Craig Counsell deal with Brewers expected to be announced Monday

[savafan]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/1...by-monday.html

Couldn't find what thread the Counsell discussion was in...

[Ron Madden]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/1...by-monday.html

That'll work.

[cincrazy]

WHEW! Thank goodness.

Let Milwaukee acquire the Wolf's and Counsell's of the world, I'd just assume sit pat if that's the alternative.

[Spring~Fields]

That'll work.

Yes sir !!

[Ron Madden]

Maybe we should curb our enthusiasm until the deal becomes official.

[HokieRed]

Good. Dodged another bullet.

[Strikes Out Looking]

I think Walt knew he wanted to go back to Milwaukee and by showing interest helped drive up his cost, which of course helps the Reds by making the Brewer's use their resources unwisely.

[Raisor]

I think Walt knew he wanted to go back to Milwaukee and by showing interest helped drive up his cost, which of course helps the Reds by making the Brewer's use their resources unwisely.

but it hurts the Reds if they get into talks with any other player. They can point to Counsell's contact and say "look at what he's getting".

Driving up contracts only hurts the Reds in the long haul.

[nate]

Verily, it is so:

Brewers formally announce signing of LHP Randy Wolf and INF Craig Counsell. Wolf will be introduced to Milwaukee media at 3 p.m. at...

[Ron Madden]

Good news indeed.

[redsfandan]

Maybe we should curb our enthusiasm until the deal becomes official.

It's official. He's been re-signed by the Brewers to a one-year deal.

[Eric_the_Red]

I like the phrase "introduced to the media". I think of all the local media guys lining up to shake his hand and tell him their names.

[Guacarock]

Counsell to receive $2.1 million, plus up to $500,000 in incentive pay.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/1...-counsell.html

[westofyou]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...tnerId=rss_cin

The Reds have fallen short in their pursuit of utility infielder Craig Counsell. The Brewers announced on Monday that Counsell had agreed to a one-year deal with the club and will therefore be returning to Milwaukee in 2010.


Cincinnati was one of a handful of teams in heavy pursuit of Counsell this winter. However, by the end of the Winter Meetings on Thursday, it had become quite clear that the Brewers remained the frontrunners to land the infielder.

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty has made it no secret that he would like to add an infielder to the club this offseason, and Counsell had the two characteristics that Jocketty valued most. He is a utility infielder who can play the shortstop position well, and he hits left-handed.

The 39-year-old infielder has shown he's still productive with the bat. A career .259 hitter, Counsell finished with a .285 average and 39 RBIs in 130 games for the Brewers last year.

With Counsell off the market, the Reds are now left to evaluate other options, and there may not be many external ones left. The Reds do not have the financial means to make a push for a shortstop like Orlando Cabrera or Miguel Tejada. And while there are a number of other free-agent infielders on the market, most are not ideal fits because of concerns about their being able to play short.

Jocketty will continue to try to exhaust outside options, but the Reds' inability to lure Counsell to Cincinnati could mean that the club may be forced to stick with Paul Janish at short. Janish is an above-average defender, so there are certainly no concerns on that end. Janish's bat, however, remains an issue for a team that is looking for more production from the spot.

Janish hit just .211 with one home run and 16 RBIs in 256 at-bats in 2009, after batting just .188 the year before. In five Minor League seasons, Janish combined to hit .261.