Milwaukee Brewers Trade Rumors

Brewers, Marcum avoid arbitration
"Minutes before a scheduled arbitration hearing Friday afternoon in St. Petersburg, Fla., the Milwaukee Brewers and right-hander Shaun Marcum reached agreement on a one-year deal for $7,725,000 - the midpoint of figures filed in mid-January. So, why didn't the sides settle at the midpoint without going all the way to Florida? "Sometimes there are things out of your control," said Teddy Werner, the Brewers' vice president for business operations. "Sometimes the process has to play out." In other words, the arbitration process is all about comparables when working out a contract figure. The best comparables in terms of service time and production for Marcum were Chicago Cubs right-hander Matt"
Greinke open to contract extension
"Brewers ace Zack Greinke said he is still operating without an agent, but that does not necessarily scuttle the chances of a contract extension. Greinke is entering his second season with the team, and the final season of the four-year, $38 million extension he signed in January 2009. He severed his ties with CAA Sports last year, after the Brewers acquired Greinke in a trade with the Royals. "It'd be me in charge as of right now," he said. "So, we'll see how long that lasts." Asked about a possible extension, Greinke said, "I'll talk to them about it. I don't really want to talk to anyone else about it. But I like the business of baseball. It's exciting for me. It's not like I plan on"
Rickie Weeks still not fully recovered from ankle sprain
"It's been nearly six months since Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks suffered a severe left ankle sprain. And he's still in recovery mode. Weeks was able to return from the injury last season, but he batted just .243 with a .743 OPS over his final 46 regular-season plate appearances and went 6-for-41 (.146) in the playoffs. Weeks talked about his ongoing rehab Sunday afternoon at the Brewers' fan convention."
Reports: Prince Fielder coming to Tigers
"The various complications can be worked out later. For now, this much is clear: In stunning fashion as the so-called "mystery" team in the negotiations the Tigers reportedly have come to terms with first baseman Prince Fielder on a nine-year contract worth $214 million. As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, the team hadn't yet confirmed the signing — but the Tigers usually wait until a physical is taken and passed before making announcements. It could also be there's some language in the contract still to be worked out. But the framework of a bold free-agent signing is in place."
If Nats want Fielder, now may be perfect
"The Prince Fielder sweepstakes finally are nearing conclusion, according to major league sources. The Nationals remain a leading contender for the free-agent first baseman, if not the outright favorite. Which is as it should be. The Nats can get by without Fielder, playing Adam LaRoche at first for one more season, then acquiring a center fielder and moving left fielder Michael Morse to first in 2013. Some members of the Nats' ownership actually would prefer such a plan, sources say; the team committed $126 million to free-agent outfielder Jayson Werth last offseason and soon might award another major contract to third baseman Ryan Zimmerman."
Texas likely out of Prince Fielder free-agent derby
"The Texas Rangers believe they are out out of the bidding for free-agent slugger Prince Fielder, according to a person with knowledge of the talks, but not authorized to speak publicly because of the ongoing negotiations. Fielder met Jan. 13 with Rangers' offiicals in Dallas, and they were among his strongest suitors. The Rangers' likely elimination would seem to make the Washington Nationals front-runners for Fielder's services. The Nationals have courted Fielder for months and have had ongoing negotiations, but have waited patiently for the bidding process to unfold."
Nationals, Prince Fielder remain in talks
"The Nationals are among a handful of teams still working on signing free agent Prince Fielder, a person familiar with the negotiations said. The sides have yet to reach a deal but remain in communication. The Nationals have been connected to Fielder for weeks, with the owners meeting with Fielder's representative, Scott Boras, on multiple occasions. The Texas Rangers have been the team most commonly regarded as a suitor for Fielder, but another potential landing spot has emerged for Fielder, and one that could pique the Nationals' interest: the Baltimore Orioles."
