Major League baseball owners decided to not impose a lockout on the players Tuesday, and confirmed they would eliminate two teams. The Montreal Expos and Minnesota Twins reportedly could be those teams.

These decisions could lead to some good additions for the Brewers. First, without a lockout, free agents can sign with teams in just a couple weeks. Second, a dispersal draft of players from the teams that are eliminated likely will be held. {INSERT_RELATED}

The Brewers should go after at least one free agent. Outfielder Moises Alou would be an attractive player, although his history of injuries, his age and high salary might be hangups. The Brewers want to make health a priority in all personnel decisions.

But, if he remained healthy, Alou could play right field if the Brewers trade Jeromy Burnitz. His presence also could add incentive for his father, Felipe, to take the team's managerial job if Davey Lopes is fired.

Two other free agents, the Diamondbacks' Reggie Sanders and Danny Bautista, also could play right. The champion D-Backs reportedly would like to sign only one of them for next season. Sanders had a career season, but does have a history of injuries. Bautista showed in the World Series he could play every day, and he would come at a cheaper price.

The Brewers were interested in outfielder Roger Cedeno last season. He is available again and is not likely to resign with the Tigers after feuding with former Milwaukee manager Phil Garner. Cedeno would play center and probably lead off if the Brewers signed him. My own feeling is he is a pitty-patty hitter, and if you can't get along with Gar there is something wrong with you.

Third baseman Scott Brosius is a little long in the tooth, but he would bring the experience of playing on a winning team in the Yankees. Finally, would reliever David Weathers want to return to the Brewers, and would the team want him back to further strengthen the bullpen?

Vladimir Guerrero, Jose Vidro and other talented players would become available if the Expos and Twins are eliminated. Of course, the Brewers would have to pay the salaries of these players to sign them.

Minnesota pitcher Brad Radke would be a great No. 1 starter for the Brewers, and he has state ties. But, he is one of the highest salaried players on the two teams that could be cut.

Two players who could help the Brewers, and come at reasonable prices, would be the Twins' third baseman Corey Koskie and outfielder Torii Hunter. Koskie is 28, had 26 homers and 113 RBI last season and has a good work ethic. Hunter is 26, has speed, had 27 homers and 92 RBI last season and would look great in center or right in Miller Park.

Former Brewer Paul Molitor also could be looking for a job if the Twins are folded. He was considered a candidate to replace Tom Kelly, who might have known something was coming and announced his retirement as Twin's manager. Molitor would look good as the Brewer's hitting coach or even their manager.

This could be a winter of opportunity for the Brewers.

Good Decision

Bud Selig and the owners were wise to not impose a lockout on the players. With the country still reeling from Sept. 11, another labor stoppage in baseball would go over like the proverbial lead balloon.

Of course, baseball is without a contract between owners and players as of now. That opens up the risk of a players' strike late next season. Union head Donald Fehr also reacted strongly about not being consulted on the contraction issue, but privately it has been said the union is willing to work with the owners if there is what they consider a fair dispersal draft. And players also seem to understand this would be a horrible time for another lockout or strike. Let's hope they can work out a new labor contract that helps even the financial playing field in baseball and avoids another work stoppage that would damage the game and hurt the country.

Conflict Of Interest?

Stories and columns about a conflict of interest involving Selig and the possible Twins' demise have started to appear in Minneapolis and elsewhere. Of course, the Brewers would benefit if the Twins are eliminated. That was addressed in this column last week, and again in the first section this week.

But, the Twins' ownership reportedly has volunteered to have the franchise eliminated. Selig also is too smart, and cares too much about the game overall, to openly lobby for elimination of the Twins only for the good of the Brewers.

If the Twins end up one of the teams cut, the fans can blame the political leadership and members of the public in that state who have been unwilling to build a stadium like Miller Park.

Minor League Staff

The Brewers have announced their minor league staff. The Brewers Triple A affiliate at Indianapolis will be managed by former Brewers infielder Ed Romero, who was the manager at Double A Huntsville last year and led the Stars to the Southern League co-championship. Joining Romero at Triple A will be pitching coach Dwight Bernard and hitting coach Skeeter Barnes. Both are returning to Indy for another season. Trainer Paul Anderson will be back for his third season at the Triple A level.

In Double A at Huntsville of the Southern League, Frank Kremblas will manage the Stars. Last season, Kremblas led Class A High Desert to the California League playoffs. Joining Kremblas will be pitching coach Stan Kyles and hitting coach Manny Trillo. They both worked with Kremblas last season. Greg Barajas also moves from High Desert to Huntsville for the 2002 season.

At High Desert, the new manager will be former Brewers pitcher Mike Caldwell who will take the first managerial position of his career. Caldwell had been the pitching coach at Huntsville last season. New addition Dave Osteen will serve as Caldwell's pitching coach. The Mavericks have yet to name a hitting coach for the 2002 season. The Mavericks have not yet been assigned a trainer.

In Beloit, Don Money returns for his fourth season as the skipper. The former Brewers star will again be joined by pitching coach RC Lichtenstein and hitting coach Richard Morales. Trainer Matt Roeser will also return to Beloit for his second season.

At the rookie level, the Brewers club in Ogden, Utah of the Pioneer Rookie League, be managed by Wendell Kim. Last year, Kim managed at Indianapolis. The pitching coach will be Mark Littell and his hitting coach will be Wes Clements. Both are returning for their second straight year at Ogden. The Raptors trainer will be Keith Sayers.

In Maryvale, the Brewers affiliate in the Arizona Rookie League, the coaching staff will remain intact led by manager Carlos Lezcano. He will be teamed with pitching coach Steve Cline and hitting coach George McPherson. Trainer Jeff Paxson will also be on the staff.

Mike Guerrero will return as the manager of the Brewers entry in the Dominican Summer League, which won the league title in 2001.

Milwaukee also has nine roving instructors and coordinators. Cecil Cooper has added the duties of minor league roving hitting instructor to his duties as Special Assistant to General Manager, Dean Taylor. Tim Blackwell will be the Brewers Catching Instructor while Steve Smith will be the Infield Instructor. Dave Nelson will be the Baserunning and Outfield Instructor.

Jerry Nyman will be the Pitching Coordinator and Jim Skaalen will be the Hitting Coordinator. Ed Sedar will be the Field Coordinator. Kevin Almond will again head the Brewers Education Program to assist players wishing to further their studies throughout the season.

Gregg Hoffmann writes The Brew Crew Review column on Thursdays during the baseball off-season and The Milwaukee Sports Buzz on Mondays, exclusively on OMC.