Braun Attends Bucks Game With Little-Known Football Player

While in town for "Brewers On Deck", Ryan Braun attended Saturday night's Bucks game with a football player named Aaron Rodgers (pictured above, to Braun's right). Apparently the two became friends over the past several years. I've never heard of him so he's probably only famous because he's friends with Braun. When asked if he planned to attend Rodgers' football game next weekend (did anyone else find it odd that they kept talking about football with Spring Training right around the corner?), Braun said he most likely would not as he did not want to miss any workouts this close to Spring Training. Braun has been working out near his California home with one of Major League Baseball's known fitness nuts, none other than former Brewer Gabe Kapler.

-In related news, fans set a new attendance high for "Brewers On Deck", the Brewers fan fest that took place Sunday. Energized by this offseason's trades for Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum, fans eclipsed the old mark by more than 700 and total attendance amounted to 11,299.

-Brewers officials confirmed Rickie Weeks' deadline of Spring Training to work out a multi-year deal with the club. They didn't seem worried, though, saying that parallel negotiations for a one year deal and a multi-year deal have been ongoing. Perhaps they'll be able to work out a multi-year deal after all, though it still seems unlikely. Weeks' arbitration hearing is set for February 17, if needed, and position players report to Spring Training on February 21, so little time remains for negotiations. Brewers officials also remarked that talks with Shaun Marcum remain productive.

-Zack Greinke threw a bullpen session at Miller Park on Saturday with new Brewers pitching coach, Rick Kranitz, in attendance. Pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training on February 16.

-Brewers officials expect record attendance this season to follow fans' high enthusiasm and expectations for this year's team. Attendance fell slightly last year and failed to reach 3 million fans for the first time since the 2007 season. Officials noted that even if 3 million fans come to Miller Park this year, the team could still lose money on the season with a team payroll again around $90 million.