The latest Prince Fielder chatter around the league
"The Nationals have stayed quiet for some time on Prince Fielder. General Manager Mike Rizzo has been declining comment on a near-daily basis for the past week or so, even deciding against taking questions from reporters when the team announced Gio Gonzalez's contract extension. Other efforts to get the Nationals' perspective on their pursuit of Fielder have come up empty, too. There have been no signs, at least publicly, that the wait for Fielder to sign is much closer to ending. But a few executives across the league have been weighing in on the Fielder sweepstakes. Here's the latest: >>> Today in Baltimore, Orioles GM Dan Duquette indicated to reporters, including MASN.com, that the"
Brewers 'close' to deal with Aoki
"Brewers general manager Doug Melvin just said he is "close" to a deal with Japanese outfielder Norichika Aoki. The sides have until 4 p.m. to do a deal or the club loses negotiating rights. Melvin made the comment at the end of the press conference introducing Craig Counsell as a new member of the front office. He would not say if the negotiations involve a one-year deal or more. "I don't want to say until something is done," he said."
Report: Washington Nationals seriously pursuing free agent Prince Fielder
"If the Rangers were hoping every other serious contender had bowed out of the race for Prince Fielder, they're out of luck. An unidentified source tole MLB.com's Bill Ladson that the Nationals are still heavily pursuing free agent Prince Fielder, and appear to be one of the few teams in serious talks with the first baseman. The source told Ladson that the most likely suitors for Fielder are the Nationals, Rangers and Marlins, and that the Cubs and Mariners, widely rumored to be interested in Fielder, aren't serious contenders at this point."
Rangers might be trying to decide between Hamilton, Fielder
"Josh Hamilton, feeling fine and potentially a free agent after the 2012 season, said on Saturday that he would gladly welcome the addition of free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder. "To imagine our lineup with Prince Fielder in it, it's pretty ridiculous looking," Hamilton said. "The short porch in right, my man could hit bombs. It would be pretty exciting to throw him in the mix." The goal, said Hamilton, is to put the best team on the field for 2012 and win the World Series after finishing as the runners-up the past two seasons. Fielder would be an upgrade, though at a steep price. So steep, in fact, that having him on the payroll could push a long-term extension for Hamilton out of the"
Nats still in running to land free-agent Fielder
"The Nationals continue to be in the Prince Fielder sweepstakes, although the club is not willing to give the free-agent first baseman a 10-year deal like the one that first baseman Albert Pujols got from the Angels, according to a baseball source. It appears that the Nationals are, however, willing to give Fielder a no-trade clause. An industry source believes that the Nationals want to give Fielder a six- or seven-year deal. The length of the contract was also a problem when the Nationals were trying to sign left-hander Mark Buehrle. The club wanted to give him a three-year deal, but Buehrle ended up signing a four-year, $58 million contract with the Marlins. The source also said the"
Brewers swap proposals with Japanese outfielder
"The Milwaukee Brewers have exchanged contract proposals with Japanese outfielder Norichika Aoki, but general manager Doug Melvin said Saturday it was too early to tell if a deal could be worked out before the Tuesday deadline. "We've made an offer to him and he gave us a proposal back," said Melvin, who has been negotiating with Nez Balelo, the agent for Aoki. "That's where it's at. We're evaluating it. We're going to look at this vs. the other options out there with outfielders. We're still negotiating and exploring other options." The Brewers have until 4 p.m. Tuesday to sign Aoki or lose negotiating rights to him. They won those rights by posting a winning bid of $2.5 million in"
Reports: Prince Fielder talks to Rangers
"Free-agent slugger Prince Fielder is in Dallas to meet with the Texas Rangers at an area hotel, according to multiple media reports. According to USA Today, the former Milwaukee Brewers first baseman and Rangers general manager Jon Daniels were in the lobby of the hotel. The Rangers are one of a handful of teams interested in the top hitter remaining on the free-agent market, but according to USA Today, the meeting should not be taken to mean that they are the favorite. According to CBSSports.com, Fielder has embarked on a tour of teams."
