MILWAUKEE -- Bill Hall and the Milwaukee Brewers agreed
Monday to a $24 million, four year contract.
Hall, who is slated to play center field for the Brewers, gets a
$500,000 signing bonus, $3 million this year, $4.8 million in 2008,
$6.8 million in 2009 and $8.4 million in 2010. The Brewers have a
$9.25 million option for 2011 with a $500,000 buyout.
"We are pleased to know that Billy has made this commitment to
the Brewers' organization and to the fans," Milwaukee general
manager Doug Melvin said. "His mentality for accepting the team
concept, his work ethic to get better every year and his improving
performance gave us the confidence needed in committing to this
multiyear contract. Billy has worked hard to deserve this kind of
contract and we are looking forward to having him lead our club to
the next level."
Hall made $418,000 last year and had asked for $4,125,000, and
the Brewers had offered $3 million. His agreement was first
reported on the Web site of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
"The timing was just right," Hall told the newspaper in a
telephone interview from Phoenix. "I always wanted to stay in
Milwaukee. We've got a good thing going there. Now, I know I'll be
there for a long time."
Hall took over at shortstop last season when starter
J.J. Hardy
injured an ankle and finished with a .270 batting average in a
career-high 148 games. He compiled 78 extra-base hits and 297 total
bases, also club highs.