Final Roster Moves

Our boy Doug was busy this week on the phones making final roster moves to the 40 man roster before pitchers and catchers report tomorrow.

Everybody knew the Looper deal was basically done. The only question was who was going to get the ax off the 40 man. According to Tom H., Vinnie Rottino got DFA'd.

Too bad, I'm a big Rottino supporter. It would have been a great story to see him play significant time on the Brewers but it turns out he won't get the chance. I got the chance to play next to Rottino in his last year at UW-L (when he played for the baseball team...and I was...ahem...cut from the baseball team after 4 weeks of fall tryouts) where he still holds basically every offensive record.

To this day, I will maintain he was the best player I've ever been on a diamond with (take that for what it's worth, but I did play with some good ballplayers in my day). Every time he got to the plate during a scrimmage, I swear the ball shot off his bat into right-center, left-center, or over the fence. Plus he played shortstop and had an absolute cannon. Needless to say, he was the hardest working player on the team. Plus, he played his last year under the tutelage of THIS GUY, who apparently ended up being not the best role model in the business.

So who knows what will happen with Rottino. Unfortunately he never found a clear position in the minors and has been passed by now with the development of Angel Salome and upcoming Brett Lawrie (who as we know...expects to be in the majors next year). I wouldn't be surprised if somebody plucked him off waivers in the next 10 days. We shall see.

In the other move which I guess can be considered somewhat of a surprise, the Brewers DFA'd Luis Pena and picked up a dude by the name of Nick Green from the Angels Org. Pena was the closer most of last year at Triple A but it seemed like the presence of Derrick Turnbow caused him to have serious control problems (47 walks v 49 strikeouts...yikes). He also ended up with a whip of 2.05 (!!!). Anyway, Pena was probably the top bullpen prospect in the organization last year before his blowup.

As far as Nick Green goes, let me just say that I find it ridiculous that there is already a picture of him with a Brewers hat on Brewers.com. Actually, its kind of spooky.

This move is fine by me. Green has thrown 178 and 159 innings the last two years...and will provide more depth for the rotation down at Triple A. Melvin hates relievers anyway.