Boras: Prince will sign before spring's first pitch
"Free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder will sign a contract before the first pitch of the spring, his agent said on Wednesday. "Certainly we're going to have him signed well in advance of Spring Training," said Scott Boras, who was at the Owners Meetings on Wednesday to discuss contracts for his various clients. "I can't give you the exact date. These things take some time. That's why we have January and early February. Spring Training doesn't start until late February." Fielder is the highest-profile free agent left on the market, and Boras certainly has a history of taking things down to the wire. In 2009, Boras negotiated with the Dodgers for Manny Ramirez well into Spring Training."
Nationals unlikely to sign Prince at current price
"There is a "99 percent" chance that the Nationals will not sign free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder, according to a baseball source. The news comes a few weeks after ownership met with Fielder and his agent, Scott Boras, in the nation's capital. The source indicated that Fielder's price must come down in order for the team to think about acquiring his services. The Nats are not willing to give Fielder anything close to the 10-year, $240 million contract the Angels gave first baseman Albert Pujols."
Gomez, Brewers avoid arbitration
"Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com is reporting that the Brewers and centerfielder Carlos Gomez have avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal for "approximately $2 million." Gomez, 26, who made $1.5 million last year, began the season as the No. 1 centerfielder but again underachieved offensively and the left-handed-hitting Nyjer Morgan eventually began starting against all right-hander pitchers."
Brewers, Braun will learn his fate before spring training
"The Milwaukee Brewers will know before the start of spring training whether all-star leftfielder Ryan Braun will be in their lineup on opening day. People familiar with the history of the Major League Baseball drug testing program and arbitration process indicate the Brewers and Braun will not be kept guessing about his status until the team opens its spring camp Feb. 18 in Phoenix. An arbitration hearing will take place this month to give Braun an opportunity to overturn a reported positive drug test in October for a banned substance that could result in a 50-game suspension. Delaying the verdict beyond a reasonable period would not be fair to either Braun or the Brewers, under the"
Brewers will look at Japanese OF Aoki in Phoenix
"The Milwaukee Brewers will work out Japanese outfielder Norichika Aoki this weekend in Phoenix to determine whether they will pursue signing him for 2012. General manager Doug Melvin on Wednesday confirmed the workout but didn't disclose the exact day or time it will be held at the team's training facility because it will be closed to media and fans. "It's going to be a private workout," said Melvin. "We want to take a look at him and visit with him." The Brewers won the right to negotiate with Aoki, 29, by posting the winning bid of $2.5 million to his team, the Yakult Swallows, in December. A left-handed hitter known for making contact as a leadoff type, Aoki has won three batting crowns"
Aoki workout this weekend
"Brewers general manager Doug Melvin told me this morning that he expects the workout of Japanese outfielder Norichika Aoki to take place sometime this weekend in Phoenix. Melvin didn't want to specify the exact day and time of the workout at the team's Maryvale Baseball Park facility because it will be closed to media and fans. "It's going to be a private workout," said Melvin. "We want to take a look at him and visit with him." The Brewers won the right to negotiate with Aoki, 29, by posting the winning bid of $2.5 million to his team, the Yakult Swallows of Tokyo. A left-handed hitter known for making contact as a leadoff-type hitter, Aoki has won three batting crowns in Japan. Last"
Nationals continue to be linked to Fielder
"Reports continue to surface that the Nationals are the front-runners to land free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder, but they did not say if both sides were close to a deal. For weeks, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo indicated that Adam LaRoche would be the starting first baseman for 2012. During Spring Training, LaRoche was diagnosed with a torn labrum and rotator cuff. He ended up playing in 43 games, hitting .172 with three home runs and 15 RBIs."
