Brewers report: Inside pitch March 8, 2004

In a way, Keith Ginter's contract negotiation resembled that old
game show "Let's Make a Deal."


He could either take the known prize -- a multiyear contract -- or
let it all ride for what was behind Curtain No. 2, which was to go
year by year and see if he could put up numbers worthy of more
money.

Ginter took the sure thing, a three-year deal worth a guaranteed
$1.9 million with incentives that could push it to $2.875 million.

"I took a little risk, but the most important thing is the stability
for me and my wife," said Ginter, 27, who made $301,000 last year,
when he led National League rookies with 14 homers.

"And to know that I'm going to be here for three years and that they
plan on me being a part of this organization for three years, that
meant a lot to me and I really appreciate it."

Ginter wasn't feeling so happy this winter. He entered the offseason
thinking he had all but locked up the starting job at second, then
was disappointed when the club received Junior Spivey in the Richie
Sexson trade.

"(The Spivey trade) was just the way the ball rolls," Ginter
said. "That's what they had to do to make the team better. Was it at
my expense? Sure. But I'm happy to be here. I'm glad to be part of
this corps of guys trying to change things around here."

General manager Doug Melvin said that Ginter's attitude was a factor
in the deal, which he termed "fair."

"We both share a little risk," Melvin said. "If he goes out there
and has two monster years, he still gets paid some of it because
there are a lot of incentives. He's also protected in case he's
injured."