The Brewers will have a busy offseason on the personnel front because of the large number of free agents and arbitration-eligible players on their roster. They have decisions to make at several positions and must retool both their starting rotation and bullpen. For a team that won 90 games, it figures to be a busy winter.
BIGGEST NEEDS: The pitching situation seems most pressing because of the number of free agents in the starting rotation and bullpen. The Brewers also must consider finding a hitter or two who bats .300 with a high on-base percentage, something they didn't have in 2008. ARRIVALS: RHP Jorge Julio (free agent from Braves), LHP R.J. Swindle (free agent from Phillies), RHP Eduardo Morlan (Rule 5 selection from Rays).
DEPARTURES: INF Joe Dillon (claimed off waivers by A's), RHP Salomon Torres (retired), 3B Russell Branyan (free agent, signed with Mariners), LHP CC Sabathia (free agent, signed with Yankees).
FREE AGENTS: RHP Ben Sheets, 2B Ray Durham, RHP Guillermo Mota, OF Gabe Kapler, RHP Eric Gagne, LHP Brian Shouse, INF Craig Counsell.
Sheets has been so injury-prone that he'll probably be allowed to leave. Kapler had a substantial shoulder injury in September that might prevent the Brewers from offering another contract. Counsell's contract option was declined by the Brewers.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: 1B Prince Fielder, SS J.J. Hardy, RF Corey Hart, 2B Rickie Weeks, RHP Dave Bush, RHP Seth McClung.
Fielder is due for a huge raise in his first year of arbitration after hitting 114 home runs with 312 RBIs in his first three seasons in the majors. His contract could jump to as much as $8 million. Hart also is in his first year of arbitration eligibility, and Hardy and Bush figure to get nice raises.
IN LIMBO: OF Mike Cameron was a heavy topic of discussion during the winter meetings, as the Yankees reportedly had interest in the veteran.
MEDICAL WATCH:
2B Rickie Weeks (left knee surgery in September 2008) is expected to be full-go by spring training.
RHP David Riske (right elbow surgery in September 2008) should be completely healthy by spring training.
