With the Brewers likely to lose Prince Fielder to free agency and Ryan Braun facing a 50-game suspension, the team moved to add some help to the middle of the lineup by signing free-agent third basemen Aramis Ramirez.
The 33-year old right-handed power hitter enjoyed a nice bounce-back campaign in 2010 with the Cubs as he hit 306/.361/.510 with 26 home runs in 626 plate appearances.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports expects the contract to be in the $34-37MM range for three years.
Ramirez is a Type B free agent, which means the Cubs receive a draft pick between the first and second rounds of the 2012 draft.
They receive the draft pick because they offered to go to arbitration with Ramirez, who declined.
Ramirez also declined a $16 million mutual option for the 2012 season. By offering to pick up the option, the Cubs saved themselves a $2 million buyout.
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milwaukee brewers, aramis ramirez, nl central, 2012 mlb offseason