Milwaukee Brewers News for Feb. 6: Ben Sheets Surgery, Minor League Happenings

Brewers News

- As Bryan mentioned below, Ben Sheets will have elbow surgery and will miss, at least, several months of the 2009 season: It looks like Milwaukee will get NO draft compensation and might have to cover the bill for his procedure to boot. Inevitably, the rumors for Milwaukee to sign Sheets will return come June, and this will become more and more annoying.

- Buster Olney says Milwaukee may pursue a starter mid-season.

- Mitch Stetter sits at No. 8 at BCB’s Brewers Advent Calendar. 

- Chase Wright wearing a dress—and presenting a decent option for pitching depth.

- In-Between Hops has some solutions for the supposed SP shortage.

- Brewers Bars thinks some lingering questions will be answered in Spring Training.

Minor Leagues

- An unnamed Brewers scout feels that trading Eric Fryer was a huge mistake...claiming he’ll be a star: He put up great numbers but was blocked both ahead and behind in the minors. I truly hope he does well in his opportunity in the Yankees farm system. I’m happy with the trade but would be love to see him in the majors at some point. Best of luck, Eric.

- As Jared predicted yesterday, Alcides Escobar is Milwaukee’s No. 1 prospect at Bernie’s Crew, and Mat Gamel comes in at No. 1 Between the Green Pillars. 

- Trot Nixon is poised to transform his minor league deal into a Major League bench role.

NL Central

- Reds signed Daryle Ward and Jacque Jones: Two low-risk, cheap moves that may help if needed.

- Is it leaping Lou “redass” Piniella’s last season managing? One site says so.

- Edinson Volquez, a gun, and the dude from Dangerous Minds.

Other News

- Mets sign former Brewer Elmer Dessens—and yet the world continues to spin. How?

- Jay Gibbons doesn’t know why he’s simply known as “the guy named in the Mitchell Report: I don’t know, maybe being named in the Mitchell Report had something to do with it.