Edmonds agrees to minor league deal with Brewers

[January 29, 2010]  MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Former All-Star outfielder Jim Edmonds has agreed to a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, hoping to return to the big leagues after sitting out last season.

The 39-year-old Edmonds is a career .284 hitter with 382 homers and 1,176 RBIs in 16 seasons with Anaheim, St. Louis, San Diego and the Chicago Cubs.

"He's hit for power, he's got experience, he knows the division," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said Thursday. "He's a left-handed hitter, brings experience and has Gold Gloves on his side. He may have lost a step or two, but we know what he brings."

A four-time All-Star and eight-time Gold Glove winner, Edmonds hit .235 with 20 homers and 55 RBIs in 111 games for the Padres and Cubs two years ago. Melvin called it a low risk move for the club.

"He took the year off and has the fire to want to come back," Melvin said. "I'm hoping that it works out very similar to how it worked out with Gabe Kapler."

Milwaukee signed Kapler in 2008 after the outfielder had spent the previous year as a minor league manager. Kapler went on to be a key contributor in the Brewers' 2008 postseason run and has continued his career in the majors.

Melvin has been looking for left-handed hitters to help fill out his predominantly right-handed roster.

Milwaukee's outfielders on the 40-man roster include Ryan Braun, Corey Hart, Carlos Gomez, Lorenzo Cain and Jody Gerut. Of those, only Gerut bats left-handed.

[Associated Press]

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