Friday's Frosty Mug: P(l)ushed Out

Some things to read while waiting for the mail.

For the second time in as many days we're saying goodbye to a member of the 2012 Brewers this morning: Yesterday the team announced that they've outrighted Nyjer Morgan off the 40 man roster and he'll become a free agent. Morgan will, of course, always be remembered for his contributions to the 2011 team but saw his role and production diminish significantly in 2012. Cutting him loose opens up a spot in the outfield for Logan Schafer next season.

It's still possible that the Brewers could re-sign Morgan (or recent outrightee Jose Veras) as a free agent, but assistant GM Gord Ash told Tom Haudricourt the club has no intention of doing so.

Today in free agency: Noted leisured gentleman Carson Cistulli of FanGraphs has released the results of his contract crowdsourcing project. Here are the former Brewers covered:

Those predictions were made before K-Rod was charged with domestic abuse yesterday. If convicted he faces up to nine months in prison.

Elsewhere in free agency:

• Matthew Pouliot of Hardball Talk has Greinke #2 and Marcum #22 on his list of this winter's top 50 free agents.
• Doug Melvin told Tom Haudricourt again that the team is unlikely to pursue Josh Hamilton.
• David Schoenfield of ESPN listed Hamilton and Greinke as the top two on his list of the top ten storylines of the offseason.
• Miller Park Drunk has a list of players they'd like to see the Brewers pursue.
• Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer reports he's already been in touch with Ryan Dempster.

Ryan Braun will, of course, be back with the Brewers in 2013 and will once again get a bobblehead. His bobble will be given out to all fans to attend the May 26 game against the Pirates.

The Brewers still have some bobbles left to announce, but it seems unlikely Jim Henderson will get one this year. He'll have to settle for being the latest honorable mention in our MVBrewers series, and can see his profile here. The next player in the series will be unveiled at 2 today.

In the minors:

• Jimmy Nelson and Kyle Heckathorn combined to pitch five scoreless innings in Phoenix's 5-2 win over Salt River in the Arizona Fall League yesterday. You can read about that and more in today's Winter Leagues Recap.
• @Mass_Haas also notes that Rob Wooten pitched a perfect inning in Venezuela last night.
• Mike Newman of FanGraphs is listing Kentrail Davis as the 14th best corner outfielder he saw in person in 2012.
• Rattler Radio has their weekly update on the renovation project at Time Warner Cable Field.

If you'd like more Brewer coverage today but you're sick of reading, my Thursday appearance on The Watercooler with Jimmie Kaska on Sports Radio 1400 in Eau Claire has been archived.

Around baseball:

Astros: Claimed pitcher Sam Demel and infielder Jake Elmore off waivers from the Diamondbacks.
Braves: Claimed outfielder Jordan Schafer off waivers from the Astros.
Marlins: Hired former major league catcher Mike Redmond as their new manager.
Nationals: First baseman Adam LaRoche and reliever Sean Burnett have declined their contract options for 2013.
Rangers: Claimed catcher Konrad Schmidt off waivers from the Diamondbacks.

Meanwhile, it's possible this will be the weekend's biggest news: Angels pitcher Dan Haren is telling reporters he expects to be traded today before the deadline passes to exercise his 2013 contract option.

Today is also the deadline to give one year, $13.3 million qualifying offers to free agents to position yourself to receive compensation if they sign elsewhere. The most notable surprise so far on deadline day is the Giants' announcement that they won't make an offer to outfielder Angel Pagan.

Today in former Brewers:

• The Nats Blog has a recap of Cesar Izturis' brief tenure in Washington.
• C70 At The Bat has a review of Erik Komatsu's time with the Cardinals.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go look for more peanut butter cups.

Drink up.