 5 years to evaluate a player who signs his first pro contract at 18 years old or younger, but only 4 years to decide on a player who signs at age 19.) For purposes of calculating years as a pro, the counting begins the day a player signs his first pro contract, not the season he begins to play. I believe the Brewers will have 5 spots open on the 40 man roster after end of season transactions are completed. There are 41 men currently on roster (including Cain), with six removed at end of season. This is how I calculated that: Free Agents: Brett Anderson DFA or Option declined: Ryan Braun, Ben Gamel, Ryon Healy (arby eligilbe), Kneble, Manny Pina, Eric Sogard The minor league players I believe will be added in order of probability: Locks to be added: Mario Feliciano, Peyton Henry Likely to be added: Alec Bettinger, Dylan File (both were on 60 man roster) Maybe: Bowden Francis, Zack Brown, Braden Webb, (all were on 60 man roster), QTC (instructional) The rest: Cooper Hummel, Spanberger, Nate Kirby, Miguel Sanchez This is a list of who I think are in consideration. There are obviously more players eligible than I list and some I may have missed. It is really hard to predict this year because we dont have any minor league stats to work off of. All we have is the actions the brewers took during the year. I gave players added to the 60 man roster and instructional league more likelihood of being protected. That's my prediction. What do you think?

I like Beloit Super Clubbers. The mascot can be a baby seal wearing a cape.

Surprised Hummel and Spanberger were not added. Both of them are rule V eligible so you would think they would see how they do on the alternate team. Of the pitchers, I think Webb is the only rule V eligible pitcher who would be a considered add at the end of the season and is not on the 60 man roster. Brown, Bettinger, File, and now Bowden are all getting a look.

Freitas may be the first to go now if we need roster space.

Last team to have the discipline to stay away from the bars and clubs wins the World Series. I heard Stearns is working on the new market inefficiency. Players that are anti-social/homebodies...

The swearing is interesting. Seems like Bill and Brian dont know what to say when that happens. Not sure why they abruptly kill the sound between innings. I keep checking my headphones to see if they are working ok.

Is this the first non-veteran to opt out? Its unusual for a young player to opt out of a salary and service time.

When I think of retiring a players number, it should be such a beloved player that you could never think of anyone else wearing that number. Typically, it would be players who played for the brewers for a long time. Like Molitor, Yount, and Gantner (who's number is obviously unofficially retired). Aaron as well, not due to his time as a Brewer, but as a Milwaukee Brave. Fingers is the exception as he was such a unique character and really one of the first relief aces and a MVP/Cy young winner in our most memorable season and the brewers first and only world series appearance. It does not hurt that these players are all in the hall of fame as well. I doubt the Brewers have certain rules as to what it takes to retire a number - its probably more of a feel thing. Braun certainly has a shot. It would be hard for me to see anyone else wearing a #8, but he definetely has his worts. You never know, Molitor was really hated when he left the Brewers after 15 years with them, to the extent that they let Listach use his number for one season (1996). Time does heal though and they made the right choice to retire his number. I think Yelich also has a chance. Especially if the Brewers get to the World Series. You never know who it could be though, as Fingers proved that. His number is retired after only 2 short seasons. Maybe Hader ends up dominating in the next World Series and goes on to have a long Brewers career - Here's hoping... Thanks Clancy for starting an interesting thread at a time when we have little Baseball to talk about. If you want to waste some time going down memory lane, here is a list of every brewer to wear a uni for the Brewers during the regular season, by thier uniform number: https://www.baseball-almanac.com/teams/baseball_uniform_numbers.php?t=ML4

I can just picture it now: "Listen to the roar of the fans as the indians take the field." ---Harry Doyle

Have we heard the terms of this contract yet?

My guess: Hader Claudio Suter Black Phelps Morin Peralta (Lauer makes the rotation) D. Williams Morin's numbers last year are better than the ERA. He had a 1.1 WHIP. His K rate was abysmal but that is why is was available as a minor league free agent. Over his career his K rate has been fine. Every year Stearns has a surprise player make the team. My guess is Morin.

