#jeff bianchi

[ballparkfever-blog]

[fuckyeahbrewers]

Other 40-man roster notes

Once a player is added to the 40-man roster, his "options" start to become an issue. There are a couple Brewer players that are out of options and are not necessarily a guarantee to stick with the big league club.

First, and perhaps most concerning considering his performance late last year, is pitcher Mark Rogers. Rogers has been around a long time and has fought through a variety of arm issues, some career threatening. Last year he stepped up in the second half of the season and made a number of really solid starts for the Brewers before being shut down to prevent another injury. This year, he will be given an opportunity to snag a spot in the rotation, but he definitely is no lock. If the Brewers don't add any starting pitching, which would be shocking, I think he can maintain a spot in the rotation. However, if he isn't one of the 5 starters it will be interesting to see what the Brewers decide to do with him. They could use him in the bullpen, but his value decreases greatly and there is injury risk if they need to push him back to the rotation. Finally, if he doesn't make the 25-man roster it is hard to imagine him not being snagged by someone off of waivers. His history as a top prospect and his recent success (albeit small) in the majors make him a cheap option for a team looking for a back-end starter.

Next you have the curious case of Mat Gamel. There has already been an inquiry into his availability by the Seattle Mariners, so he is a definite trade candidate if the team feels that they can get something they need in return. I don't think Gamel is in danger of not making the 25-man roster, but he has effectively lost his starting spot and his struggles with coming off the bench in the past make him less valuable as a substitute. He has value as a left-handed hitter off the bench, something the Brewers sorely lack, but if he can't make the adjustment to being a part-time player it doesn't really matter. I've never been completely sold on Gamel, but the potential is there. Right now, I think there is probably a 60/40 chance that he gets traded before next season.

The final two younger players that are out of options are infielder Jeff Bianchi, who spent some time with the club late last season, and pitcher Fautino De Los Santos, the pitcher they received in return for George Kottaras at the deadline last year. I don't see Bianchi being anything more than a utility infielder in the majors and it wouldn't be the end of the world if the Brewers lost him. He is being made even more expendable by SS Jean Segura's success in the Dominican Republic thus far during Winter League. The job is Segura's to lose and I see the Brewers making a play for a veteran SS to back him up or perhaps step in should Segura fall on his face, something I don't foresee happening. De Los Santos, however, is a different story. The Brewers bullpen was their downfall last season (along with some extended slumps by a handful of regular starters, but it is easier to blame the bullpen). De Los Santos is the kind of pitcher that the Brewers want to stock their bullpen with: hard throwing, strike out pitchers. The knock on De Los Santos is that he has control issues. There isn't anything that is more frustrating than watching relievers come into the game and walk guys. That being said I think that he has a good chance of earning his way into a bullpen spot, but if he can't, I don't expect him to clear waivers. A 96+ MPH fastball is too much for many GMs to resist.

[brewgifs-blog]

Jeff Bianchi's first career HR

[thegreatbrewfress-blog]

Brewers release Randy Wolf

Randy Wolf was released from the Brewers today. He had a 3-10 record, leading the NL in hits and earned runs. His three-year contract was to expire at the end of the season. INF Jeff Bianchi has been called up from Nashville to fill-in spot on roster. We'll hear more on who replaces him in the rotation soon. www.jsonline.com/blogs/brewers RIP Wolfattaras