Brewers Set to Embark on '09

The Milwaukee Brewers have their inaugural Cactus League spring training contest of '09, tomorrow against Matt Holliday and the new-look Oakland A's. I couldn't be more excited!


As most see it, it is a useless game to begin spring training. I see it as the first Brewers game for the season. I think these games do show a little bit of what the team might look like for the regular season. If you lose a bunch of spring training games, you might have some work to do. It's not like the NFL where the team that leaves their first stringers in longest win. In MLB, the starters play most of the game in order to get that repitition they need.


Here's what they will look like if the regular season was beginning tomorrow, in my opinion:
1. Rickie Weeks (2B)- I think Rickie will have a good year. Not exactly Jeff Kent in his prime, but a good year nonetheless. He needs to step up and prove himself, or we need to part ways with him.

2. J.J. Hardy (SS)- J.J. actually had a pretty good season offensively for a Shortstop. He will have to continue to do that for us. Typically, he gets off to a hot start in April and May, then disappears later in the year. We need him to remain consistent throughout the season or he could find himself down in the lineup.

3. Ryan Braun (LF)- The "Hebrew Hammer" as he is so affectionately called in these parts is probably the best overall player on the Brewers. He hits for average and power. He didn't commit a single error in LF last season, his first of the like in his career or life. I don't think there is anyway Braun should fall out of the three spot in the lineup.

4. Prince Fielder (1B)- An allegedly slim and trim Prince (according to Charlie) enters camp after signing a new 2-year deal worth $18 million. He has been ridiculed a lot lately, mainly for not having as a good of a year last year, as he did the year before. Prince still had a fairly solid year statistically and he was hot down the stretch, just about the only one too. Prince "has the range of a truck with no gas in it" over at first, but he has the bat to hit cleanup.

5. Corey Hart (RF)- I've said it before, but Corey really let me down in September last year. He looked like a 12 year old out there. He was flailing at the down and away slider and striking out all the time. It sucked because he has been the most consistent over the last few seasons and teams found a flaw in Corey's swing. In the field, he is one of the better. He has a great arm and is the fastest guy on the team.

6. Bill Hall/Mike Lamb (3B)- I can't see Billy Hall being the full-time man at the hot corner. He wouldn't be able to hit the ball off of the tee if it were right-handed, and he has gotten hurt already this spring before he even had to report. He must have gotten off the couch and strained his groin. Mike Lamb made his push to become a Brewer for a while, down the stretch last year. He was one of the few that could hit. I'm gonna have to say that Billy is probably better defensively, but there will still be a platoon to start '09. Both of them need to keep Mat Gamel in the backs of their heads.

7. Mike Cameron (CF)- Cameron seemed to have a knack of costing us more games last year than maintaining games with his glove. Yet, I can't deny that he is one of the better center-fielder's in the game. He has the hardware to prove it. As for the hitting, well, he could be better. I think he was hot for one four-game stretch last year, and it came around Memorial Day if I remember right. Help me out on that one.

8. Jason Kendall (C)- I think Kendall had a pretty big impact on the pitching this past year. He didn't have a big impact on much else. He wasn't worth a you know what hitting, and he wouldn't let Mike Rivera get a chance. Rivera can hit better and play solid defense, but Kendall's the man.

Bench:
Craig Counsell (IF)- I can't see any reason why he wouldn't be on the 25-man roster. He was there last year and is a pretty solid player in my opinion. If someone in the infield should go down, Alcides Escobar is on speed dial.

Mike Rivera (C)- The aforementioned Mike Rivera is probably the best hitting catcher the Brewers have had in my lifespan. He could easily succeed in place of Jason Kendall. Look for Angel Salome to come up from the minors in case of injury.

Tony Gwynn Jr. (OF)- Many people believe that he should be the starter, and for good reason. He can make good contact and he can run with the best of 'em. He plays well in the field as well.

Scott Thorman (1B/OF)- The Crew picked Thorman up as a harmless signing. However, Thorman has some pop in his bat and could become a decent backup, if he makes the team. This spot could be filled by Brad Nelson or Mat Gamel when she's all said and done.

