Thursday's Frosty Mug

Some things to read while thieving the snack food from the young.

There's nothing like waiting until the last minute: The Brewers and Shaun Marcum were scheduled for an arbitration hearing today but reached agreement on a one year, $3.95 million deal last night instead (FanShot). The deal is slightly below the midpoint between the two proposals (the Brewers offered $3 million, Marcum asked for $5 million), but could be pushed over $4 million if Marcum reaches incentives tied to innings pitched and awards. Either way, Marcum is getting a 364.7% raise this season and I'd guess that's hard to complain about.

I mentioned this in the FanShot comments last night, but I'll bring it up again here. If Marcum was willing to settle below the midpoint as he did, and the two sides weren't discussing a long term deal, I'm not sure why these negotiations took so long.

The Brewers unveiled their 2011 promotional schedule yesterday, revealing some interesting choices on bobbleheads. Here's the list:

More attention is being paid, though, to the players who aren't featured. Randy Wolf was an interesting choice when you consider the fact that the Brewers have never made a Yovani Gallardo bobble. Also, @craigcounsell (fake) has a theory on the Brewers' decision to feature him instead of Rickie Weeks.

Hopefully the fans who just show up for the bobbleheads and leave will take the time to try some new concessions before they go: The Brewers announced Racing Sausage Kabobs as the winner of their Create-a-Concession contest, but will also be adding poutine to the menu at Miller Park this season. Congratulations to reader Stoa, who submitted the poutine recipe.

It's time once again to point out that the Brewers are no longer operating as a "small market" team: It's About The Money made a list of baseball's highest paid players by team, and Prince Fielder ($15.5 million) is making more than the highest paid players on the Braves, Dodgers, Nationals, Orioles, Padres and Reds, among others.

Fielder also drew plenty of attention elsewhere yesterday: Matt Klaasen of FanGraphs has Fielder on his list of three young players with "old player skills," and Joe Pawlikowski (also of FanGraphs) listed Fielder and Ryan Braun among six sluggers whose value is decreased by their defense.

It's hard to imagine a more lopsided comparison than this: As part of his ongoing series comparing the 2011 and 1982 Brewers, Nicholas Zettel of Bernie's Crew compared Gorman Thomas and Carlos Gomez.

In the minors:

• Mat Gamel (at #58) and Mark Rogers (at #65) made USA Today's list of 100 Names You Need to Know for the 2011 season.
• Frankie Piliere of MLB FanHouse listed Rogers at #92 on his list of baseball's top 100 prospects.
• Brewersprospects.com has a scouting report for Taylor Green.
• Jaymes Langrehr of The Brewers Bar is still talking about Elvis Rubio, and says the Brewers' decision to sign the Dominican outfielder "shows recommitment to Latin America."
• The Huntsville Stars need your help finding a new theme song. (h/t Benjamin Hill)

Congratulations are due out today to new Brewers Chief Operating Officer Rick Schlesinger. Schlesinger has been serving as the team's Executive Vice President of Business Operations since 2008.

Around baseball:

Pirates: Lost their arbitration case with pitcher Ross Ohlendorf, who will earn $2.025 million in 2011.
Red Sox: Designated pitcher Robert Coello for assignment.
Rockies: Signed pitcher Chris Sampson to a minor league deal.
Yankees: Signed pitcher Luis Ayala to a minor league deal and voided the minor league contract of pitcher Luis Vizcaino.

Vizcaino, a former Brewer, tore his Achilles tendon playing winter ball.

Elsewhere in former Brewers:

• Hal McCoy has an interesting story about Rollie Fingers: When the Brewers released Fingers following the 1985 season, Pete Rose and the Reds tried to bring him in to close. Fingers refused to shave his mustache, though, and the deal fell through. Fingers later retired.
• Pro Ball NW listed Joe Inglett in their collection of free agents who could still help a team.

In sad news, Tony Malinosky, the world's oldest living former major leaguer, passed away yesterday at the age of 101. He played third base for the 1937 Dodgers. The new oldest player is Connie Marrero, who will turn 100 in April. Despite not making his major league debut until his age 39 season, Marrero pitched five seasons as a Washington Senator from 1950-54.

With help from the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to:

• Luis Cruz, who turns 27.
• 1999 Brewer Eddie Zosky, who turns 43.
• 1965 Milwaukee Brave Billy O'Dell, who turns 78.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have poles to paint.

Drink up.