1 Turang 2 E. Small 3 A.Ashby 4 Supak 5 Lutz 6 M.Feliciano 7 D. Rasmussen 8 A. Kelly 9 Ray 10 Z. Brown 11 D. Williams 12 Nottingham 13 Carlos Rodriguez 14 B.Webb 15 D.File 16 M. Bello 17 N. Zavolas 18 Nick Bennett 19 P. Henry 20 N. Kahle 21 Bowden Francis 22 Perdomo 23 Bettinger 24 J.Gray Jr 25 Max Lazar 26 T. Dillard 27 Erceg 28 C. Lemons 29 K. Howell 30 Wahl

Wow! What a bargain. Hard to believe other teams could not match this. Great signing by the Brewers.

I'm excited to see what this team can do. I think the players are going to perform better than many expect. Over the past couple of years we have seen Stearns assembly a pitching staff with mainly average starters coupled with a good bullpen and the result has been pretty successfull. He knew his starters are not good enough to be exposed a third time through, so they pull them before that happens. Now with the extra position player on the roster, I think Stearns is taking that same approach for the hitters. He has signed a bunch of average infielders (Sogard, Holt, Gyorko) that can play multiple positions and can be used in situations where it is to their advantage. Its likely Counsell will be using multiple platoons in the normal LH vs RH type situations. But because the players are not truly platoon only types with huge splits (Holt was last year but not over his career), he could setup vs environment (wind blowing out against a flyball pitcher - put in Gyorko) or just individual player matchups. It will be a fun season to watch!

I'm excited to see what this team can do. I think the players are going to perform better than many expect. Over the past couple of years we have seen Stearns assembly a pitching staff with mainly average starters coupled with a good bullpen and the result has been pretty successfull. He knew his starters are not good enough to be exposed a third time through, so they pull them before that happens. Now with the extra position player on the roster, I think Stearns is taking that same approach for the hitters. He has signed a bunch of average infielders (Sogard, Holt, Gyorko) that can play multiple positions and can be used in situations where it is to their advantage. Its likely Counsell will be using multiple platoons in the normal LH vs RH type situations. But because the players are not truly platoon only types with huge splits (Holt was last year but not over his career), he could setup vs environment (wind blowing out against a flyball pitcher - put in Gyorko) or just individual player matchups. It will be a fun season to watch!

Surprised we have not heard the contract details yet. MLB Trade rumors guessed at the start of the offseason at 2yr $8M. Since he fell this late in the season, its likely he wont get that much. I'm guessing 1yr $3.5M

Surprised we have not heard the contract details yet. MLB Trade rumors guessed at the start of the offseason at 2yr $8M. Since he fell this late in the season, its likely he wont get that much. I'm guessing 1yr $3.5M

Hader got a gift this year by being a super 2. Even at 4,1M its a substantial raise. I doubt he will be too upset

I think they have to apologize, otherwise the story will move to why the Astros refuse to apologize. Its part of the process, but yeah, it doesn't really solve anything. They still cheated.

I don't think this is true. There are lots of low level staffers that MLB could have gotten info from and not have to exempt all the players. Heck, even the bat boys probably knew what was going on. I think this is just the tip of the iceberg and we will be hearing more and more teams that were doing this. This just amazes me that the players did not learn from the cheating going on the the 80's and 90's with PEDs. If true and everyone knew but kept silent about it, it will be a sad day for MLB.

If Urias is not ready to go on opening day, I think Ronny may make the club. Blanco was signed to backfill him at AAA (or Mathias). I'm intrigued by Ronny. I think at worst he is Hernan part II. He has pop but no ability to walk.

Freitas roster spot is also in jeopardy.

I understand the issues with the players union but its wrong to not have any player punishments. Even a small fine would have been better than no punishment at all. Just sends the wrong message

Maybe. But at least for 1/2 the price the Blue Jays paid.

Maybe. But at least for 1/2 the price the Blue Jays paid.