Team preview: Milwaukee Brewers

Team Name: Milwaukee Brewers
Last Years Record: 90-72
Key Losses: CC Sabathia, Ben Sheets, Salomon Torres, Gabe Kapler, Russell Branyan
Key Additions: Braden Looper, Yovani Gallardo*

1. What significant moves were made during the offseason?
In a word, none. The Brewers really did nothing. The biggest move they made, and really the only move was signing Braden Looper. The Brewers envision Yovani Gallardo and Manny Parra as two guys who have the potential of being aces, so you could argue the biggest move made was not signing someone like Derek Lowe or Oliver Perez and handing the keys to the rotation to Manny and Yo.

2. What are the team?s biggest strengths?
The Brewers, as with most Doug Melvin teams, are built to out-slug their opponents. Their biggest strength is their offense. Ryan Braun is one of the premier young talents in the game in terms of overall offensive ability. Prince Fielder is one of the premier slugger’s in the game and spent the winter dedicating himself to dropping some weight and coming into camp in great shape. Add to that JJ Hardy, who just keeps getting better and exceeding everyone’s expectations offensively, Corey Hart, Mike Cameron and the potential arrival of Mat Gamel, and you have a team built on the long-ball.

3. What are the team?s biggest weaknesses?
The while the Brewers can score 5, 6, 7 or even 8 runs a game with their offense, they may need to just to win. Goes without saying but losing but Sabathia and Sheets is huge (especially only getting a second round pick for compensation). The team feels Yovani Gallardo is ready to be an ace now, and Manny Parra could be one in the future, but they’re putting a lot of eggs in the youngsters baskets. They also have to hope Dave Bush pitches like he did in the second half, and not the way he did in the first half of the season, where he was good for five runs and inning and eventually got sent down to AAA. As it shakes out, the Brewers rotation looks to be Gallardo, Parra, Bush, Looper (Seth McClung if Looper opens the season on the DL) and Jeff Suppan. Suppan doesn’t have much left in the tank, and is barely serviceable at this point. They’re one injury to Gallardo or Parra away from being a 74 wins or fewer team.

The bullpen was addressed more this offseason with the addition of Trevor Hoffman. Seth McClung and Carlos Villanueva both excelled out of the pen last year, and the Brewers brought back Todd Coffey, who was just as instrumental to the Brewers run to the playoffs as any other pitcher down the stretch last year, and David Riske is back from a season full of injuries.

Much like with their rotation though, any major injury would cripple this team, as it would mean we’d see McClung and or Villanueva move into the rotation, taking away two strong points in their bullpen. One interesting thing to monitor is the Brewers interest in former Nationals closer Chad Cordero. The team has watched him throw a few bullpen sessions this off-season, and if the price is right would love to add him as their setup man for Hoffman.

4. What are the goals for this team?
Realistically, I’m expecting this team to be competitive, but miss the playoffs by four or five games. This particular team could get lucky and benefit from injuries to other teams and slug their way to the playoffs, or they could get crippled by injuries themselves and finish below .500. The year(s) to point to for the Brewers are 2010 and 2011 when they have another influx of young talent join the team, talent like Mat Gamel, Alcides Escobar, Angel Salome, and perhaps Brett Lawrie. Although, notice a trend there? No pitchers.

Gallardo and Parra should have good years, and I think Gallardo has the potential of being a better pitcher than former Brewer lightening rod, Ben Sheets, but Bush, Looper and Suppan are all question marks.

This will be a good team, not a playoff team though. That being said, I still think they finish second in the NL Central.

Prospect Watch
Slick fielding shortstop Alcides Escobar and iron gloved Mat Gamel should both get the callup at some point this season. Both were September callups last year (likely again this year) and Escobar even dressed for game four of the NLDS. Angel Salome will probably get a September callup as well, as all three figure prominantly into the team’s 2010 plans.

One offensive player to look out for is Brett Lawrie. Drafted as a catcher, the team announced he’ll move to second base (attention Rickie Weeks). Lawrie has all the offensive tools, but is still very young and not too far removed from high school.

In terms of pitching prospects, Jeremy Jeffress remains their best one (perhaps only legit one). He factors in as their closer of the future, probably getting the callup next year, perhaps September of this year.

Predicted Record: 85-77

From: Brew Town Beat