Brewers sign Catalanotto to minor league deal

(story courtesy Brewers.com)

The Milwaukee Brewers signed utility man Frank Catalanotto to a Minor League contract on Tuesday, adding a versatile veteran -- and another left-handed bat -- for organizational depth.

Catalanotto will report to the Brewers' year-round baseball facility in Phoenix for 5-7 days of workouts before he's assigned to a Minor League affiliate, a spokesman said. It's possible that he could eventually replace Brad Nelson on the Brewers' bench if Nelson doesn't hit a hot streak.

Entering this week's series, Nelson, who made his first Opening Day roster by hitting .354 in Spring Training, is 0-for-20 in 18 games. He reached base for the second time this season on Saturday when he drew his second walk.

Catalanotto is a .292 hitter in 12 seasons with three American League teams while playing both corner outfield positions, plus first, second and third base. He spent the last two years with Texas, but was released at the end of Spring Training when the Rangers opted to add Andruw Jones to the roster. Texas swallowed Catalanotto's $6 million salary for this season, so the Brewers would only owe him a prorated portion of the Major League minimum salary for time he spends in the big leagues.

Prior to his release, Catalanotto went 3-for-10 with a run scored for Team Italy in last spring's World Baseball Classic.

He has history with Brewers general manager Doug Melvin, who was Texas' GM in November 1999 when Catalanotto was traded along with Francisco Cordero, Gabe Kapler, Justin Thompson and Bill Hasselman in a blockbuster deal that sent Juan Gonzalez to Detroit. Melvin has since brought Cordero, Kapler and Thompson in for separate stints with the Brewers. Now Catalanotto joins the list.

My Take

I think this should be another great move by Melvin. Catalanotto should be a nice addition, and hopefully he'll provide similar to what Gabe Kapler did for the team. Nelson isn't necessarily hurting the team, but he can certainly get better while receiving regular at-bats in AAA.

With the 26th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft...

The Green Bay Packers select: Clay Matthews, LB from USC.

Analysis: The Packers add a versatile outside linebacker to their 3-4. Matthews' multi-dimensional game serves as the perfect complement to Aaron Kampman. As a credible rushing threat with underrated cover skills, Matthews gives Dom Capers the ability to mix and match rush schemes. Though he only spent one season as a starter at USC, he has the potential to be a solid pro in the Packers' defense.

My Take: I'm not so thrilled with this pick. While Matthews should be a solid pro, I think the Packers could've drafted a better LB, with more experience. Rey Maualuga, also from USC, and James Laurinaitis from Ohio State have been successful LB's for more than just a year. I'm also not too happy that we traded our 2nd and two 3rd round picks to get him and a 5th round pick. The Packers now don't pick until the 4th round, so they might regret giving up so much. Look for them to trade down in the 4th or 5th round.

With the 9th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft....

The Green Bay Packers have selected: B.J. Raji, DT from Boston College.

Analysis: The Packers pick up a dominating nose tackle to anchor their new 3-4 defense. Raji excels at beating double teams, and his presence in the middle will keep blockers off A.J. Hawk and Nick Barnett. Though many thought the Packers would opt for a pass rusher, such as defensive ends Brian Orakpo from Texas or Aaron Maybin from Penn State. The decision to fortify their run defense will go a long way toward helping them increase their sack total.

My Take: I like this pick. I'm glad GM Ted Thompson didn't go with his usual draft plan of taking the best player available, which was Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree. The Packers needed to find someone to take up two gaps on the line, freeing up linebackers Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk. Raji should plug the holes that Bears RB Matt Forte and Vikings phenom Adrian Peterson run through.

Brewers release OF NIxon

(courtesy Associated Press)

Veteran outfielder Trot Nixon was released by the Milwaukee Brewers, leaving three players competing for two outfield spots on the opening-day roster.

Nixon, who will be 35 on April 11, was a non-roster invitee with four hits in 38 spring at-bats.

