Monday's Frosty Mug: Brewer News, Links And Notes

Some things to read while bouncing off the walls.

I'm not sure how this was kept quiet for most of a month, but today's biggest story takes us back to September: CBS 58 is reporting that Francisco Rodriguez was arrested for domestic violence on September 17 near Milwaukee and the district attorney has not ruled out pressing charges. This isn't K-Rod's first brush with trouble, but it might be the final exclamation point on his Brewer career.

It's probably little more than a formality, but Mike Vassallo notes that the Milwaukee chapter of the BBWAA will announce their Brewer team awards today. It's probably safe to assume Ryan Braun (MVP), Yovani Gallardo (top pitcher) and Aramis Ramirez (best newcomer) will take home the first three awards, although it remains to be seen who the writers will give the "Good Guy" award to.

Elsewhere in awards, the BBWAA has unveiled their announcement schedule for the 2012 season with a minor change: They're now going to give awards to both leagues on the same day. This year's Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year, Cy Young and MVP awards will be handed out in that order between November 12-15. (h/t OC Register)

Edwin Maysonet isn't likely to win any awards today, but perhaps he'll have another chance with a new team next year: The utility infielder who's been playing shortstop at Nashville for most of the last two seasons filed for minor league free agency over the weekend, as did veteran reliever Juan Perez.

Elsewhere in free agency, Tom Haudricourt chatted with fans at the JS site on Thursday and gave us an opening list of free agent starting pitchers the Brewers may consider this winter: Ryan Dempster, Edwin Jackson, Kyle Lohse and Brandon McCarthy. (h/t MLB Daily Dish)

Meanwhile, the Indians are still likely looking to trade embattled closer Chris Perez, who may have talked his way out of town. Over the weekend Noah wondered if he could be a fit for Milwaukee.

Looking back: The flow of season-in-review posts has slowed a bit, but John Steinmiller of the Brewers has the Media Relations Department's end of season notes. Reviewing the Brew also has part two of their 2012 Brewer report card, with the outfielders receiving two A's and a B.

In the minors:

• Over the weekend the Brewers outrighted pitcher Cody Scarpetta and infielder Eric Farris back to Nashville. Neither player is eligible for minor league free agency, but both will be Rule 5 draft-eligible.
• The Dominican Winter League opened yesterday and Taylor Green got his second season off to a strong start, going 4-for-4 and driving in three runs in Escogido's 7-6 loss to Licey. You can read about that and more in today's Winter League Recap.
• Elsewhere in strong offensive efforts, Andrew Pentis of MLB.com has a look back at Brock Kjeldgaard's two home run game in the AFL on Saturday.
• Meanwhile, for Brewer fans the most interesting team in winter ball might be Cibao in the Dominican Republic. They have Wily Peralta, Amaury Rivas and Jean Segura on their roster.
• John Sickels of Minor League Ball has a look at the recent pitchers drafted from Rice, including 2012 22nd round pick Taylor Wall.
• The Brewers were not represented on Baseball America's list of the top 20 prospects in the Pacific Coast League this season.

If you're looking for some of your favorite Brewers in Milwaukee over the next few months, you're probably out of luck as most of them have gone back to their offseason homes. If they are in town, though, OnMilwaukee.com has a look at where you might find them eating.

Around baseball:

Dodgers: Fired hitting coach Dave Hansen.
Red Sox: Catcher Guillermo Quiroz has refused an outright assignment to the minors and is now a free agent.
Yankees: Derek Jeter is out for the remainder of the playoffs with a broken ankle.

While most of you were probably watching the Packer game last night the LCS round of the playoffs continued with the Tigers taking a 2-0 lead over the Yankees and the Cardinals beating the Giants to take a 1-0 lead in the NLCS. You Can't Predict Baseball notes that the Giants are still alive in the playoffs despite being 0-3 at home.

A night earlier the Tigers beat the Yankees in 12 innings despite blowing a 4-0 ninth inning lead. James Gentile of Beyond the Box Score did some research and discovered that teams that blow large leads in the late innings to tie the game still carry a better than 50% chance of rebounding to win.

I learned something interesting while reading Bleed Cubbie Blue this morning: Later this month Ralph Kiner will turn 90 and become the 66th living former major leaguer over 90 years old. One of them is former Milwaukee Brave Andy Pafko.

This morning's edition of Today In Brewer History marks the free agent departure of two notable knuckleballers with Brewer ties: Tom Candiotti and Steve Sparks. Sunday was Seattle Pilot and 1970-71 Brewer Tommy Harper's 72nd birthday, and Plunk Everyone notes that his 35 career HBP are the fourth most ever for a player born on October 14.

Meanwhile, Saturday's edition of Today In Brewer History celebrated 2005-07 Brewer Damian Miller's 43rd birthday, and Plunk Everyone notes that he and Milwaukee Brave Eddie Mathews were both hit by 26 pitches, tied for second most ever for a player born on October 13.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to regularly scheduled programming.

Drink up.