Tuesday's Frosty Mug: Slightly Less Prestigious Awards

Some things to read while keeping 8-bit kids off the streets.

The votes have been tallied and Jaymes Langrehr of Disciples of Uecker has unveiled the Brewer Blogosphere Awards for 2012. There aren't many surprises among them:

Four Brew Crew Ball contributors were among the 27 voters, and I'll have a longer look at how we voted later today.

Elsewhere in voting: Yesterday Norichika Aoki was named 2012's fifth most valuable Brewer, and you can see his profile here. The voting for #6 will remain open until 1:30 today, although at this point Jonathan Lucroy has more or less lapped the field. His profile will likely run at 2 today, and the voting for the #7 spot will open at 3.

Today in free agency:

• The final figure has been set and teams losing free agents will have to offer a minimum one year, $13.3 million deal to the departing player or receive no compensation if/when they sign elsewhere. It seems unlikely at best that the Brewers will offer a deal of that magnitude to Shaun Marcum.
• Rany Jazayerli has an extended look at several free agent pitchers the Royals could pursue, including Zack Greinke.
• The Twins reportedly haven't ruled out Greinke, but are more likely to look elsewhere.

In less expensive transactions, Colin Bennett of Reviewing the Brew has a look at Chris Narveson's pending arbitration case. MLB Trade Rumors predicted Narveson will receive less than a million dollars in 2013 after spending nearly all of 2012 on the DL.

Elsewhere in offseason movement, one writer who covered the 2012 Brewers won't be following the team next season. Ryan Kartje of FS Wisconsin has accepted a job with the OC Register and will be replaced by Andrew Gruman. If Gruman's name sounds familiar, it's because he was one of the cast of Arizona State journalism students that helped cover the team for the Journal Sentinel during spring training in 2011.

In the minors:

• Hunter Morris had three hits in Arizona yesterday as Phoenix beat Scottsdale 5-1 in Fall League play. John Parker of MLB.com has a story on the reigning Southern League MVP.
• Josh Prince's remarkable AFL season also continued yesterday with a pair of hits to raise his batting average to .433 and his OBP to .581. Huntsville broadcaster Alex Cohen credited Prince with "rare athleticism," while Joe Block remembers seeing him play at Tulane.
• Baseball America has a report card from the Brewers' 2012 draft, but it's subscriber-only. Rattler Radio has some highlights that could be relevant to Wisconsin.

We know the Brewers won't be there, but we're still planning on holding a BCB meetup to watch Game One of the World Series at The Tracks Tavern and Grill in Milwaukee on Wednesday. Make plans to join us and RSVP today, if you haven't already. Please let us know if you're planning on attending, as we're trying to get a rough head count.

Around baseball:

Blue Jays: Claimed catcher Bobby Wilson off waivers from the Angels and designated pitcher Chad Beck for assignment.
Mariners: Hired former Dodgers hitting coach Dave Hansen to fill the same position.
Twins: Hired coaches Terry Steinbach (bench coach), Tom Brunansky (hitting coach) and Bobby Cuellar (bullpen coach).
Yankees: Pitcher Michael Pineda will not be ready for Opening Day as he rehabs from shoulder surgery.

Brunansky was a 1993-94 Brewer, but the biggest story in the Twins hirings may be another Brewer not mentioned: Twins Daily has a look at the organization's decision to pass over Paul Molitor, who is working with the team as a minor league instructor.

Of course, last night's big baseball news came in San Francisco where the Giants completed their NLCS comeback by beating the Cardinals 9-0 to advance to the World Series. Jon Morosi notes that the Giants and Tigers have played a combined 242 seasons of baseball but have never met in the World Series until now. Howie Magner also marks the occasion with our Tweet of the Day:

Think we can all agree: Giants vs. Tigers, much better for everyone than Giant Tigers.

— Howie Magner (@howiemag) October 23, 2012

The 2012 World Series schedule has been finalized, with all of the games being played at 7 pm Central time.

The World Series broadcasts on Fox will feature Joe Buck and Tim McCarver, but at least they'll also have this: Alan M. Nathan of the University of Illinois has some great gifs from Fox's 5000 frames/second slow motion camera and explanations of the physics behind a handful of ball/bat interactions. (h/t Baseball Nation)

Ryan Braun is still the only player ever to homer three times in a game at Petco Park, but that may change next season as the Padres are moving in the fences at baseball's most notorious pitchers' park.

Finally, we close this morning with sad news. 1970-74 and 1978 Brewer Dave May, perhaps best known for being traded for Hank Aaron in 1974, passed away over the weekend at age 68. Delaware Online has a great obituary of one of the best early Brewers, as does Bruce Markusen of The Hardball Times. Again, our condolences go out to May's friends and family.

Drink up.