Counsell signs with Brewers

Tom Haudricourt
jsonline.com
November 29, 2006

The Brewers gave Milwaukee native Craig Counsell the rare opportunity to finish his career at home today when they signed the free agent to a two-year contract with a club option for 2009.

The deal, which includes a buyout of the option year, guarantees the veteran infielder $6 million.

It will be the second tour of duty with the Brewers for Counsell, who started at shortstop for them in 2004. Counsell, 36, grew up in Milwaukee and attended Whitefish Bay High School, and recently purchased a home to return to Whitefish Bay.

Counsell will provide backup for both shortstop J.J. Hardy and second baseman Rickie Weeks, who have had injury problems in their first two season with the Brewers. Hardy was lost for the remainder of the 2006 season in mid-May when he suffered an ankle injury that required surgery, and Weeks missed the final two months with a wrist injury that also led to surgery.

Counsell played the last two seasons in Arizona, starting at second base for the Diamondbacks in 2005 and at shortstop last season. In 105 games in 2006, he batted .255 with 14 doubles, four homers and 30 RBI.

The Diamondbacks turned the shortstop job over to rookie Stephen Drew by season's end, putting Counsell back on the free agent market. A report early Tuesday said he had a preliminary two-year deal with the San Diego Padres but that deal apparently fell apart and Counsel engaged in serious discussions with the Brewers.

Counsell's agent, Barry Meister, said seven teams made offers to sign his client, including starting jobs at both shortstop and second base. But Meister said the lure of playing at home was strong for Counsell, who also looks forward to working with Hardy and Weeks.

"Clearly, playing at home was a key factor," said Meister. "The team having a good young core of players also was a factor.

"Craig really enjoys the mentor role and he's looking forward to helping those young infielders get better."

The Brewers had made an offer to keep free-agent infielder Tony Graffanino but shifted their focus to Counsel, which upset Graffanino and his agent. Counsell apparently moved ahead of Graffanino on general manager Doug Melvin's wish list because of his experience at shortstop.

Graffanino, 34, is considered by the Brewers primarily a second baseman, a job in which he performed well (.280, 17 doubles, 27 RBI in 60 games) in place of Weeks after being acquired from Kansas City on July 25.

Counsell was one of six players acquired by the Brewers from Arizona on Dec. 1, 2003 in a trade for first baseman Richie Sexson. He was their starting shortstop in 2004, batting .241 in 140 games before re-signing with the Diamondbacks as a free agent after the season.