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MVBrewers is a player-by-player look at the most valuable members of the 2012 Brewers, as voted on by you. Here's where we stand so far:
1. Ryan Braun
2. Aramis Ramirez
The voting for the #3 spot will open at 3 pm today.
Aramis Ramirez's three year stint in Milwaukee got off to a pretty disappointing start, as he went 0-for-4 on Opening Day and was still hitting just .215/.259/.364 on May 7. At that point there was already pretty open conversation wondering if Ramirez's new three-year contract was going to turn into a colossal mistake, and if someone like Taylor Green should already be taking over for him at third base.
As you might have noticed, those conversations aren't really happening anymore. Ramirez hit .320/.383/.581 over his final 121 games this season and turned himself from a potential big contract disaster to a fringe NL MVP candidate. All told Ramirez finished the season with a .300 average, .540 slugging percentage and led the NL with 50 doubles, which we've already discussed at length.
When the Brewers signed Ramirez his age was something of a concern. Ramirez turned 34 in June and we weren't sure how his relative lack of mobility would play at third base over a long term contract. With that said, it really didn't become a concern this season, as he was the best he's been in a long time in several statistical categories:
| Stat | # | Best Since |
| Games Played | 149 | 2006 |
| Runs Scored | 92 | 2008 |
| Doubles | 50 | Career High |
| Home Runs | 27 | 2008 |
| RBI | 105 | 2008 |
| Stolen Bases | 9 | Career High |
| Walks | 44 | 2008 |
| Slugging | .540 | 2007 |
| OPS+ | 137 | 2004 |
Best Game
The Brewers ran out to an early 6-1 lead against the Blue Jays at home on June 18, but Randy Wolf and Kameron Loe failed to hold it and the Brewers found themselves tied 6-6 in the bottom of the seventh. Ramirez, who had already singled, hit a two-run double and walked in the game, led off the inning with a line drive down the left field like that was initially ruled foul, but later reversed to a go-ahead home run in a 7-6 win.
Here are the highlights from all three of Ramirez's hits in the game:
Contract Status
Ramirez's contract is heavily backloaded, as just $6 million of the $36 million he'll make over three seasons with the Brewers was paid in 2012. He's due $10 million for 2013, $16 million (with some money deferred) in 2014 and has a club option for 2015.