Brewers Sign Garza to Four-Year Deal

The Milwaukee Brewers' offseason is officially quiet no more.

Following a delay in negotiations which lasted several days, the club has agreed to terms with free agent right handed starter Matt Garza.  The deal guarantees Garza $50 million over four years, with performance incentives of $1 million available each season.  The contract also contains a $13 million vesting option for a fifth year.  It is the richest contract for a pitcher in team history.

In parts of eight Major League seasons, Garza, 30, has compiled 67 wins with as many losses.  He has averaged 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings while owning a 3.84 ERA.

Garza helped lead Tampa Bay to the fall classic in 2008.  The right hander earned two victories in the NLCS against Boston, allowing just two earned runs while striking out 14 batters in 13 innings of work.  Garza's dominant performance earned him NLCS MVP honors.

Garza's best season came in 2010, when he went 15-10 with a 3.91 ERA in his final season with Tampa Bay.  On July 26 of that season, Garza allowed one walk and no hits in a complete-game gem against the Tigers, the first no-no in Rays history.

Despite his accolades, health has been a concern for Garza, who has made four trips to the Disabled List since 2009.

Garza's Dominant Start Against Crew

Garza had been considered one of the top starting pitching options on the free agent market.  The move comes just days after the Yankees' mammoth signing of right handed Japanese phenom Masahiro Tanaka for seven years at $155 million.  Several teams had been waiting for Tanaka to sign before exploring other options at starting pitcher.

The Brewers represent the fifth team for Garza, who has spent time with the Twins, Rays, Cubs, and Rangers.  The hurler has been traded three times since being drafted 25th overall by Minnesota in 2005.

Garza bolsters a rotation that finished strong in 2013.  He joins a starting staff which includes Yovani Gallardo, Kyle Lohse, Wily Peralta, and Marco Estrada.  Prior to the Garza signing, Doug Melvin had indicated that Tyler Thornburg would have every opportunity to land the final rotation spot.

Though Garza possess a good, live arm, he also carries a bit of baggage.  He has a tendency to wear his emotions on his sleeve and occasionally lose control of his temper.

In August 2013, Garza used Twitter to make derogatory comments about Athletics second baseman Eric Sogard, as well as Sogard's wife, Kaycee.  The interactive war of words stemmed from a game in which Sogard executed a safety-squeeze bunt on Garza.  It was the fourth Oakland bunt against Garza, who felt insulted and exposed for his fielding deficiencies.

The signing of Garza certainly comes as a surprise to Brewers fans.  Melvin previously reiterated that he was disinterested in pursing a starting pitcher via free agency.  It is possible that owner Mark Attanasio was the man behind this move, as he allegedly was with last year's signing of Kyle Lohse for $33 million over three years.

Thank you for reading,
Barrel Man

Uecker to be Honored with Second Statue

'Mr. Baseball' has earned the right to be commemorated with a second statue at Miller Park.

On April 25, longtime Brewers radio voice Bob Uecker will be commemorated with a statue in the very last row of the Uecker Seats in Terrace Section 422 inside Miller Park.  The bronze statue, which will contain colored undertones, will neighbor an empty seat for fans to utilize for picture taking.

The statue signifies Uecker's memorable role in the 'Miller Lite All-Stars' advertisements from the 1980's.  In one such television advertisement, Uecker shows up to the ballpark, expecting to have a reserved seat in the front row.  As fate would have it, Uecker's seat was in the very last row, much to his dismay.

On August 31, 2012, a statue of Uecker was erected in the Home Plate Plaza, just outside Miller Park.  That statue joined a collection of plaza statues commemorating Bud Selig, Robin Yount, and Henry Aaron.

In a forgettable career as a Major League catcher, Uecker played for three teams over six seasons before pursing a career in broadcasting.  He has been calling games for the Crew via broadcast radio since 1971.  A recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award, Uecker was inducted into the Broadcasting Wing of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003.  Known for his dry sense of humor, Uecker will be the first to take jabs at his unimpressive playing days with the Braves, Cardinals, and Phillies.

The Milwaukee Brewers continue to make significant additions and alterations to Miller Park each offseason.  The new bronze version of the Milwaukee radio icon will certainly be a welcome addition to the home of the Brewers.

