Moments ago the Brewers announced the first of their arbitration decisions for 2012, non-tendering arbitration-eligible pitcher Manny Parra and making him a free agent. Parra received $1.2 million in 2012 and was projected to make around $1.6 million in his final arbitration season in 2013.

The move ends a long and somewhat disappointing Brewer career for Parra, who was once rated as a top prospect but posted a career 5.12 ERA and over 4.5 walks per nine innings over 172 career appearances for Milwaukee. He missed the entire 2011 season due to injury and returned as a full-time member of the bullpen in 2012, but continued to be plagued by the same control issues there.

Parra just turned 30 in October and will likely get another opportunity to pitch somewhere: Left-handers with fastballs in the mid-90's don't exactly grow on trees. The Brewers, however, appear to have seen enough from him.

Parra now becomes a free agent. The Brewers do have the option of attempting to bring him back on a new contract, presumably one paying less than he would have received in arbitration.