Cactus League Heating Up
“Juust a bit outside..” – Bob Ueker
The chalk is grinded and ready to line the field, the hot dog machines are warmed up, and the beer, is still 14 dollars. It’s beginning to look a lot like spring training here in the valley of the sun for Brewers camp in Phoenix, Arizona! Lots of movement has been happening in Brew City during the off season, the departure of manager Craig Counsell, ushering in a new era under Pat Murphy. The fresh news of resigning franchise legend pitcher Brandon Woodruff was a loose end tied up. Yet another end remains loose with veteran catcher Gary Sanchez absent from the desert camp facility. Let’s get into this week’s details and storylines from Brewers camp.
Representing the franchise’s 20th manager, Pat Murphy was a clear cut choice from inside the organization. The rest of the staff is returning in their roles from last year, with former infielder Rickie Weeks coming in to fill Murphy’s former spot. Murphy spent decades in the college ranks at Arizona State and Notre Dame where he coached former manager and player Craig Counsell, and came to be his bench coach in 2016. Just before arriving to the Brewers he had a stint with the Padres, where he gained pro managerial experience in an interim role during their 2015 season. GM Matt Arnold was quoted saying, “Pat has been a significant contributor in the run of recent seasons of unprecedented success in franchise history. We are pleased to have Pat remain in the Brewers family.”
Shoulder surgery is expected to keep Woodruff out of commission for most if not all of the ’24 season. But the team wanted to make a real attempt to hold on to their fan favorite pitcher and give him a shot at redemption after his procedure. Brandon had surgery in November and is fighting to get back at some point this year, but time and physical therapy will tell. Shoulder injuries are a more dreaded injury for a power pitcher like Woodruff. The Two year deal gives him some financial stability while he rehabs and attempts to come back, but should also give the Brewers an evaluation year with him after he’s healed before hitting free agency again. Either way this seems to be a fan and player considerate offer, giving Brandon a chance to end his career the right way. Should he not return to his prior form, there’s already an offer for him on the coaching staff waiting. With the lowest ERA in club history (3.10), he ranks seventh on the team list for strikeouts at 788, and put up 28 postseason innings on the mound. Not to forget his memorable homer off Clayton Kershaw in the first game of the 2018 NLCS.
It’s been a week now roughly since pitchers and catchers reported to the Arizona training facility, but still no sign of Gary Sanchez. It’s been almost two weeks since it was reported that the club and Sanchez reached a deal, but it still hasn’t been formally announced, leading to some raised eyebrows. One thought that’s been tossed around is that maybe something on his physical showed up, and caused them to rework the contract terms. With no guarantee that it will or won’t go through, the catcher/DH positions are now in question. Before it looked like a deal would be reached, the direction was indicating that William Contreras would be the starter, and have recently signed Eric Haase be the backup, with top prospect Jeferson Quero starting in triple A. If Sanchez’s deal does finalize, that will add some flexibility, rotating the DH role for Contreras. Carrying 3 catchers is rare for Milwaukee, but would help prevent wear and tear, as well as juggle the DH spot with any future injuries. Phone a friend if you spot Gary Sanchez, I’ll have my sunscreen and glove ready out here to watch the Cactus League action, Spring Training 2024!
