Some things to read while being more likely to show up.
We're 39 days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Maryvale, and the Brewers are one step closer to having Norichika Aoki in attendance: Aoki underwent a physical yesterday after working out for Brewer officials Sunday. This doesn't mean the Brewers are definitely signing Aoki, but the fact that they're getting this step out of the way likely means a deal is still possible.
Here's today's lone Prince Fielder note: Jeff Sullivan of Baseball Nation used gifs to provide irrefutable evidence that Fielder is bad at baseball, explaining why no one has signed him.
Today's biggest news might actually be in the minors:
- The Brewers have promoted former Brevard County pitching coach (and interim Brewer bullpen coach) Fred Dabney to Nashville to replace Chris Bosio. Former independent league coach and major leaguer Mark Dewey will take his place with the Manatees.
- Meanwhile, the Brewers are also shuffling strength and conditioning coaches: Tim Gifford, who spent 2011 with the Timber Ratters, is moving up to Huntsville and will be replaced by Christian Polega.
- Erick Almonte drove in a run and Juan Perez pitched a perfect ninth for the save in Gigantes' 4-3 win over Escogido in the Dominican playoffs. You can read about that and more in today's Winter League Notes.
Hey look, the first power rankings of 2012! The Outside Corner has the Brewers 12th.
Around baseball:
Blue Jays: Designated third baseman Mark Teahen for assignment.
Cubs: Signed pitcher Paul Maholm to a one year, $4.25 million deal.
Dodgers: Signed infielder Luis Cruz to a minor league deal.
Indians: Signed pitcher Chris Seddon to a minor league deal.
Mets: Placed outfielder Fernando Martinez and pitcher Daniel Ray Herrera on outright waivers.
Orioles: Are expected to sign Taiwanese pitcher Chen Wei-Yin to a three year deal worth roughly $11-12 million, signed pitcher Willie Eyre to a minor league deal and designated outfielder Kyle Hudson for assignment.
Red Sox: Signed pitcher Justin Germano to a minor league deal.
Of course, yesterday's big story around baseball was the announcement that Barry Larkin will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this summer. Larkin was the only player to exceed the required 75% of the vote, finishing 494 votes ahead of Eric Young (one vote) and 495 up on Jeromy Burnitz (no votes) (FanShot). You can see the full results here. Both Burnitz and Young won't return to the ballot in 2012. Reviewing The Brew has one last look back at Burnitz's career.
The Hall of Fame voting produces a few of these every year, but I think this is a record crop: Nine BBWAA members returned blank ballots this year, including Michael Hunt of the Journal Sentinel. With that said, one of those blank ballots led to the birth of @Saber_Boy.
Elsewhere in Journal Sentinel notes, congratulations are due out to Tom Haudricourt. He was named the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Assocation's Wisconsin Sportswriter of the Year yesterday.
In former Brewers:
- Yuniesky Betancourt was second in all of baseball in Carson Cistulli of FanGraphs' Reckless Power (RECK) stat in 2011.
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A Hardball Times reader shared a list of and some of his favorite stories about former Brewers.
Today in baseball economics:
- The Padres' ownership change wasn't scheduled to be complete until 2014, but new owner Jeff Moorad is making the final payment this week and owners will vote to transfer team control over to him on Thursday.
- The Twins are expanding their use of "demand based" ticket pricing for 2012.
Finally, I forgot to do this yesterday because I'm a terrible friend but I wanted to send out best wishes to Rubie Q, who's taking a sabbatical from Anonymous Eagle (and presumably lightening his load here as well) as he prepares to become a father for the first (and second) times. Rubie is one of the people I lean on a lot for help keeping things going here, so he'll be missed and hopefully back soon with things going well.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a new hat.
Drink up.