Audio: Doug Melvin on Newsradio 620 WTMJ's "Brewers' 360"

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin is about to embark on one of the most critical off-seasons in team history.

He says two of the decisions he must make - whom to pick as the team's next manager, and how much to offer to soon-to-be-free agent ace pitcher CC Sabathia - should come quickly.

"I told Dale (Sveum) I'm going to go to Phoenix next week and sit down with him at the start of next week," said Melvin on "Brewers' 360," part of Newsradio 620 WTMJ's "Wisconsin's Morning News."

Sveum took over as the team's manager after the firing of Ned Yost and directed them to a 7-5 record to complete the 2008 regular season, a campaign that ended with the team's first postseason berth in 26 years.

Sabathia earned the playoff-clinching victory in the final game of the regular season, a 3-1 win over the Chicago Cubs, and he powered Milwaukee's late stretch drive with an 11-2 record after a mid-season trade.

"I've got to get together with (owner) Mark Attanasio and see what Mark's thoughts are.  Obviously, a lot of money would be involved in that."

There's speculation that Sabathia, the reining American League Cy Young award winner and a potential favorite for this year's NL honor, could garner the largest contract ever for a pitcher, exceeding $21,000,000/year.

"I'm sure that (conversation) will take place here sooner than later, too.  I'd be very surprised if he'd sign without testing the free agent market.

"We will have some time to at least approach CC."

Sabathia showed great fondness for Milwaukee during the stretch run, and even said after Sunday's NLDS Game 4 loss to the Phillies that happiness, more than money, would factor into his decision to stay or go.

"I enjoyed my time," stated Sabathia after the game..  These guys are great.  This clubhouse is awesome."

The problem for Melvin is that he won't talk directly with CC in the negotiations, but with his management team from Legacy Sports.

"When you talk to the agent, it's one thing.  When you talk to the player, sometimes he's feeling pretty good at the end of the year.  The agents get involved, and we probably won't have actual contact with CC himself.  That's always very difficult once the season ends.

"He's on our roster.  We're the only team that can talk to him right now."

Other Key Roster Decisions To Come

Much of the rest of what Melvin must think about this winter involves the Brewers' offense, or rather, the type of offense they played.

The Brewers depended upon the home run this season for much of its power.  Milwaukee finished fifth in the majors in home runs, but just 17th of 30 teams in overall runs scored.

"I'm not as opposed to the long ball," admits Melvin.  "That's how we score our runs, and that's the makeup of our club. 

"Obviously, if we go a different direction, which we probably have to in at least one or two of the spots, it will probably mean having to move one or two key players to do that."

"Many of our top young players are right-handed.  From (Rickie) Weeks to Corey Hart to Ryan Braun to J.J. Hardy, they're all right-handed hitters.  They all have power.  Mike Cameron is a power hitter.  So, from that standpoint, if we're going to do something, we probably have to do some major trade of moving, maybe, one of your younger players.

"We have to be very serious about whether we'd want to do that, because great young players are very hard to find. 

"To go out and trade a home run hitter for a singles hitter...those kind of things can happen.  I'm not as opposed to our home run offense if we're getting people on, but we still have to have a few more guys that don't strike out quite as much."

Fond Memories of '08

After having a couple days to digest the roller-coaster ride and eventual successes of the '08 Brewers, Melvin chose to accentuate the positive when discussing what he would remember about the team.

"We had a very good season," said Melvin.

"Winning 90 ballgames with the 6th best record in baseball...I have a good feeling from that, going to the postseason for the first time.

"We didn't have a .300 hitter.  We didn't have a closer that saved 30 games.  Our biggest winner was a 13-game winner.  I think our managerial progression of Ned Yost and Dale did a very good job with the team we had.

"It was very fulfilling to see the satisfaction of the fans here, 3,000,000 fans coming out.  Then, on the final day, we beat the Cubs, and to sit there and watch the Mets lose, I'll never forget (it) as long as I'm in the game.

"We could have a championship of the future.  That will always stick out in my mind."