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The Brewers, meanwhile, took a very quiet approach to the winter, and in losing center fielder Ruben Baeza to Free Agency while not adding anyone to the team, they ended the winter with a -3.4 WAR differential. The only news the Brewers made in terms of player personnel (other than some very back-page local sports items about veteran FA's signed to minor league contracts) was in re-signing veteran fan favorite and starting third baseman A.J. White, who was set to be a FA at the end of the 1966 season, to a one-year, $85K deal. White, who was the 2nd player taken by the Brewers in the inaugural draft, was something of a disappointment during the 1965 season, in spite of leading the team in batting average (.260), turns 36 prior to Opening Day 1966, but is still a skillful player, puts fannies in the seats, and is a respected member of the team. Plus, the $85 K represents a significant step down from his current $222K pay. While White remains fragile, the Brewers have several players who can ably step in an play third on a short term basis should he be unable to play (he missed only 6 days to injury- foot contusion- during the '65 season.) Foremost among them is great fielding Hector Uribe but also providing depth is super-sub defensive specialist, Jose Bravo.
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