Closer Eric Gagne, fresh off of a terrible stint with the Boston Red Sox, is reportedly about to sign a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers for a guaranteed $10M in 2008. While Gagne did pitch pretty well for the Texas Rangers last season, he has yet to approach the dominating performances he was known for with the Dodgers when he won his Cy Young Award in 2003.

The Brewers lost their closer in Francisco Cordero and a good setup man in Scott Linebrink this offseason, and appear to be grasping at straws in the free agent market to try and make up for their poor planning. They also signed pitcher David Riske last week. Milwaukee, usually a very stingy club, took a big gamble in offering this much guaranteed money to Gagne, and if you ask me, their bullpen has taken a decided step back from last season, with more money committed to it. The Texas Rangers limited their bid for Gagne to $6M, which seems a little conservative. At least Gagne’s deal is just one year, which is the only part to like about it. Who knows? Perhaps returning to the NL will fix whatever is wrong with the French Canadian closer.