Congratulations to the New York Yankees, the 2009 World Series Champions!

The 2009 baseball season has ended.  The trade and free agent markets will begin to churn, however, as the offseason has officially begun.

Major League News

To celebrate the beginning of the offseason, I bring you news and links that are only tagentially connected to the Milwaukee Brewers.  Slow news day.

The U.S.S. Mariner discusses some of the cheap starting pitching that come with a healthy risk.  Expect Doug Melvin to target some of these names this winter, especially Carl Pavano and Erik Bedard.  I would add Justin Duchscherer to that list.  None of these arms will bring consistent and guaranteed production to Milwaukee, but a lower-cost, high-risk signing such as these could dramatically improve the starting rotation with some luck.

As expected, left-hander Noah Lowry has chosen free agency after being removed from the 40-man roster by the San Francisco Giants.  He has struggled with arm injuries over the past couple years, but proved to be a very effective pitcher when healthy.  If he is willing to sign a minor league contract, Milwaukee would be foolish to not inquire on his services.

Minor League News

Milwaukee resigned both infielder Erick Almonte and reliever Juan Sandoval to minor league contracts.  Both players are likely to begin the season with the Nashville Sounds, but are nothing more than minor league depth signings.

Josh Butler had struggled in his AFL debut, but finally put together his first scoreless outing for the Peoria Javelinas.  The right-hander tossed three scoreless frames, striking out three and walking two.  It marked Butler's third win of his fall league campaign.

Former first-round draft pick Mark Rogers is scheduled to represent the Milwaukee Brewers in the AFL Rising Stars Showcase, but the right-hander got shelled once again yesterday.  He now owns a 17.61 ERA this fall.  It is far too soon to declare his sensational 2009 a fluke.  His lack of control and sudden home-run tendencies, however, are concerning.

On a brighter side, Jonathan Lucroy continues his impressive Arizona Fall League.  He went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI.  Taylor Green also upped his average to .200 with a 1-for-3 performance with a walk.

Don Money will return as the manager of the Nashville Sounds next season, but Milwaukee's Triple-A affiliate will have a new pitching coach.  Rich Gale will replace Chris Bosio, who has accepted the new position as an advanced scout with the Brewers.  Gale pitched for twelve seasons in the big leagues and most recently served as the pitching coach for the Nationals' Class-A team.

Baseball America notes that not all minor league teams experienced attendance.  The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers enjoyed a record-breaking season at the gates in 2009.  Milwaukee's Class-A affiliate could not have picked a better time to dream up a match made in heaven.  It bucked the downward economic trend and marked one of the bright spots in Appleton this season.

Jim Callis from Baseball America hosted a chat with fans to answer some minor league questions.  Callis noted that Eric Arnett now ranks as the organization's top pitcher, although Cody Scarpetta is one of Callis' personal favorites.  It also has information on Jonathan Lucroy and Alcides Escobar.

Other Baseball News

As every baseball fan knows, the New York Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Phillies by the score of 7-3 last night to become the 2009 World Series Champions.  It is a bit ironic that the league's largest payroll saw Hideki Matsui be the World Series MVP.  It shows how some role players can get hot at the right time, which is a large reason as to why the playoffs are a crap shoot.

The Chicago White Sox reportedly acquired utility man Mark Teahan for second baseman Chris Getz and third baseman Josh Fields.  If the trade has transpired, however, Teahan has not heard anything.

As posted yesterday, the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired second baseman Akinori Iwamura from Tampa for right-handed reliever Jesse Chavez.  Evan Brunell of The Hardball Times assumes the unpopular position of claiming that the Tampa Bay Rays won the deal.  Since the Rays were reportedly going to non-tender Iwamura later in the offseason, Brunell asserts the organization won for "getting something for nothing."  I would characterize the deal as more of a win-win.

The Chicago White Sox remain busy on the first day of the offseason, signing reserve Mark Kotsay to a one-year, $1.5M deal.

Babes Love Baseball links to a story that explains how impending free agent Vicente Padilla shot himself in the leg during a hunting expedition in Nicaragua.  Brilliant beginning to a bit of rest and relaxation for Padilla.  He and Plaxico Burress can be buddies, now.

Nick Piecoro of Azcentral.com notes that right-hander Yusmeiro Petit and lefty Doug Slaten have been claimed by the Seattle Mariners and Washington Nationals, respectively.  Petit has been a human home run derby on the mound throughout his big league career, but he still has the potential to be useful bullpen arm.  I like the pick-up for the Mariners more than Slaten to the Nats.

The St. Louis Cardinals released reliever Brad Thompson yesterday.  The young man has never been particularly impressive on the mound, but he should latch on with an organization early this winter.

The Braves made a low-risk signing by inking reliever Scott Proctor to a split contract.  The 33-year old underwent Tommy John surgery last Spring, so his health is a bit of a wildcard at this point.

Andre Ethier won the MLB Clutch Award for his taste for late-inning heroics.  The Dodgers' right fielder led the majors with six walk-off hits, including four walk-off homers.  As much as I do not believe in reliability of the "clutch" factor from year-to-year, Ethier found himself in the zone during important moments throughout the season.  Congratulations, Andre.

A 19-year old man pled guilty for stealing Baltimore's Cal Ripken Jr. monument.  He probably is a die-hard Orioles fan who simply wanted an innovative way to decorate his dorm room.  Think of it as a conversation piece.

BC Approved Music Video of the Day

Damien Rice & Lisa Hannigan -- Rootless Tree