Free-agent infielder Craig Counsell has reached preliminary agreement with the Brewers on a one-year, $1 million contract, according to a major-league source.
The deal is pending a physical.
The Cardinals, after losing third baseman Troy Glaus, did not actively pursue Counsell, sources said. The Mariners did have interest, but Counsell, who lives in Whitefish Bay, Wi., preferred to stay home with the Brewers.
Glaus could miss Opening Day after undergoing surgery to repair a torn muscle near his right shoulder, but the Cardinals could turn to prospect David Freese, Joe Mather or free agent Joe Thurston as a stopgap in April.
Cardinals GM John Mozeliak told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he might explore "external options" due to Glaus' injury. Such a move, however, might not occur until spring training, if at all.
The Cardinals are more concerned about replacing Glaus in the No. 5 spot in the lineup than filling his role defensively.
After spending the past two seasons with the Brewers, Counsell became a free agent when the team declined his $3.4 million club option at the start of the offseason.
Counsell appeared in 110 games for Milwaukee last season, batting .226 with a .355 on-base percentage, one home run and 14 RBIs. He is a .255 career hitter.
