Thursday's Frosty Mug: Leon Sticks Around

Some things to read while reattaching the rope.

We're 34 days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training and the Brewers have added (or returned) another name to their list of 2013 camp invitees: Arcenio Leon cleared waivers yesterday and will remain in the organization after being outrighted down to AAA Nashville. He'll now be with the team this spring as a non-roster invitee.

Meanwhile, one more transaction remains on hold: The Brewers' minor league free agent deal with Alfredo Figaro remains in limbo as Figaro's agent and his Japanese team work on a potential resolution. I would think forcing a player to play out his contract in Japan against his wishes might have a negative impact on Japanese teams' ability to sign foreign free agents in the future.

With or without Figaro, the Brewers' starting pitching figures to be the team's most glaring question mark heading into 2013. J.P. Breen of Disciples of Uecker attempted an early projection for the Opening Day pitching staff.

In the minors: Baseball America's 2013 Brewer prospect rankings were released in print form this week and while the list isn't available yet online, Mike Vassallo has it on Twitter. The biggest surprise may be Jimmy Nelson, who they have as the Crew's #5 prospect ahead of guys like Johnny Hellweg, Victor Roache and Clint Coulter.

If we all do our part, a sixth place finish is certainly possible: Tyler Maas of Miller Park Drunk has a reminder to vote for Ryan Braun for the cover on MLB '13 The Show.

Around baseball:

Astros: Top prospect and first baseman Jonathan Singleton has been suspended for 50 games for testing positive for marijuana.
Dodgers: Signed pitcher Matt Palmer to a minor league deal.
Giants: Signed Japanese infielder Kensuke Tanaka to a minor league deal.
Indians: Signed pitchers Jerry Gil and Edward Paredes to minor league deals.
Pirates: Acquired pitcher Jeanmar Gomez from the Indians for a minor leaguer.
Rockies: Signed reliever Manny Corpas to a minor league deal.

Of course, the big news around baseball yesterday was the announcement that the BBWAA failed to elect a single new player to the Hall of Fame for the first time since 1996. All three former Brewers on the ballot (Julio Franco, Jeff Cirillo and Royce Clayton) fell short of the 5% voting requirement to remain in consideration in 2014, although Franco did receive six votes. The Brewers have now had at least one former player receive votes on each of the last 20 ballots.

The BBWAA's decision to leave all the 2013 candidates out could really complicate matters for 2014, when Greg Maddux and Frank Thomas lead another loaded class of first-time eligibles. The Hall of Very Good has a look at the players that will enter the fray next year.

Meanwhile, the most bizarre vote yesterday went to Aaron Sele, who was mentioned on a ballot despite posting a career 4.61 ERA over 15 MLB seasons. Joe Block notes that Sele received more Hall of Fame votes than Cecil Cooper, Gorman Thomas and Ben Oglivie combined.

Elsewhere in former Brewers:

• Paul Swydan of FanGraphs has a look at the career of Tommy Harper and his 30/30 career year in 1970.
• Lee Panas of Tiger Tales surprised me by having Kevin Seitzer on a list of the best players at advancing runners since 1950.
  

And elsewhere in Brewer moments past, Jess of The Catlantis has a recollection of her first memories of County Stadium. Mine are that I couldn't see, didn't really know or pay attention to what was going on and Rob Deer didn't play.

Yesterday we mentioned that T-Mobile will be sponsoring wireless phones in the dugouts for managers to use to call out to the bullpen. This isn't going to go well for everyone, of course, and David G. Temple of NotGraphs has a look at some of the things that could go wrong.

A manager could, for example, call the bullpen while wearing the wrong hat. Apparently "the interview cap" is an actual thing MLB teams are making and promoting, bringing us one step closer to having a different hat for every possible situation.

This morning's edition of Today In Brewer History marks the sixth anniversary of the Brewers signing R.A. Dickey as a minor league free agent in 2007. Chris Jaffe of The Hardball Times notes that it's also the 17th anniversary of the death of Joe Schultz, the first manager in franchise history.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to make sure it doesn't get away.

Drink up.