The Packers' unexpected emergence as an NFC powerhouse and Super Bowl contender has overshadowed the start of an eventful off-season for the Brewers.

Here are the Cliff's notes:

Outfielder Geoff Jenkins bid farewell, taking out a full-page ad in the daily paper to thank the fans for a decade of support.

Third baseman Ryan Braun became the franchise's second Rookie of the Year.

First baseman Prince Fielder finished third in MVP voting.

Catcher Johnny Estrada was traded to New York for reliever Guillermo Mota.

Veteran catcher Jason Kendall signed a free agent deal with the Brewers, pending a physical exam next week.

Closer Francisco Cordero signed a four-year, $46 million deal with Cincinnati, spurning a four-year, $42 million deal from the Brewers.

In the mid-to-late '90s, the Brewers seldom made that much news in an entire winter. This is just the run-up to the winter meetings, where the Brewers will look for a closer, a corner outfielder and other pieces that can vault them into the playoffs for the first time since 1982.

Some knee-jerk reactions to the aforementioned events:

Jenkins: The farewell couldn't have been classier. The Brewers were right to look in a new direction and he didn't whine or complain on the way out. If / when he appears at Miller Park with a new club, he deserves a robust ovation.

Braun: Runner-up Troy Tulowitzki presented a strong case, but Braun deserved the honor. Tulowitzki's defense was Gold Glove-worthy, Braun's was awful; but Tulowizki's numbers away from Coors Field were pedestrian. Braun had the highest slugging percentage ever by a rookie.

Fielder: Had the Brewers secured a playoff spot, he may have broken through. There was nothing wrong with him finishing third. As for the winner, I still think Albert Pujols is the MVP.

Estrada-Mota: Brewers GM Doug Melvin likes "baseball trades," the old-school transactions that aren't financially motivated and help both teams. This was a variation on the "change of scenery" theme. Both teams celebrated the move as "addition by subtraction." Estrada, who has changed scenery often for a switch-hitter with the ability to hit .300, has a reputation as "difficult" in the clubhouse. Mota was simply horrendous last year. It will be interesting to see which team claims victory in this deal.

Kendall: Teams on the cusp need veteran leadership. Kendall will provide that in spades. He's universally liked and respected in baseball. Unfortunately, he's on the downslope of his career. He was always a singles hitter who struggled to throw out runners. When the singles don't come, he can be a drain in the offense. The Brewers hope that the rest of their lineup will produce enough to allow Kendall to concentrate on mentoring pitchers, which is regarded as his biggest strength.

Cordero: This was a tough call. Melvin was at the table. When the bidding got too pricey, he folded. This could end up hurting the Brewers in the short term, but helping them in the long run. Cordero, who got the largest four-year deal ever for a closer, will team with David Weathers to give the Reds a formidable 1-2 punch in the final two innings. But, will he be worth the money in 2010 and 2011?

Where will the Brewers turn for a closer? That's the biggest question of the winter. Remember that their successful closers of recent years -- Mike Fetters, Bob Wickman, Curtis Leskanic, Mike DeJean, Dan Kolb, Derrick Turnbow and Cordero -- were scrap-heap pickups with relatively short shelf lives. The Brewers could pursue a trade for a guy like Joe Nathan or gamble on a comeback by Chad Cordero or even Turnbow or Mota. They could go by committee. They could see if Luis Pena could handle the duty. There are options and it will be interesting to see how things play out.