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Sports Musings: Week of March 1

By: 
Andrew Hanlon
A baseball-heavy week of musings:
  • The Milwaukee Brewers have another outfield “problem” again. On a fateful day in January 2018 (I’ll never forget my phone blowing up as I sat on the beach in Costa Rica) Milwaukee surprised the baseball world with a blockbuster trade for future-MVP outfielder Christian Yelich … and then announced the signing of star outfielder and World Series champion Lorenzo Cain later that same day. It was thought that there were “too many cooks in the kitchen” as the saying goes. The Brewers also had Ryan Braun, who was still Ryan Braun at the time, and Domingo Santana, who was coming off his best season as a pro. How would Milwaukee find playing time for five starting outfielders? Well, they split time with all five, injuries piled up, Santana had a down year … and all of a sudden there was no longer a log jam. 
  • Fast forward to last week when Milwaukee signed outfielder Jackie Bradley, Jr. and we’re right back where we were, apparently. Cain is back after opting out of last season, Yelich is still one of the best players in baseball even after a down 2020 and the Brewers signed Avisail Garcia prior to last season. Those three were expected to eat up most of the outfield innings prior to Bradley’s signing. Milwaukee also brought a number of outfield prospects to major league camp, leading most to believe one or two of those players would become the fourth or fifth outfielders. Well, Bradley is a huge upgrade over the likes of Tyrone Taylor, Derek Fisher or Billy McKinney. Secondly, Cain is 35 years old and didn’t play last year, and his offseason “training” plan was to chase his kids around the backyard. He’s already behind schedule physically in early March. Amassing talent is always the best way to build any team; the competition for playing time always works itself out and Bradley is one of the best defensive outfielders in the league and is a decent hitter to boot.
  • Garcia was this year’s winner for the IBSOML (In the Best Shape of My Life) Award. Every year, no matter the sport, at least one player shows up in “the best shape of his life” and the media runs with it as that player’s expectations skyrocket for no real reason. Garcia lost 40 pounds during the offseason, so, obviously, he’s in the best shape of his life. Which means nothing, really.
  • Milwaukee’s infield is beginning to take shape as well as spring training moves forward. Manager Craig Counsell said Luis Urias — one of the top prospects in baseball when he was acquired in a trade prior to last season — will be given the opportunity to earn the job as the team’s everyday shortstop. After coming to Milwaukee, Urias’ year was tough, to say the least. He spent spring training recovering from a fractured wrist, and when he was ready to return in March, the world shut down. When baseball came back, Urias tested positive for COVID-19. His year never really got off the ground. With a fresh slate this season, it sounds like he will man shortstop for the time being, moving incumbent Orlando Arcia primarily to third base. The Brewers also signed Gold Glove winner Kolten Wong to play second and moved former second baseman Keston Hiura to first. Lots of shuffling, yes, but it should lead to an improved defensive infield.
  • And with Bradley in the mix in the outfield, an improved defensive outfield too. 
  • Will our heads explode when baseball goes back to being about pitching and defense and teams aren’t hitting 4 home runs every night?