Brewers manager Ken Macha on Wednesday said the decision was tough because Nixon’s career meant so much to him. Macha managed Nixon for four years in Boston’s minor league system.

Macha asked general manager Doug Melvin to release Nixon now so he might catch on with another major league team. Nixon has 137 homers and 555 RBIs with a .274 average over 12 seasons, 10 with Boston.

Tony Gwynn Jr., Chris Duffy and Brad Nelson are the finalists for the two backup slots.

My Take

It's disappointing that the Nixon experiment didn't work out as well as the Brewers would've liked it, but at least it'll give the youngsters (Gwynn, Duffy, and Nelson) a shot to earn a big league roster spot. Hopefully the Brewers won't regret losing the veteran presence in the clubhouse that Nixon would offer, but maybe we'll see two of these three guys become productive as pinch hitters, runners, or defensive replacements.

Good luck to Trot with finding another team. There's still probably enough left in the tank for another year or two.

Former Packer, Favre, "officially" retires

(story courtesy NFL.com)

Brett Favre swears this is the real deal -- no more last-minute comebacks.

The 39-year-old quarterback retired again Wednesday and insisted he won't look back. Well, at least for now.

"I have no reason to wonder why you would be so skeptical," Favre said Wednesday with a slight chuckle after announcing that he was leaving the game after 18 record-setting seasons.

Favre, who retired last March but returned a few months later, kept this goodbye simple -- no tearful farewell or jam-packed news conference. He spoke to the New York Jets on Wednesday morning, telling team owner Woody Johnson, general manager Mike Tannenbaum and new head coach Rex Ryan that he was calling it a career.

"I have family and friends who are like, 'All right, Brett. Is this the real deal?"' Favre said during a conference call. "To me, it is. It is. Believe me. It's been a wonderful career, I couldn't ask for anything more. It was worth a shot for me to go to New York. I wish I could've played better down the stretch. I didn't.

"It's time to leave."

The Jets placed Favre on the reserve-retired list, meaning the quarterback's retirement paperwork had been filed with the NFL -- something he didn't do last winter with the Packers.

"Emotionally, I'm OK with it," said Favre, who spent the day on his bulldozer and doing yard work on the grounds at his home in Kiln, Miss. "I really felt like it was time. Obviously, the circumstances last year were a lot different. Physically, if I felt better, we may not be having this conversation, but I think that's more than anything the writing on the wall."

Favre's decision came six weeks after his only season with the Jets ended in disappointment as New York went 1-4 down the stretch and failed to make the playoffs.

A major reason for the collapse was Favre, who threw nine interceptions in those five games. He said he played with a torn biceps tendon in his right arm that got worse later in the season and needed a cortisone injection after the team's Week 14 game at San Francisco.

"It's something that obviously I was able to play with," Favre said. "I don't think I was nearly as productive as the season progressed, but it very well could be fine next year. I'm well aware of that. But then again, it could linger and bother me throughout the year, and I just felt like it was time. I think that, to me more than anything, was a wakeup call."

Favre insisted that even if he felt better next season, he's still done with playing.

"It's nothing I would second-guess, no," he said.

If this is indeed it for Favre, he leaves the game with a slew of NFL records, including career touchdown passes (464), completions (5,720), passing yards (65,127), regular-season wins (169) and interceptions (310).

"With Brett, there was always the possibility that he wouldn't play the second year," Johnson said. "We were hoping to get one good year out of Brett Favre. We picked him based on, in our opinion, his giving us the best chance to win last season. We were disappointed not to have made the Super Bowl, but we did some very good things with Brett."

The Jets improved from 4-12 in 2007 to 9-7, but the late-season woes cost head coach Eric Mangini his job -- and perhaps tarnished Favre's legacy a bit.

"I honestly believe I did everything I could do," Favre said. "I'm proud of everything I've done."

