The Brewers have signed 34-year old righty swinging catcher Paul Phillips to a minor league deal. Phillips played in 78 games in AAA-ball for the Indians last year and he was 63 of 266 (.220 avg, .703 OPS) with 26 runs scored, 3 homers and 24 RBIs. He last played in the majors back in 2010 with the Rockies. Phillips has played in 91 games in his first seven years in the majors and he is 58 of 221 (.262 avg, .655 OPS) with 27 runs scored, 3 homers and 26 RBIs. The Brewers will likely stash Phillips in AAA-ball in 2012.

The Brewers have claimed 25-year old righty swinging SS/2B Jeff Bianchi off waivers from the Cubs. Bianchi played in 119 games in AA-ball last year and he was 115 of 444 (.259 avg, .654 OPS) with 63 runs scored, 2 homers, 48 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. He has now played in 490 games in his first six years in the minors and he was 516 of 1,838 (.281 avg, .744 OPS) with 279 runs scored, 31 homers, 251 RBIs and 76 stolen bases. Bianchi will likely get a shot this spring to win a job on the Brewers’ bench.

The Brewers have signed 30-year old righty reliever Seth McClung to a minor league deal. McClung pitched in 19 games (11 starts) in AAA-ball for the Rangers last year and he was 2-3 with a 5.19 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP. He last pitched in the majors back in 2009 for the Brewers. He has pitched in 92 games (14 starts) in his three years with the Brewers and he is 9-10 with a 4.32 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. McClung has pitched in 177 games (51 starts) overall in his first six years in the majors and he is 26-34 with 6 saves, a 5.46 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP. McClung will be a longshot to make the Brewers’ bullpen this spring.