According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,the Brewers have a tentative agreement in place to re-sign free agent infielder Craig Counsell. The 39-year-old Counsell was believed to be seeking a two-year contract this winter, but the length and terms of the new contract are not yet known.
Counsell came out of nowhere in 2009 to provide his most productive season since 2005, batting .285/.357/.408 with four home runs, 39 RBI and 61 runs scored in 130 games -- again, his heaviest workload since the 2005 season. With the wrist injury to Rickie Weeks, the slumping J.J. Hardy and the hot corner in flux, Counsell made 44 starts at second base, 19 starts at shortstop and 27 starts at third base.
If Counsell plays in 130 games again next season, it will likely mean that something went very wrong in the Milwaukee infield for a second straight season, but he’s fine insurance as a utility man. Counsell reportedly received interest from upwards of ten teams, and he probably could have started elsewhere (Reds?), but there was little doubt that the Milwaukee-native would eventually decide to return.