New York hired Ryan to replace Mangini, and he, along with Johnson and Tannenbaum, repeatedly said they wanted Favre to return. Instead, Favre spent several weeks after the season at home -- at the suggestion of Tannenbaum -- away from football before deciding to retire.

"It would've been fantastic to be coaching Brett," Ryan said. "It's a sad day to see him leave, to see him retiring."

The three-time NFL MVP holds the mark among quarterbacks with 291 consecutive starts, including the playoffs, despite playing through several injuries throughout his career.

"The longevity of his career and his love for the game is truly inspiring," All-Pro kick returner-running back Leon Washington told The Associated Press. "I'm privileged to have played with not only a Hall of Fame QB but also a great role model."

Favre said he felt discomfort in his arm "for quite a while." It turned out to be a torn biceps tendon, and he opted not to have surgery.

Favre said he began to realize the end might be near when he consistently underthrew his receivers in Week 16 versus Seattle.

"I threw it, and it didn't end up where I wanted it to," he said. "That, to me, was an eye-opener."

It wasn't all bad with the Jets for Favre. He threw a career-high six touchdown passes, tying Joe Namath's team record, in a 56-35 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4. Favre also helped rejuvenate the franchise, drawing thousands of fans to training-camp practices.

Favre finished with 3,472 passing yards and 22 touchdowns, but his 22 interceptions were his most in three seasons.

Taken by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the 1991 draft, Favre was traded after the season to the Packers for a first-round pick. During his 16 years with Green Bay, he helped lead the team to consecutive Super Bowls, including a victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI in the 1996 season.

"Congratulations to Brett on a remarkable career," the Packers said in a statement. "The Packers organization wishes him and his family well. Brett always will hold a special place in Green Bay Packers history, and we remain committed to retiring his number at an appropriate time in the future."

My Take

At first, I figured "Oh boy, here we go again..." But then I realized a few things. For one, Favre has an injury. There also wasn't a dramatic press conference. It was as simple of a retirement as any other player.

I'm actually glad he's done playing, now. In my opinion, he's been retired for a year, already. Once he left the Packers, he was retired in my eyes.

I can't wait for the day the Packers retire Favre's jersey. He is truly a legend, not only in Green Bay, Wisconsin, but all of America.

Milwaukee Brewers: 2009 Preview

Fifty-two days, 20 hours, 15 minutes. That's how long Brewers fans will need to wait to see their team play meaningful games, again.

It hasn't seemed too long of an absence, but any kind of absence from baseball is a sad thing.

The Brewers, coming off of a 90-72 campaign in 2008, have lost their top two starting pitchers (CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets). They've lost three key relief pitchers (Salomon Torres, Brian Shouse, and Guillermo Mota).

They've lost three key veterans (Gabe Kapler, Russell Branyan and Ray Durham). They've lost a great pitching coach.

What have they gained? The Brewers made a handful of signings in free agency, among those included are: Trevor Hoffman, Jorge Julio, Braden Looper, Trot Nixon, Mike Lamb (re-signed), veteran infielder Craig Counsell (re-signed), and Mike Cameron (re-signed).

Personally, I think we lost more than what we gained. I think that another 90-win season is possible, as long as everyone stays healthy, and contributes regularly.

Of course, there will always be injuries. It happens to every team, in every sport. However, the Brewers will need to rely on their younger stars to carry the team this year.

The team has an older, more experienced look and feel to it. Some say that nothing is left in the tank of legendary closer, Trevor Hoffman. I disagree.

When you look at Hoffman's stats from last season, they aren't half bad. When you take into consideration the team he was playing for, you can't help but wonder how he did so well.

Julio, the Brewers' first signing of the off-season, can be a productive arm in the bullpen. He's even closed for teams, in the past. I feel pretty confident in the back-end of the bullpen knowing that Hoffman, Julio, and (possibly) Villanueva will be around.

Heck, you can even throw David Riske into the mix. (Doesn't anyone else remember that he still plays in Milwaukee?)

