The Brewers have selected 22-year old righty reliever Eduardo Morlan in the Rule 5 Draft. He was the #15 rated prospect in the Tampa Bay Rays’ system heading into the 2008 season according to Baseball America. He pitched in 30 games (0 starts) in AA-ball last year and he was 4-2 with 1 save, a 3.64 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. He will have a good chance of making the bullpen of the Brewers in 2009 and he has a nice upside.

The Brewers have re-signed 33-year old lefty swinging 1B/3B Mike Lamb to a 1-year deal. He played in 92 games for the Twins and Brewers last season in which he was 58 for 247 (.235 avg) with 22 runs scored, 1 homer and 32 RBIs. Lamb has now played in 936 games in the majors and he is 739 for 2,668 (.277 avg, .750 OPS) with 380 runs scored, 69 homers and 345 RBIs. Lamb will likely be one of the top pinch hitters on the Brewers in 2009.

The Brewers have re-signed 28-year old righty reliever Todd Coffey. Coffey pitched in 26 games (0 starts) for the Brewers and Reds last season. In those games he was 1-0 with a 4.39 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. Coffey has now pitched in 222 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 13-9 with 9 saves, a 4.46 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP. This was a good move for the Brewers as Coffey pitched well for them last season after coming over from the Reds.

The Milwaukee Brewers have signed 29-year old righty reliever Jorge Julio to a 1-year contract. Julio pitched in 27 games (0 starts) for the Braves and Indians last season and he was 3-0 with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. The hope hear is that Julio can work in the 7th and 8th innings to protect leads. He does have experience as a closer but the Brewers would be really rolling the dice if they depend on him in that role. Julio has now pitched in 438 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 16-33 with 99 saves, a 4.30 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP.

36-year old righty reliever Salomon Torres has retired from major league baseball. He really was a key to helping the Brewers make the playoffs last season as he was the closer after Eric Gagne failed to produce early in the year. Torres pitched in 71 games (0 starts) for the Brewers last season and he was 7-5 with 28 saves, a 3.49 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. Torres had a long career but he only had so-so success. He pitched in 497 games (64 starts) in his major league career and he was 44-58 with 57 saves, a 4.31 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. This leaves the back of the Brewers’ bullpen with a huge void which must be filled before spring training starts.