Picking up Yost's 2009 option right move

It finally became public knowledge Friday that Milwaukee had picked up manager Ned Yost's option for 2009, basically giving him a two-year deal.

Yost has compiled a 374-435 mark in five years (.462) since taking the reins of a team in shambles. That includes the team's first non-losing campaign since 1992 when the team went 81-81 in 2005 and last year's 83-79 second-place effort in which they led the Central Division for most of the season.

However, some fans still don't want the former Brewers catcher leading the team. They complain, in particular, about what they see as poor handling of pitchers and pitching changes.

Two things I do know: Yost was a big-league catcher for six years and coached with one of the best mound staffs ever for 12 seasons with the Atlanta Braves. I think he knows a little more about pitching than his detractors combined.

It's still up to the guys he brings in to get the job done. Sure, he's made mistakes and will continue to do so, but a major part of the problem last season was the substandard starting pitching that led to more innings for a bullpen that in turn became overworked, thus magnifying the problem and oftentimes leaving Yost with few, if any, options.

Others have said that he's the fourth-best manager in the division behind Chicago's Lou Piniella, St. Louis' Tony La Russa and Cincinnati's Dusty Baker. That may be true, especially when it comes to experience. Piniella's got 20 years under his belt, La Russa has 28-plus and Baker enters his 15th.

The fact is that only Piniella's team won more games last year_two. The Cardinals finished third while the Reds team that Baker takes over was 72-90. The Cubs and Piniella should have won the division last year, and by a much bigger margin considering they had the cash to bring in free agents Alfonso Soriano, Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis and Mark De Rosa, keep Aramis Ramirez and placate the volatile Carlos Zambrano.

Piniella, La Russa and Baker may have longer managing resumes, but they've also been fired at least once. Piniella is in charge of his fifth squad, while La Russa and Baker are with their third organizations. I mean, nothing against Dusty, but he was an ESPN analyst last year while Yost was involved in a pennant race.

Not all of Yost's moves were bad. He created quality chemistry in the clubhouse, apparently except for Johnny Estrada. The Brewers skipper also put Bill Hall in center, a move that allowed eventual rookie of the year Ryan Braun to take over at third base. He made Corey Hart the regular right fielder and batted him lead-off in Rickie Weeks' absence. His platooning of left-handed hitting Geoff Jenkins and right-handed Kevin Mench paid dividends for much of the season, especially early.

A lot of guys were playing major roles for the first time and/or seeing their initial big-league
action such as Hart, Yovanni Gallardo, Carlos Villanueva, Manny Parra and Joe Dillon.

Yost will have enough pressure on him, from within and outside the dugout, without worrying about whether every move he makes could be his last. He understands that he and his team have to perform and meet lofty expectations, or he'll be out of a job before 2009 rolls around anyway.

Bush signs, Hardy faces arbitration Feb. 18

General manager Doug Melvin has never been involved in an arbitration hearing during his tenure in Milwaukee, and he's only one player away from continuing that streak.

The Brewers signed pitcher Dave Bush to a one-year, $2.55 million deal Tuesday night, leaving only starting shortstop J.J. Hardy left.

Bush settled for under the midpoint after asking for $3 million while the team was offering $2.25 million.

The right-hander will compete against Carlos Villanueva, Chris Capuano, Claudio Vargas and Manny Parra for the fourth and fifth spots in the rotation. Bush has to be happy with his deal after making $450,000 last year while finishing 12-10 with a hefty 5.12 earned-run average.

Meanwhile, the feeling is that Hardy could end Melvin's string. Hardy filed a request for $3.05 million while Milwaukee submitted $2.4 million. That difference is smaller than Bush's was, so why can't they come to an agreement. Although Hardy has had injury issues, he stayed heathy last year. The slick-fielding everyday player deserves his asking price after hitting .277 with 26 homers and 80 RBIs.

If a potential No. 5 pitcher is worth $2.55 million, an everyday performer and steadying influence in one of the youngest and best infields in the big leagues should warrant $3.05 million. Here's hoping that they work it out and add him to the list of core players they ink to a long-term contract in the near future.