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 …

No awards for those who cheat  —  If Ryan Braun doesn't win his appeal, he doesn't deserve to be the NL MVP  —  After Ryan Braun's appeal of his positive test, if it is concluded that he broke the MLB's drug policy during the 2011 regular season, why can't we take back the MVP award?

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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.

D'Backs will non-tender Joe Saunders  —  Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says the Diamondbacks will non-tender LHP Joe Saunders tonight, but will try to to re-sign him.  —  However, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports says a new deal between the Diamondbacks and Saunders is unlikely.

Cards, Furcal agree on 2-year, $14 million deal  —  ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Cardinals and shortstop Rafael Furcal have agreed to a $14 million, two-year contract, keeping the switch-hitter with the World Series champions after they picked him up at the July trade deadline.  —  Furcal