July 2007 - Milwaukee Brewers Wiretap

Brewers' General Manager Doug Melvin is still looking for a third baseman so he can move Rookie of the Year Ryan Braun to left field. "There are still some things we can do," Melvin said. "There are a lot of players out there looking for jobs still." Melvin could move Billy Hall to third and acquire a center fielder. Talks on Cardinals' third baseman Scott Rolen never materialized, with the likelihood St. Louis did not want to deal Rolen in the division.

Gabe Kapler's retirement didn't last long. The Brewers announced on Thursday that they have signed the outfielder to a one-year contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Kapler last played with the Boston Red Sox in 2006. At the conclusion of that season, he announced his retirement and the Red Sox named him manager of the Greenville Drive the team's Class A affiliate. After managing Greenville to a 58-81 record last season, Kapler announced that he missed "the battle" and intended to return to the majors in 2008.

Milwaukee Brewers General Manager Doug Melvin expects newly acquired closer Eric Gagne to eventually address the allegations made against him in the Mitchell Report last week. Melvin, who has discussed the matter with Gagne's agent Scott Boras, isn't sure when that might happen, however. "I talked to Boras (Monday), and I think eventually they will (address it)," Melvin said Tuesday. "From talking to Scott, I got the impression that Eric wants to address this at some point." Boras did not return messages regarding the matter. Gagne was accused in the Mitchell Report by former New York Mets' clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski of receiving two shipments of human growth hormone from Radomski in 2004, when Gagne pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Included in the evidence was an Express Mail receipt of a package that Radomski said included HGH sent to Gagne at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 9, 2004.

The Orioles on Friday claimed righthander Greg Aquino off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers. Aquino, 29, appeared in 15 games with the Brewers last season, posting an 0-1 record with a 4.50 ERA.

Despite concerns about his past performances and alleged steroid history, the Brewers still have faith in Eric Gagne. While George Mitchell was shaking the baseball world on Thursday with his long-anticipated report on steroid use in the sport, one of the names that popped up in the document was that of Gagne, the newly minted Brewers' closer.

Right-handed relievers Seth McClung and Greg Aquino agreed Wednesday to one-year contracts with the Brewers. McClung was 0-1 with a 3.75 ERA in 14 games after coming to Milwaukee in a trade with Tampa Bay last July, will make $750,000 next season and can earn an additional $50,000 in performance bonuses based on appearances. Aquino, 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in 15 games for the Brewers last season, agreed to a deal that would pay him $500,000 in the major leagues and $176,000 in the minors. Catcher Mike Rivera agreed to a contract worth $395,000 in the majors and $91,100 in the minors.

The Brewers on Tuesday designated righthander Matt Wise for assignment. The move came one day after Milwaukee signed free-agent righthander Eric Gagne to a one-year deal.

The Brewers signed Eric Munson to a one-year contract Tuesday, avoiding salary arbitration with the veteran catcher. Munson, 30, spent last season with the Astros, batting .235 with four home runs and 15 RBI in 50 games. The San Diego native is a career .214 hitter in parts of eight seasons with the Astros, Rays and Tigers.

The Brewers on Monday designated Kevin Mench for assignment. The move makes room on the on the 40-man roster for Salomon Torres, who was acquired from the Pirates last week. Mench, 29, appeared in 101 games with the Brewers last season, batting .267 with eight home runs and 37 RBI.

The Brewers reached a preliminary agreement on a $10 million, one-year contract with free-agent reliever Eric Gagne, giving the team another option at closer after losing Francisco Cordero to free agency. Gagne's deal, which is subject to him passing a physical, will allow him to earn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses, a person familiar with the negotiations said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the contract has not been finalized. Gagne's agreement was first reported by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel on its Web site.