Thursday's Frosty Mug: Pricy Relief

Some things to read while planning ahead.

The hot stove remains cold for the Brewers, who haven't made a transaction in weeks, but one could understand if they're planning on waiting a bit for the relief pitching market to cool down. Adam McCalvy noted Jonathan Broxton's new three year, $21 million deal with the Reds as the latest in a set of pricey deals for free agent relievers.

Meanwhile, former longtime Brewer Jeff Cirillo was one of 37 players (and three former Brewers) announced yesterday as candidates for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2013. Vote results will be announced in January.

In free agency:

• Corey Heim of The Book of Gorman has a look at some top starting pitching options for the Brewers, led by Ryan Dempster.
• Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun noted a source saying the Orioles have had "preliminary interest" in Kameron Loe.
  

The Brewers' actions in free agency this winter will do a lot to shape Chris Narveson's short term future with the team. We profiled the injured lefty in yesterday's edition of Lesser Brewers.

In the minors:

• Jean Segura had two more hits last night and drove in a pair of runs in Cibao's 7-4 win over Este, and is still hitting .340 in the Dominican this winter. You can read about that and more in today's Winter Leagues Recap.
• Elsewhere in winter ball, former Brewer minor leaguer and veteran journeyman infielder Andy Gonzalez leads all Puerto Rican winter ball hitters in noted leisured gentleman Carson Cistulli of FanGraphs' SCOUT stat.
• Rattler Radio has the latest renovation photos and video updates from their offseason project.
• Meanwhile, baseball in Brevard County may be in trouble. The Washington Post has the latest story saying that the Nationals are looking to leave Viera and a facility they share with the Manatees. Without major league spring training it's hard to believe the budget would exist to maintain the facility for Florida State League play. (h/t BBTF)

Back in Milwaukee, the Brewers are getting ready for the 2012 Clubhouse Sale this weekend. John Steinmiller and Caitlin Moyer have a preview of the items available.

Of course, the offseason is also a great time to romanticize old ballparks. Nick Michalski of The Brewers Bar has some nostalgia for County Stadium, which has now been gone for 12 years.

Around baseball:

Angels: Claimed infielder Tommy Field off waivers from the Twins.
Athletics: Acquired pitcher Sandy Rosario from the Red Sox for a PTBNL or cash and designated outfielder Jermaine Mitchell for assignment.
Braves: Signed outfielder B.J. Upton to a five year, $75 million deal.
Cubs: Designated pitcher Casey Coleman for assignment.
Indians: Designated pitcher Rafael Perez for assignment.
Mariners: Released infielder Chone Figgins.
Orioles: Acquired infielder Danny Valencia from the Red Sox for cash and designated first baseman/outfielder Joe Mahoney for assignment.
Padres: Signed pitchers Daniel Stange and Jason Ray, catcher Eddy Rodriguez and outfielder Travis Buck to minor league deals.
Pirates: Acquired first baseman Clint Robinson and pitcher Vin Mazzaro from the Royals for two minor leaguers and pitcher Zach Stewart from the Red Sox for a PTBNL and designated first baseman Matt Hague and infielder Yamaico Navarro for assignment.
Rangers: Signed pitcher Collin Balester and infielder Yangervis Solarte to minor league deals and acquired pitcher Cory Burns from the Padres for a PTBNL.
Rays: Signed infielder Mike Fontenot and outfielder Rich Thompson to minor league deals.
Red Sox: Hired Gregg Colbrunn as their new hitting coach.
Yankees: Signed pitcher Andy Pettitte to a one year, $12 million deal and designated catcher Eli Whiteside for assignment.

Howie Magner says the Upton contract might be a bad sign for the Brewers if they intend to keep Corey Hart around long-term.

It's still too early in the offseason to get a good feel for which teams will be frontrunners in 2013, but I think we can pencil a couple of names onto a list of teams likely to finish in last. Indians management, for example, is telling fans not to bother coming to the ballpark if they only care about winning.

The Indians probably weren't far behind the Mariners here, but Seattle has posted the steepest attendance decline in all of sports over the last decade.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to seize the moment.

Drink up.