--RHP Braden Looper was one of the free agents who drew some interest from the Brewers prior to the Christmas break. Looper was not offered salary arbitration by St. Louis after going 12-14 with a 4.16 ERA during the 2008 season.
--Bill Castro, elevated to the role of pitching coach after 17 seasons as the Brewers' bullpen coach, received a vote of confidence from his predecessor, Mike Maddux. "He knows the guys better than anybody else does and better than anybody else coming in, that's for sure. I couldn't be happier for Billy," said Maddux, now the pitching coach of the Texas Rangers. --LF Ryan Braun reportedly accepted an offer to play for Team USA next spring in the World Baseball Classic. The move had not been confirmed by the Brewers as of Christmas week.
--RHP Seth McClung, who shuttled back and forth from the starting rotation to the bullpen during the 2008, currently is pegged to be a starter next season for a team whose pitching was thinned by the losses of free agents CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets. But general manager Doug Melvin said McClung might be given a shot at the closer's job if a better alternative is not found prior to spring training.
--OF Trot Nixon, signed to a minor league deal with an invitation to the Brewers' spring camp, could turn out to be a left-handed version of OF Gabe Kapler, who made a big impact as the fourth outfielder last season. The Brewers are trying to incorporate more left-handed bats in their 25-man roster, a primary reason they signed Nixon.
BY THE NUMBERS: 38 -- Saves accumulated in 2008 by RHP Salomon Torres (28) and RHP Eric Gagne (10), neither of whom will be back next season.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Playing good, fundamental baseball is important to me. Going out there and grinding it out every day is important to me. Putting a good day's work in every day and trying to get yourself improved is important to me." -- New manager Ken Macha, on what he expects from his players.