Nationals a favorite for Fielder
"An MLB official told me over the weekend that word is spreading in the industry that the Washington Nationals have emerged as a favorite to sign free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder. The market was slow to develop for Fielder, even after Albert Pujols signed a 10-year, $254 million deal with the Angels during the winter meetings in December. But now that the calendar has turned to 2012, you have to assume Fielder and agent Scott Boras will try to get a deal done soon. For public record, the Nationals have played down any interest they might have in Fielder. General manager Mike Rizzo said recently that "unless something extraordinary and out of the ordinary" happened, he was planning to"
Boras' tactics loom over market for Prince
"What's the market for Prince Fielder? Plenty of baseball executives would love to know the answer to that one. Welcome to the world of Scott Boras. The Orioles are in. The Orioles are out. Possibly. The Nationals definitely are in unless they happen to be out. The Mariners have some interest. Most likely. The Blue Jays, too. The Cubs make some sense, but they've said nothing. The Rangers? They appear to be sitting this one out, but don't bet next month's rent on them staying out. And don't forget the mystery team. Boras always has one or two of them in play. Do they exist? The Red Sox doubted a mystery team existed in their negotiations with Boras regarding Johnny Damon six years ago."
Mariners, Nats, O's among teams eyeing Prince
"Indications are the Mariners, Nationals and Orioles are among about a half-dozen teams still eyeing star free agent Prince Fielder. The Fielder derby is heating up, as some teams have made offers or at least given an indication where they'd be willing to go monetarily for the slugger. The Cubs, Rangers, Blue Jays, Marlins and incumbent Brewers also have been mentioned as possibilities for Prince. The Mariners are one of the teams that's suggested their price range for Fielder, although it's unclear how serious Fielder might be about willing to play on the West Coast. Some close to the Florida product and longtime Brewer have suggested he'd prefer to stay in the East or Central time zones."
Zduriencik: Rumors of Prince offer baseless
"A simple tweet by Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com suggesting the Mariners have talked contract parameters with free-agent slugger Prince Fielder got the Hot Stove boiling a bit Tuesday afternoon, but Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik said he's not sure "where all this is coming from." Heyman reported that the Mariners "made Prince Fielder an offer [or at least told him what they'd pay]," but that "Seattle people love him, but said to have $ limits." That mirrors what Zduriencik has said all along with regard to Fielder -- that the club has interest, but also has a "threshold" of how far it can go in terms of dollars and length of contract. Contacted by MLB.com, Zduriencik maintained the"
Don't count out Rangers on Fielder
"So now that the Rangers have bid $51.7 million on Yu Darvish, they have to be out of the Prince Fielder sweepstakes, right? Not necessarily. The Rangers have always seemed on the periphery of the Fielder derby, but they still appear to be eyeing the top remaining free agent even after winning the Darvish auction and presumably targeting at least $100 million, and likely more, for the star 25-year-old right-handed pitcher from the Nippon Ham Fighters. Texas is a threat to win Fielder, too, provided that the Rangers are willing to make the financial commitment it would take, as it is a desirable landing spot with an already stacked lineup and fine hitting ballpark."
Report: Braun result triggered by medication
"The website TMZ.com cited "sources directly connected with Major League Baseball" in reporting on Monday that star Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun's positive test under Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Policy was triggered by medication for a private medical issue. Braun is in the process of appealing a 50-game suspension. Major League Baseball, the Brewers and Braun's representatives did not comment on the story. Brewers officials have mostly declined to comment on the matter since it leaked on Dec. 10 in an ESPN Outside the Lines report. On Monday, general manager Doug Melvin and assistant GM Gord Ash both said the club has been given no information about the"
Brewers bid for Japanese outfielder Aoki
"Apparently seeking to add depth in the outfield with Ryan Braun facing a 50-game suspension to open next season, the Milwaukee Brewers have entered into the bidding for Japanese outfielder Norichika Aoki. The posting for Aoki, a two-time Central League batting champion with the Yakult Swallows, is a blind process that ends on Thursday, at which time the winning team will be informed of its high bid by the commissioner's office. If the Brewers wind up getting the high bid, they would have a 30-day window in which they would seek to negotiate a contract with the left-handed-hitting Aoki. If a deal can't be worked out between the Brewers and Aoki, the amount Milwaukee bid for his exclusive"