The Starting Rotation has come to look like this if the season began tomorrow:

1. Dave Bush- Macha has already come out and said that Yovani Gallardo won't be his opening day starter. He "doesn't want to put that kind of pressure on a kid who isn't even 23 years old" even though Jason Kendall thinks he can win a Cy Young some day. Enough about Gallardo. Dave Bush was the best pitcher, not named CC Sabathia, down the stretch last year. For now, he's my best guess at the Opening Day starter. It could be anyone at this point though.

2. Yovani Gallardo- Yovani has much potential as any other pitcher in the league. He has struggled through injuries a little in his young career. When healthy, he is very dominant. I've already forgotten that CC was even in Milwaukee because of Yovani. He will assume the ace role by the All-Star break.

3. Manny Parra- After the start that Parra had last year, I thought he would win 2o games. Low and behold, he came to a screeching halt in the middle of last year. He ended up winning only 10 after starting 9-2. I think Manny can turn it around. I'm sure he feels that he has something to prove. Not to mention he is the only lefty in the rotation. Plus, he can swing the bat.

4. Jeff Suppan- I like Jeff Suppan. I'm normally reluctant to admit that because of the monthly outing where he gets absolutely shelled. Overall, he's a solid veteran pitcher. He's not anymore than a 3 or 4 starter on any club (unless it's the Royals or Nationals). Sup's good for 12-15 wins this year.

5. Braden Looper- I like the Braden Looper addition. Doug Melvin had to get somebody to fill the void, and he did so late in the free agency period. Looper can provide us a good arm to shore up the rear end of our rotation. He could possibly climb up the rotation as the season goes on.

Here's what the 'pen should look like:

Carlos Villanueva- Villy is a good pitcher no matter where we have him. Starter or bullpen he's is reliable, and I love the kid. He'll hopefully be in the 'pen for the year but, if need be, he can step in the rotation.

Seth McClung- Seth "Big Red" McClung is one of my personal favorites among the Brewers. He can really bring it, and he can be a reliable reliever in '09. Same goes for him along with Villy, he could step in the rotation for some spot starts.

Mitch Stetter- Stetter has had some control issues, but he's pretty good. He should be the Lefty specialist for the '09 campaign, a title held by Mr. Brian Shouse for the past few years. Stetter may have some big shoes to fill there. I'd like to see what happens with him.

Jorge Julio- A new acquisition this year for the Brewers. He has some experience has a Major League closer, but Hoffman will have that duty. Look for Jorge to hold down middle relief this year.

Todd Coffey- The Brewers re-signed Coffey right out of the gate this offseason. They must really like him. I don't think he's too bad, let's hope he's better than that. We're gonna need him to be consistent.

Eric Gagne- Gag me is going to be in the 'pen this season, it's inevitable. Most likely as the set-up man. They re-signed him to a minor league deal, so I'm alright with it, for now. Let's face it, could it have gotten worse than Guillotine Guillermo Mota?

Trevor Hoffman- The savior to a weak bullpen right? Part of me says yes. He's proven that he can do it for a long time in this steroid ridden era, but he's not getting any younger and he's lost a bit on his fastball. However, it is his changeup, not his fastball that got him where he is today.


The Brewers have high expectations for themselves going into this season. I do too. I think they can be a contender once again. They will be able to put a ton of runs on the board. They return everyone in their lineup from a year ago. The loss of CC will hurt of course, but they should have enough. For Ben Sheets, see ya later little fella. Nice career. Melvin and the boys brought in Ken Macha to manage the team, and he's a winner.

The Cubs can add all the free agents money can buy, but remember this... The Brewers have won more games over the last four years than the Chubs, including more playoff victories. 1-0.

Finally, my call on how many games the Milwaukee Brewers will win in '09. Oh boy, I'm gonna say 85. With a wild card repeat. This is pretty bold, but that's how I am. I'm gonna take the easy road and say the Fubs will win the Central again. They have so much compared to everyone else.

-Mitch
Boom's Business