Wednesday's Frosty Mug

Some things to read while losing control of the remote.

We're 38 days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Maryvale, and the Brewers crossed another item off their to do list yesterday when they signed Carlos Gomez to a one year, $2 million deal to avoid arbitration (FanShot). Jaymes Langrehr of The Brewers Bar says the team got a bargain, as Gomez's defense alone is easily worth what he's making.

With Gomez and George Kottaras taken care of the Brewers still have six arbitration eligible players left to sign: Kameron Loe, Shaun Marcum, Nyjer Morgan, Manny Parra, Francisco Rodriguez and Jose Veras.

Meanwhile, one of our favorite former Brewers is back in the organization as Seth McClung signed a minor league deal (without a spring training invite) yesterday (FanShot). McClung hasn't appeared in the majors since pitching for the Brewers in 2009, and posted a 5.19 ERA as a starter/reliever for AAA Round Rock last season. Of course, no one is more excited than morineko. McClung is on Twitter as @BigRedBBall. (h/t @AdamMcCalvy)

Jonathan Lucroy continues to make the rounds on the interview circuit: @Mass_Haas directs our attention to his appearance on MLB Roundtrip with Cliff Floyd.

Here are today's Prince Fielder notes:

• Larry Stone of the Seattle Times says Fielder may wait to sign until after the 18th, the Rangers' deadline to work out a deal with Yu Darvish. If the two sides can't reach an agreement, the Rangers may re-enter the bidding for Fielder.
• The Nats Blog has a look at the role Ted Lerner's relatively advanced age (he's 86) could play into the Nationals' decision to sign or not sign Fielder.
• Jerry Crasnick is reporting that the Mariners are telling teams they're near the top of their budget, but Jeff Sullivan of Lookout Landing isn't buying it.
• Bovada.lv is listing the Nationals as the favorites to sign Fielder and listing them at 4/5 odds. Here's the full top five:

Meanwhile, the Brewers still project to enter the 2012 season with Mat Gamel as their primary first baseman. Stan McNeal of The Sporting News talked to Gamel about his efforts to get ready this winter.

In the minors:

• Carlos Gomez went 0-for-4 and struck out four times in Aguilas' 10-6 loss to Gigantes in Dominican playoffs yesterday, while Erick Almonte had two hits and drove in a pair of runs for the winners. You can read about that and more in today's Winter League Notes.
• As part of the editing process for his 2012 prospect book, John Sickels of Minor League Ball has downgraded Michael Fiers from a B- to C+ prospect.

This is pretty cool and long overdue: A group of 20 legislators are asking for the pedestrian bridge near Miller Park to be renamed "Bob Uecker Way." The unveiling would coincide with Uecker's birthday later this month.

Around baseball:

Cardinals: Signed catcher Koyie Hill to a minor league deal.
Mariners: Signed pitcher Aaron Heilman to a minor league deal.
Mets: Re-signed pitchers Miguel Batista and Fernando Cabrera to minor league deals.
Reds: Signed closer Ryan Madson to a one year, $8.5 million deal plus incentives.
Tigers: Signed infielder Niuman Romero to a minor league deal.

As Bob Nightengale points out, with the bottom falling out of the closer market Jonathan Papelbon has to feel pretty good about the four year/$50 million deal he got from the Phillies.

Yesterday's biggest story around baseball was almost certainly this: After years of no one believing he's planning to retire, Bud Selig is expected to be given a two year contract extension (worth somewhere between $20-25 million per season) tomorrow.

Today in former Brewers:

• Bernie's Crew makes the case for Geoff Jenkins' induction into the Brewers' Walk of Fame.
• Viva El Birdos has a look at Jim Edmonds' Hall of Fame candidacy.
  

Last week I mentioned that ESPN's Keith Law had interviewed with the Astros regarding vacancies in their front office. Yesterday he announced that he plans to stay with ESPN.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to invent a place. (h/t @beckjason)

Drink up.