Posting process for Aoki isn't finished
"After doing a little more digging today, I was able to determine that the Milwaukee Brewers have not yet officially been awarded the negotiating rights to Japanese outfielder Norichika Aoki. That doesn't mean it's not going to happen. It sounds as though the Brewers are in good shape to win his rights, in fact. But until the posting process officially concludes and the involved teams are informed of the outcome by the commissioner's office on Thursday, nothing is for certain. Reports over the weekend, beginning with one out of Japan, suggested that the Brewers were the winner with a $2.5 million bid on the Yakult Swallows outfielder. But the process is a blind one, and since it's not yet"
Report: Brewers win negotiating rights to Japanese OF
"Multiple sources are reporting tonight that the Milwaukee Brewers have submitted a winning $2.5 million bid to negotiate with Norichika Aoki, a three-time Japanese batting champion who plays for the Yakult Swallows of the Central League. The news was originally broken in Japan by Yasuko Yanagita of Hochi Shimbun. Here's what I could find on that -- excuse the translation, which was provided by Google. I put a call in to Brewers general manager Doug Melvin on this earlier this evening, but have yet to hear back. I'll update on here, of course, if and when I do. The Brewers have made no announcements on Aoki to this point. By posting the winning bid, Milwaukee now has 30 days to negotiate a"
Sources: Cubs pursuing Prince Fielder
"The Chicago Cubs will continue to be involved in the Prince Fielder free-agent bidding, according to two major league sources with knowledge of the negotiations. Cubs manager Dale Sveum said on Friday that the Cubs' interest in Fielder was mostly "media-talk" and that neither he nor Cubs officials have talked to Fielder. An MLB source confirmed Sveum's statement, but also said that Fielder is sitting back while his agent, Scott Boras, talks to ownership and top baseball officials when it comes to negotiating a deal for the Brewers All-Star first baseman. The sides began preliminary negotiations on Nov. 15 at Major League Baseball's general managers meetings in Milwaukee and the sources"
Sveum downplays Cubs' interest in Fielder
"Whether the Cubs are the front-runners to sign Prince Fielder or just interested observers remains the most hotly debated question of Theo Epstein's first offseason in Chicago. Efforts to reach Epstein for comment Friday were unsuccessful, but Cubs manager Dale Sveum downplayed the latest Fielder rumors. "It's a lot of media talk more than us doing anything," Sveum said. "We haven't had any talks with Prince, and I haven't had any conversations with him. (It's) more other people bringing this to the table." The Cubs are the only big-market team reportedly in the mix, and haven't ruled themselves out of the picture. Everything Epstein has said publicly thus far, however, runs counter to the"
Fielder should be Cubs' player to lose
"Based on what we know — and admittedly, we know only so much — the Cubs are the front-runners to sign Prince Fielder. No one should schedule a news conference at Wrigley Field. These negotiations might only be in their early stages. But if this is Cubs vs. Mariners — and that's certainly the way it looks at the moment — the Cubs make far more sense. Neither the Rangers nor Marlins will bid on Fielder, according to major league sources. The Orioles, as my colleague Jon Paul Morosi wrote earlier this week, are the eastern version of the Mariners, a non-contender that would be viable only if Fielder lacked better options. The Cubs aren't exactly contenders themselves, but few in the industry"
Rangers not fishing for Fielder, Darvish
"That counter-punch to the Los Angeles Angels that many expect from the Texas Rangers probably is not coming. The Rangers are more focused on trading for a starting pitcher than signing free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder or even pursuing Japanese right-hander Yu Darvish, according to major league sources. The team's payroll flexibility, sources say, is not as significant as many in the industry previously believed. Thus, the Rangers are exploring more cost-effective moves for pitchers such as Cubs right-hander Matt Garza, Athletics lefty Gio Gonzalez and Rays righty Wade Davis. None would be nearly as expensive as Fielder, who is likely to command a free-agent deal of at least $150"
D-backs closing in on deal with Saito
"The D-backs are closing in on a one-year deal with free-agent reliever Takashi Saito, a baseball source confirmed Monday. Saito, 41, was 4-2 with a 2.03 ERA for the Brewers this past season while being limited to 30 games with oblique and calf issues. In six seasons, the Japanese-born right-hander has a 2.18 ERA and 84 saves. He had a career-best 39 saves with the Dodgers in 2007."
