Brewers fill void with Aramis Ramirez

The Brewers agreed to terms with free-agent third baseman Aramis Ramirez yesterday, agent Paul Kinzer told The Associated Press.

Ramirez, who reportedly agreed to a three-year contract worth $36 million, will provide a needed big bat for the Brewers, who are expected to lose first baseman Prince Fielder through free agency and may be without NL MVP Ryan Braun for the first 50 games of next season if he loses his appeal for testing positive for a banned substance.

Ramirez, 33, played 149 games for the Cubs last season, batting .306 with 26 home runs and 93 RBIs.

Hours after agreeing to terms with Ramirez, the Brewers traded third baseman Casey McGehee to the Pirates for reliever Jose Veras.

Furcal stays with Cards

The Cardinals and shortstop Rafael Furcal have agreed to a two-year, $14 million contract, keeping the switch hitter with the World Series champs . . The Rockies agreed to a two-year deal with veteran catcher Ramon Hernandez . . . The Phillies traded outfielder Ben Francisco to the Blue Jays for minor- league lefty Frank Gailey,

Mets: Minor additions

The Mets signed lefthander Garrett Olson and catcher Lucas May to minor-league contracts and claimed righthander Jeremy Hefner off waivers from Pittsburgh.

Pujols' wife sounds off

Deidre Pujols, wife of Albert Pujols, appeared on Joy FM in St. Louis to share what she termed the Pujols' "side of the story" concerning Albert's departure from the Cardinals to the Angels. She took issue with reports of contract offers from the Cardinals and said she has been surprised at the vehement response to the family's decision to move on.

-- AP