Lunch Break Quickie: Cameron, Maddux, Sabathia, Counsell

- On the last day to do so, the Brewers have decided to exercise outfielder Mike Cameron’s $10 M option for the 2009 season: Cameron is now one of the highest compensated players in Milwaukee, but – unlike others breaking the bank – he has the probability of contributing on an everyday basis. Plus, with a full season to work with, 30 HR, 100 RBI, 20 SB and a plethora of web gems are all definite possibilities for 2009. Good move by Doug and Co.

- Mike Maddux will reportedly leave Milwaukee to take the vacant pitching coach position in Arlington for the Texas Rangers: After five seasons of respectable team E.R.A. and pitchers appearing in all-star games, Maddux was apparently bowled over by Texas’ offer. Doug Melvin said of Maddux’s departure in an interview with the Journal Sentinel, “He’s moving on to a better deal that he couldn’t turn down,” Brewers general manager Doug Melvin told the newspaper. “They overwhelmed him with a huge deal.”

Maddux is expected to be announced as the new pitching coach sometime this week for a pitching staff that had the highest team E.R.A. in 2008. No immediate word on who will replace Maddux in Milwaukee.

- CC Sabathia officially filed for free agency on Saturday: This doesn’t mean Milwaukee has automatically lost out on CC, as they’re reportedly working on an offer the godly hurler could receive as early as today, but this now begins the bidding process the Brewers will more than likely lose. Farewell Carsten, unless we meet again.

Oldie but Goodie:
- Over the weekend while we were getting wasted dressed as characters from Lethal Weapon not able to post, the Brewers declined “Super Sub” Craig Counsell’s $3.4 M option for next season, opting instead to pay the world’s largest tween $400,000 to not be part of the team: However, the team has expressed interest in retaining Counsell at a lower cost. If the purse is low enough, I guess I personally wouldn’t mind having Counsell’s infield versatility and left-handed bat back on the bench, but if the Counsell era has ended, I shed no tears. The extra cash saved, might clear room to sign or trade for an everyday third base option, who knows?