"I can't think of a better place to put this statue.  This will be great for fans and even better for pigeons.  You might even be able to see a little part of the field."

-Bob Uecker

Thank you for reading!
Barrel Man

Brewers, Overbay Reunited on Minors Pact

Though this offseason has yielded no perfect fix for the first base situation, Doug Melvin has added an additional option at the position.

The Brewers have agreed to terms with a familiar face, inking Lyle Overbay to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training.  Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.  Overbay, who turns 37 later this month, joins Juan Francisco, as well as recent Yankee teammate Mark Reynolds, in the mix of Brewers first basemen competing for playing time in 2014.

In December 2003, Overbay and a batch of prospects were acquired from Arizona in exchange for slugger Richie Sexson and reliever Shane Nance.  Over the next two seasons, Overbay would man first base for the Crew.  In 2004, Lyle led the Majors with his franchise-record 53 doubles.

In his two seasons with the Brewers, Overbay smacked 35 homers and drove in 159 runs while batting .289.  Following the 2005 season, Overbay was dealt to Toronto, paving the way for Prince Fielder to take over at first base.

Since his Toronto tenure, Overbay has played for four teams, including a second stint in Arizona.  He is still serviceable, belting 14 home runs and collecting 59 RBIs with the Yankees this past season.

Overbay is the most recent addition to the Brewers' list of low-risk, high reward contracts.  He, Zach Duke, and the previously mentioned Reynolds have all been inked to Minor League deals with invitations to Spring Training.  Nothing is a guarantee, as these players will ultimately determine their own respective fates.

Thank you for reading!
Barrel Man

Brewers, Reynolds Agree to Terms

Following months of searching, the Milwaukee Brewers may have found a solution for their first base conundrum.

The Crew has agreed to terms with veteran corner infielder Mark Reynolds on a Minor League deal for 2014 with an invitation to Spring Training.  Should he crack the Opening Day roster, Reynolds will earn a salary of $2 million.  The deal is incentive-laden, as Reynolds can earn up to an additional $500,00 in performance bonuses for the season ahead.

Reynolds certainly adds punch to a lineup that missed several of its big boppers for much of the 2013 season.  In seven Major League seasons, Reynolds has spent time with the Diamondbacks, Orioles, Indians, and Yankees.  His best overall season came in 2009, during which Reynolds belted 44 home runs and collected 102 RBIs while playing for Arizona.  Over the course of his career, Reynolds has crushed 202 homers and driven in 568 runs, though his career batting average of .233 leaves something to be desired.

Though Mark's low batting average may be cause for concern, his alarming strikeout totals are etched in embarrassing Major League history.  Reynolds led the National League in strikeouts for four consecutive seasons from 2008-11, having also led the majors in that category during those first three seasons.  His best season of 2009 may have also been his most forgettable, as Reynolds set a dubious single-season Major League record by fanning a whopping 223 times as a D'back.

Despite his historically high strikeout totals and all-or-nothing mentality at the plate, Reynolds possesses plenty of upside as a Major Leaguer.  At 30 years of age, Reynolds still has plenty to offer and, perhaps, something to prove.  Since his Major League debut in 2007, Reynolds has bounced around between several organizations and may be playing for a permanent home.

From a positional standpoint, Reynolds does not have big shoes to fill.  Brewers first basemen struggled mightily in 2013, as evidenced by a combined .211 batting average from the position.  Though Reynolds is an average defender, he certainly won't be a downgrade at first base, a position that endured its share of defensive shortcomings in 2013.

Though this is a Minor League deal, Doug Melvin has strongly indicated that he expects Reynolds to be included on the 25-man roster out of Spring Training.  A platoon scenario is a possibility, with the left handed hitting Juan Francisco returning for 2014.  A third baseman by trade, Reynolds may occasionally spell Aramis Ramírez at the hot corner.  Ramírez played in just 92 games this past season while dealing with a nagging knee injury.

