Tuesday's Frosty Mug

Some things to read while upgrading your fireplace.

So, as noted in the FanShots, the Cameron/Cabrera/Igawa trade has hit another snag, leaving us to hope one again that it won't happen. Brewers Bar wants the trade to happen and offers some suggestions. He uses batting average and fielding percentage as arguments for bringing in Cabrera. The Yankees most likely will not throw in candy cane earmuffs.

Over at The Hardball Times, Dixieflatline is using Ben Sheets' 2008 performance as a case study on the performance of injured pitchers. Ben Sheets read it and will now miss two weeks with excessive concentration.

So Chris Capuano signed a minor league deal yesterday. He's still recovering from Tommy John surgery and likely won't be available to pitch until May or so, so I guess that makes him an even bigger surprise for Bleacher Report's Baseball Players Everyone Forgot About Who Will Surprise You In 2009.

Even with Capuano in the fold, and even if Bleacher Report correctly predicted his miraculous recovery, the Brewers probably still need more starting pitching. MLB FanHouse has a list of ten nine starting pitchers who are still available.

It would also help if one of them could fly an airplane: Midwest Express will no longer be flying charter flights for the Brewers. The ensuing lack of cookies could make Prince Fielder extra surly in 2009.

'Tis the season to make your top prospect lists. The Diamond Cutter has Mat Gamel #1 in their annual top 5.

It looks like Rafael Furcal's free agency may be nearing its end. The Blue Jays have pulled out, the A's offered four years, the Royals may be willing to do so too, but Fox is reporting he's about to agree to terms with the Braves. Elsewhere on the hot stove:

Astros: Signed Jason Michaels to a one year deal worth $750,000.
Cubs: Signed Joey Gathright to a one car jump year deal.
Mariners: are believed to be interested in Taiwanese lefty Fu-Te Ni, who became available somewhat suddenly when his Taiwanese team folded.
Mets: May be interested in signing Tim Redding.
Orioles: Have been linked to Randy Wolf and Japanese starter Kenshin Kawakami.
Phillies: Re-signed Jamie Moyer to a two year deal.
Red Sox: Have made an offer to Mark Teixiera that could be worth as much as $200 million.

This isn't really a big surprise, but Padres owner John Moores, in the midst of a divorce, has put the Padres up for sale.

The Padres and Blue Jays both might sell for less than the combined contracts of CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. Beyond the Box Score looks at the values they add to the Yankees.

Speaking of asking prices, Bobby Abreu would like 3 years/$48 million, which probably explains why he's still a free agent.

In the comments of yesterday's Mug we had a brief discussion on the value of Jake Peavy and expectations for his performance next season away from Petco Park. Rob Neyer picked up that debate where we left off.

Oh, and yesterday was Rick Helling's birthday, in case you forgot.

Drink up.