Brewers Owner Mark Attanasio on Thursday indicated he feels positive about his organization's "massive rebuilding program," according to a front-page piece by Tom Haudricourt of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL. Attanasio said, "I'm liking everything I see right now. The energy is really good." Haudricourt reports the Brewers are slated to begin the '16 season with a payroll just over $60M, which is "projected to be lowest" in MLB. Attanasio: "Payroll has come down because of our need to build as much young talent as we can. We're looking at controllable talent. ... We are looking a couple years down the road to when we think we'll be a playoff-caliber team. The Royals were able to boost their payroll to pretty significant numbers to win a World Series. We'd certainly be willing to do that if we felt the team was ready to contend at that level." Attanasio called the "suggestion of losing intentionally 'ridiculous.'" He said, "'Tanking' has become the go-to euphemism. ... We're not trying to tank. We're not trying to get the first draft pick. Not once have we had that conversation internally. That's never been the case in this organization for 11 years." He added, "If we're in the hunt somehow -- and I don't want to be unrealistic -- you'll see us add players to compete. We all want to compete; we all want to win" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 2/26).
BALL AND GLOVE: In Milwaukee, Rian Bosse reported the Brewers are "sporting a new, yet familiar look" during Spring Training. The team is wearing a uniform "based on the team's new alternate jersey that features the retro 'ball and glove' logo on their hats and sleeves." The uniform also will incorporate the "classic yellow with the more contemporary navy and 'Milwaukee' script across the chest." The alternative jersey has been "added to the uniform rotation for the regular season and will be worn on most Sunday home and road games" (JSONLINE.com, 2/24).
