FOXSports.com News for Brewers

2012 Draft Scouting Report Directory

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 06:31:45 GMT

Spring training starts with sluggers in new places

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 13:48:19 GMT

Tim Lincecum thought about the seismic shifts of baseball's offseason, the ones that saw Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder migrate to the American League.

ROSTER REPORT

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:09:05 GMT

The Brewers' major offseason changes are in the infield. 1B Prince Fielder left via free agency, leaving a huge hole in the lineup. They went to the free agent market to get a new shortstop (Alex Gonzalez) and third baseman (Aramis Ramirez). ARRIVALS: 3B Aramis Ramirez (free agent from Cubs), 1B Travis Ishikawa (minor league free agent from Giants), RHP Jose Veras (trade with Pirates), SS Alex Gonzalez (free agent from Braves), INF Cesar Izturis (minor league free agent from Orioles), OF Norichika Aoki (rights purchased from Japanese team). DEPARTURES: 1B Prince Fielder (free agent, signed with Tigers), SS Yuniesky Betancourt (free agent, signed with Royals), RHP Takashi Saito (free agent, signed with Diamondbacks), 3B Casey McGehee (traded to Pirates), RHP LaTroy Hawkins (free agent, signed with Angels), INF Jerry Hairston Jr. (free agent, signed with Dodgers), 1B/OF Mark Kotsay (free agent, signed with Padres), INF Craig Counsell (retired). FREE AGENTS: None. ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: RHP Shaun Marcum, RHP Jose Veras. MEDICAL WATCH: --LHP Chris Narveson (arthroscopic left hip surgery in October 2011) had the operation to address chronic soreness. He must stay off the hip for six weeks but is expected to be ready by spring training. --2B Rickie Weeks (left ankle sprain) will continue to undergo therapy and rehab for the ankle injury that limited him at the end of the season. --LHP Mitch Stetter (hip labral tear) is expected to be ready for spring training. --RHP Brandon Kintzler (right forearm stress fracture) was hurt in early May. He was cleared to pitch in the Arizona Fall League. --LHP Manny Parra (elbow bone spur) was progressing well during his rehab program as of October. He is expected to be healthy enough to pitch in spring training.

NOTES, QUOTES

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:08:58 GMT

--LF Ryan Braun was still awaiting the verdict of his appeal of a positive drug test as the third week passed since his arbitration hearing was held in New York City. The MLB drug policy asks for a verdict to be rendered within 25 days of the hearing, a time frame that expires Monday. That is not a rigid deadline, however. --LHP Manny Parra, who missed all of the 2011 season with back and elbow problems, is healthy again and expected to be full-go in the Brewers' camp. Parra will vie for a spot in the bullpen. --LHP Zach Braddock, who experienced an up-and-down 2011 season in terms of going up and down from the majors while dealing with sleep-disorder issues, is expected to compete for a job in the Brewers' bullpen. They went most of the second half of last season without a lefty in the bullpen. --General manager Doug Melvin, a native of Chatham, Ontario, was elected to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame. He will be inducted, along with Rusty Staub, Rheal Cormier and the 2011 Team Canada national team, on June 29 in St. Mary's, Ontario. --Justin Scott was hired as the new director of grounds keeping at Miller Park. Scott replaces Gary Vanden Berg, who passed away last October after a battle with cancer. --The Brewers announced their sixth annual "Arctic Tailgate" party will be held at Miller Park on Saturday, Feb. 25. That is the first day that fans can purchase individual tickets for the 2012 season, including a limited number available for Opening Day, April 6, vs. St. Louis. BY THE NUMBERS: 27 -- Players signed for 2012 on the Brewers' 40-man roster as of Friday. QUOTE TO NOTE: "It was probably a good idea to turn my hockey skates in and start focusing on baseball." -- Brewers GM Doug Melvin, on a decision he made as a youngster in Canada.

INSIDE PITCH

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:08:53 GMT

If Ryan Braun is suspended for the first 50 games of the 2012 season for a reported positive drug test, manager Ron Roenicke will have an interesting situation on his hands in left field during spring training. Even if Braun is suspended, he will be allowed to participate in spring camp, including exhibition games. That means he is bound to see some action in left field during game action. But Roenicke also would have to figure out what he'll do in left field in Braun's absence and give that player or players enough action during exhibition play to get ready for the season. "If you look at last spring, 'Braunie's' at-bats were lower than most of the other guys," said Roenicke, recalling that Braun had some health issues that limited his play. "I don't think it'll be an issue. I'm planning on him being there. That's the best way to go about it. We do have to have a plan in case something happens. We've already taken care of a lot of things. "We'll adjust to it if we have to but I don't think the at-bats will be much of an issue. It's easy to get guys at-bats in spring training." The primary candidate to fill in for Braun would seem to be Norichika Aoki, the Japanese outfielder who signed a two-year deal with the Brewers over the winter to play in the major leagues for the first time. But the Brewers have no idea how Aoki's skills will translate to the big leagues, and will be watching him play for the first time. "We do want to give Aoki all the at-bats he needs," said Roenicke. "But this isn't a young guy. He knows what he needs to do to get ready for the season. There's a balance there." Another option would be to play Nyjer Morgan in left and Carlos Gomez in center. But Roenicke really liked the way the platoon of Morgan and Gomez worked in center field last season and would like to keep the status quo. To provide outfield depth, the Brewers signed veteran Corey Patterson to a minor-league deal. Patterson was not invited to the big-league camp but could always come over from the minor league side to join the fray if necessary.

ROSTER REPORT

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:38:58 GMT

NOTES, QUOTES

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:38:53 GMT

INSIDE PITCH

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:38:48 GMT

Top 25 free agents

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 01:02:59 GMT

See who has found a new home and who's still waiting for a big deal.

Braun PED appeal: MLB not starstruck

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:22:45 GMT

Braun case shows MLB not starstruck in PED testing.