With a thin market for first basemen this offseason, Doug Melvin was limited in options at the position.  Despite a slow start to the offseason, it has been a busy past couple of days for Melvin and the Brewers, who recently agreed to terms with veteran left hander Zach Duke on a Minor League deal with an invitation to Spring Training.  Both Duke's and Reynolds' deals present low-risk, high reward scenarios.

In other news, Milwaukee has reached agreements with its two arbitration-eligible players, pitcher Marco Estrada and the aforementioned corner infielder Juan Francisco.  Estrada will earn $3.3 million in 2014 while Francisco earns $1.4 million.  The deals are performance-based, as both players can earn additional incentives.

Thank you for reading, and have a nice weekend!
Barrel Man

Brewers Ink Veteran Duke to Minors Deal

The Milwaukee Brewers continue to try and bolster a pitching staff that left something to be desired in 2013.

The Crew has agreed to terms with veteran southpaw Zach Duke on a Minor League deal with an invitation to Spring Training.

Duke, who will turn 31 in April, has pitched for four different terms over the course of his nine-year Major League career.  Those teams include Pittsburgh, Arizona, Washington, and Cincinnati.  In that span, Zach has compiled a 50-76 record while owning an ERA of 4.57.

Duke has ample experience as both a starter and reliever, with most of his recent action coming out of the bullpen.  Though serviceable, Duke has battled inconsistencies throughout his career.  His career-high single season win total of 11 occurred in 2009 as a Pirate, the same season in which Duke led the National League with 16 losses.

Duke made his Major League debut against Milwaukee on July 2, 2005.  He was impressive in his debut, striking out nine Brewers while picking up a no-decision.

We shall see how Duke pans out in Milwaukee.  It is certainly a low-risk, high reward signing.

Thank you for reading,
Barrel Man

What Could Have Been: 1985 MLB Draft

1985 marks the only season in which the Milwaukee Brewers were granted the first overall pick in Major League Baseball's first-year player draft.  Milwaukee decided to use the pick to fill a positional need.  Seeking help at catcher, the Brewers drafted backstop B.J. Surhoff out of the University of North Carolina.

A two-time first team All-American and 1984 Olympian, Surhoff batted a then-record .392 at UNC.  The record stood until 2009, when Dustin Ackley, now with Seattle, batted .412 as a Tar Heel.

The Brewers were thrilled to have drafted and signed the offensive-minded catcher.  However, Surhoff would not be the player his team was expecting.  In nine seasons with Milwaukee, Surhoff hit only 57 homers, topping out at 13 in 1995.  His 524 RBIs also left something to be desired, as Surhoff never drove in more than 79 in a season with Milwaukee.  Offensive and defensive struggles, as well as nagging injuries, forced the Brewers to shift Surhoff between the infield, outfield, and designated hitter.

Following the 1995 season, Surhoff left Milwaukee via free agency.  He would sign the first of two stints with Baltimore, having also spent time with Atlanta in between.  During his first stint with the Orioles, Surhoff averaged 20 home runs and 85 RBIs over the course of five seasons.  His best season came in a 1999 All-Star campaign, during which Surhoff belted 28 homers and drove in 107 runs while hitting .308.  That season, Surhoff played in all 162 regular season games and led the American League with 673 at-bats.

Though Surhoff would go on to enjoy a productive 19-year Major League career, his best years undoubtedly were not spent in a Brewers uniform.

Adding insult to injury, Surhoff was part of an elite draft class that included Will Clark (#2), hall of famer Barry Larkin (#4), Barry Bonds (#6), and Rafael Palmeiro (#22).

In 1992, the Brewers finished just four games behind the eventual World Champion Blue Jays in the AL Eastern Division.  That Brewers team lacked power and relied on the "small ball" factor, swiping an AL-best 256 bases while finishing 13th in the league with just 82 home runs.  Though hindsight is always 20/20, a Will Clark or a Barry Bonds would have fit nicely in the middle of that lineup.

Though it does no good to dwell on the past, it can be interesting to contemplate what might have been.  Baseball is a game of inches on the field, and a game of crucial decisions in the front office.  The Brewers have not been granted the first overall draft pick since they chose Surhoff in 1985.  One could argue that the Milwaukee Brewers did not make the most of their lone opportunity.

Thank you for reading, and have a nice weekend!
Barrel Man