The front end of the bullpen will have a different look to it, though. There will almost certainly bet that a youngster will be on the Opening Day roster for the Crew. I predict Mitch Stetter will be the new Brian Shouse.

I like Stetter, and I think he can do just as good a job as Shouse did. Also, Todd Coffey will more than likely have a spot reserved for him. You might even see Tim Dillard and/or Mark DiFelice starting the season in Milwaukee.

So, overall, I think the Brewers' bullpen will look a little something like this, on Apr. 7:

• Closer - Trevor Hoffman
• Setup Man - Carlos Villanueva
• Short Relief - David Riske
• Short Relief - Jorge Julio
• Long Relief - Seth McClung
• Long Relief - Mark DiFelice
• Lefty Specialist - Mitch Stetter

I'd rate that bullpen a six or seven out of 10.

As for the starting rotation...it might be a little brutal. The Brewers must make sure nothing happens to any of their starters, otherwise, it could be a long season.

While the rotation isn't necessarily horrible, it could be better. Some people say that Gallardo is the next Sheets, in that he'll always be injured. However, Gallardo's injuries can arguably be described as "freak" or "fluke."

Gallardo and Parra should be OK, Bush might be a surprise, Suppan needs a good year, and Looper should be solid. If anyone goes down, in comes Seth McClung to take their place—at least until Chris Capuano is 100 percent healthy.

When Capuano comes back, possibly some time in May, he could take over for someone struggling in the rotation, or he will be used in the bullpen. An early trade could also free up some space.

The offense is almost exactly the same as last season. The only players the Brewers lost were bench players, and the only players the Brewers gained were bench players. Therefore, I present you my projected bench for the 2009 season:

• Trot Nixon - OF/1B
  
• Mike Rivera - C
• Mike Lamb - 1B/3B
• Craig Counsell - IF
• Tony Gwynn Jr. - OF

I think you can expect a couple trades at some point during the season. GM Doug Melvin practically made it obvious when he explained that the reason not as much money was spent during free agency was so the team could leave money open for a move during the season.

I also think that pretty much everyone on the team, even Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder, has something to prove this year.

Yovani Gallardo and Manny Parra have the opportunity to prove themselves as some of the better young pitchers in the game. Jeff Suppan needs to have a somewhat decent year if he wants his job in Milwaukee any longer.

Dave Bush needs to prove that he's a quality number three or four starter. Chris Capuano simply needs to stay healthy (and hopefully have a season similar to his 2005 breakout year).

Rickie Weeks still needs to develop into the phenom that he's capable of being. J.J. Hardy has the opportunity to prove he's Gold Glove worthy. Bill Hall needs to stay consistent (hopefully he can put up numbers similar to his breakout year of '06).

Corey Hart can prove that he's an annual 20-20 threat. Braun and Fielder can prove to be one of the best, young duo's in the major leagues. Trevor Hoffman needs to prove there's still gas in the tank for another year or two. Carlos Villanueva can prove he's the future closer of the Brewers.

I could go on, and on.

The 2009 Milwaukee Brewers have a chance at being a very good, very dangerous team. This year will be all about opportunity. The team is good enough to top last season's Wild Card berth with, hopefully, a Division title and a deeper playoff run this season.

My projected record: 88-74, NL Central Champions, Loss in NLCS to New York Mets.

Brewers sign P Looper to one-year deal

(story courtesy Brewers.com)

The Milwaukee Brewers have signed pitcher Braden Looper to a one-year, $4.75 million contract with a mutual option for 2010.

Looper, a 34-year-old former reliever who moved into the St. Louis Cardinals' starting rotation two years ago, is expected to bolster a Brewers starting five with talent but little depth.

"It's a really good match for me and my family," said Looper, who lives in the Chicago suburb of Palos Heights, Ill. "The big thing is that Milwaukee gives me a chance to win. I'm just a piece, but the nice thing about this team is that the pieces are there offensively and defensively and this gives me a chance to win."

