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Monday's Frosty Mug

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Some things to read while grabbing a star. (h/t Jack Moore)

We're under 37 days until pitchers and catchers report to Maryvale, and the Brewers and the City of Phoenix are talking about the complex's future. AZCentral.com (via Brewerfan.net) is reporting that the city would like to extend the Brewers' lease of the facility, which expires following spring training 2012. Sources from the city have acknowledged that the Brewers are asking for improvements to the park, but the city won't build them a new stadium.

Apparently I missed Chris Narveson Day over the weekend:

Say it with me: The offense is not the problem. The B-Ref Blog has a list of players who have scored a run on average in 70% or more of their career games. No Brewers made that list but two current Brewers (Rickie Weeks and Ryan Braun) are above 68%. Paul Molitor was also above 68% as a Brewer.

In the minors:

  • The Brewers are doing a bit of damage control after dealing away many of their top prospects this offseason: They made the case to Tom Haudricourt that the farm system isn't as depleted as you might think.
  • Here's some evidence to support that notion: dougdirt of Minor League Ball calculated the surplus value of the prospects John Sickels rated for each team, and the Brewers aren't last (FanShot).
  • The BCB Community Prospect Rankings continue today: Please go vote for #6 if you haven't already.
  • Fang takes a trip in the Timber Rattlers' latest episode of The Offseason, and it's better than the time the Brady Bunch went to Hawaii.
  • Baseball America has a look at the Brewers' offseason moves, but it's subscriber-only.

For the third time in four years, the Brewers will not induct anyone into the Walk of Fame at Miller Park. Teddy Higuera came closest to induction, but still fell several votes short. Jaymes Langrehr of The Brewers Bar makes the case for Higuera's induction next year, while In-Between Hops would like to see the process changed to encourage more inductions.

Around baseball:

Astros: Infielder Jeff Keppinger will have surgery on his foot and may open the regular season on the DL.
Athletics:
Acquired pitcher Guillermo Moscoso from the Rangers for a minor leaguer and designated pitcher Philip Humber for assignment.
Cubs: Acquired pitcher Matt Garza, outfielder Fernando Perez and a minor league pitcher from the Rays for outfielder Sam Fuld and four minor leaguers.
Diamondbacks: Signed pitcher Clay Zavada to a minor league deal.
Phillies: Designated pitcher Sergio Escalona for assignment.
Rangers: Signed outfielder David Murphy to a one year, $2.4 million deal, avoiding arbitration.
White Sox: Are expected to sign pitcher Will Ohman to a two year, $4 million deal.

If you were thinking about adding the Cubs into the logjam at the top of the NL Central, don't. Jaymes Langrehr of The Brewers Bar says the Cubs still aren't contenders. Garza is, however, under team control for three more seasons. Beyond the Box Score has a calculator that will help you compare his value to Zach Greinke's.

With that said, the Cubs now join the majority of NL Central teams that have found a way to improve their pitching this offseason. R.J. Anderson of FanGraphs notes that even the Pirates have quietly found a way to get better on the mound.

Today in former Brewers:

Fortunately we haven't hit this point yet, but we're close: McCovey Chronicles makes the case that a conversation about backup catchers is a good sign you've run out of things to discuss this offseason. (h/t Rob Neyer)

It's somewhat immature, but Carson Cistulli of NotGraphs' look at Peter Gammons' Five Best Pocket Tweets made me laugh out loud the first and second time I read it.

With help from the B-Ref Play Index and Brewerfan.net, happy birthday since Friday to:

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've misplaced my fire extinguisher.

Drink up.