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 signed outfielder Jay Gibbons to a minor league contract on Tuesday, July 22nd.

Gibbons had been mentioned in the Mitchell Report for using Human Growth Hormones to help his recovery from a wrist injury. He wrote a note to all of Major League Baseball apologizing for his actions, and supposedly offered to play for free if needed. He is a veteran, left-handed bat, with a reliable glove.  He will most likely be called up to the Bigs in September.

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.

Brewers Blog

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.

Brewers Blog

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.

Brewers Blog

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!

Brewers Blog

Just a quick update for today, the Brewers have signed Chris Capuano to a one year deal worth $3.75 million dollars.  Hopefully for Brewers fans, Capuano will come back and have a strong 2008 season then he had 2007.

Capuano should be ready to go in 4-5 weeks as he recovers from surgery he had to his non throwing shoulder.

Brewers Blog

Claudio Vargas just got a nice pay raise from the Milwaukee Brewers.  The Brewers and Vargas agreed on a one year contract in the area of $3.6 million!  That is about $1.5 million to much if you ask me.

Vargas is decent, and is more then likely just a spot starter for most teams.  If anything he would be a #4 or #5 pitcher for a few teams around the league.  He will however provide some pitching depth for the Brewers who seem to come down with pitching injuries throughout the year.  I just think the contract is for too much money, and if they try to trade him like reports have been talking about, it will be harder to find a suitor to take on that contract.

Brewers Blog

It is now official Brewers fans!  Mike Cameron is a member of the Milwaukee Brewers.  Cameron signed a one year contract with a club option for 2009.  Cameron will receive a $1.25 million dollar signing bonus and then a base salary of $5 million in 2008.  He will have around $800,000 of that deducted however as he serves his 25 game suspension to start the 2008 season.

If the 2009 option is agreed on my management, Cameron would be in line to receive $10 million for that year!  There will also be a $750,000 buyout for the option year.  In my opinon, Cameron will have to have a huge year to have the Brewers pay him $10 million in 2009.  I just don’t see that happening to be honest.  What do you think?

Brewers Blog