Hawkins agrees to sign with Brewers

Free-agent reliever LaTroy Hawkins was disappointed in the Houston Astros' one-year offer, so he agreed to sign a two-year, $7.5 million deal with the divisional-rival Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday. (AP Photo)

Free-agent reliever LaTroy Hawkins agreed to a two-year, $7.5 million contract Wednesday with the Milwaukee Brewers -- Hawkins agency, Reynolds Sports Management, confirmed via Twitter.
 
USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports that Hawkins will earn $3 million in 2010, plus a $500,000 signing bonus, and $4 million in 2011 with the potential to earn an extra $275,000 in incentives.

Hawkins, 36, was 1-4 with a 2.13 ERA, including 11 saves in 65 appearances last season with the Houston Astros.

After intense negotiations with the Astros and a handful of other teams -- believed to be the Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays -- Hawkins and his agent, Larry Reynolds, were disappointed that Astros general manager Ed Wade and the organization wouldn't offer more than a one-year deal.

In the end, Hawkins believed Milwaukee presented him with the best opportunity.

Despite being a Type A free agent, the Brewers don't have to surrender draft picks for signing Hawkins, since the Astros didn't offer the right-handed reliever arbitration Dec. 1.

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin has made pitching a top priority this offseason as he attempts to build Milwaukee into a legitimate NL Central contender.

With future Hall of Fame closer Trevor Hoffman re-signing in October, as well as the addition of Hawkins, manager Ken Macha has the luxury of utilizing the lethal duo late in ballgames.

"Hawkins is a tremendous guy on the mound, in the clubhouse and known to be a great teammate," Macha said via a phone interview. "He's got a great work ethic similar to Trevor (Hoffman), and he's a guy we can bring in during the eighth before giving the ball to the Hall of Famer in the ninth. At the same time, Hawkins can close games, if necessary."

Also, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday that Milwaukee has agreed to sign free-agent left-hander Randy Wolf to a three-year, $29.75 million contract.

"It's been a great day for the Brewers," Macha added. "To be able to get Hawkins and Wolf is special to our club. We wanted to address the pitching situation, and we added two great pieces." 

Macha further indicated that Milwaukee may be on the verge of signing former Oakland A's standout and two-time All-Star left-hander Mark Mulder -- who played for both Macha and Brewers pitching coach Rick Peterson in Oakland. 

"We'd like to get Mark (Mulder) in," Macha said. "He's a guy I know very well from my days in Oakland. Rick did a great job of developing him during that timeframe. We know he's battled injuries, but we'd like to get that deal worked out soon so we can add him to our pitching staff."    

At this point, the late-inning options on the market continue to dwindle with Billy Wagner, Takashi Saito and Rafael Soriano (accepted arbitration) already signing with the Atlanta Braves. With Jose Valverde unhappy with the Astros, he'll likely land a multi-year deal with another team for roughly $10-12 million per season. 

The top remaining bullpen options Wade could still target include Octavio Dotel, Mike Gonzalez, Kevin Gregg, Brandon Lyon, Fernando Rodney and J.J. Putz -- unless he makes a trade to acquire a closer or setup man.

According to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, Wade continues to explore the possibility of acquiring Florida Marlins reliever Matt Lindstrom. It has also been rumored that Wade participated in serious discussions Wednesday with Braves general manager Frank Wren regarding Soriano, yet that remains a long-shot possibility.

The 29-year-old Lindstrom was 2-1 with a 5.89 ERA, 15 saves and 39 strikeouts over 47 1/3 innings in 54 appearances in 2009. 

When it comes to the Astros' trio of Type A free-agents Valverde, Hawkins and Miguel Tejada this offseason, Wade has basically closed the door on a Valverde and Tejada return to Houston in 2010, while Hawkins will be pitching for the divisional-rival Brewers.

However, if the Astros acquire Lindstrom, he'll provided stability at the back end of the bullpen.