Thursday's Frosty Mug: The Marcum of Destiny

Some things to read while showing that oil barrel who's boss.

As free agent options slowly leave the market, the probability of the Brewers bringing back an old friend for 2013 seem to have gone up a bit. Shaun Marcum told MLB Network Radio yesterday that he's open to returning to Milwaukee, although potential terms were not discussed.

As with any potential free agent acquisition, some of us are overjoyed by the possibility and some of us violently oppose in all caps. I'm waiting to see what the terms of a potential Marcum return would look like before passing judgment, but I have written previously that I think he'd represent a better risk than Ryan Dempster.

Of course, it's worth remembering that this entire conversation is based on a single comment on MLB Network Radio, so a new contract for Marcum is hardly a done deal. Tom Haudricourt still says he's "pretty certain" Marcum won't be back in America's tenth dirtiest city (h/t @BenBadler).

The pressure for the Brewers to make a move may increase if Ryan Dempster comes off the market. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports is reporting that Dempster is in "serious" negotiations with the Red Sox. Adam McCalvy, though, wonders if the Brewers might be better off going young for a year to better position themselves to be active in next year's market.

For whatever it's worth, just 14% of voters in this week's Brew Crew Ball Tracking Poll think the Brewers should offer the 35-year-old Dempster a three-year deal. 65% would prefer to sitck with a two-year offer, and a significant number of voters would also like to see that offer taken off the table.

Elsewhere in free agency: Jon Morosi of Fox Sports has confirmed that the Brewers pursued reliever Sean Burnett before he signed with the Angels. Given that he signed elsewhere, it seems likely the Brewers didn't offer significantly more than the two years/$8 million in his new contract.

Turning our attention to the Caribbean for a moment: There is no offseason for Jean Segura, who remains active in winter ball and is closing in on 800 professional plate appearances in 2012. Adam McCalvy talked to Gord Ash about the concerns involved in allowing a young player to play that much, but overall it seems like a non-issue.

Carlos Gomez is also spending the winter in the Dominican Republic, but he's doing so in a more leisurely fashion. David G. Temple of NotGraphs found a picture of the speedy center fielder posing with Manny Ramirez at what appears to be a pig roast.

If you weren't around the site yesterday you may have missed our look at Rickie Weeks' final home run of 2012, the eighth longest hit by a Brewer this season. That series will continue with #7 later this afternoon.

Around baseball:

Cubs: Claimed pitcher Sandy Rosario off waivers from the Red Sox.
Dodgers: Designated outfielder Scott Van Slyke for assignment.
Padres: Signed pitchers Juan Oramas, Jason Ray, Sean O'Sullivan and Daniel Stange, catchers Eddy Rodriguez and Rene Rivera, infielder Gregorio Petit and outfielder Travis Buck to minor league deals.
Rangers: Claimed catcher Eli Whiteside off waivers from the Blue Jays.
Rays: Are expected to sign pitcher Roberto Hernandez (formerly known as Fausto Carmona).
Reds: Signed third baseman Jack Hannahan to a one year, $2 million deal.

Today in former Brewers: In honor of 12/12/12, friend of the site Justin Hull of 95.3 WSCO in Appleton has a collection of Brewers who have worn #12. It's not exactly a star-studded list, but it does give us a chance to discuss Johnny Briggs' epic sideburns.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to wash this slime off.

Drink up.