2008 Milwaukee Brewers Outlook
2007: (83-79), 2nd Place
Manager: Ned Yost (6th Season)
Key Additions -
CF - Mike Cameron
P - Eric Gagne
C - Jason Kendall
P - Solomon Torres
P - David Riske
P - Guillermo Mota
Key Losses -
P - Francisco Cordero (to CIN)
OF - Geoff Jenkins (to PHI)
OF - Kevin Mench (to TEX)
C - Johnny Estrada (to WSH)
P - Scott Linebrink (to CWS)
Projected Starting Lineup -
C - Jason Kendall
1B - Prince Fielder
2B - Rickie Weeks
SS - J.J. Hardy
3B - Bill Hall
LF - Ryan Braun
CF - Mike Cameron
RF - Corey Hart
Projected Rotation -
1 - Ben Sheets (R)
2 - Jeff Suppan (R)
3 - Yovani Gallardo (R)
4 - Dave Bush (R)
5 - Chris Capuano (L), Carlos Villanueva (R)
CL: Eric Gagne (R)
SU: Derrick Turnbow (R)
2008 Outlook:
There is a lot of excitement coming out of Milwaukee as the Brewers prepare for the 2008 season. Coming off the franchise’s first winning season since 1992, the Brew Crew are primed to make a run at its first division title since 1982.
Ned Yost’s bunch was one of baseball’s top teams for the first two-thirds of last season but faded down the stretch and came up a few games shy of the Cubs for the NL Central crown. With the teams nucleus back and a few key additions, Milwaukee is one of the favorites in the National League.
Talk about the Brewers’ lineup begins with the big man in the middle, Prince Fielder. The Prince led the NL with 50 home runs in 2007, while driving in 119 runs. In only his second season at the Major League level, Fielder was one of the most dominant hitters in baseball. He won the NL Silver Slugger award at first base, and his .618 slugging percentage was second in the league only to his teammate Ryan Braun.
As an early season call-up from AAA Nashville last year, Braun had one of the best rooki seasons in baseball history. In 113 games, Braun batted .324, belted 34 home runs and drove in 97 RBI, en route to becoming the NL Rookie of the Year. Expect these two young sluggers to match last year’s production and be a dominant 3-4 combination in the middle of the Milwaukee lineup.
Following a “less than stellar” year defensively, Braun will move from 3B to LF, allowing Bill Hall to find a steady home at third. Hall saw a decline in his offensive production in 2007, but look for a bounce back year as he will be able to focus on playing only one position instead of six.
The top of the order will be led by two of last year’s surprise offensive performers, Hardy and Hart. If these two are able to set the table for Braun and Fielder while putting up similar numbers to last year, expect the Brewers to once again be among the top offensive teams in the NL.
The biggest improvement for Milwaukee will likely be on the defensive end, with the acquisitions of veterans Cameron and Kendall. Cameron can still go get it with the best in the game and will bring stability to the CF position for Yost. Cameron will not hit for a high average, but he should slug 20-25 home runs and still has the ability to steal 20+ bags, which makes him a good fit in the speedy Milwaukee lineup.
Kendall will take a lot of experience with him behind the dish for the Brewers. With a lot of young, talented arms on the pitching staff, Kendall should be very valuable working with the Milwaukee pitchers.
Unfortunately for Milwaukee, one of its biggest question marks is at the top of the rotation. Ben Sheets has struggled with injury throughout his career, but when healthy he is one of the best starters in the NL, and the clear ace on the Brewers’ staff. The right-hander’s 24 starts last season were the most in his last 3 years, and the Brewers are a much better team with Sheets throwing every 5th day.
Veteran Jeff Suppan returns after making 34 starts in 2007 with a 12-12 record and a 4.62 ERA. He will once again provide consistency for the rotation and keep the Brewers in most of the games he starts. Milwaukee is hoping the 22 year-old Gallardo can emerge as the quality starter they are hoping he can be. As the top pitching prospect in the organization last year, Gallardo was called up during the middle of the season, going 9-5 with a 3.67 ERA in 17 starts. Expect him to match that type of production for an entire season in 2008.
There is some uncertainty at the bottom of the rotation for Milwaukee. Bush and Capuano are coming off down years, but both will likely see time in the starting rotation early in the season. Other options include young right-hander Carlos Villanueva and veteran Claudio Vargas.
GM Doug Melvin is hoping the acquisition of Gagne will be the answer at closer. The once dominant Gagne has been inconsistent over the past few seasons, and Milwaukee hopes he can regain the form he showed with Texas for most of last season. The bullpen still includes Derrick Turnbow, who will likely become the setup man for Gagne.
The bullpen loaded up with quality veteran arms, including David Riske, Solomon Torres, and Guillermo Mota. If Gagne struggles to close games, Yost will have plenty of options with closing experience to turn to.
Fantasy Impact:
The move to left field will only help the offensive production of Braun. While he will not continue to hit at the same pace as last season, expect 35-40 home runs and 110-120 RBI hitting in the middle of the explosive Brewers order. While he will lose fantasy value being listed as an outfielder instead of a third baseman, most leagues will list him with at both, so pay attention for that.
Fielder will produce again in 2008, and should be one of the first players taken in the draft. He’ll go at the end of the first or beginning of the second round.
Hart has been given a lot of attention as a potential fantasy stud in 2008. The speedy 6’6 outfielder will have another 20/20 season, while hitting close to .300 and scoring 100 runs at the top of the Brewer order. He will fill a lot of fantasy categories, but he is still not worthy of an early round selection. He will be good value in the early-middle rounds of a draft.
There may be potential value in Hall and Weeks late in many fantasy drafts. Both players are coming off down seasons in 2007, and will likely slip into the later rounds. Expect Hall to improve on last season’s production, as he becomes the everyday third baseman.
Weeks has struggled hitting at the Major League level, but he will get 20+ stolen bases again this year and has the potential to put up good offensive numbers for a second baseman. If Weeks is available late in the draft, take him because there is always the chance he has a breakout season.
Although he has ability to put up dominant fantasy stats when healthy, Sheets is just too risky to take in the early rounds. You have to get value out of your early picks, and with Sheets history of injuries, it is not worth the risk. If you already have two or three quality starting pitchers, it is okay to draft him, but do not count on Sheets to be your fantasy ace.
Expect a good season from Gallardo in 2008. After his call-up midway through last season, the young right hander won 9 games and averaged over 8 Ks per 9 innings. He is a very polished young pitcher and will have a lot of success this season.
Gagne should have a lot of chances to close games for the Brewers, who will be leading many games late. With his history of inconsistency, Gagne is not among the elite fantasy options at closer, but potentially could save 35+ games in 2008. Similar to Sheets, he is just too risky to take early in the draft.
2008 Projection: (86-76)
Team MVP: Prince Fielder
Also, check out our NL Central preview with links to our team outlooks for each of Milwaukee’s division foes.
Rosenblogger
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