Now That May is Over...

This is not a post about the Brewers' recent roster moves, or even the latest garbage journalism to come out of ESPN related to the Biogenesis controversy. Rather, this is an account of where the Brewers stand as of the beginning of June, 2013, a time by which teams tend to have more-or-less settled into their roles within their divisions. Needless to say, the Brewers' role in 2013 is not good.

5 Things to Hope For in a Brewers New Year, Part 1

With the new year upon us I've come up with a list of five things, in no particular order, to hope for from the Brewers in 2013. I will serially publish each post over the next week or so.

1. Continuation of last year's offense

Rickie Returns

The Brewers enjoyed an incredible run during the month of August and have mostly limped into September with a record of 3-4 to start the month. They owe much of their success over the past month and a half to their pitching staff, who mostly pitched brilliantly over that stretch. It's a good thing they did, too, because the Brewers offense has certainly felt the absence of Rickie Weeks.

Brewers Lineup Shakeup Paying Dividends

After losing their first two games in Colorado following the All Star break Ron Roenicke shuffled his lineup, moving Corey Hart into the leadoff spot and Rickie Weeks to bat fifth. Since then the Brewers, who have mostly struggled on the road this year, are 4-1. Weeks' and Hart's numbers haven't shown marked improvement over these past few games, and it certainly helps that Ryan Braun has returned to the starting lineup, but it's definitely possible that the lineup shakeup has played a role in the Crew's recent success. Sometimes a tweak like that is just what a team needs to get things going after a rough stretch. I still think Nyjer Morgan makes a better leadoff hitter than Hart, as Morgan is more of a pure on-base player, with speed and little power.

Rickie Weeks is a Sleeper to Win the Home Run Derby

Many non-Brewers fans derided Prince Fielder for selecting teammate Rickie Weeks to participate in tonight's Home Run Derby. Most of those people cried favoritism without really knowing anything about how Weeks might fare in the contest. Those of us who have shared the privilege of watching Weeks grow into the player he is today know that he certainly has the skills and power to compete in the derby, and are excited to watch him share the limelight with household names like Fielder, David Ortiz, and Adrian Gonzalez. Granted, he's facing several people who have competed in the contest before and, along with home run machine Jose Bautista, are likely considered the favorites to win in 2011.

Brewers Bats Begin Season With a Bang, Axford Blows Save With Walk-off Home Run

The Brewers began their season with a bang today as Rickie Weeks and Carlos Gomez led off with back-to-back home runs. Ryan Braun hit a solo shot in the fifth and went 2-3 with two walks for the day. Despite Yovani Gallardo's quality start (7 H, 3 BB, 4 K, 2 ER) the Brewers couldn't grab the win in the Reds' home opener.

Brewers Down White Sox 3-1

Brewers pitchers put together a solid day on the mound today in a Cactus League victory over the White Sox. The Brewers struck first in the top of the third when Rickie Weeks batted home catcher Wil Nieves after he singled and stole second.

Still More Pics From Spring Training

Here's another set courtesy of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

More Pics From Spring Training

Prince Fielder arrived in camp today, leaving Mark Kotsay as the only Brewer yet to show up. Here are some more pics of this week's workouts (again courtesy of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel).

Roenicke Thinking of Batting Pitcher Eighth

Pitchers and catchers reported yesterday and everyone is getting geared up for baseball. Brewers manager Ron Roenicke spoke with reporters today and with the ink on Rickie Weeks' contract still drying his name inevitably came up for discussion. Of Weeks Roenicke said: "He's lead-off but he can hit anywhere. You put him in the 3rd spot last year and maybe he drives in 100 [RBI]." Roenicke mentioned he's even considering batting his pitchers eighth in the lineup to give Weeks more RBI opportunities.

Weeks Signs 4 Year Extension With Brewers, Avoids Arbitration on Eve of Hearing

With an arbitration hearing scheduled for tomorrow, the Brewers announced today that they've signed Rickie Weeks to a four year $38.5 million extension with an $11.5 million option for 2015. If he fails to be an everyday player in 2013 and 2014 the club can decline his fifth year (needs 600 plate appearances in 2014, or 1200 in 2013 and 2014 combined). This is great news for fans worried that the Crew might lose the right side of their infield after 2011 with Weeks and Prince Fielder both scheduled for free agency.

Braun Attends Bucks Game With Little-Known Football Player

While in town for "Brewers On Deck", Ryan Braun attended Saturday night's Bucks game with a football player named Aaron Rodgers (pictured above, to Braun's right). Apparently the two became friends over the past several years. I've never heard of him so he's probably only famous because he's friends with Braun. When asked if he planned to attend Rodgers' football game next weekend (did anyone else find it odd that they kept talking about football with Spring Training right around the corner?), Braun said he most likely would not as he did not want to miss any workouts this close to Spring Training. Braun has been working out near his California home with one of Major League Baseball's known fitness nuts, none other than former Brewer Gabe Kapler.

Brewers-Weeks Contract Talks: How Much is Rickie Worth?

The Brewers say they're making "slow and steady progress" on contract negotiations with Rickie Weeks and Shaun Marcum. With regard to Weeks they initially tried to work out a multi-year contract extension, but shifted gear to focus on a single-year deal when the two sides exchanged figures and realized how far apart they were in Weeks' expected salary for 2011. Weeks filed for $7.2 million while the Brewers filed for $4.85 million. Weeks made $2.345 million in 2010. This begs the question: how much is Rickie Weeks worth, this year and in years to come?

Brewers Arbitration Updates

Yesterday clubs exchanged salary figures with arbitration eligible players for 2011. Remaining arbitration eligible Brewers include Rickie Weeks, Shaun Marcum, and Kameron Loe. Significant gaps persist between the club and all three players, Weeks being the largest.

Brewers, Weeks negotiate for multi-year deal

Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported yesterday that current negotiations between the Brewers and Rickie Weeks focus on a multi-year deal. Weeks sits among four other Brewers eligible for arbitration this year (Prince Fielder, Shaun Marcum, Manny Parra, Kameran Loe). Weeks, like Fielder, can become a free agent after 2011, his final year of arbitration eligibility. Talks between the club and Fielder, on the other hand, concentrate exclusively on a single year deal; talks on a multi-year deal between Melvin and Fielder's agent, Scott Boras, broke down last spring and have not resumed since.