Source: Aramis Ramirez to Brewers
"Former Chicago Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez will sign a three-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, pending a physical, according to a source familiar with the situation. Ramirez played the last eight-plus seasons with the Cubs. He hit .306 with 26 home runs and 93 RBIs and won the Silver Slugger award as the top offensive third baseman in 2011."
Braun's odds of avoiding suspension tough
"No matter how convincingly Ryan Braun's representatives argue his case after a reported positive drug test, the Milwaukee Brewers' star leftfielder faces tremendously long odds in his attempt to avoid a 50-game suspension in 2012. A Major League Baseball source confirmed Sunday that no player has successfully overturned a positive test since the current drug program began in 2004. Beginning with Rafael Palmeiro in '05, 12 cases have gone before an arbitration panel and each time the player was ordered to serve his suspension. Braun has protested his innocence since an ESPN report surfaced Saturday indicating he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug. A first offense in the MLB"
Report: Rangers interested in Brewers' Casey McGehee, Rays' Wade Davis
"Though the winter meetings are over, the Rangers are still looking at options in Milwaukee and Tampa to improve their club, according to the New York Post. With the signing of free-agent Prince Fielder unlikely according to the report, the Rangers might pursue the Brewers' Casey McGehee, making a trade of Mitch Moreland to the Rays for pitcher Wade Davis more likely."
Source: Braun will be vindicated
"I just talked to someone familiar with Ryan Braun's positive drug test and he insisted that the Brewers' star left fielder will be cleared on the appeal process and that this information never should have come out. The ESPN report said Braun tested positive for an abnormally high level of testosterone in his system. No player ever has had a positive drug test overturned in appeal. If Braun's suspension is upheld, it would start at the beginning of the 2012 regular season. Brewers spokesman Tyler Barnes said the club had not been informed by the commissioner's office that Braun tested positive for a banned substance and faced a suspension."
Braun drug test positive
"Did Ryan Braun cheat to become the 2011 National League most valuable player or is he the innocent victim of a premature report? That was the question being asked across the baseball world Saturday with the stunning news that the Milwaukee Brewers' star leftfielder tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug and faced a 50-game suspension, according to a report by ESPN's "Outside the Lines." No one associated with Braun, Major League Baseball or the Brewers would comment publicly on the report because the positive test is being appealed through an arbitration process that is ongoing. It was unknown how long that process could take. In a late-night text message, Braun said he wanted to"
No Ramirez talks this weekend
"I just spoke with agent Paul Kinzer, who represents free-agent third baseman Aramis Ramirez. He said he and Ramirez are taking "a break" this weekend with their families at Disney World and doesn't expect to talk to Brewers GM Doug Melvin. That's probably fine with Melvin, too, because he said Thursday he planned to return from the winter meetings in Dallas and "look at things and see where we are." Whether he has the financial leeway to continue to pursue Ramirez remains to be seen but both sides agree he would be a good fit in Milwaukee."
Cubs' attention turns to Fielder
"The Angels signing of Albert Pujols to a 10-year, $254 million contract begins a slow game of musical chairs for a slew of first basemen. The Angels now may have a surplus, which could benefit the Cubs as they are preparing for more speculation Prince Fielder is on their radar. "I'm kind of in the musical chairs game," agent Scott Boras said. "I kind of find I only need one chair." That chair belongs to Fielder, whom Boras likely will attempt to make one of the three richest men in baseball history, just behind Alex Rodriguez and Pujols. The Marlins and Cardinals could afford to sign Fielder using the money they offered to Pujols, the Marlins already may have allocated it elsewhere. The"
Brewers turn to Alex Gonzalez for better defense at shortstop
"Before leaving baseball's winter meetings at the Hilton Anatole Hotel on Thursday afternoon, Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said he expected to sign a shortstop soon. He wasn't kidding. Melvin barely had gotten to the airport when news leaked that he had reached agreement with veteran free-agent shortstop Alex Gonzalez on a one-year deal with a vesting option for 2013. Gonzalez will be 35 in February. Because Gonzalez must pass a physical exam to make the deal official, the Brewers did not confirm it. He is traveling from Venezuela for the physical, so it probably won't be announced before Monday. "We're not there yet, but it's a good possibility," Melvin said."
