Combined with the recent acquisition of left-hander Chase Wright from the Yankees, the Brewers now have options should anything happen to one of their starters.

"We've got some numbers now," general manager Doug Melvin said. "I'm anxious to see these people."

The Brewers had been looking at Looper since December and finally struck when the price was right in a depressed market. Looper, 34, will receive a $4.75 million salary this season with a mutual option for 2010 for $6 million.

If the Brewers exercise the option, Looper has the right to decline it and go back on the free agent market. If the Brewers decline the option, they'll owe Looper a $1 million buyout if he has started 30 games or pitched 180 innings, or $750,000 if he fails to reach those levels.

Looper also can add $750,000 in incentives this year for starts, beginning with 19 and ending with 30. His 2010 salary kicks up to $6.5 million if he makes 30 starts this season.

"I'm excited," said Looper, who was converted from a reliever to a starter before the 2007 season. "It's a good opportunity for me and my family. I'm joining a ballclub with a good chance to win."

Looper cited several factors for signing with Milwaukee, including the proximity to his home, remaining in familiar territory in the National League Central and finally getting a deal he found acceptable after making $5.5 million last season.

"Milwaukee was the best fit for me," said Looper, who went 12-14 with a 4.16 ERA in 33 starts last year with the Cardinals. "It'll be nice on off days to be able to go home (to the Chicago area) to see my family, and have them come up on weekends.

"It was a strange market. I'm glad this finally worked out. I'm looking forward to the opportunity."

The Angels designated Green, 24, for assignment on Feb. 10 to make room for the signing of free agent outfielder Bobby Abreu. Green pitched at Class AAA Salt Lake last season, going 8-8 with a 5.32 ERA in 28 starts.

WHERE, WHEN: Maryvale Baseball Park, Phoenix, Ariz. First exhibition game is Feb. 25 against Oakland.

TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: 3B Bill Hall got folks excited three years ago by socking 35 homers and driving in 85 runs. Then came two years of considerable back-sliding at the plate, prompting some fans to call for his ouster. Hoping to get back on track at the plate, Hall had LASIK eye surgery over the winter and expects to see the ball better. The Brewers, who have $15 million invested in Hall over the next two seasons, hope it is an eye-opening experience.

TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: RHP Jeff Suppan is in the third year of a four-year, $42 million contract. He was awful last September, failing to win a game, and was shelled in his only playoff appearance. If Suppan continues that slide, his contract will become a financial albatross. He is slated to make $12.5 million in both 2009 and 2010, so punting him would be very costly.

AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Ken Macha, who posted an impressive 368-280 record with Oakland from 2003-06, is in his first season at the helm of the Brewers. Macha is a stickler for fundamentals and said he wanted to make his own judgments on players in spring camp rather than coming in with preconceived notions. Dale Sveum is the new hitting coach and will focus on improving the team's .325 on-base percentage from last year. Bill Castro now runs the pitching staff after 17 years as bullpen coach. Willie Randolph, who interviewed for the managerial position, was hired as bench coach. Brad Fischer is the new third base coach, and Stan Kyles was promoted from the system to be bullpen coach. Only first base coach Ed Sedar returns to his former position.