The Milwaukee Brewers have signed 39-year old outfielder Jim Edmonds to a minor league deal and have invited him to their big-league training camp. Edmonds will make $850,000 if he makes the big-league roster, and could earn over $2 million based on performance incentives.

Edmonds can opt out and ask for his release if he is not added to the roster by March 25.

The left-handed hitting and throwing outfielder, who turns 40 this coming June, did not play during the 2009 season. He hasn't been as effective as his peak years since the 2005 season when he played with the St. Louis Cardinals. He is a career .284/.377/.528 hitter that has hit right-handed pitching a lot better (.296/.393/.562) than lefties, which is of interest to the Brewers given their right-handed heavy outfield alignment of Ryan Braun, Carlos Gomez and Corey Hart.

With 382 home runs, Edmonds has recognized that reaching 400 is something he would like to accomplish, and may have that opportunity with the Brewers serving as the team's fourth outfielder and primary pinch hitter, while also providing an intriguing option as the designated hitter during interleague play.