Milwaukee Brewers

Losses: IF Felipe Lopez, UT Frank Catalanotto, OF Mike Cameron, C Jason Kendall, 2B Hernan Iribarren, SS J.J. Hardy, C Mike Rivera, P Ben Sheets

Gains: C Greg Zaun, C George Kottaras, P Randy Wolf, P LaTroy Hawkins, OF Carlos Gomez, P Doug Davis, OF Jim Edmonds, P Scott Schoeneweis, UT Joe Inglett

Analysis: A lot of good things coming in for the Brewers this winter. There were some tough losses in Felipe Lopez, Mike Cameron and Ben Sheets (if he's healthy), but a lot of talent was brought in. The Brewers will try to find Mike Cameron's replacement among Carlos Gomez, a possibly resurgent Jim Edmonds and a mid-season pick-up Jody Gerut. They let Lopez go to make room for Super-Prospect Alcides Escobar to move in at Shortstop. They went through a complete remodeling behind the plate, letting Jason Kendall and Mike Rivera go in favor of Greg Zaun and George Kottaras. Neither of those pairings is much to write home about. It's hard to say the Brewers lost Ben Sheets, being he was on the open market last season, so they are really gaining arms in Randy Wolf and Doug Davis. The Brew Crew needed some depth last season behind Yovani Gallardo, and that is exactly what they brought in with Wolf and Davis. They also solidified the bullpen with LaTroy Hawkins in the eighth spot and Scott Schoeneweis potentially as a second left arm in the bullpen.

More moves: I don't believe so.

2010 Thoughts: If Alcides Escobar can come up and be productive for the Brewers, they should be better off than last season. J.J. Hardy gave them next to nothing last season, though Felipe Lopez picked up the slack some. Rickie Weeks is coming off injury yet again. We'll see if he can finally fulfill some potential. The Brewers, however, still carry the 3-4 of Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder, so their line-up will always be a threat. They could really use one of the CFs to step up. I think Jody Gerut may end up taking that job from trade acquisition Carlos Gomez, but if either can produce, they can both be solid lead-off men for the Brewers. Casey McGehee had a solid 100+ games at 3rd last year, so if he can continue along those lines, the line-up is looking to be improved. The rotation is better in that it is deeper. They Brewers arms still don't scare you, outside of Gallardo, but Randy Wolf, Doug Davis, Manny Parra, Jeff Suppan and I think they still have Dave Bush and Claudio Vargas to go deeper if need be. I really like the bullpen. LaTroy Hawkins is a great addition for the 8th inning, pushing Todd Coffey to a stronger role for him as a middle man. I like the pick-up of Scott Schoeneweis, though he needs a spot in the pen. It's likely to be David Riske's if he doesn't show he can pitch day-in/day-out.
Overall, 2010 should be better than 2009.

Prediction: The Brewers will be in a fight for 3rd in the NL Central. For now we'll have them come up a touch short.

-APT