| Andrew Perna. 3rd April, 2009 - 12:48 pm
 Here at RealGM our heart beats thanks to the thousands upon thousands of posters that frequent our forums on a daily basis. With the MLB season just days away, what better time than now to check in with the people who care about baseball even more than some of the players on the diamond?
2008 Record: 90-72
Division Standing: 2nd (Wild Card)
Run Differential: +61
The Answers
1. How would you rate the team?s offseason thus far?
LUKE23: If you're asking for a grade, I'd say C+. I like the Trevor Hoffman signing, and I think the Prince Fielder signing is a good value. I don't think they went after starting pitching hard enough, and there are still a couple options out there (Ben Sheets) or would have liked to see them make a move on a high-risk low money guy like Brad Penny.
trwi7: I give them a C-. I figured CC Sabathia wouldn't be back, but there appears to be no interest in bringing back Sheets, which is a shame. Signing Hoffman is pretty meaningless if we go into the season with the current rotation.
Captain Erv: C-. Even with the strong run we made for Sabathia, we all pretty much knew that he wouldn't be back. That being said, our losses far outweigh our gains at this point. Our major acquisition was Hoffman, but with the durability and depth of our rotation in serious question, it will be seen how big of a factor Hoffman will end up being.
aaprigs311: It's been a rather frustrating offseason. We lost the best pitcher in baseball, Sabathia, and more than likely will also lose Sheets, who is an ace when healthy. We also lost one of our top relievers to retirement. All-time saves leader and future Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman was signed to replace him, but his best days are more than likely behind him. On the other side of the ball Doug Melvin decided to let Gabe Kapler walk. Kapler was an extremely valuable fourth outfielder throughout the 2008 season. Also, no additional bats were brought in to help a young offense that was often anemic and desperate for a quality left-handed hitter. I would give an offseason grade of a 'D' to the Crew. The starting rotation is train wreck and little was done to bolster a below average bullpen.
ReddBogutCharlieV: Probably a C. We haven't really upgraded anywhere and we lost CC, Kapler, Ray Durham and Sheets. I hate Sheets, but he is talented.
WEFFPIM: D. Everyone knew that Sabathia was not going to re-sign and that filling that void was going to be very, very hard to do. But the Brewers haven't even attempted to fill the void CC left, not to mention the one that will ultimately be vacated by Sheets. They also got rid of Craig Counsell and Kapler for no apparent reason.
BenchCoach: I would say a C. We addressed one issue with the closer problem and added some bullpen help, but we needed to get some help for the rotation. Getting Prince signed for the two years is nice, and makes it easier to trade him if the season doesn?t work out or someone makes a good deal in the offseason.
2. What move do you wish the team made? (i.e. signing, trade)
LUKE23: See above.
trwi7: Either signing Sheets or trading one of our bats for pitching.
Captain Erv: I would prefer we sign Sheets to a 1-2 year deal. We are already strapped financially, but given the dried up market, I think he could be had at a very reasonable price for us.
aaprigs311: Re-signing Sabathia would have been a dream, but there was no way he was going to turn down the $160 million the Yankees threw at him. Pitching is obviously the major concern with the Brewers. Trading a guy like Fielder for a young pitcher should have been stressed a bit more. Also, resigning Sheets to a two-year deal with incentives is something I would have liked to see Melvin pursue.
ReddBogutCharlieV: I wish we signed a pitcher. Maybe Derek Lowe, but I understand the way the Brewers' front office is thinking.
WEFFPIM: They need a starter, an established one. Relying on Gallardo and Manny Parra to carry the rotation is going to be bloody, especially if a long-term injury hits one of them.
BenchCoach: Getting CC here. The Yankees and the major markets are going to kill baseball.
3. Who do you feel will have a breakout season?
LUKE23: Ryan Braun. He?ll hit 40 home runs with a .300 average.
trwi7: Parra.
Captain Erv: Fielder. It could be said that two years ago he had a breakout year, but last year didn't go as well due to contract/weight issues, I feel he'll be back in 2007 form. Now with the contract situation taken care of for at least two seasons, there should be no reason for him to struggle like he did in 2008.
aaprigs311: Braun has room for improvement, and patience at the plate is something he needs to work on. If he can put two and two together this is a guy who will be a future MVP.
ReddBogutCharlieV: Well, every year people say Rickie Weeks because it's "supposed" to happen, but I'm going to say Gallardo.
WEFFPIM: It always seems like I say Dave Bush, but I'm going to keep with him because the Brewers will desperately need him to do well.
BenchCoach: Gallardo baby! I?m looking for him to have a huge season. The kid has everything you?re looking for. I?m looking for Yo to get 18+ wins, with an ERA around 3.25 and a low WHIP.
4. Who do you see regressing after a strong 2008?
LUKE23: Jason Kendall. I don't think his offense will be any worse, but his defense was unreal last year, and I don't see him repeating that. I also think Mike Cameron's power surge will diminish.
trwi7: Bush.
Captain Erv: Cameron. I believe he will still be able to provide above average defense, but as he gets older his step is bound to get a little slower. I also don't believe Kendall will be as efficient throwing out base runners as he was in 2008.
aaprigs311: Cameron is probably the most obvious candidate to regress. Sooner or later he's going to lose a step and some power.
ReddBogutCharlieV: I don't think Cameron will hit as many homers.
WEFFPIM: Cameron seems to be the popular choice here, but I wouldn't really call his 2008 strong. I guess Braun would be my choice, although I don't see him regressing much.
BenchCoach: Kendall, because his age will show this season.
5. What is the best case scenario for the club in 2009?
LUKE23: With the current rotation and no moves, I'd say around 86 wins. I don't see any way they make the playoffs with this rotation unless both Fielder and Braun are putting up MVP-type numbers.
trwi7: 85 wins and Wild Card contention.
Captain Erv: I would say 85-87 wins and in the Wild Card hunt.
aaprigs311: At this point I'd say 85 wins is the ceiling unless guys like Bill Hall and Weeks play to their potential. A mid-season trade for an ace would increase expectations as well.
ReddBogutCharlieV: World Series champs.
WEFFPIM: Win the Wild Card again.
BenchCoach: Make a hard push for the Wild Card again. As long as Parra and Yo can hold up, we will be in the race.
6. What is the worst case scenario for the club in 2009?
LUKE23: Slightly under .500. It would probably take some rotation injuries for that to happen, but they have no depth currently.
trwi7: 75 wins.
Captain Erv: 76-78 wins. Any injury to the pitching staff could pretty much cripple the season with the lack of depth we have at this point.
aaprigs311: 70-75 wins if Gallardo, Braun, and Fielder all miss significant time.
ReddBogutCharlieV: Injuries could kill this team.
WEFFPIM: Fourth in Division
BenchCoach: If the rotation doesn?t live up to the standards that Melvin is expecting. We as fans know this could be rough if the young guns, Bush and McClung don?t pan out. We will need a lot of offense to win games if the pitching fails...
Andrew Perna is Deputy Editor of RealGM.com and co-host of RealGM?s Radio Show. Please feel free to contact him with comments or questions via e-mail: Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com |
