LaTroy Hawkins

The Milwaukee Brewers find themselves at a pivotal crossroads as a franchise.

Unlike most mid-market franchises, the Brewers woes aren't the surefire sign of a fire sale and lengthy rebuilding process. Although there are structural issues with this team that point to bolstering their talent pool by trading some major league talent to this year's contenders. 

It has been a while since I've written anything in this space. The reason for that is two-fold.

First, I am the proud parent to a new baby boy (he's a month old today, as a matter of fact)! Second, the team hasn't exactly given me much in the way of motivation to sit down and really put forth any concerted effort.

Now that the decade of the 2000s has just ended, I thought it would be a good time to make a list of the best relief pitchers from this decade.

Now keep in mind, this list is a list of the best careers, so far. It is not a list of the best right now. This needs to be kept in mind while reading this list; I’m talking about the best careers, not the best 2009 seasons.

Some argue that the position of relief pitcher is an unimportant position. I disagree.

According to reports, including ESPN's Jayson Stark, the Milwaukee Brewers have landed another veteran free agent.

Reliever LaTroy Hawkins has agreed to a two-year, $7.5 million deal to potentially close in Milwaukee.

Hawkins was in Houston last year and rebounded from a stretch of rough seasons starting when he left Minnesota for the Chicago Cubs.