Brewers pitchers, catchers report
Unknowns abound as Spring Training begins
PHOENIX -- Down in Tucson, pitchers and catchers reporting to the revamped
Diamondbacks are wondering, "Who the heck are you?"
Over in Scottsdale, reporters trailing the Giants along with two of
baseball's biggest stories -- the ongoing steroids saga and the march to home
run history -- are wondering, "Will Barry talk?"
Down in Mesa, where the Cubs are working out, the HoHoKams are wondering,
"Where's Sammy?" And just a few miles east, in Central Phoenix, followers of
the A's are thinking, "What happened to the Big Three?"
The Brewers are facing plenty of questions, too. But when Milwaukee's
pitchers and catchers officially reported for the start of Spring Training on
Saturday morning, they had the place to themselves.
"I've been here a few days, and most of the other guys have, too," said
newcomer Ricky Bottalico, who will be counted on to provide some veteran
presence in the bullpen. "We're all just ready to go."
Bottalico was one of a number of newcomers meeting their teammates this week.
Also on hand was catcher Damian Miller, the team's most notable free agent
acquisition, hard-throwing youngster Jose Capellan, who has turned some heads
in early throwing sessions, and veteran Jeff Cirillo, who will try to
resurrect his career where it began.
Soon enough, the throngs of autograph seekers will find the way to Maryvale
Baseball Park, a gem hidden down at Phoenix's west end. But for now, manager
Ned Yost, his coaching staff and the players who will suit up for six long
weeks of training can focus on the business at hand.
For Yost and general manager Doug Melvin, the first agenda item involves Ben
Sheets, who had surgery after last season to relieve a bulging disc in his
lower back. Sheets just agreed to a $6 million contract, the richest one-year
salary for any pitcher in franchise history, and Melvin & Co. want to check
his health before beginning long-term contract discussions.
Left-hander Doug Davis will also draw some attention. After settling with the
Brewers during the second half of 2003, Davis quietly was one of the National
League's most consistent starters in 2004 and cemented himself in the
rotation behind Sheets. The duo combined to make more quality starts than any
set of teammates in Major League Baseball.
Beyond that, Yost has some choices to make in his starting rotation. Victor
Santos won nine of his first 12 decisions last season before a second-half
fade, which he attributed partly to fatigue. Lefty Chris Capuano showed
promise when healthy, but he could not stay healthy. And the team will also
look at youngsters Capellan, Ben Hendrickson and Jorge De La Rosa, probably
committing at least one spot in the rotation to a rookie.
"I think there's probably some questions at the end of the game, but this
looks like a good staff," catcher Chad Moeller said. "There are the guys out
there in the bullpen who can do it, but it's just depends on where everybody
gets slotted. Those slots aren't given away. They have to be earned."
Mike Adams will have to hold off Bottalico if he wants to replace Dan Kolb as
the Brewers' closer. If De La Rosa fails to make the rotation, he will get a
chance to serve as the Brewers' first lefty reliever since the departure of
Ray King after the 2002 season.
The hitters will also begin trickling in this week, prior to the first
full-squad workout next weekend. And there are question marks in those ranks,
too, centering around the arrival of slugger Carlos Lee, the departure of
speedster Scott Podsednik and the shift of Geoff Jenkins to right field. If
the Brewers are to improve in 2005, the offense is going to have to do its
share.
All these issues will be settled over the coming weeks. Stay tuned, because
Brewers baseball is back.
--
★opengoodbook 你什麼時候設我為好友啦?!XD
To opengoodbook: 第一次丟你水球之後阿XD
★opengoodbook 我會害羞(跑)
To opengoodbook: :P
★opengoodbook 這麼主動......
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 140.121.215.45
Brewers 近期熱門文章
PTT體育區 即時熱門文章
