Once again, I find myself with more interesting minor league news and links for the day than major league news. 

It must be a testament for how popular the Arizona Fall League has become and the sheer productivity of Baseball America and their writers.

Major League News

Al's Ramblings indirectly responds to the Jarrod Washburn article that I wrote yesterday.  He opines that the lefty has been far too solid for too many seasons to pretend that he is not a good pitcher.  While I agree with the essence of the statement, I would argue that a solid pitcher coming off a fluke season is not worth $9-10MM per year on a multi-year deal.  He may be a solid pitcher that could upgrade the starting rotation, but it would not be a fiscally prudent decision for Milwaukee.

The Brewers' brass is meeting in Arizona today, and I assume for the remainder of the weekend, to discuss the organization's options for this upcoming season.  First on the docket should be to determine if Mike Cameron and Braden Looper will be returning in 2010.  I previously believed that Cam's return was imminent, but the latest chatter has lead me to believe that Milwaukee will be going the cheaper route in CF next season.

To fill that void, MLB Trade Rumors notes that Milwaukee could target free agent Marlon Byrd who played for the Texas Rangers this past season.  Given his low .329 OBP and the fact that his power production could be directly correlated to him playing in Arlington, I would choose to pass.  The former Rangers center fielder is reportedly looking for a multi-year deal at $5-6MM per year.  I will pass.

Speaking of Mike Cameron, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum awarded Cam its John Henry "Pop" Lloyd Award for "baseball and community leaership."  Cameron is yet another example of Doug Melvin bringing in quality clubhouse guys via free agency.  Jeff Suppan, Eric Gagne, and Jason Kendall may not have lived up to their respective expectations, but the three have been terrific in the community and clubhouse.

Miller Park Drunk doles out more year-end awards.  My personal favorite being the "Least Surprising Strikeout" going to Corey Patterson.  I would have thought that Bill Hall was a sure-bet for that award.  Patterson was a darkhorse, however, and pulled through down the stretch.

Al's Ramblings links to the entirety of Bill James' projections.  They annually tend to be quite optimistic and rarely are the most accurate prognostications, but they are still interesting to glance at and generate discussion from.  Especially when one analyzes the difference between Mike Cameron and Jody Gerut.

You know it is a slow news day when Adam McCalvy is dedicating an entire post to the new Brewers pet calendar for the 2010 season.  Yawn.

Minor League News

Lorenzo Cain continues to show his Achilles Heel at the plate -- the strikeout.  The young center fielder went 2-for-4 last night, but still whiffed twice.  Zach Braddock also picked up a save with two scoreless frames.

Baseball America posts their Report Card on the Brewers' 2009 First-Year Player Draft.  They seem to be a bit higher on Kentrail Davis than most, but note that he has been lighting up the instructional leagues.  BA is also high on the likelihood of Milwaukee hitting on at least one of Eric Arnett and Kyle Heckathorn.

ESPN's Jason Grey has an Insider Only article on Jonathan Lucroy and how he has developed into Milwaukee's #1 catching prospect.  Grey writes that Lucroy's defensive skills have been improving this season and possesses a solid, line-drive swing that allows him to take the ball to all fields.  It still remains to be seen if the Brewers believe he has a shot at making the big leagues in 2010.  His impressive start to the Arizona Fall League certainly helps, though.

Baseball Intellect argues that pitch counts matter for young pitchers in high school and college.  The article uses Evan Anundsen as a prime example, noting how his velocity has decreased dramatically from his younger years due to a high pitch count.

Tom Haudricourt writes that Mat Gamel is not attempting to make excuses for his poor performance after getting called up to Milwaukee in May, but the sporadic play did not allow for Gamel to develop any kind of consistency at the plate.  The third baseman is supposedly going to suit up in the Venezuelan Winter League this offseason, but has yet to play a game (to my knowledge).

Baseball America writes that Milwaukee resigned both RHP Mike Jones and OF/UTIL Johnny Raburn to minor-league deals.  Jones impressed folks in the organization last year before stalling a bit once reaching Nashville.  The right-hander hopes to rebound and make a strong run at the big league starting rotation next summer.

Other Baseball News

The Florida Marlins are reportedly preparing a multi-year offer to ace Josh Johnson.  It will be interesting to see how that long-term deal impacts their willingness to trade Dan Uggla, Cody Ross, and Jeremy Hermida this offseason.  Ricky Nolasco is obviously another trade target, but his improved second-half may keep him in Florida.

Tony Massarotti of Boston.com takes a very unpopular position and argues that Boston fans should be cheering for the New York Yankees to win the World Series.  The article argues that the Red Sox have become a bit "stale" in the Northeast and need someone to vie with them for supremacy.  It is an interesting argument, especially when seeing how the ratings have plummeted for boston.

The Baltimore Orioles have declined Melvin Mora's 2010 option, making him a free agent.  The veteran infielder struggled this past season, but still offers some significant pop at the hot corner on a one-year deal.  Many teams could do worse than Melvin Mora, even if his years as a starter have faded away.

Paul Daugherty of Cincinnati.com argues that the price to win in Major League Baseball is too high for the Cincinnati Reds.  Ask the Minnesota Twins if the price to win was too high in 2009.  Perhaps Cincinnati should not be doling out expensive contracts to pitchers like Bronson Arroyo.  That would certainly help their chances of becoming competitive in the NL Central.

Tim Hudson is reportedly nearing a three-year contract extension with the Atlanta Braves that is worth approximately $27MM.  While Hudson is a quality pitcher when healthy, this is undeniably a huge risk for the Braves.  At the very least, it makes one of Derek Lowe, Javier Vazquez, and Kenshin Kawakami expendable for an impact bat.

BC Approved Music Video of the Day

Marc Broussard -- I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know