Outfielder Gabe Kapler has signed a 1-year contract with the Brewers. He last played in the majors in 2006 with the Red Sox. Kapler has now played in 850 games in his major league career and he is 655 for 2,425 (.270 avg, .749 OPS) with 362 runs scored, 64 homers, 302 RBIs and 68 stolen bases. He should make the team if he has a decent Spring and he could be an asset to the bench in 2008.

The Brewers have designated righty reliever Matt Wise for assignment. Wise pitched in 56 games last season for the Brewers and he was 3-2 with 1 save, a 4.19 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. Wise has now pitched in 201 games (18 starts) in his major league career and he is 17-21 with 2 saves, a 4.18 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. Wise will be a very popular free agent if he clears waivers.

The Milwaukee Brewers have designated 29 year old righty swinging Kevin Mench for assignment. Mench played in 101 games last season for the Brewers and he was 77 for 288 (.267 avg, .746 OPS) with 39 runs scored, 8 homers and 37 RBIs. The Brewers tried really hard to trade Mench during the Winter Meetings but no one wanted to give up anything for him. Mench has now played in 651 games in his major league career and he is 601 for 2,220 (.271 avg, .791 OPS) with 291 runs scored, 89 homers and 320 RBIs. Mench shouldn’t have much of a problem finding a new job.

The Brewers have signed Eric Gagne to a 1-year, $10 million dollar contract to serve as their closer next season. Gagne pitched in 54 games last season with the Rangers and Red Sox and he was 4-2 with 16 saves, a 3.81 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. Gagne has now pitched in 352 games (48 starts) in his major league career and he is 29-23 with 177 saves, a 3.31 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. Look for Gagne to do a great job for the Brewers as he was excellent in that role last season with the Rangers.

The Brewers have added another solid arm to the bullpen in Salomon Torres. They gave up 26 year old righty Marino Salas and 23 year old righty Kevin Roberts to get him and neither of them have a big upside. Torres was the closer at the start of last season for the Pirates before losing the job because of poor performance. Torres pitched in 56 games last season for the Pirates and he was 2-4 with 12 saves, a 5.47 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. He has now pitched in 426 games (64 starts) in his major league career and he is 37-53 with 29 saves, a 4.40 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. This was another solid acquisition by the Brewers to help out late in ballgames.