Brewers GM 'optimistic' about deal with RHP Looper

[February 10, 2009]  MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The Milwaukee Brewers are working on a deal to add veteran right-hander Braden Looper to their pitching staff.

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin told The Associated Press on Monday that he was "optimistic" about the possibility of signing Looper, a free agent who pitched the past three seasons in St. Louis.

The Brewers' interest in Looper was reported on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Web site earlier Monday.

Looper, 34, has a career record of 58-58 with a 3.93 ERA, spending the majority of his career in the bullpen before making the transition to starter his past two seasons.

[Associated Press; By CHRIS JENKINS]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.