To make room for him on the team's full 40-man roster, Wisconsin native Vinny Rottino, a catcher, was designated for assignment.

Looper will earn a $4.75 million base salary in 2009, and at least $6 million in 2010 if both sides exercise the option. The 2010 base salary will bump to $6.5 million of Looper starts at least 30 games in 2009.

The Brewers have until 10 days after the end of the World Series to decide on their half of the option, and Looper then must make his own decision three days after that. If the Brewers decline the option, they must pay Looper a buyout based on his '09 starts.

Looper earned $5.5 million last season and went 12-14 with a 4.16 ERA in a career-high 33 starts. The Orioles were probably Milwaukee's most serious competitor for Looper's services, at least according to published reports, and the Pirates also reportedly showed some interest. Looper picked Milwaukee for several reasons, chief of which was geography. During the offseason, he and his wife, Shannon, adopted a baby girl from China who required medical care, and the chance to play home games an hour and 45 minutes up the road from his real home was appealing.

So was the opportunity to remain in the National League. Looper was the Cardinals' first-round Draft pick in 1996 and has pitched in the NL since 1998 for the Cardinals, Marlins, Mets and the Cardinals again. From 1998-2006 he was a reliever but has found success since moving to the starting rotation before the start of the 2007 season.

"I feel like starting has given me a second life," Looper said. "I watch the games more now, and I feel like it's actually taught me a lot about baseball. It's difficult to explain, but I definitely don't regret the change."

With Looper in the fold, the Brewers head into Spring Training with six viable starters: Yovani Gallardo, Dave Bush, Looper, Jeff Suppan, Manny Parra and Seth McClung. The Brewers will probably wait to make any decisions until later in the spring, but assuming good health for all of the competitors, it could make sense for the team to shift McClung back to a relief role, where he had success in 2008.

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin described Looper as, "an innings-eater and a grinder." Looper's 199 innings last season would have led Milwaukee pitchers.

"We'll have to sit down as a staff and figure out with McClung, do we want him to extend out [as a starter] or do we want him in the bullpen," Melvin said. "We still have to figure that out."

Melvin said he had not spoken with McClung since coming to terms with Looper late Monday. McClung has said in the past that he prefers to be a starter.

Finalizing Looper's deal was the Brewers' second order of business on Thursday. Earlier in the day, the team claimed 24-year-old right-hander Nick Green off waivers from the Angels and designated reliever Luis Pena for assignment. Green has two Minor League options remaining and will probably start the year at Triple-A Nashville.

Looper and Green will get right to work. Brewers pitchers and catchers report to Maryvale Baseball Park on Friday for the start of Spring Training. Players are scheduled to undergo physical exams on Saturday -- Looper already has his out of the way -- and then participate in the first formal workout of the year on Sunday.


My Take

Well, I'm glad the Brewers pulled the trigger with Looper. He's not a huge name, but like Melvin described him, "he's an inning's eater." Looper should unquestionably be the Brewers' 5th, possibly even 4th starter.

There's almost no doubt that that will be the last major move before the season starts. I think the Brewers had a pretty mediocre off-season. It's a pretty big deal when you lose your two best starting pitchers.

It will definitely be an interesting year, and I can't wait for things to get started!

Bucks trade Lue to Magic for Bogans

(pictures courtesy Getty images and NBA.com)

The Milwaukee Bucks have swapped guards with the Orlando Magic, sending point guard Tyronn Lue for shooting guard Keith Bogans.

The move fills needs for both teams, as the Magic recently lost point guard Jameer Nelson and the Bucks lost shooting guard Michael Redd, both to injuries.

Milwaukee, who also received cash in the deal, remains in a virtual tie for eighth in the Eastern Conference with the New Jersey Nets.

Lue, an 11-year veteran of six teams, played in 30 games for the Bucks, averaging 4.7 points and 1.5 assists while sitting on the bench behind Luke Ridnour and Ramon Sessions.

