In a surprising set of moves the Brewers elected to option first base backup candidates Matt Clark and Jason Rogers to the minor leagues Tuesday, along with reliever Rob Wooten.
It seems somewhat un-Brewers-like to send both Clark and Rogers to AAA Colorado Springs when one of them would have provided some pop on a bench that otherwise will lack it.
It had appeared as though one of them was virtually guaranteed a spot to back up Adam Lind, whether it was the left-handed-hitting Clark or the righty Rogers. Plus, Rogers can play some third base, which presumably would’ve been useful.
Instead the Brewers will start the year with a bench that favors defensive skills, which isn’t a bad idea. It’s just a little unusual for Milwaukee to prioritize its bench this way. Just last year they carried Mark Reynolds, Lyle Overbay and Rickie Weeks into the regular season. Those guys aren’t known as defensive aces, to say the least.
The inclusions of backup infielders Hector Gomez and Luis Jimenez has long looked to be a sure thing, which made the exits of Clark and Rogers easier for the ball club. Gomez and Jimenez don’t bat particularly well but both are out of options so it was a no-brainer that the Brewers would take advantage of their defensive talents on the bench, at least to start the year.
Of course, Clark or Rogers could be called up at any time. With the pair of them sent to Triple-A, it looks as though either fifth outfielder Logan Schafer or non-roster infielder Elian Herrera will make team. Schafer could easily be optioned after the season begins, and Herrera wouldn’t be a huge loss if cut because Milwaukee now has similar players in abundance, including Luis Sardinas at Colorado Springs.
The Brewers could also take advantage of the movement of many players among major league teams as spring training winds down. Numerous players have already been jettisoned by various teams over the last week or two and that flow should increase as we near Opening Day. There are also trades popping up here and there. So who knows, it’s possible the Brewers could pick up an actual first baseman to back up Lind before Opening Day from some other team.
On the pitching side, evidently Tyler Thornburg and Michael Blazek will stick around to be swingmen out of the bullpen. Thornburg’s been good in camp and his inclusion isn’t surprising, but Blazek had looked like a goner only a week or so ago. There were reports he was to start games in the minors. After a good performance since, Blazek has secured a spot in the big leagues.
These are interesting moves by a Brewers club that usually favors tater trots over glove wizardry. Schafer probably makes the club now as the 25th man, deservedly so or not.
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