In the News (1/25)

Brewers News

- USA Today had a profile on the Brewers 2009 squad.

- Gallardo is preparing to man the top of the rotation for the Crew in 2009.

- Trevor Hoffman was introduced as a Brewer this weekend.

- Michael Hunt says Hoffman is a good fit for the team.

- Fielder is happy with his new deal.

- Hart and Weeks remain unsigned and could head to an arbitration hearing if the team and the players can work out a deal.

- Craig Counsell is back for 2009 and will be a valuable player off the bench.

- Melvin defends Weeks as a leadoff hitter. I think it’s pretty clear Rickie will be hitting at the top of the order again in ‘09.

- jihad at Brew Crew Ball proposes a Gamel/Hall platoon at third for ‘09.

- Ahren at Brewed Sports likes the potential of the Brewers offense going into this season.

- In-Between Hops says there is a 30 percent chance the Brewers could be the twelfth team in MLB history to have four 30 home run hitters and a 7 percent chance to be the first team to ever have five.

- Over 10,000 fans attended the On Deck event Saturday and more than 2,000 attended the Winter Warm-Up on Friday. Think fans are excited about the season (despite the free agency losses)? I was at the Warm-Up on Friday and it was a blast.

- Brewer Advent Calendar: Prince Fielder and Bill Hall.

- Bill Schroeder, Darren Sutton and Doug Melvin have all chatted with 540 ESPN since Thursday and their interviews are archived HERE.

Rumors and Speculation

- The Brewers appear to be monitoring the progress of Kris Benson and Mark Mulder.

- Haudricourt has a story on the Brewers options for starters and the possibility of them standing pat (or at least only a minor signing or two) seems likely.

- Peter Gammons says Randy Wolf, Jon Garland and Braden Looper are all getting offers in the $5 million per year range, plus incentives and options. That seems like a very nice bargain. I hope the Brewers are at least kicking the tires on these guys still (especially Looper).

- Buster Olney says a lot of teams could be kicking themselves for not signing Sheets at a bargain rate this offseason.

- Sheets has visited with the Rangers.

- Are the Yankees after Sheets?

Minor Leagues

- Jeff Sackmann at Brew Crew Ball takes a look at some defensive numbers.

NL Central

- The Diamond Hoggers comments on how ugly the Pirates are. Glad we’re not the only ones who noticed.