Report: Brewers to sign SS Gonzalez
"Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports is reporting that the Brewers have reached agreement with free-agent shortstop Alex Gonzalez on a one-year deal with a vesting option. Brewers GM Doug Melvin said today at the winter meetings that he expected to have a shortstop soon and he apparently wasn't kidding. With Jimmy Rollins headed back to Philadelphia, the three remaining shortstops on the market were Gonzalez, Rafael Furcal and Yuniesky Betancourt, who started for the Brewers last season. Gonzalez, who will be 35 in February, played in 149 games for Atlanta last year and batted .241 with 15 homers and 56 RBI. He walked only 22 times, struck out 126 times and had a .270 OBP."
Brewers focus on other plans as window closing for Fielder
"The Milwaukee Brewers' strange dance this off-season with free agent Prince Fielder appears to be winding down. "I think we're at a point now where we have to consider moving on," general manager Doug Melvin said Wednesday. Some wondered if the Brewers might be ready to make a bid to keep Fielder when word spread that owner Mark Attanasio participated late Tuesday night in a meeting with Fielder's agent, Scott Boras. But Melvin said that session was not planned and resulted in no new developments. Melvin said he was at dinner with Attanasio, who made his usual one-day visit to the winter meetings to check in on personnel discussions involving the Brewers. Boras placed a telephone call to"
K-Rod accepts Brewers' offer of arbitration
"The Milwaukee Brewers' first "acquisition" of the off-season is a rather pricey setup man. Free-agent reliever Francisco Rodriguez accepted the Brewers' offer of salary arbitration Wednesday night, in essence becoming a signed player for 2012 with a salary to be determined. Because he had a $13.5 million salary in 2011, "K-Rod" could be the most expensive player on the team's roster next season. The other free agent offered arbitration by the Brewers, first baseman Prince Fielder, declined as expected. Fielder has much bigger things in mind on the free-agent market. Free agents offered arbitration by their former clubs had until 11 p.m. to accept or decline. Accepting signaled a"
Rollins probably out for Brewers
"The Brewers are hearing that free-agent shortstop Jimmy Rollins is nearing an agreement to return to Philadelphia, so it sounds like he's out as a possible option at shortstop. Rollins was the top shortstop remaining on the market, so it was natural that the Brewers would have interest in him. But they expected all along that it would be difficult to pry him away from the Phillies. FoxSports' Ken Rosenthal is reporting that no deal is imminent between the Phillies and Rollins, but the Brewers certainly have the impression that they're going to work something out."
Mariners GM downplays Prince chatter
"As talk continued to swirl at the Winter Meetings of Seattle being one of the players in the Prince Fielder pursuits, Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik downplayed a report Tuesday that his team is the current leader for the free-agent slugger. Former Reds and Nationals general manager Jim Bowden, now an ESPN and MLB Network commentator, created some stir by tweeting that the Mariners were "the front-runners" at the moment, with the Brewers, Cubs and Blue Jays all wanting shorter-term deals. But Zduriencik disagreed with that stance Tuesday evening when meeting with several Seattle media members in his hotel suite here at the Anatole Hilton as the second day at the Meetings wrapped"
Brewers a 'favorite' for Ramirez
"I just spoke with Paul Kinzer, the agent for third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who told me he considers the Brewers "a favorite" to sign his free-agent client. Kinzer, who has met with the Brewers at the winter meetings, said three teams are showing "serious" interest in signing Ramirez. Kinzer didn't say who the other two teams were but all indications are they are the Phillies and Angels. Ramirez visited with the Angels last week. Kinzer indicated he is looking for a three-year deal for Ramirez and said the third baseman has reciprocal interest in the Brewers. "He likes that team," said Kinzer. "He wants to go to a team that has pitching and gives him a chance to win a ring. He thinks the"