Brewers find their man

[love_that_reefer]

The Brewers have hired Ron Roenicke as their new manager, tweets Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. The report has been confirmed by Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (Twitter link). Bobby Valentine, Bob Melvin, and Joey Cora were also reportedly candidates for the job. Roenicke has served as a coach with the Angels for eleven years, managing in the minor leagues before that. Roenicke spent eight seasons playing outfield in the Majors for the Dodgers, Mariners, Padres, Giants, Phillies, and Reds.

Don't know much about him but he's been around the game a long time and has been sitting next to Mike Scioscia for the past decade. Interesting to see what the Brewers do this offseason in terms of their rotation and Prince Fielder.

[K-Zone]

This team really needs to focus on upgrading there rotation behind Gallardo. Prince is also very important because he gives them that big run producer in the middle of the lineup.

[Hardy Blonde]

Source: Brewers hire Ron Roenicke as manager
Chris Jenkins, The Associated Press

MILWAUKEE - Ron Roenicke showed he can win as a fill-in manager. Now he gets a chance to do it every day.

The Milwaukee Brewers hired the Los Angeles Angels' bench coach to be their new manager, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The person requested anonymity because the team has not yet announced the move.

The 54-year-old Roenicke has been a member of the Angels' coaching staff for the past 11 seasons, including the past five as bench coach. He won each time he subbed for Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia, a perfect seven for seven.


Roenicke replaced Ken Macha, who was fired after two disappointing seasons, a tenure that came in the wake of the team's 2008 playoff appearance — its first since 1982. He inherits a team with pitching problems and a prince — Prince Fielder(notes) — facing an uncertain future.

The Chicago Sun-Times first reported Roenicke's hiring.

Roenicke was seen as a long shot candidate in the Brewers' search. Other reported candidates included Chicago White Sox bench coach Joey Cora, former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine and former Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin.

All-star right-fielder Corey Hart(notes) said Tuesday night he didn't know anything about Roenicke, who becomes the fourth Milwaukee manager in the last two-plus years.

"I'm sure since he was the guy picked over the rest of the candidates that he's the right guy to lead us back to the playoffs," Hart said in a text message. "I look forward to getting to know him."

Roenicke has never been a full-time major league manager outside of his successful games filling in for Scioscia. He was the Angels' third base coach for his first six seasons with club and became bench coach when Joe Maddon left for Tampa Bay.

Scioscia's staff has been fertile ground for managerial candidates, with the San Diego Padres also looking there to for Bud Black.

Roenicke began his coaching career with the Los Angeles Dodgers and went on to coach in the minor leagues, including five seasons as a manager.

Roenicke also played for six major league teams over eight seasons. He was a career .238 hitter with 17 homers and 113 RBIs in 527 games. He reached the post-season in 1984 as a member of the NL champion San Diego Padres.

He takes over a team that has struggled to find consistent pitching and must make a difficult decision on whether to trade burly first baseman Fielder.

Milwaukee has a young core of all-stars, with outfielders Ryan Braun and Corey Hart and staff ace Yovani Gallardo(notes) signed to long-term contracts, and has an enthusiastic fan base for a small market.

But Fielder is heading into his final year under team control and is expected to seek a budget-busting free-agent contract.

Milwaukee made several personnel moves Tuesday, waving goodbye to reliever Trevor Hoffman(notes).

The Brewers declined their US$7.5 million mutual option on Hoffman and will pay the career saves leader a $750,000 buyout. The move was expected after the 43-year-old struggled and lost his closer's role to rookie John Axford(notes). Axford saved 24 of 27 chances.

Hoffman went out on a high note, getting his 600th save on Sept. 7 and finishing the season with 10 to raise his total to 601. He had a 5.89 earned-run average this year.

Milwaukee also declined a $6.5 million option on left-hander Doug Davis(notes) and a $2.25 million option on catcher Gregg Zaun(notes), who both were injured for most of the season. Davis gets a $1 million buyout and Zaun $250,000.

Zaun said via email that his injury rehabilitation is going well and he intends to play next season.

Right-hander Dave Bush(notes), left-hander Chris Capuano(notes) and infielder Craig Counsell(notes) became free agents, and the Brewers claimed right-hander Justin James(notes) off waivers from Oakland.


Bye bye Hoffman and Dough Davis

[love_that_reefer]

The Brewers have hired Rick Kranitz as pitching coach and Jerry Narron as bench coach.
Kranitz was recently hired as the minor league pitching coordinator for the Astros, but obviously jumped at the opportunity to be a pitching coach in the big leagues again. He replaces Rick Peterson, who was officially relieved of his duties on Monday. Kranitz has been a pitching coach with the Marlins and more recently, with the Orioles. Narron has managed in the big leagues with the Rangers and Reds. He most recently served as a special assignments scout and front office consultant with the Rangers.

Dropping Peterson for Kranitz? Ballsy move by the Brewers.

[Hardy Blonde]

More on that story....

Brewers fill out staff with 3 new coaches

MILWAUKEE (AP)—The Milwaukee Brewers have filled out their staff under new manager Ron Roenicke with three new coaches and three returning from last year’s group.

Former Reds manager Jerry Narron takes over as bench coach in place of Willie Randolph, former Orioles pitching coach Rick Kranitz replaces Rick Peterson in the same role and longtime Brewers minor league coach Garth Iorg is now the first base and infield coach.

The Brewers previously said Dale Sveum would return as hitting coach and Ed Sedar would return to the staff. He’s shifting from first base to third-base coach.

The Brewers also announced that bullpen coach Stan Kyles would return.

Roenicke was selected as manager on Nov. 4 from a group of four finalists to replace Ken Macha.