Spring training site
Phoenix, Ariz.
2008 record
90-72, second in NL Central, won NL wild card, lost to Phillies in NLDS
New faces
RHP Trevor Hoffman (free agent, Padres); RHP Braden Looper (free agent, Cardinals); RHP Jorge Julio (free agent, Braves); LHP Chase Wright (trade, Yankees); OF Trot Nixon (free agent, Mets); OF Chris Duffy (free agent, Padres); IF-OF Jason Bourgeois (free agent, White Sox); RHP Nick Green (waivers, Angels); RHP Wes Littleton (waivers, Red Sox)
Biggest offseason acquisition
Although he might miss the opener with an oblique strain, Trevor Hoffman should solidify an underrated bullpen. But Braden Looper could end up as the underrated signee on the list.
Gone but not forgotten
LHP CC Sabathia (free agent, to Yankees); RHP Ben Sheets (free agent, not signed); RHP Salomon Torres (retired); 2B Ray Durham (free agent, not signed); RHP Eric Gagne (free agent, not signed); RHP Guillermo Mota (free agent, to Dodgers); LHP Brian Shouse (free agent, to Rays); OF Gabe Kapler (free agent, to Rays); 3B Russell Branyan (free agent, to Mariners).
Spring training battles
Bill Hall and Mike Lamb are likely to platoon at third base unless one separates themselves from the pack in Arizona. The rest of this club is fairly set.
Projected lineup
- 2B Rickie Weeks
- SS J.J. Hardy
- LF Ryan Braun
- 1B Prince Fielder
- RF Corey Hart
- CF Mike Cameron
- 3B Mike Lamb or Bill Hall
- C Jason Kendall
Projected starting rotation
- RHP Yovani Gallardo
- RHP Dave Bush
- LHP Manny Parra
- RHP Braden Looper
- RHP Jeff Suppan
Projected bullpen
- RHP Trevor Hoffman (closer)
- RHP Seth McClung
- RHP Carlos Villanueva
- RHP David Riske
- RHP Jorge Julio
- LHP Mitch Stetter
- RHP Wes Littleton
Biggest strength
The bullpen should be very good, especially moving McClung back into middle relief (or as closer if Hoffman is out). And even though this team lost its best two starters in Sabathia and Sheets, this year's five are still good enough to make Milwaukee a National League contender again. The top four in the batting order are stellar as well, as good as any team in the division.
Glaring weakness
Somehow, Jason Kendall remains a starting catcher in the major leagues. It must be because he's a really good guy, because he has little power, a low batting average (.246 last year, almost 50 points below his career average) and doesn't throw out many base runners.
