The Brewers made another good off-field decision this week when they hired Daron Sutton as replacement for Matt Vasgersian on TV.

Sutton is the son of former Brewer Don Sutton and is considered an up-and-coming broadcaster. His hiring could even lead to his dad eventually moving from the Atlanta to Milwaukee broadcast booth.

The move is the latest in several good non-player moves, ranging from the hiring of Dave Stewart and Gary Matthews as coaches to realigning the minor league and medical staffs of the team.

But, when will we get some player moves? There are rumors some could be coming in the not-too-distant future. {INSERT_RELATED}

Baseball Weekly and some New York newspapers have reported that the Brewers have offered outfielder Jeromy Burnitz to the Mets for outfielder Matt Lawton and pitcher Glendon Rusch.

The move could be a good one. Lawton has been a .300 hitter and could play center or right. Rusch is a good-throwing lefty, whom the Brewers tried to get back in July.

Burnitz still hits dingers, but he strikes out a lot too and will make almost $20 million over the next two seasons. So, it is a very good time to unload him.

Some sources say the only things hanging up the deal are the Mets consideration of free agent Barry Bonds and some other deals that could include Rusch.

The San Jose paper has reported that the Brewers also have expressed interest in pitcher Shawn Estes. The report did not say whom the Brewers were offering. A national internet site also reported the Brewers have interest in third baseman Robin Ventura of the Mets, but Brewers' officials downplay that report.

More than one media outlet also has reported that the Brewers might try to sign free agent third baseman Vinny Castilla, who bounced back from the dead last season with the Astros.

A possible hangup there is that the Rockies also are interested in Castilla, who started his career in Colorado. Castilla might favor returning to the Rockies.

But, if the Rockies sign Castilla, it would likely only come after they had moved former Brewer Jeff Cirillo, who has played third for them the last couple seasons. Maybe the Brewers could bring back Cirillo, who said this past summer he would like to return to Milwaukee.

The Brewers deserve praise for their off field moves in recent weeks. Now let's hope that GM Dean Taylor pulls off these rumored deals, or some other player moves, before Christmas.

Sutton's Credentials

Daron Sutton brings solid credentials well beyond being Don's son. Sutton, 32, joins the Brewers broadcasting team after spending the past two seasons as a radio play-by-play announcer for the Anaheim Angels. With the Angels, he not only served as a play-by-play announcer but also hosted both the pre- and post-game shows including a call-in show after the regular post-game show ended.

Sutton will team with Bill Schroeder, who will return to the television booth for his eighth season in 2002. As a member of the Atlanta Braves broadcast team on FOX Sports South, Sutton regularly served in a play-by-play capacity, while also hosting "The New Dodge Braves Report," a Braves pre-game show. He also handled Southeastern Conference collegiate athletic telecasts for FOX in men's and women's basketball, swimming and diving, gymnastics, track and field and volleyball.

Sutton began his broadcasting career in 1993 on the CNN Airport Network, moved to CNN Sports in December of 1994 as an anchor and then onto FOX Sports South in 1997.

A minor league pitcher, Sutton spent 1992 with the Boise (ID) Hawks, a Class A affiliate of the Angels, and part of 1993 in the Atlanta Braves organization. "This has always been a dream job for me in a great city," said Sutton. "I will never forget the years I was able to spend in Milwaukee as a teenager (while Don played for the Brewers). The city held a piece of my heart, so I am honored to return and be a part of the Brewers organization."

Sutton graduated from Auburn University-Montgomery in 1992 with a degree in Mass Communications. He and his wife, Kristin, have two daughters, Abbey and Lilly. The Suttons will move to Milwaukee prior to the 2002 season and live in the community year-round.

Jenkins Has Surgery

Outfielder Geoff Jenkins had surgery on the shoulder that shelved him a couple times last season. Jenkins is expected to be ready for the start of spring training, according to the Brewers.

One has to wonder why Jenkins and the Brewers waited this long to have the operation done, since the shoulder was an obvious problem right until the end of the season. Let's hope the medical prognosis is correct and Jenkins can have a full, productive season.

Financial Standings

The Brewers are worth $209 million, which ranks 18^th among major league teams, according to a survey in this week's Baseball Weekly. That worth can be attributed primarily to playing in Miller Park. The team's estimated worth was much lower when it played in County Stadium.

BBW also reported that the Brewers ranked fourth from the bottom in revenue in 2001 with $69.6 million. The Yankees made $192.4 million to lead the majors.

The Brewers' payroll of $43.1 million ranked eighth from the bottom of all teams. Again, the Yankees led with a payroll of $109.8 million, barely nosing out the Red Sox with $109.6 million.

Bud's Week

This is quite a week for former Brewers president Bud Selig. He will be inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame Thursday night.

On Tuesday, his contract as commissioner of baseball was extended by three years. These events have to be a comfort for Selig, who is in the throes of controversy over proposed contraction and labor negotiations.

Gregg Hoffmann writes The Brew Crew Review on Thursdays and The Milwaukee Sports Buzz on Mondays on OMC.