MILWAUKEE -- “What’s on your mind?” I asked. And here’s how you answered:
Justin Turner is on my mind.
-- @theluckyedge
Yeah, I’m not surprised. Everyone loves a good mystery team.
The Brewers are one of two “mystery teams” showing interest in the free-agent third baseman, per MLB Network insider and mystery man Jon Heyman. According to Jon, the Dodgers, Blue Jays and one other team are in Turner’s final four. Purely from a baseball point of view, the Crew makes perfect sense. It needs a third baseman, unless it plans to go into the season counting on Luis Urías, who doesn’t hit for much power, or Daniel Robertson, a former top prospect who hasn’t gained a foothold as a Major League regular. And Milwaukee has a history of swooping in and offering a one-year, high-dollar offer if a free agent doesn’t find an offer to his liking. Think Mike Moustakas and Yasmani Grandal. (I’m not the only one thinking that. Kyle Lesniewski wrote the same on the great Brew Crew Ball website, and others have mentioned it, too.)
The Brewers’ interest is real, though I’m not ready to bet against the Dodgers bringing back Turner, a core piece of their World Series team. He’s 36 years old, has had some injury issues and reportedly wants four years, but he’s also really good, with a weighted runs created plus of 123 or better every year since revamping his swing and going to the Dodgers in 2014. If Turner doesn’t get the years he wants, then David Stearns, Matt Arnold and the Brewers could swoop in. According to MLB Trade Rumors’ accounting, the Brewers have about $25 million in space before they get to last year’s pre-pandemic payroll.
Two big questions: Would the Brewers be willing to go that high, and would it be enough?
Aside from Yelich, who should the fans look for the biggest bounceback from?
-- Blake
I’d be willing to bet on Adrian Houser’s arm. He’s better than his 5.30 ERA and 1.50 WHIP during the shortened 2020 season, when Corbin Burnes provided an example of the peril of giving up on a good arm too soon.
Who's on first?
-- @davedfs42
Right now, Daniel Vogelbach is on first for the Brewers. I have a feeling that will change, though the man held his own in limited time there during 2020. I’m looking forward to seeing Vogelbach get a bunch of at-bats at American Family Field. Hopefully there are fans in the stands to catch what he sends them.
Will we ever get a concrete answer on the designated hitter?
-- David G.
Right now, there is no DH in the National League. But if last year showed us anything, it’s that things can change. The DH is not the only question hanging out there. How about the fact that teams don’t really know what their roster size will be? There’s a lot still to be settled between the league and the players.
Unless I missed the news of a deal getting done, I'm getting a little nervous about the Brewers not currently having a local TV deal.
-- Pierre G., Milwaukee
You have not missed any news, but I hear they are working on it. Stay tuned.
Do we know what they are doing with all the old signage? Will fans be able to purchase some of it?
-- @Retro__Rewind on Twitter
This was answered in the last Inbox and in the story from Wednesday’s sign raising, but it is a common question, so I thought I’d include it again. The big signage is property of Molson Coors, and a spokesperson told me this week that they have some plans for it, including permanent installations in the Miller Valley near the ballpark. As for smaller signage in and around the stadium, the Brewers say they are doing their best to preserve as much of it as possible for future auction or sale. Unfortunately, they found that many of those items were installed in such a way that prevents removing them intact, so there will be fewer items than you’d think. The club says it is trying its best and will have some news on that in the future. One of my few keepsakes from over the years is a brick from County Stadium, so I understand the interest in having a piece of “Miller Park” when it’s gone.
How cold is too cold to be grilling outside?
-- @Cryptzicle
According to our friends at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin, “to avoid hypothermia and frostbite, move your workout inside if the temperature drops below 0 degrees F or the wind chill reaches minus-17 degrees F. You are unlikely to get frostbite when the temperature is above 5 degrees F and the wind blows at less than 25 mph, according to the National Weather Service, but that risk increases substantially as the temperature drops and wind speeds pick up. Exposed skin can develop frostbite in 30 minutes at a wind chill of minus-19 degrees F.”
So, if you’re like me and consider outdoor grilling a workout, please follow those guidelines.
Home run Derby. Jaha. Gorman. Deer. Who wins?
-- @GormansTapRoom
We, the viewers, win. And the beer vendors.