Milwaukee Brewers in the News, Jan. 27

Brewers News

- Rickie Weeks and Corey Hart are both hoping to avoid a salary arbitration hearings with the Brewers. Who would want to hear why their team thinks they suck.

- The signing of Craig Counsell was made official today. If you haven’t heard, the deal is for one-year, $1 million. Tom Haudricourt says its a perfect fit for the little guy.

- You can watch the September 6, 2008 dual against the Padres ace Jake Peavy here. Sheets threw a complete game shutout to lead the Brewers to a 1-0 win.

- The Brewers search for Jim Powell’s replacement has been narrowed down to four.

- Beginning this Wednesday at 10 a.m., you can register for your chance to buy four opening day tickets. Some more details here.

- Jeff Suppan is number 18 on Brew Crew Ball’s advent calander.

- According to this article, Brewers manager Ken Macha says he has five guys who could hit 25 or more taters. I agree with the author in that there are actually seven guys who could, and they may have to for the Brewers to compete at a high level.

- Milwaukee’s Decider has a recap of the Brewers Winter Warm-Up.

Minor Leagues

- Bernies Crew profiles their number 8 Brewers prospect, Taylor Green.

- At number 8 for Between the Green Pillars is Lorenzo Cain.

- Here is an update on Huntsville Stars.

NL Central

- MLB.com says the Cubs starting rotation should be their strong point. You think? Well, as much as I hate to say it, they are pretty strong all around. Although, with the DeRosa trade along with the unlikely hood that Dempster can repeat 2008 and the minimal chance that Rich Harden stays healthy, leaves me some hope of a Chicago collapse. Plus, one of these years Zambrano is going to literally blow up on the mount. Literally.

Other News

- Ben Sheets popped up in another headline on MLB.com. The article says Sheets very well may have made a mistake not accepting arbitration with the Brewers. This article discusses whether the reward for the Rangers signing Sheets is higher than the risk of the team signing him.

- The signing of Andy Pettitte by the Yankees, as well as the likely re-signing of Oliver Perez by that other New York team and Milwaukee’s apparent disinterest, makes it all the more likely that Sheets will end up in Texas. Could be he’ll end up signing a one year deal worth less than what he would have made had he accepted arbitration with the Crew. Can’t wait to see what happens there.