Minor-league deal in mind for Surhoff

The Journal Sentinel staff

Chandler, Ariz. They are three of the Milwaukee Brewers' biggest concerns heading into spring training:

A limited budget for signing players.

A lack of depth at catcher.

And, the health of veteran free agent B.J. Surhoff.

Those three things could come to a head this week. The club is considering asking Surhoff, an unrestricted free agent who is recovering from abdominal surgery, to sign a minor- league contract so that he can begin spring training with his teammates here later this week.

"Our understanding is that if we don't do something by Friday, we lose the right to negotiate with him until May 15," Brewers negotiator Tom Gausden said of Surhoff, who spent much of last season on the disabled list.

"What we'd really like to do is give B.J. the opportunity to sign a minor-league contract and come in. That would give us a chance to see him play.

"That's really the only question we have with B.J. We'd like to keep him, but we cannot afford to sign someone who is not healthy."

Surhoff, 31, began last season on the disabled list because of a shoulder injury. In his third game back, he suffered a bilateral abdomen strain that put him out of action again. He returned to action in late May and played for two weeks before re-aggravating the injury June 7. He underwent surgery Aug. 18.

In 40 games with the Brewers, Surhoff hit .261 seven points below his career average of .268. He also hit five homers and drove in 22 runs.

The Brewers are concerned about their lack of depth at catcher. Of the four catchers on the 40-man roster, only Dave Nilsson has extensive big-league experience. Nilsson, who is recovering from knee surgery, could be ticketed for first base. The other three Bobby Hughes, Mike Matheny and Mike Stefanski are unknown quantities.

Brian Harper, a 36-year-old free agent who played for the Brewers last season, could also return, but it is doubtful that he could catch every day.

Surhoff, who has drawn interest from other clubs particularly the Boston Red Sox could also figure in the mix. So could former Reds catcher Joe Oliver, who signed a minor- league deal with the Brewers late last month.

Gausden said he was optimistic Surhoff's agent, Greg Clifton, would agree to the minor-league deal.

Second chance: As an incentive for fans to attend the Brewers' four home exhibition games of the second spring training, all tickets at Compadre will be general admission seats and cost $5. In a normal year, the tickets go for $5, $7, $9 and $10.

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