My 25
I mentioned in my previous post that I was going to predict the 25 man roster that would break camp and head back to Milwaukee as one of the many predictions I plan to make during Spring Training. I will take a look back at my prediction once the final cuts/demotions have been made, as I am sure I will not be 100% correct. There is a brief description of some of the decisions I made for the roster after the initial list.
Pitchers (11)
Dave Bush, Jose Capellan, Chris Capuano, Fransisco Cordero, Ben Sheets, Brian Shouse, Jeff Suppan, Derrick Turnbow, Claudio Vargas, Matt Wise, Yovani Gallardo
Catchers (2)
Johnny Estrada, Damian Miller
Infielders (7)
Craig Counsell, Prince Fielder, Tony Graffanino, J.J. Hardy, Rickie Weeks, Ryan Braun, Vinny Rottino
Outfielder (5)
Gabe Gross, Bill Hall, Corey Hart, Geoff Jenkins, Brady Clark
DL (1)
Corey Koskie
Notes:
- I do not think Corey Koskie will be ready to go full time, which leads to him starting on the DL (whether it's 15 or 60 days is yet to be determined) and Ryan Braun getting a chance off the bench right out of the gates, with Counsell and Graffanino platooning at third.
- I also believe the Brewers will trade Kevin Mench before the spring ends, which is why he is absent from this list.
- I added Yovani Gallardo to the bullpen and left Carlos Villanueva starting the season in AAA. I think they will decide to keep Villanueva down in the minors since, with days off at the start of the year, they will be able to use a 4 man rotation and will want to get him more regular work than that. In Nashville he and Zach Jackson will be able to do so. Gallardo is given the chance to get his feet wet, but will be the one sent down when the rotation extends to 5 men. This one might be a stretch, but we'll see.
- Vinny Rottino was one of the last players left on the roster last spring before heading down. This year, I think Ned will see that he has potential as a great spark off the bench and provides the flexibility since he can play just about any position. Plus, being from Racine will help to make him a fan favorite. However, if he gets off to a slow start I could see him going down and Laynce Nix coming up.
Nice post. If its okay, I'd like to share with you my final 25.
I believe their will by 11 pitchers but I don't think the Brewers will use Gallardo for two reasons. 1. He has all his options left. Why waste one when he can get regular work down in AAA. 2. He's not on the 40-man roster which means his contract has to be purchased and someone has to be bumped off the 40-man. Gallardo is a nice insurance policy that probably needs another year in the high minors. Last year, he split between high A and double A. I think the 11th pitcher will be Grant Balfour. I've heard nothing but great things thus far on Balfour, plus, he has major-league experience.
If Ryan Braun comes north with the Brewers, Rottino will not. I don't see the Brewers carrying 7 infielders unless one of them could be used as a late-inning pinch-runner. Rottino does not have the kind of speed to warrant that. I agree with you on Koskie. If they keep Braun down in triple A, Rottino has a shot to come north with the team.
I believe the Brewers will carry 6 outfielders (Hall, Jenkins, Gross, Hart, Clark, and Mench). Melvin will not just give Mench away, otherwise, he would have during the Winter Meetings.
If, for some reason, the Brewers only bring 5 infielders north (Hardy, Weeks, Fielder, Counsell, and Graffanino), they may consider using Gwynn Jr as their late-inning pinch-runner. That, or a 12th pitcher in Dennis Sarfate.
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I guess I didn't take the items mentioned about Gallardo into my consideration. From what you said, you are absolutely correct with your assessment. It wouldn't make sense to bring him up at this point. I have also heard good things about Balfour. I guess Gallardo is my "no one else predicted that but you" prediction.
I would love to have Braun and Rottino stay down and Koskie be healthy, but don't think it is going to happen. With Mike Matheny retiring due to the same thing Corey is dealing with, I am very concerned. Matheny was a tough player, and if he is unable to return I worry about Corey and his chances.
My feeling on Mench is that another team will find, due to injury or lack of performance, he is more valuable than they first thought. I think he will have a decent spring, and the offers will come in. Melvin will not just give him away, but I am predicting a team will come calling and Doug will bite. An extra arm in the bullpen would be ideal. I have a feeling that, if a deal occurs, it will be late in the spring and will include a player on the fringe of a roster... pretty much a swap up unwanted/unneeded players that could help both teams. Just a hunch.. probably wrong, but a hunch nonetheless.
As exciting as Gwynn Jr. will be when he matures and gets the call up, I don't see that call up happening until the midway point of the season. He looked confused at some points and I would hate to have him out there until I knew he was a little more comfortable.
I guess the Rottino/Braun combo on the 25 man roster is a little bit of a stretch, but, again, I had to make my 25 different from everyone else's or it wouldn't spark the conversation I had hoped it would.
Thanks for the comment! I am still trying to learn the players towards the bottom of the 25/40 man rosters and the non roster guys. Heck, I saw Mike Myers and thought it was the same pitcher we had in the late 90's... but then realized he is still on the Yankees and is about 10 years older than the Mike Myers on the non-roster invite list.
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