Brewers starting pitcher Zack Greinke could be in line for a significant payday after the 2012 season. Greinke's strikeout rate led the National League last season, his walk rate remained superb and only a few home runs stood between him and a season similar to his 2009 Cy Young campaign when he was with Kansas City. It remains to be seen if teams like the Yankees and Red Sox will shell out significant money to sign Greinke.

Agent Scott Boras created a 73-page folder on free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder to help hype his client. Boras typically creates such binders for high-profile clients and they are delivered to team's in early December. He described the binder as a way "to educate" the market on his client, and he told ESPN.com that the goal of the research inside is to answer a question, "What does he mean to a franchise?" Fielder remains on the market.

Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun's positive test under Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Policy was triggered by medication for a private medical issue, according to a report by TMZ.com. Braun is in the process of appealing a 50-game suspension. Major League Baseball, the Brewers and Braun's representatives did not comment on the story.

The Brewers have won the right to negotiate a contract with Japanese center fielder Norichika Aoki. Aoki's team, the Yakult Swallows, has accepted Milwaukee's bid of $2.5 million under the posting system. The Brewers have 30 days to work out a deal with the Aoki, 29, a three-time Central League batting champion.

The Cubs have a hole at first base and it was reported on Thursday that they could step up their pursuit of free-agent Prince Fielder. The free-agent slugger is reportedly seeking a 10-year contract similar in terms that Albert Pujols ($254 million) received from the Angels.

The Diamondbacks have reached agreement on a one-year, $1.75M contract with 41-year-old right-hander Takashi Saito. Saito went 4-2 with a 2.03 ERA in 30 relief appearances for the NL Central-champion Brewers last season.

Michael Weiner, the head of baseball's union, wants people to avoid rushing to judgment in the wake of Ryan Braun's positive test for performance-enhancing drugs. The reigning National League MVP is appealing to an arbitrator. The case is not likely to be determined until next month at the earliest. If the positive test is upheld, Braun would face a 50-game suspension as a first offender. Weiner said in a statement Tuesday that the drug agreement is designed to protect a player from "a rush to judgment." He adds that "fairness dictates that Ryan Braun be treated no differently."

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin has confirmed that the signing of third baseman Aramis Ramirez has put the team out of the race to sign Prince Fielder. "I think [Fielder's agent] Scott [Boras] understood that," Melvin said.

The Pirates have acquired third baseman Casey McGehee from the Brewers in a trade for reliever Jose Veras. The deal came just hours after the Brewers agreed to terms with free-agent third baseman Aramis Ramirez. McGehee had a strong rookie season in 2009 and a big year in 2010, but slumped at the plate in 2011 and lost his starting job to Jerry Hairston Jr. late in the season.

The Cubs are in the mix to sign free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports writes that Fielder makes more sense for Chicago than Albert Pujols did because he is just 27 years old.