While millions of Americans hit the stores Friday, the Brewers have just begun shopping for a closer.
Free agent Francisco Cordero, who set a club record with 44 saves in 51 chances last season, signed a four-year, $46 million deal with Cincinnati.
Brewers general manager Doug Melvin told the Journal Sentinel's Tom Haudricourt that he had offered Cordero $42 million over four years.
Cordero, 32, will pitch behind setup man David Weathers with Cincinnati, which had a horrendous bullpen last season and converted only 54.8 percent of its save chances.
The Brewers may try to trade for a closer, with Bill Hall, Chris Capuano and Dave Bush mentioned as possible enticements. But, they may try to find a closer out of current relievers Seth McClung, Derrick Turnbow or newly-acquired Guillermo Mota.
The Brewers lost setup man Scott Linebrink, who signed a four-year, $19 million deal with the Chicago White Sox.
Host of “The Drew Olson Show,” which airs 1-3 p.m. weekdays on The Big 902. Sidekick on “The Mike Heller Show,” airing weekdays on The Big 920 and a statewide network including stations in Madison, Appleton and Wausau. Co-author of Bill Schroeder’s “If These Walls Could Talk: Milwaukee Brewers” on Triumph Books. Co-host of “Big 12 Sports Saturday,” which airs Saturdays during football season on WISN-12. Former senior editor at OnMilwaukee.com. Former reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
