The latest roster and payroll projections

The one is going to be short and, well, bitter.  The Brewers did not sign Corey Hart as I had prognosticated and they did not sign James Loney as I had advocated.  In point of fact, they have not signed anyone...at all.  The trade talks with the Mets over Ike Davis have gone nowhere, thankfully, and it doesn't look like there are any other possibilities on the trade market.  Michael Young was a name that came up, but as of yet that seems to have gone nowhere.  For right now, it seems more likely than before that the Brewers will fill from with-in.  I do expect them to sign someone for the pen, maybe two someones.  I think it's likely they do get another position player too, but maybe someone for depth instead of a starter.  But hey, what do I know?  Anyway, here is how I see the roster playing out as of right now.

C: Jonathan Lucroy ($2 MM)	BN: Martin Maldonado ($500 k)*
1B: Juan Francisco ($1.4 MM)**	BN: Free agent.
2B: Scooter Gennett ($500 k)*	BN: Rickie Weeks ($11 MM)
3B: Aramis Ramirez ($10 MM)	BN: Jeff Bianchi ($500 k)*
SS: Jean Segura ($500 k)*
LF: Khris Davis ($500 k)*
CF: Carlos Gomez ($7 MM)	OF: Logan Schafer ($500 k)*
RF: Ryan Braun ($12.5 MM)

SP: Kyle Lohse ($11 MM)	RP: Jim Henderson ($500 k)*
SP: Yovani Gallardo ($11.5 MM)	RP: Brandon Kintzler ($500 k)*
SP: Wily Peralta ($500 K)*	RP: Tom Gorzelanny ($2.8 MM)
SP: Marco Estrada ($3.5 MM)**	RP: Rob Wooten ($500 k)*
SP: Tyler Thornburg ($500 k)*	RP: Donovan Hand ($500 k)*
	RP: Will Smith ($500k)* RP: Free Agent

Unless otherwise noted, all figures come from Cots Contracts.

*League minimum

**Arbitration projections from MLB Trade Rumors

With two open roster spots for bench/first base and the bullpen, I estimate the the payroll to be $80.2 million.  If they were to fill the final two spots from with-in the payroll total would come to $81.2 million.  For reference (also from Cots), the Brewers spent $88,828,333 in 2013 and in $98,150,833 in 2012.