Source: Aramis Ramirez to Brewers  —  Former Chicago Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez will sign a three-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, pending a physical, according to a source familiar with the situation.  —  Ramirez played the last eight-plus seasons with the Cubs.

Mets, Struggling for Cash, Receive $40 Million Bank Loan  —  The owners of the Mets, needing cash and unable to turn to Major League Baseball for more financial help, received a $40 million loan from a major bank in the past six weeks.  —  The team described the arrangement as a “bridge loan …

Marlins catcher John Buck helps rescue two women from overturned car  —  Think the Marlins front office had an eventful week last week in Dallas?  Consider Marlins catcher John Buck's week.  —  He started the week by bagging a trophy-class deer (209 points on the Boone & Crockett scale) on a hunting trip in south Texas.

Mets cut Ronny Paulino and Mike Baxter  —  The Mets cut Ronny Paulino and Mike Baxter tonight (making them free agents), which puts the team's 40-man roster at 38.  —  Mike Pelfrey, Manny Acosta, Ramon Ramirez and Andres Torres were tendered contracts and offered salary arbitration.

Badenhop acquired from Marlins  —  The Rays added another potential piece to their bullpen, acquiring RHP Burke Badenhop from the Marlins for minor-league C Jake Jefferies.  —  Badenhop, 28, spent parts of the last four seasons in the majors, compiling a 13-15, 4.34 record.

Blue Jays Acquire Ben Francisco  —  The Blue Jays acquired outfielder Ben Francisco from the Phillies for minor league lefty Frank Gailey, announced the team.  The Jays also designated reliever Jesse Chavez for assignment.  —  Francisco, 30, hit .244/.340/.364 in 293 plate appearances for the Phillies this year.

Rangers not fishing for Fielder, Darvish  —  That counter-punch to the Los Angeles Angels that many expect from the Texas Rangers probably is not coming.  —  The Rangers are more focused on trading for a starting pitcher than signing free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder …

Non-Tender Candidates  —  I initially published my non-tender candidates list on November 14th, and since then many of the 54 players I mentioned have been removed from 40-man rosters or traded.  Below is my revised list in advance of tonight's 11pm central time deadline.

Sonnanstine non-tenderered, Howell gets contract  —  UPDATE, 12:37 AM: Executive VP Andrew Friedman explained the decisions, saying they were confident Howell could still regain his pre-surgery and that there was no longer room for Sonnanstine.  —  On Howell: Friedman noted how much a grind …

D'Backs To Sign Takashi Saito  —  The Diamondbacks have agreed to sign right-handed reliever Takashi Saito, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (Twitter link).  The D'Backs were known to be targeting the CAA client, who drew interest from at least six teams this offseason.

Dodgers sign Gwynn to two-year contract  —  The Dodgers announced Monday that they have agreed to a two-year deal with Tony Gwynn, one of a couple of players that appeared to be on the bubble for Los Angeles as Monday's 9 p.m. PT non-tender deadline approached.

Red Sox pitcher upset by Yankees hitting coach  —  Boston ace Josh Beckett, who always seems to be upset about something, is ticked off at Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long for mentioning that Beckett takes too long between pitches, which can throw off the rhythm of the hitter.

Mets Claim Jeremy Hefner; Sign May, Olson  —  The Mets claimed righty Jeremy Hefner off waivers from the Pirates, reports ESPN New York's Adam Rubin.  They also signed catcher Lucas May and lefty Garrett Olson to minor league deals.  —  Hefner, 25, was claimed by the Pirates from the Padres …

Wife of Albert Pujols tells radio show: “the city of St. Louis has absolutely been deceived”  —  “I understand you're talking to us, then one TV station, and that's about it,” is how Sandi Brown, morning show host at 99.1 Joy FM in St. Louis, opened her conversation Monday with Deidre Pujols …