Brewer News for December 9th, 2013

How will Norichika Aoki do in Kansas City next season? Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Hello again everyone and welcome to the Monday morning edition of Brewer News. Today, we’ll be taking a look at the news from the past week and reviewing what all happened in the world of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Transactions

Last Thursday, the Brewers traded outfielder Norichika Aoki to the Kansas City Royals for left-handed pitcher Will Smith. Aoki, 31, was heading into his last year with the Brewers in 2014 and became expendable for the team when Khris Davis emerged this past season.

With the trade, the Brewers gain another lefty in Smith, 24, who will either join Tom Gorzelanny as the second left-hander in the bullpen, or will go to the starting rotation. Smith made his major league debut for the Royals in 2012 and primarily pitched in relief roles this past year.

The Brewers have also been linked to Miami Marlins’ first baseman and occasional outfielder Logan Morrison as a trade possibility. Things between the Brewers and free-agent first baseman Corey Hart have not progressed, so the team has a real interest in Morrison. It is unknown who the Brew Crew might offer up in return, but they will also be competing with the Boston Red Sox for Morrison as they also have interest in the 26-year-old.

One minor move from the previous week was the St. Louis Cardinals’ non-tendering of reliever John Axford‘s contract last Monday. Axford had been traded to St. Louis at the end of August and would make his first appearance in the World Series just this past October. There are said to be 15 teams interested in him, but a reunion with the Brewers has not been brought up.

Dominican Winter League

In the Winter League, the Brewers’ participants haven’t been seeing much playing time lately. On the Tigres del Licey, Juan Francisco, Sean Halton, Ariel Pena and Alfredo Figaro have not played in the past week.

Elian Herrera, who is on the Estrellas de Oriente, has gone 9-for-21 (.429) with six RBIs in the last week while prospect Jason Rogers, who is with the Toros del Este, was 6-for-13 (.461) with one RBI.

Around RtB

In the past week, the staffers have been busy at work with trade and free-agency articles deal with players. Co-editor Justin Schultz made his case for Juan Francisco on Wednesday. Staff writer Ryan Connor looks at what he would have given up for starting pitcher Doug Fister and staff writer David Grant talks about his best case scenario for the Brewers’ 2014 relievers.

Today the MLB teams start the Winter Meetings so be sure to check out any and all news we may have regarding the Brewers.