"He was fantastic," Bucks coach Scott Skiles said of Lue. "I know ultimately he wants to coach when he's done playing. I think he'd be an excellent coach. I was very fond of him."

Bogans has played 36 games, including 15 starts, this season for Orlando and is averaging 5.3 points and 3.1 rebounds.

He's bound to get more playing time in Milwaukee while the Bucks try to find a way to win without Redd or Bogut and keep their postseason hopes alive.

"He has size, he can make the corner 3, he's an athletic, wing-defending type player, which we need in our division, so we'll see," Skiles said.

My Take

This trade is easily a win-win. Milwaukee needed shooting guard depth, and Orlando needed point guard depth. Easy deal.

Overall, I like Milwaukee's end of the deal, but it's not a huge move.

Bucks' Bogut out at least 8 weeks

The Milwaukee Bucks have announced that center Andrew Bogut will miss the next eight weeks with a stress fracture in his back. The former No. 1 overall pick went through a series of tests earlier this week that revealed the injury. Bogut will need exercise and rest, but no surgery is scheduled.

Bogut's injury is another blow to the Bucks, who are in eighth place in the Eastern Conference but have already lost leading scorer Michael Redd to a season-ending knee injury.

Bogut is averaging 11.7 points and a team-high 10.3 rebounds, but started suffering back spasms after a game Dec. 17 against Philadelphia.

Bogut had missed 13 of the last 18 games, and played under 17 minutes in his last two games before missing Tuesday night's loss at New Jersey.

My Take

This is another huge blow to the Bucks' playoff chances. Bogut was starting to look really good this season, but couldn't avoid an injury.

The team will need Richard Jefferson to step up, along with Luke Ridnour, Charlie Villanueva, and even Dan Gadzuric.

Bucks' Redd out for season

(quote courtesy ESPN.com)

The Milwaukee Bucks' leading scorer, Michael Redd, will miss the rest of the year with torn ligaments in his left knee.

"I'm deeply disappointed but everything in life happens for a reason and this is God's plan for me," Redd said in a statement issued by the team. "I have faith in my teammates and coaches to continue to work together to make our fans proud. I will be supporting them wholeheartedly from the sidelines and working equally hard to return to the court in the best condition possible for next season."





My Take

I'm so disappointed with this news, that I find myself unable to go into any detail. To sum things up, this is obviously a huge blow to the Bucks. Not only is Redd undoubtedly the team leader, but he was the leading scorer, and he was just starting to heat up. I wish Michael a quick, full recovery, and I can't wait to see him back next season.

Brewers trade for lefty Wright; sign righty Mendoza

(some text courtesy Brewers.com)

The Milwaukee Brewers have traded for former Yankees minor-league lefty Chase Wright, and have signed former Yankees reliever Ramiro Mendoza to a minor-league contract and invited him to Spring Training.

Wright learned Wednesday morning that he had been traded from the Yankees to the Brewers for outfield and catching prospect Eric Fryer. The two roster moves were aimed at augmenting Milwaukee's pitching depth.

Wright, who turns 26 on Sunday, has one Minor League option remaining, and was added to the Brewers' 40-man roster, which is now full.

He was the Yankees' third-round pick in the 2001 First-Year Player Draft and made a brief Major League debut in 2007, when he went 2-0 in three appearances despite a 7.20 ERA and a dubious distinction. On April 22, 2007, at Boston's Fenway Park, he became the second pitcher in major league history to surrender four consecutive home runs.

Wright spent all of 2008 in the Minors, going 10-3 with a 2.72 ERA for three of New York's affiliates.

"I felt like I definitely had a good run," Wright said. "The '07 season was my first year out of [Class] A-ball and I had two good starts at Double-A before I got called up to the Yankees, and I knew that if I put together a good run [in 2008] I would have a shot at an opportunity. It just didn't happen. The Yankees system is just loaded, and unfortunately, I kind of got buried."

