MLB News: Hall Agrees to Long-Term Contract With Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers Monday signed INF/OF Bill Hall to a four-year contract through 2010 with a club option for 2011. Photo courtsey: MLB.com

MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee Brewers Monday signed INF/OF Bill Hall to a four-year contract through 2010 with a club option for 2011.

The announcement was made by Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Melvin.

By agreeing to terms, Hall avoided arbitration.

He had been the last Brewers player eligible for arbitration.

"We are pleased to know that Billy has made this commitment to the Brewers organization and to the fans," said Melvin.

"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 multi-year 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. Ownership has again understood what it takes for us to become a winning type franchise and fully supports this commitment to Billy."

Selected by the Brewers in the sixth round of the 1998 First-Year Player Draft, Hall enjoyed the best season of his career in 2006, batting .270 with 35 HR and 85 RBI in 148 games.

He was named Brewers Most Valuable Player by the Milwaukee Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America as he made 143 starts at four different positions (126g at SS, 10g at 3B, 4g at 2B, 3g in CF).

He made his last 116 starts at shortstop for the injured J.J. Hardy.

Hall led the Brewers in runs (101), doubles (39), triples (4), home runs (35), RBI (85), extra-base hits (78), total bases (297) and walks (63) last season.

He belted 27 of his 35 homers as a shortstop to lead the Major Leagues.

That total ranked second in franchise history at that position to Hall of Famer Robin Yount (29 in 1982).

In addition to being named team Most Valuable Player, Hall was the recipient of the Brewers Good Guy Award, also presented by the BBWAA, and the Michael Harrison Award for Community Service, presented by the Brewers.

His service in the community also earned him a nomination for the Roberto Clemente Award, presented by Major League Baseball.

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