Monday's Frosty Mug: To Extend Or Not To Extend

Some things to read while being followed.

It's the time of year where things change quickly and misinformation abounds, and we got a perfect demonstration of that over the weekend. Late last week rumors surfaced that the Brewers were working on a long term deal with Corey Hart, but both Hart and the Brewers have since denied that's the case. Hart is currently scheduled to become a free agent following the 2013 season.

If recent minor league free agent signee Michael Olmsted makes the Brewers this spring, odds are he'll be one of the team's best stories. Tom Haudricourt (behind the JS paywall) talked to Olmsted about injuries, pitching in Japan and losing his mother and how those events have shaped his career. Reviewing the Brew also profiled Olmsted and fellow recent signee Jairo Asencio as part of their "Better Know a Brewer" series.

For what it's worth, Matt Eddy of Baseball America says the most coveted minor league free agents usually sign early, and implies that Olmsted and Asencio may be among them.

Elsewhere in free agency:

• JP Starkey of SB Nation Dallas says the Brewers may be the best fit for Josh Hamilton, but he's not the best fit for the Brewers.
• The Blue Jays have reportedly contacted Shaun Marcum regarding his possible asking price.

Looking back, this will surprise no one: The Brewers make a prominent appearance in Matt Klaasen of FanGraphs' look at 2012's worst bunts.

The Baseball Writers Association of America is likely to dominate the headlines this week as they announce the winners of their 2012 awards. They'll announce their NL Rookie of the Year tonight, and this morning SB Nation announced that Bryce Harper has won our version of the award. Norichika Aoki finished fourth in the voting and Mike Fiers was tied for sixth. It's been 20 years (Cal Eldred and Pat Listach) since the Brewers had two players receive BBWAA RoY votes in the same season.

He was something of a lightning rod at times, but John Axford still saved 35 games in 2012 and on Friday JP profiled him as one of the final honorable mentions in our MVBrewers series. The honorable mention phase wraps up today and the next step will start tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Brewers continue to look further back to honor team alumni with 2013 bobbleheads. On Friday they announced Ben Oglivie will be the subject of the team's last of ten 2013 bobbles, given away to all fans in attendance at the September 15 game against the Reds. The Brewer Nation has a list of details about this season's bobbles you may have missed.

In the minors:

• Jean Segura is back in the lineup after being hit by multiple pitches late last week and had a big night last night, going 2-for-5 with a walk and three stolen bases in Cibao's 8-6 loss to Aguilas in the Dominican Republic. You can read about that and more in today's Winter League Recap.
• The Arizona Fall League is off on Sundays but over the weekend John Steinmiller posted profiles of AFL Brewer representatives Khris Davis and Josh Prince.
• Nashville Sound Donovan Hand pitched in Venezuela last night, and @Mass_Haas notes that he's second among all VWL pitchers with 29.1 innings pitched already this winter.
• Elsewhere in winter ball, 2012 Nashville catcher Dayton Buller is joining Aguilas in the Dominican Republic.
• Back in the states, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers have an interview with catcher Rafael Neda and some pictures from their ongoing stadium renovation project.

Around baseball:

Blue Jays: Signed pitcher Justin Germano to a minor league deal.
Dodgers: Won the bidding for the rights to negotiate with Korean pitcher Ryu Hyun-Jin, paying $25.73 million.
Giants: Infielder Emmanuel Burriss has rejected an outright assignment to the minors and is now a free agent.
Mets: Re-signed catcher Mike Nickeas to a minor league deal.
Nationals: Signed manager Davey Johnson to a one year contract extension.
Orioles: Re-signed outfielder Lew Ford to a minor league deal.
Red Sox: Signed catcher David Ross to a two year, $6.2 million deal.
Twins: Signed catcher Eric Fryer and pitcher Tim Wood to minor league deals.

Today in former Brewers: Bluebird Banter has an interview with Joshua Kusnick, the agent representing new Blue Jay Jeremy Jeffress.

Finally, a quick programming note: Once I'm done here this morning I'll be turning off the computer and heading out on vacation for the rest of the week. You'll be in capable hands while I'm gone, with Rubie, JP, Noah and Nate stepping up to fill in on the Mug in my absence and I'm confident the site won't miss a beat. I'll back to see you all again a week from today.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to encourage someone to consider a new career path.

Drink up.