Key Additions: Trevor Hoffman (RP) and Braden Looper (SP).
Key Subtractions: CC Sabathia (SP), Ben Sheets (SP), Ray Durham (2B), Derrick Turnbow (RP) and Eric Gagne (RP).
A look at the lineup: The Miller Park faithful will have something to cheer about as top to bottom, the Brewers are actually putting together a formidable lineup. Behind power sources Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun, this is a team that was 74-46 in games where they went deep…16-26 when they did not.
All in all, we’re looking at a team with some pop that, when they are lucky enough to be clicking at the same time, can score some runs.
Catcher: Jason Kendall. In his first year in Milwaukee, Kendall played in 151 games (including a major league leading 149 starts)…the most since he was an All-Star in Pittsburgh in 2000 (152) and 2001 (157). He posted a career high in innings caught (1328.1) and was serviceable enough to throw out 43% of potential base runners.
First Base: Prince Fielder. Fielder continued his assault on pitching by hitting 34 home runs, the sixth most in the National League. Now two seasons away from the Brewers team record of 50 he hit in 2007, it remains to be seen if Fielder can reclaim the swing that made him youngest player to reach the half century mark.
Second Base: Rickie Weeks. Of the four infielders, it is safe to say that Weeks is the weak spot. His .245 career batting average is a disappointment and last season, he had the lowest fielding percentage (.975) and the most errors (15) of all NL second basemen. The bright spot is his speed and a relatively high on base percentage (.342)…this led to Weeks scoring 46.6% of the time he reached base, second-best in the NL.
Shortstop: JJ Hardy. 2007 All-Star Hardy showed again in 2008 why, at $4.65 million, he is one of the best bargains at shortstop. As the only Brewers infielder with any fielding ability, his 24 home runs last season (second among Major League shortstops) make him a multi-dimensional threat.
Third Base: Bill Hall. Thanks to Ryan Braun being moved to left prior to the 2008 season, Hill made the move to third base. If he can hit the ball…he’ll continue as the starter. In the off season, Mike Lamb was brought in to challenge for the back up role, but he didn’t work out. Thankfully, uber utility man Craig Counsell is in the fold to pick up any pieces left behind by Weeks or Hall.
Leftfield: Ryan Braun. Given his recent contract extension, it is safe to say that Braun will be the face of the Brew Crew through 2015. Braun is one of only two players in big league history to hit 30 home runs in his first two seasons, and last year he ranked among NL leaders in extra-base hits, total bases, home runs, slugging percentage and RBIs. It’s safe to say that this will continue through 2009 and beyond!
Centerfield: Mike Cameron. The 36 year-old Cameron enters the season with 14 seasons under his belt. Thankfully for the Brewers, he’s stayed relatively consistent. The pop is still in his bat (25 home runs in 120 games last season), the steals are still there (Cameron was 17 of 22)…and the average still hovers between .240 and .250. Not great stats, but you could do plenty worse.
Rightfield: Corey Hart. Hart made his first All-Star appearance in 2008 and finished the season with similar numbers that he posted in 2007. 20+ homers and 20+ steals, combined with a .275 average appear to be the standard for the 6’6” rightfielder.
A look at the pitching:
Starters: Let’s face it…there really is no positive spin to put on a rotation that lost both CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets. To try and pretend that the signing of Braden Looper will fill the gap would be absurd.
Filling out the depleted rotation are a trio of young hurlers: Yovani Gallardo, Dave Bush and Manny Parra. Gallardo and Parra combined for 52 starts over the last two seasons whereas Bush has been in the rotation since 2006. Gallardo is the star here though. At 23, he had a promising 2007 season and in his injury shortened 2008…he showed that he indeed does have the stuff to make him a number one in the National League.
Making his fourth career Opening Day start will be journeyman Jeff Suppan.
Bullpen: Having witnessed first hand the unraveling of both Eric Gagne and Derrick Turnbow, Brewer fans were pleased to see Milwaukee ink a deal with all-time saves Trevor Hoffman. Unfortunately, Hoffman has yet to recover from a nagging rib muscle strain and will enter the season on the 15-day disabled list.
So now what? With 554 saves on the shelf, the Brew Crew turns to righty Carlos Villanueva. Villanueva compiled a 2.12 ERA in 38 relief appearances last season.
Outlook: Hooray…the Brewers brought in the all-time saves leader to plug some bullpen holes. Boo…he’s 41 and now injured. Milwaukee’s offense is high power and should fair pretty well. Unfortunately, they lost CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets from their rotation and changed out their manager.
Ken Macha’s crew will be nowhere near what he experienced in his four seasons in Oakland (a 368-280 record), but they’re almost too young to realize that without two high end starting pitchers they’re suppose to fail. Look for the Brewers to be in Chicago and St. Louis’s rearview mirror all season and finished third in a tough National League Central with between 80-85 wins.
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