MILWAUKEE — The Brewers plan to make a "serious" offer to keep pitcher CC Sabathia, although the team's immediate priority is to hire a manager in the next few weeks, team executives said today.

Sabathia was acquired by Milwaukee in a July trade with Cleveland and became the team's ace, going 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA in 17 starts.

"It's hard to handicap our chances," owner Mark Attanasio said during a conference call Saturday. "We've had a couple of things to deal with in front of player personnel, one being Doug and the second being the manager situation."

Milwaukee gave general manager Doug Melvin a three-year contract extension Friday. Manager Ned Yost was fired with 12 games to go and replaced on an interim basis with coach Dale Sveum, who was told Friday he no longer is being considered for the full-time position.

Attanasio said the manager search would be "front and center" for the next couple of weeks.

Melvin said earlier Saturday the team also intends to reach out to Ben Sheets, the team's other major player eligible for free agency, and attempt to find a strong left-handed hitter.

The Brewers have about five candidates in mind for the manager position, Melvin said, declining to name names but saying the next manager must have had proven success at the major league level.

Milwaukee reached the postseason this year for the first time since 1982, but lost to Philadelphia in four games in the opening round.