Baseball

In other words, it's not a given that Braun will learn his status for the start of the 2012 season anytime soon. He made an official appeal of innocence in mid-January, and it's quite clear that the case is being closely reviewed. The 2011 National League MVP tested positive in early October for "insane levels" of synthetic testosterone and faces a possible 50-game suspension. There should be some sort of resolution by the opening of spring training.

Veras requested $2.38 million and was offered $2 million when arbitration figures were exchanged last month, so the Brewers will be negotiating on a relatively small gap. The 31-year-old is arbitration-eligible for just the second time this winter.

They settled at the $7.725 million midpoint. The two sides are interested in discussing a long-term extension at some point, but for now they'll just settle for the one-year deal. Marcum faded down the stretch in 2011 but still finished with a 3.54 ERA in his first season with the Brew Crew. He'll be the No. 3 starter in what should be another strong Brewers rotation.

The deal does not include an invite to big-league camp, though that could change. Patterson, 32, batted .239/.273/.359 with six home runs, 36 RBI, 13 stolen bases and a .632 OPS over 396 plate appearances between the Blue Jays and Cardinals last season. He's expected to open the season at Triple-A Nashville, but provides some depth if Ryan Braun's 50-game suspension sticks.

Greinke, who signed a four-year, $38 million extension with Kansas City in January of 2009, will make $13.5 million in 2012 before becoming a free agent. He left CAA Sports in December and has not signed on with another group. Greinke doesn't seem afraid of beginning dialogue with management sans representation. "I'll talk to (the Brewers) about (an extension)," Greinke said. "I don't really want to talk to anyone else about it. But I like the business of baseball. It's exciting for me. It's not like I plan on being my agent, but it is exciting being able to know what's going on behind the scenes."

Since the season ended, Marcum has focused on strengthening his core and legs, with the ultimate goal to use the added strength to tweak his pitching motion. "I've been almost all arm, it seems like, the last couple years," Marcum said. "By doing that, having my legs a little bit stronger, that'll probably add a little bit more velocity. But at the same time I'll be able to get down the mound a little further, and by getting down the mound a little further you obviously release the ball closer to home plate." Marcum had a 3.54 ERA in the regular season, but went 0-3 with a 14.90 ERA in the postseason. He denied arm fatigue played a role, saying he didn't locate the ball well in the playoffs. Marcum is currently working on hammering out a one-year deal with Milwaukee and avoiding arbitration.

Marcum requested $8.7 million and was offered $6.75 million from the Brewers when arbitration figures were exchanged earlier this month. The two sides are both interested in a long-term extension, though it appears they'll be content with hammering out a one-year deal for the time being. Marcum faded down the stretch in 2011 but still finished with a 3.54 ERA in his first season in Milwaukee.