On Monday night, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported Milwaukee Brewers will not tender Chris Carter making him a free agent this winter. This is a move that stunned many people as the expectation was Milwaukee would keep their first baseman for another season. That’s not the direction Brewers will go and one wonders how the first base position will end up when the season begins in April.

Brewers followed up this decision by signing Eric Thames, who has been playing the last three years in Korea, to a three-year deal worth 16 million dollars. Thames is a left-handed power hitter who will try to replace the production that Carter provided for Milwaukee. Brewers did their scouting on Thames with just video so that’s an interesting move. I don’t hate this move by David Sterns and company. The trade value for Carter is pretty much defined at this point. We know what we’re getting from him. He’s basically Russell Branyan. Thames could have a huge season and could be a valued trade piece by July or next Winter. This is the first move from Stearns where there is some disagreement so we’ll see how much time the Fans give Thames.

Milwaukee is making moves before winter meetings with a position defined. Other than Orlando Arica at shortstop and now Thames at first base, the rest of the seven positions are undefined for April. Stearns is far from done this winter.

Charlie.