Gagne, Brewers agree to minor league deal

[February 18, 2009]  MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Reliever Eric Gagne and the Milwaukee Brewers agreed to a minor league contract Tuesday with an invitation to the major league camp.

Gagne had a $10 million, one-year deal with the Brewers last season. He started out as the closer, blew six save chances and wound up on the disabled list.

When the 2003 NL Cy Young winner returned, he primarily pitched the eighth inning with Salomon Torres working the ninth. Gagne finished 4-3 with a 5.44 ERA and 10 saves in 50 appearances.

The Brewers did not offer salary arbitration to Gagne and allowed him to become a free agent. Torres retired to spend more time with his family.

Milwaukee went on to sign all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman in the offseason and also added Jorge Julio to help the bullpen.

[Associated Press]

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