2013 Milwaukee Brewers: Year in Review

The Milwaukee Brewers endured a roller coaster of a 2013 calendar year that contained a little bit of everything.

Following division realignment, the Brewers found themselves in an improved, five-team NL Central Division.  At 74-88, the Crew finished eight games ahead of the rival Cubs, 23 games behind the Division Champion Cardinals, and 16 games behind the Wild Card Reds.

Following moths of internet rumors and speculation, Ryan Braun was finally suspended by Major League Baseball in July.  The suspension was the result of a positive PED test from October 2011, a documented relationship with former Biogenesis operator Anthony Bosch, and obstruction of MLB's investigation into the now-defunct Biogenesis clinic.  Braun sat for the final 65 games while his teammates strung together a 33-32 record.

2013 Milwaukee Brewers: Memorable Moments

Despite Braun's disappointing fall from grace, 2013 yielded impressive campaigns for several of his teammates.

Acquired from the Angels in July 2012, shortstop prospect Jean Segura burst onto the Milwaukee scene.  In a 2013 All-Star season, Segura swiped 44 bags and slugged 12 homers while batting .294.

Following a three-year extension signed during the offseason, center fielder Carlos Gomez put together a 2013 All-Star campaign of his own.  Carlos stole 40 bases, belted 24 homers, drove in 73 runs, and collected 12 outfield assists en route to team MVP honors and an NL Gold Glove Award.

Signed to a three-year deal near the conclusion of Spring Training, veteran right hander Kyle Lohse enjoyed a strong 2013 Brewers debut.  In 32 stars, Kyle earned 11 victories while striking out 125 batters and maintaining a 3.35 earned run average.  On September 25 at Atlanta, a masterful Lohse tossed a complete game, two-hit shutout.

While pitchers Yovani Gallardo and Wily Peralta battled inconsistencies in 2013, right handed prospect Tyler Thornburg impressed down the stretch.  In just over 66 innings pitched, Thornburg held opposing batters to a .225 batting average while owning an ERA just over two.

Closer Jim Henderson impressed as the team's closer, converting 28 saves in 32 chances while maintaining a 2.70 ERA.  Henderson replaced an inconsistent John Axford, who bounced back and forth between closer and setup roles before eventually being traded to St. Louis.

In just 136 at-bats, left field prospect Khris Davis crushed 11 home runs, drove in 27 runs, and belted 10 doubles while batting .279.  Davis' impressive 2013 debut has earned him a starting role in 2014, forcing the Brewers to shift Braun to right field.

Second base prospect Scooter Gennett impressed in his 2013 debut, hitting .324 in just 69 games.  The emergence of Gennett may spell the end for Rickie Weeks, whose ongoing injuries and inconsistencies led to a disappointing 2013 season.

Outfielder Norichika Aoki enjoyed a strong 2013 showing in Milwaukee, swiping 20 bases and belting 20 doubles while hitting .286.  Following the season, the Brewers exercised Aoki's club option for 2014, only to deal him to Kansas City in exchange for left handed pitcher Will Smith.

Following surgeries on both knees, versatile slugger Corey Hart missed all of 2013.  In Hart's absence, Brewers first basemen combined to bat a dismal .211.  Hart has since signed a one-year, incentive-laden contract with the Mariners, ending his memorable tenure in Milwaukee.

Needless to say, the Milwaukee Brewers saw their share of positives and negatives over the course of 2013.  Regardless of adversities faced or challenges lying ahead, Brewers fans have reason to be optimistic about their beloved team.  A surplus of young talent and a returning superstar yield a bright future for the Milwaukee Brewers.

I wish you a very Merry Christmas, and my absolute best for the year ahead!
Barrel Man

Does Sheffield Belong in Cooperstown?

The recently released 2014 National Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot contains the names of several former Brewers players.  Such former Brewers include Ray Durham, Hideo Nomo, Richie Sexson, and Eric Gagné, each making his first respective appearance on the ballot.

Though these players don't have a realistic chance of enshrinement, the 2015 ballot will feature one of the more controversial figures in team history.  Gary Sheffield, who began his 22-year career in Milwaukee, spent parts of four seasons with the Brewers.

Sheffield was drafted out of high school by Milwaukee with the sixth overall pick in 1986.  Drafted as a shortstop, Sheffield struggled at the position in the minor leagues and consequently spent time at third base and in the outfield.

After dominating with his bat at the minor league level, Sheffield was promoted to the majors during roster expansions in September 1988.  An injury to shortstop Dale Sveum paved the way for Sheffield to take over at his natural position.  However, injuries and inconsistencies forced the Brewers to shift Sheffield back to third base and allow Bill Spiers to take over at shortstop.  Sheffield publicly claimed the move to be racially motivated.

Sheffield Homers for First Career Hit

Sheffield enjoyed a solid 1990 season with the Brewers, batting .294 while cranking 30 doubles and swiping 25 bases.  However, it was too little, too late for the Brewers' former number one prospect.  Sheffield had become a clubhouse cancer, complaining of mistreatment from teammates, management, and fans.

