Milwaukee Brewers 2007 record: 83-79 (2nd place in NL Central).
2008 Prediction: 1st in NL Central
In
1B - Prince Fielder
2B - Rickie Weeks
3B - Bill Hall
SS - J.J. Hardy
LF - Ryan Braun
CF - Mike Cameron
RF - Corey Hart
Projected Opening Day Rotation
Ben Sheets
Jeff Suppan
Yovani Gallardo
Dave Bush
Chris Capuano
Projected Opening Day Closer
Eric Gagne
Improvements: Signing Cameron will likely mean a shift in positions for several key players. But when you have a Gold Glove caliber player patrolling center, who can also hit 25-30 homeruns, you have to make do. Cameron will likely play center, moving Bill Hall back to third base, and youngster Ryan Braun will play left field. The Brewers' bullpen is also much improved, bringing in Gagne, Salomon Torres (assuming he doesn't retire), David Riske and Guillermo Mota.
Lack of improvement: While Kendall is a terrific defensive catcher, he lacks in the offensive department. However, defense (especially from the catcher position) is vital to a team's success, thus, it is difficult to find any lack of improvement for the Brewers.
Keys to success: Ben Sheets NEEDS to stay healthy for an entire season. He is the ace and the horse of the rotation, and the Brewers are counting on him for at least 30 starts this season. Gagne also needs to show he is passed his injuries and can still be the dominant closer he once was (remember his Dodger days?).
2008 Prediction: 1st in NL Central
In
- Jason Kendall (CHC) - signed to a 1 year, $4.25 million contract with an option for 2009 - 11/28/07
- Mike Cameron (SD) - signed to a 1 year, $5 million contract with a $10 million club option for 2009 - 1/14/08
- Eric Gagne (BOS) - signed to a 1 year, $10 million contract - 12/10/07
- Guillermo Mota (NYM) - acquired for Johnny Estrada - 11/20/07
- David Riske (KC) - signed to a 3 year, $13 million contract with a $4.75 option for 2011 - 12/5/07
- Salomon Torres (PIT) - acquired for Marino Salas and Kevin Roberts - 12/7/07
- Abraham Nunez (PHI) - signed to a minor league contract - 1/23/08
Out
- Ray King (WAS) - signed to a minor league contract - 11/30/07
- Matt Wise (NYM) - signed to a 1 year, $1.25 million contract - 12/18/07
- Scott Linebrink (CHW) - signed to a 4 year, $19 million contract - 11/28/07
- Geoff Jenkins (PHI) - signed to a 3 year, $13 million contract with an option for 2010 - 12/20/07
- Francsico Cordero (CIN) - signed to a 4 year, $46 million contract with a $12 million club option for 2012 - 11/28/07
Remaining Free Agents
- Damian Miller
- Kevin Mench
- Tony Graffanino
- Corey Koskie
Projected Opening Day Lineup
C - Jason Kendall1B - Prince Fielder
2B - Rickie Weeks
3B - Bill Hall
SS - J.J. Hardy
LF - Ryan Braun
CF - Mike Cameron
RF - Corey Hart
Projected Opening Day Rotation
Ben Sheets
Jeff Suppan
Yovani Gallardo
Dave Bush
Chris Capuano
Projected Opening Day Closer
Eric Gagne
Improvements: Signing Cameron will likely mean a shift in positions for several key players. But when you have a Gold Glove caliber player patrolling center, who can also hit 25-30 homeruns, you have to make do. Cameron will likely play center, moving Bill Hall back to third base, and youngster Ryan Braun will play left field. The Brewers' bullpen is also much improved, bringing in Gagne, Salomon Torres (assuming he doesn't retire), David Riske and Guillermo Mota.
Lack of improvement: While Kendall is a terrific defensive catcher, he lacks in the offensive department. However, defense (especially from the catcher position) is vital to a team's success, thus, it is difficult to find any lack of improvement for the Brewers.
Keys to success: Ben Sheets NEEDS to stay healthy for an entire season. He is the ace and the horse of the rotation, and the Brewers are counting on him for at least 30 starts this season. Gagne also needs to show he is passed his injuries and can still be the dominant closer he once was (remember his Dodger days?).
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