Reviewing the Brew » George Kottaras

Brew Crew Online: Episode 15

Benjamin Orr — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 18:30:29 +0000

Welcome once again to Brew Crew Online. In episode 15, Colin and I discuss the Milwaukee Brewers’ life after Zack Greinke and how they will rebound from it. We also discuss a surprising team in the MLB that may have the support of just about everyone, unless you’re a duly noted rival of them. Here’s what Colin and I discussed in today’s episode: (more…)

Deadline Passes, Brewers Stay Silent

Colin Bennett — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 00:22:02 +0000

In the weekend leading up to the Trade Deadline, all signs pointed to the Brewers opening the floodgates and letting go of whatever contract money they could in order to rebuild for the future. Doug Melvin said in no clearer terms that the Milwaukee Brewers were ‘Open for Business.’

Zack Greinke left for the Angels. George Kottaras left for Oakland.

Then, something strange happened: nothing.

The Non-Waiver Trade Deadline has officially washed over Major League Baseball, and though there were plenty of big deals going down across both leagues – the Brewers weren’t in on one of them.

Why?

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Notes on the Kottaras Deal

Colin Bennett — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 05:53:28 +0000

Four days ago, Milwaukee Brewers Catcher George Kottaras was designated for assignment. Yesterday, the deal went through that would send the 28 year-old to the Oakland Athletics. In return, Milwaukee netted right-handed reliever Fautino De Los Santos from the A’s, and inked a separate minor league deal with veteran Humberto Quintero to add depth to [...]

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Kottaras dealt to the Athletics

Brad White — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 02:07:28 +0000

Today was a sad day for some around the Brewer Nation. The Brewers’ back-up catcher for the past few years, George Kottaras, was traded to the Athletics. The deal could still be in the works, as we haven’t heard what the Brewers are getting in return.

Kottaras, originally a late round pick by the Padres in 2002, was picked up by the Brewers during the 2009-2010 offseason, on the same day that the Red Sox released him. He had served as the Brewers back-up catcher for most of the time since, except when he briefly took on the starting role in early 2010 after a season-ending injury to Gregg Zaun. He promptly lost it after the emergence of Jonathan Lucroy.

Kottaras hit .218 over his three seasons with the Brewers, which is what you’d expect from a back-up catcher most of the time. In his first season, 2010, he didn’t hit for a very high average (.203), but hit nine home runs and had 26 RBIs and showed some promising power. The power fell in 2011 (just five home runs), but he hit .252.

He got off to a very hot start this year, hitting three home runs in the Brewers’ first six games of the season. But, Kottaras hasn’t hit a home run since April 12^th, and his average fell from the mid-.400’s all the way to .209.

After Lucroy’s injury in late May, instead of using Kottaras as the starting catcher, Ron Roenicke opted to call up Martin Maldonado and try his hand at starting. Maldonado was hitting under .200 at Triple-A Nashville, but has been very productive at the plate since his call-up, with five home runs and a .275 average. With Lucroy recently coming back from his injury, there just wasn’t a place on the roster for Kottaras, who has just been serving as Randy Wolf’s personal catcher, on the roster any more. He was designated for assignment as the corresponding move for Lucroy’s return to the 25-man roster.

But the Brewers, who are still high on Kottaras, believed he still deserved a shot at playing in the Majors. Teams like the Indians, Blue Jays, and Athletics were interested in using him in the Majors, and it was the A’s who wound up getting him. The A’s definitely need help at the catching position, with their two catchers- Kurt Suzuki and Derek Norris- both hitting barely over .200. On the year, Athletics catchers are hitting for a cumulative .198 average. Kottaras won’t necessarily help with the average part, but he’s always had a massive on-base percentage (he had a .409 OBP despite his .209 average this year). His great eye helped with that, as he had more walks than strikeouts.

So best of luck to Kottaras in Oakland (or wherever else he winds up after). I’ve always tried to be high on him myself, but there isn’t room for him in Milwaukee any more.

Are the 2012 Brewers officially dead?

