Spring Training...is near

FACT...Packers play the Steelers on Sunday....Super Bowl.....

The Brewers added a solid veteran to their roster by signing Mark Kotsay. The 1B/OF will make $800,000 in 2011 and provide some depth at 1B and in CF & RF. For a while now I have been saying that Milwaukee needs to add a solid, veteran OF in order to provide support for the (soon-to-fail) Gomez-Dickerson tandem in CF. Kotsay should do nicely, despite playing most of the time in RF. He's a left-handed hitter that can pinch hit for Hart & Gomez if needed. Haudricourt feels that he won't be utilized in CF, but I would disagree with that. Otherwise the Crew probably wouldn't have picked him up.

Kotsay hit .239 for the White Sox last year and socked 8 HR's. Not bad. He was also a teammate of Trevor Hoffman's while playing in San Diego. The two were scheduled to go on a join-family vacation, but Kotsay had to cancel in order to ready himself for Spring Training.

It should also be noted that he has a knack for being a clubhouse leader that has post-season experience (14 games). Kotsay and Counsell should hopefully be the leaders of this team off the bench and in the locker room.

Roque Mercedes (RHP) was designated for assignment in order to make room to the roster.

Kotsay is excited about joining the Brewers.

-Weeks wants to set a deadline for contract talks....

-John Axford is ready to take on the closer role this season for the Crew.