Milwaukee could offer a better opportunity. The Brewers plan to break camp with Yovani Gallardo, Dave Bush, Jeff Suppan, Manny Parra and Seth McClung in the starting rotation but they have precious little insurance against injuries. Former All-Star Chris Capuano will be in camp on a Minor League deal, but he is recovering from Tommy John elbow ligament transplant surgery and won't be an option until May. Fellow left-handers Lindsay Gulin, Sam Narron and Chris Narveson will also be in camp, but none of those pitchers are on the 40-man roster.

My Take

I like the trade simply because it gives us another left-handed option. The Brewers don't have very many lefties, and I can see Wright being a productive option if there are any injuries in the bullpen. Look for this guy to be pretty good in Nashville, and maybe we'll see him sometime during the upcoming season.

As for Mendoza, I have no idea why we bothered to sign him. He hasn't pitched a major league game since 2005, and hasn't had extensive time in the majors since '04. He used to be a pretty decent player early in his career (from 1997-2002), but then he simply disappeared. He has played his entire career with the Yankees and Red Sox, so he has no experience in the National League.

For the past couple years, the Brewers have signed old, washed up relievers late in the off-season. Why, I have no idea. Last year it was Scott Cassidy and Randy Choate. Cassidy retired shortly after the deal was made, and Choate never appeared in a Brewers uniform. I'm sure the deal is not for very much, but the Brewers could either be "saving" this money for an in-season move, or they could be using it towards a player that will actually produce for the team.

Brewers sign Weeks to one-year deal

(some text courtesy Brewers.com)

The Brewers agreed to terms with second baseman Rickie Weeks on a $2.45 million, one-year contract on Tuesday.

He can earn an additional $100,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances from 575 to 650. That would be uncharted territory for Weeks, who made a career-high 560 plate appearances in 2008, when he missed two weeks with a sprained left knee. In previous seasons, he was limited by hand and wrist injuries.

In his first year of eligibility, Weeks was seeking $2.8 million, while the Brewers offered $2 million.

The second overall pick in the 2003 First-Year Player Draft, Weeks batted .234 last season with 14 home runs, 89 runs scored and a .342 on-base percentage. Weeks re-injured his left knee in Game 3 of the National League Division Series and underwent surgery Oct. 6 to repair the meniscus but is expected to arrive in Phoenix for Spring Training at full strength.

My Take

Hopefully we'll see a lot out of Weeks this year. I, personally, want this guy to succeed. He's young, and still developing, and I think that some people get on him a little too much. I definitely wouldn't be comfortable having Craig Counsell starting at 2nd base for us, so this was a very important signing for the time being.

Only one more player eligible for arbitration is left to sign - Corey Hart. Here's to seeing an agreement within the next week or two.

Brewers re-sign McClung to one-year deal

(courtesy ESPN.com)

The Milwaukee Brewers signed pitcher Seth McClung to a one-year contract on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration. McClung, 27, went 6-6 with a 4.02 earned-run average in 37 games (12 starts) last season. Over five seasons in the majors, the first three with Tampa Bay and the last two with Milwaukee, he has pitched in 136 games (49 starts) and has a record of 23-31 with a 5.55 ERA.

Milwaukee still has two players eligible for arbitration - outfielder Corey Hart and second baseman Rickie Weeks.


My Take

I'm not much of a McClung fan. I really see him as mediocre, and I think the Brewers can do much better. I will dread seeing him as our fifth starter for an extended period of time.

There's no doubt that there are better options for a fifth starter still left on the free-agent market, it's just a matter of the Brewers being conservative with their money. They claim they "want to keep their options open for the future".

While that is a good idea, it's also not a bad thought to re-sign our ace, Ben Sheets. I can't stress enough that he would be critical to our team. I don't think we can rely on a rotation of Gallardo, Parra, Bush, Suppan, and McClung to get us much better than a handful of games above .500.