What we learned at the Winter Meetings: Day Four

Will the Brewers make a deal for the Mets’ Ike Davis? Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

In the fourth and final day of the Winter Meetings, there was still action going on with players finding new homes. However, did the Milwaukee Brewers do anything in this last day of the meetings?

Brewers

The Brewers have still not landed on a first baseman as they continue to talk to James Loney and the New York Mets about Ike Davis. Brewers’ general manager Doug Melvin met with the Mets’ GM Sandy Alderson and though they discussed Davis, a deal has not yet been made. In fact, it’s unknown if a deal will even be made at all between the two teams. The Tampa Bay Rays and Pittsburgh Pirates have also shown interest in Davis.

In the Rule 5 Draft, which usually signifies the end of the Winter Meetings, the Brewers selected three players. Perhaps the most prominent player the Brew Crew selected was Wei-Chung Wang, a 21-year-old Taiwanese pitcher who was with the Pirates.

Wang will be on the Brewers’ 25-man roster and will stay there unless the team wants to forfeit him back to Pittsburgh. Aside from Wang, the Brewers also picked up outfielder Kevin Mattison and third baseman Vinnie Catricala.

Rest of the MLB

A few players found new homes today as the meetings came to a close. The earliest signing happened this morning when the San Francisco Giants signed outfielder Mike Morse to a one-year deal worth $6MM. The Philadelphia Phillies added to their rotation by bringing RHP Roberto Hernandez on board for one-year and $1.5MM.

Nate McLouth found a home with the Washington Nationals for a two-year deal worth $10.75MM. Lastly the Detroit Tigers signed RHP Joba Chamberlain for one-year and $2.5MM.

The Miami Marlins made another trade when they sent outfielder Justin Ruggiano to the Chicago Cubs for outfielder Brian Bogusevic. It was reported earlier that the Kansas City Royals were talking about trading DH Billy Butler to the Toronto Blue Jays, but the talks haven’t progressed.

Left-handed relievers have also been scouted heavily by the Colorado Rockies who have been talking to both Boone Logan, who they signed for three years and $15MM, and J.P. Howell.

Reliever Joaquin Benoit has the interest of the Cleveland Indians and San Diego Padres. Closer Grant Balfour has three teams who have offered him deals.

So with that, the Winter Meetings are done. Are there any moves you would have like to seen the Brewers make or not make? Let us know your thoughts.