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 Brewers lost LHP CC Sabathia to free agency and expect to lose RHP Ben Sheets in the same manner, so they are in search of starting pitching help prior to spring training. They've shown interest in a number of free agent pitchers, including RHP Braden Looper, but were not close to signing any as the Christmas holidays arrived. The Brewers also would like to find a reliever with some closing experience or they face the prospect of holding auditions in spring camp. 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: LHP Brian Shouse filed for free agency, and the Brewers were showing no signs of trying to keep him, primarily because the 40-year-old reliever was looking for a two-year deal and the club wasn't interested in going beyond one year. OF Gabe Kapler was a solid contributor as the Brewers' fourth outfielder last season but as a free agent was getting no offers from the club. General manager Doug Melvin said he expected Kapler to get a better opportunity elsewhere. Kapler is a right-handed hitter, and Melvin is looking to include more left-handed hitters on his bench.
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.
