For much, much less than $10 million, the Milwaukee Brewers could possibly see Eric Gagne throwing in Miller Park again this year.  They signed him to a minor league deal, and he will be used as insurance in case of injury.  Gagne had a rough go of it last year, going 4-3 with a mediocre 5.44 ERA.  What the numbers don’t say is how well the man turned it around in the final stretches of the season.  In September, Gagne had a 3.09 ERA, and in the Postseason, all he gave up was 1 hit in 2.0 innings pitched, so he certainly showed the capability of being a solid middle reliever.  As long as he accepts the fact that his 98MPH fastball is not coming back, this deal could prove to be very valuable for Milwaukee in the stretch run.

The Milwaukee Brewers officially signed free agent starter Braden Looper on Thursday, February 12, 2009.  The deal is for one year and $4.75 million, with a mutual option for the 2010 season.  Looper has been a reliever and closer for most of his career, but for the past two years in a Cardinals uniform, he has made the transition to starter.  In 2007, he went 12-12 with a 4.94 ERA and in 2008, he finished with a 12-14 record, but a much-improved 4.16 ERA.  He will add much needed quality depth to the Milwaukee pitching staff, most likely allowing Seth McClung to move back to the pen.  His 199 innings logged last season would have been first among Brewers starting pitchers in 2008.

Prince Fielder is about to become even a richer man as he is expected to sign a new two-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. Fielder is expected to take a physical and once that comes back ok he will sign his name on a new contract that will pay him $6.5 million in 2009 and $11.5 million in 2010. It would also include a $1 million signing bonus.

Also the team is close to bringing back Craig Counsell. Counsell is from the Milwaukee area and would love to come back and play for the Brewers. Both deals could be announced Friday or Saturday.

The new deal would buy out the first two years of arbitration that Fielder would normally have so in the long haul this deal will probably save them money if they keep Fielder for long term.

The Milwaukee Brewers have finally done something this offseason as they have signed Trevor Hoffman to a one year deal with a option for second year. The team will not announced the signing until Hoffman passes his physical but everything points to Hoffman being the closer for the Brewers in 2009.

Hoffman is expected to be paid $6 million and also have another $1.5 million in incentives that he can reach.

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Former Oakland Athletics manager Ken Macha has been hired by the Milwaukee Brewers to take over the managers position for the 2009 season. Macha had previously coached the A’s and took them to a pair of American League West titles while going 368-260.

Macha signed a two year contract with the Brewers. Macha was considered the lead candidate to become Brewers manager six years ago when Melvin became GM, but Macha was promoted from bench coach to manager in Oakland.

Macha was chosen over Willie Randolph and Bob Brenly for the managers position.

Brewers Transactions

The Milwaukee Brewers have designated struggling relief pitcher Derrick Turnbow for assignment. Turnbow, an All-Star closer in 2006, is 0-1 with a 15.63 ERA in eight games this season. He gave up six runs in two-thirds of an inning at Chicago Wednesday.

To take Turnbow’s place, Milwaukee recalled outfielder Joe Dillon from Triple-A Nashville.  So what do you think of this move by the Brewers?

In a suprising move by the Milwaukee Brewers, they have decided to release Claudio Vargas.  Vargas did put some pretty decent numbers this spring training even though he was a long shot to earn a spot int he starting rotation.

I’m really suprised the Brewers elected to just release him rather then trade him.  Maybe his contract scared off some of the other teams.

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The Milwaukee Brewers have re-signed three of their young players to new contracts even though one of them is upset about the amount of money.  Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, Corey Hart, and Rickie Weeks were all signed to new contracts on Sunday.

Fielder is pretty upset about the deal because he thought he had earned a lot more money then what was being offered to him.  He said there are younger players not putting up the same type of numbers as he is that are being paid far more.  He just wants a good contract for the type of numbers he is putting up and he doesn’t feel like the Brewers gave him that with the new contract that is worth $670,000.

Ryan Braun was re-signed for $455,000 and Corey Hart for $440,00.  Comparing those two contracts to Fielders, you really think Fielder should be making over a million dollars a year.  Weeks signed a one year contract for a little bit over a million dollars as he will be in his third year overall with the big league team.

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J.J. Hardy and the Milwaukee Brewers have agreed on a one year contract that will pay Hardy $2.65 million.  He was hoping to get a little bit over $3 million dollars but settled for $2.65 million.  It was Hardy’s first year of salary arbitration so with another good productive year, he will probably get a nice raise next off season.

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The Milwaukee Brewers and pitcher Dave Bush have avoided salary arbitration as they agree on a one year contract that will pay Bush $2.55 million.  Bush had asked for $3 million which is a hefty pay raise from his $450,000 salary in 2007.

Bush better really step up in 2008 and earn this nice $2 million dollar pay raise.  I’m sure he is really celebrating the contract.  Who wouldn’t with that kind of raise!

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