In an injury-plagued 1991 season, Sheffield batted just .194 in 175 at-bats.  During Spring Training of the following year, Sheffield and Brewers fans were finally granted their collective wish.  Sheffield was traded to San Diego in exchange for prospects Ricky Bones, José Valentin, and Matt Mieske.  Sheffield publicly stated that he had been "freed from jail" and felt ready to flourish as a major leaguer.

Everyone knows what happened next.

Sheffield enjoyed an MVP-caliber 1992 season, hitting .330 en route to the NL batting crown.  Sheffield also finished second in the league in both home runs (33) and RBIs (100) in his near-Triple Crown campaign.

Sheffield would go on to enjoy a productive career in the major leagues, though he never maintained a single home for very long.  Following his trade from the Brewers and breakout season with the Padres, Sheffield would spend time with the Marlins, Dodgers, Braves, Yankees, Tigers, and Mets.  Along the way, Sheffield found new and creative ways to ruffle feathers and stir up controversy.  During the twilight of his career, Sheffield was cited in the infamous Mitchell Report, documenting players who had allegedly used performance-enhancing substances.

In total, the nine-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger Award winner belted 509 homers and drove in 1,676 runs.  Sheffield slugged his 500th career home run against Milwaukee on April 3, 2009 at Citi Field.  He was an integral part of the Florida Marlins' 1997 World Championship, one of few organizations with which Sheffield did not wear out his welcome.

There's no doubt the numbers are there, though controversy and steroid speculation are right there with the accolades.  So I ask you, Brewers fans.  Does Gary Sheffield deserve to be enshrined in Cooperstown?

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

Hart Signs with Seattle

Corey Hart is officially off the free agent market.

Hart and the Seattle Mariners have agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth a guaranteed $6 million.  The deal is performance-based, as Hart can earn up to an additional $7 million in incentives.

The Brewers also offered Hart a performance-based, one-year deal, though with smaller figures.  Their offer would have guaranteed Hart $4 million in 2014, with an ability for the veteran to earn an additional $2.5 million in incentives.

Hart has come full circle with his new General Manager, Jack Zduriencik.  A former scout in the Milwaukee organization, Zduriencik played a large role in the Brewers' drafting of Hart in the 11th round in 2000.

To add insult to injury, the Mariners have also acquired the versatile Logan Morrison from Miami.  Morrison had been considered a "Plan B" option for Doug Melvin and the Brewers, should Hart sign elsewhere.

Though disappointed in what has transpired, Melvin has little time to sit and dwell on what might have been.  The Brewers' General Manager will continue to seek the services of a first baseman, as he is engaged in ongoing discussions with the Mets regarding Ike Davis.

A fan-favorite and positive clubhouse presence, Hart will certainly be missed.  In parts of nine seasons with Milwaukee, the two-time All-Star belted 154 homers, drove in 508 runs, and smacked 211 doubles.

Despite Corey's well-documented love for the organization that drafted him, one thing is for certain.  Corey Hart is not the first player to sign elsewhere after expressing a desire to remain in Milwaukee.

In other news, the Brewers have selected left handed pitcher Wei-Chung Wang from Pittsburgh in this year's Rule 5 Draft.  Doug Melvin stated early on that pitching would be one of his top priorities this offseason.  Between Wang and the recently acquired Will Smith, Melvin has added two promising left handers to his pitching corps.

Thank you for reading, and stay warm!
Barrel Man

Aoki Dealt to Royals; Davis to Start in Left Field

In the final days of October, the Brewers exercised outfielder Norichika Aoki's club option for 2014.  Despite the exercised option worth just under $2 million, Aoki had long been considered trade bait.

Kansas City has taken that bait, acquiring Aoki in exchange for left handed pitcher Will Smith.  Smith was productive for the Royals in 2013, posting a 3.24 ERA while striking out 43 batters in 33.1 innings of work.  He maintained an impressive 0.93 WHIP while limiting opposing hitters to a .202 batting average.

The 24-year-old Smith brings much needed depth to a Brewers' pitching staff that was largely inconsistent in 2013.  Though Smith can start and pitch out of the bullpen, Doug Melvin has indicated that Smith will be a member of the Brewers' starting rotation in 2014.

The move creates an intriguing scenario which team officials have discussed over the past several weeks.  The Brewers plan to move the recently reactivated Ryan Braun to right field, paving the way for Khris Davis to take over in left.

While many believe Braun to be athletic enough to play just about anywhere on the diamond, Davis' skill set profiles him specifically as a left fielder.  Davis, who turns 26 later this month, made the most of his brief opportunity in 2013, slugging 11 homers and driving in 27 runs in 136 at-bats.

Davis Homers Against Cubs

Aoki was productive with Milwaukee, banging out 321 hits and swiping fifty bases while batting .287 over the course of two seasons.  A solid player on the field who brought a positive clubhouse presence, Aoki will surely be missed by teammates and fans alike.

On Sunday, June 29 at Miller Park, all fans in attendance will receive a Norichika Aoki bobble head.  The bobble head will feature Aoki wearing a Japanese-style Brewers uniform.  It will be interesting to see how the Brewers market this promotion, as Aoki will not be wearing a Brewers uniform of any kind in 2014.

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