Brewer Free Agents

1. CC Sabathia - He says that he will give the Brewers the first chance to sign him, and we have to hope that he will accept a contract with fewer years than others offer, but with the same yearly salary. It is unlikely that he will be a Brewer next year, but their is a small sliver of hope.

10% chance that he is a Brewer in 2009

2. Ben Sheets - He has been the face of the Brewers for awhile, but was pushed down the list when Fielder and Braun emerged and pushed to the #2 SP when Sabathia arrived. His body of work shows his talent, but also his nagging injuries. With an elbow that is in question, he might sign a 1 year deal with the Brewers if nobody is willing to give him a big time multi-year deal.

25% chance that he is a Brewer in 2009

3. Mike Cameron - The Brewers have a 10 million dollar option on him, and I think that they should use it. While his batting average wasn't great, you need to look at a more productive way to evalluate hitters and see that his OPS was a solid .809. He will strike out way too often, but plays an above average center field. He is easily worth the $10 for an additional year. Despite poopular belief, Tony Gwynn Jr is NOT ready to be the everyday CF in 2009.

80% chance that he is a Brewer in 2009

4. Salomon Torres - His overall numbers look pretty good, but he was terrible in the final month of the season and in the playoffs. The Brewers will probably accept the 3.75 million dollar club option, but he shouldn't be locked into the closers role for an entire season.

75% chance that he is a Brewer in 2009

5. Ray Durham - He played well for the Brewers down the stretch and gives them a solid switch hitter who isn't an easy out. He can be a stabilizing veteran force on the team to help guide the young guns as they try to continue to progress. If Weeks doesn't emerge as a legit everyday major league player than Durham is a must have on this team.

50% chance that he is a Brewer in 2009

6. Russell Branyan - Branyan might be signed once he figures out that the interest in him is limited, and I don't see the Brewers making him a priority signing.

25% chance that he is a Brewer in 2009

7. Guillermo Mota - He proved to be more valuable than I thought he would be this season, and worked himself back into crucial innings down the stretch of the season -- but I don't see the Brewers being the high bidders for his service (as some team will think he is better than he really is). His lack of control should not be rewarded with a multi-year deal.

25% chance that he is a Brewer in 2009

8. Eric Gagne - Nice guy, but there is no way that he will be back with the Brewers after stealing 10 million from the team in 2008.

0% chance that he is a Brewer in 2009

9. Gabe Kapler - He had some key hits for the Brewers throughout the season, but he is nothing more than a 4th outfielder. He is a good character guy, so maybe the Brewers will be able to bring him back for an additional year.

50% chance that he is a Brewer in 2009

10. Brian Shouse - Mitch Stetter got the big lefty innings in the playoffs, so Shouse may not be back with the club in 09. His overall numbers are pretty good over the past two seasons, and another team might lock him up to a multi-year deal. He is a solid lefty option, that the Brewers would miss if Stetter falters in 09.

50% chance that he is a Brewer in 2009

11. Craig Counsell - The Brewers have a club option, but will probably decline it and might sign him for a lower price via free agency. He is a good character guy on the team, that can play multiple positions - but is nothing more than a bench player that won't even hit for average anymore. If they can get him on the cheapside then he will be welcomed back.

30% chance that he is a Brewer in 2009

12. Mike Lamb - Only had 11 plate appearances for the Brewers, as he was a late addition. Something tells me that he will be Doug Melvin's project for 2009, and will replace Branyan as the lefty off the bench that might steal some time at 3B. He doesn't strike out a ton, so that would be a change of pace for the Brewers.

25% chance that he is a Brewer in 2009