Benjamin Orr — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 18:17:01 +0000

Dead. There’s really no better word to describe the Milwaukee Brewers (44-54) anymore. Losing games we should have won, giving up 6-1 leads and just not clicking as an overall team has been the epitome of July. The Brewers now sit at 14 games back of first in the NL Central and 10 games out of the NL Wild Card. Zack Greinke is expected to be traded within the next four days, the bullpen is still awful and the offense is doing all it can, but its efforts are over shadowed by the bullpen’s implosions. Is this a point, heading into August next week, where the Brewers just sit down, play out the rest of the season while looking at next year? I say yes. Personally, I think going forward, Greinke MUST be a part of this team to help concentrate around a core group of guys, but GM Doug Melvin thinks otherwise. The Brewers dropped their 7th game in a row last night as the Washington Nationals (59-39), who now are tied with the New York Yankees for the MLB’s best record, just flat out annihilated the Brew Crew. When will the bleeding stop for the Brewers? (more…)

Lucroy Back, Kottaras DFA’d

Colin Bennett — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 18:47:58 +0000

Well, we knew this was only a matter of time.

Today catcher Jonathan Lucroy will officially be back as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers. But that will only be one change to the team that has seen a multitude of them over a disappointing 2012 season.

With Lucroy’s move back to the Majors, he brings with him Nashville Sounds closer Jim Henderson. The pair will be replacing back-up catcher George Kottaras – who was designated for assignment – and shortstop Jeff Bianchi who was optioned back to the Nashville AAA club.

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Hurry Up and Wait: Brewers ‘Open For Business’

Colin Bennett — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 05:06:46 +0000

Well, the day everyone (except for about two of us here at Reviewing the Brew) has been waiting for is finally upon us: Welcome the Grand Opening of the Milwaukee Brewers fire sale. The only questions left are who and where. Multiple sources are now reporting that Brewers GM Doug Melvin made the decision that [...]

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Recap on Tap: Marlins 7, Brewers 6, 10 innings

Benjamin Orr — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 01:49:47 +0000

Missed it by that much! So if you didn’t think the Milwaukee Brewers and Miami Marlins would play two extra inning games back to back, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, this late inning affair did not end in our favor. For once, the bullpen didn’t actually implode, but obviously they still are far from dominanting. Randy Wolf and Josh Johnson both pitched well enough to try and keep their clubs in the game today, but still that’s not an impressive stat line to look at for either guy. Offensively, the fish had a big day from Justin Ruggiano who had two hits in four trips to the plate. For the Brew Crew, Aramis Ramirez has continued his red hot production. However, this game is another set back for the Brewers who are now five games below .500. (more…)

RtB’s Mid-Season Awards: Milwaukee Brewers Edition

Colin Bennett — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 18:46:33 +0000

Since we are drawing ever closer to the Midsummer Classic, it is becoming more commonplace to take stock of the season thus far.

It’s been a trying year for Brewers fans, to say the least, but that doesn’t mean that the season is without bright spots.

With that in mind, and due to a complete lack of motivation for writing another Recap on Tap detailing the intricacies that led to a Brewers loss in the series opening against the Diamondbacks, I have pushed forward our mid-season awards ceremony to today. So put on your fancy clothes and clap along politely as we present the Milwaukee Brewers and the rest of the National League with our very own awards.

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Recap On Tap: Reds 4, Brewers 3

Colin Bennett — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 03:18:32 +0000

What is a pitcher to do against the Cincinnati Reds?

Apparently, they have to do far more than the Reds pitchers need to do against Milwaukee’s offense.

It was a nearly historic night for the Reds starter Bronson Arroyo – a pitcher who has gone the distance well against Milwaukee in the past few seasons – nearly no-hit the Brewers, carrying his bid through nearly eight innings.

That was not to be, as it looked like a game began anew in the last third of the game with a flurry of hits by the Brewers offense.

One more bad break – and one more bad pitch by Axford – sealed the fate of the Brewers as the Reds triumphed again to take the series, this time by a score of 4-3.

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