MILWAUKEE -- When Brewers closer Salomon Torres called it quits this week, opting to retire from active duty after one of the best seasons of his career, he dug yet another hole at the back of the Brewers' bullpen.

It could be some time before general manager Doug Melvin starts filling in those holes.

"We had to fill in some holes in the bullpen last year, too," Melvin said after what he called a good chat with Torres. "We'll have to sit down and talk about it. We have been spending most of our time on other things."

Like hiring a manager, several new coaches and a new scouting director. Now that Melvin is free to move on to player matters, he is more likely to focus first on starting pitching -- CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets are the team's highest-profile free agents and both are starters -- and then finding a left-handed bat, preferably a third baseman, to plug into a righty-heavy lineup.

Melvin expects to settle those matters before moving on to the bullpen, even though Torres' retirement left the Brewers without a closer. He was the team's fourth major bullpen loss since the end of the season, joining free-agent right-handers Eric Gagne and Guillermo Mota and left-handed specialist Brian Shouse.

"We've been able to find closers before," said Melvin, who watched Dan Kolb and Derrick Turnbow transform from castoffs into All-Stars for the Brewers.

Torres did not make the All-Star team in 2008, but he enjoyed a similar renaissance, stepping in for Gagne in late May and going 27-for-32 in save chances as the closer (Torres was 28-for-35 all season).

The free-agent market could provide some candidates for Torres' replacement, though Melvin hinted strongly that the Brewers are unlikely to pay top dollar given their patchwork successes in recent years. The latest arm available is Trevor Hoffman, who was likely to hit the market after the Padres withdrew a $4 million offer on Monday.

Hoffman joined some big names in free agency, most notably record-setting Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez. Kerry Wood of the Cubs and Brian Fuentes of the Rockies are also available.

That latter trio of arms can expect to command multiple years and big dollars. Hoffman, who has reportedly had a falling-out with the Padres, could perhaps be had for a one-year deal. Melvin was vague when asked if he had interest in Hoffman, the all-time saves leader, leaving open the possibility that the Brewers may be interested.

"Anybody who's out there and available, we'll have conversations about him," Melvin said.

Hot Stove
More likely, though, Melvin will take a similar course to the one he followed last year, when he stockpiled experienced relievers who had a taste of closing in the past, including Torres, Mota and right-hander David Riske.

There was one very notable exception to that plan. The Brewers gave Gagne $10 million for one year, preferring the short-term to a multiple-year offer for less money per season but more over the course of the contract. Gagne ended the regular season with nine scoreless appearances, but finished with an ugly 5.44 ERA and just 10 saves.

That experience could prompt Melvin to fill the closer's role from within, and he is aware that some observers wonder if Seth McClung or Carlos Villanueva could fit the bill.

"Each of those guys has some attributes that make you think maybe they could do it," Melvin said.

In McClung's case, it is a power fastball; in Villanueva's a crafty changeup.

"We'll talk about that," Melvin said. "No one last year thought Torres would be our closer, so you never know."

Of the Brewers' own free-agent relievers, the most likely to draw the team's interest could be Shouse, who along with Villanueva are the only Brewers relievers from 2006 who were still with the team in '08. Shouse is seeking a two-year contract and said he has already heard from teams willing to make such an offer. The Brewers have yet to extend an offer.

"That doesn't scare us, though," Shouse said. "Some other teams have shown some interest, but I don't think that means anything right now. I'm pretty confident that they want me back, because my agent and Doug talked a little bit a while back. But we are going to try to pursue a two-year deal, to see what's out there, and I don't think Milwaukee is willing to go that route.

"I understand that. They [the Brewers] have had a lot going on with Sheets and CC and having to make a decision on Torres and [Mike] Cameron. Those guys take precedence over guys like me, and that's fine."

The free-agency period begins in earnest on Friday, when player can negotiate financial terms with any team. Shouse was anxious to see what kind of offers trickle in. The Braves, Cubs and Rangers are specifically seeking left-handers, and Shouse said a few West Coast teams have also shown some interest.

If Shouse signs elsewhere, it would mean a more prominent role for Mitch Stetter, who turns 28 in January.

"I feel like I've done a very good job over the last couple of years and hopefully somebody sees that, whether it's Milwaukee or somebody else," Shouse said. "I'm very interested to see what happens with the Brewers this year, who goes after CC, who goes for Sheets. I'm curious to see where people end up."