2008 MLB Preview: Milwaukee Brewers

There are a lot of question marks in this Brewers rotation. For the top starters, it's whether or not they can stay healthy. For the back-end starters, it's if they can improve off mediocre 2007s. Overall, the Brewers will need a few miracles if they want their starting rotation to be able to compete with the Cubs in 2008.

Starting rotation grade: C

Bullpen

The goal this offseason for general manager Doug Melvin was to improve a bullpen that failed the Brewers down the stretch in 2007 and was a huge reason why the Brew Crew folded in August and September.

Melvin went out and signed four relievers: Eric Gagne, David Riske, Salomon Torres, and Guillermo Mota.

However, the Brewers lost Scott Linebrink and, most importantly, Francisco Cordero. 

The loss of Cordero left a gaping hole at the closer spot for Ned Yost. Horrendous performances in Boston aside, Gagne was pretty good for Texas last year, but if he goes into the season as Milwaukee's closer, there are still three big questions about him.

First, will his horrible performance for Boston carry over into 2008? I personally don't think so, but then again, I can't get inside Gagne's head.

Secondly, Gagne was named in the Mitchell Report. While, in a recent press conference, Gagne expressed his want to put the Mitchell Report behind him, he never admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs, and that non-admission could dog him throughout the 2008 season.

Thirdly, Gagne only threw 15.1 innings in 2005 and 2006 due to his much-documented arm troubles. Could those flare up again? If they do, that leaves the Brewers with Derrick Turnbow or Torres. Neither are attractive options for a team that hopes to be in a playoff race, as both sported ERAs over 4.50 in 2007. 

The addition of Riske gives the Brewers a good, consistent, late-inning option. Brian Shouse, a prototypical LOOGY, will compliment Riske nicely in the 8th inning.  

Even though Melvin went out and tried to revamp his bullpen in the offseason, he only signed one truly dependable reliever in Riske. Oh, the irony.

Bullpen grade: C+

Lineup

Finally, we reach a strength for the Brew Crew. Everybody knows what Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun can do.

It wouldn't surprise me if they both knocked out 40 home runs this year, and Corey Hart and JJ Hardy should hit around .280 with 25 home runs and 90 RBI. 

Bill Hall and Mike Cameron both provide some good speed and a bit of power (mainly from Hall) to the Brewers' lineup.

However, Cameron will miss the first 25 games of the season due to a suspension for taking a banned stimulant, so Tony Gwynn Jr. will likely start the season at the team's centerfielder.

Gwynn is a very good hitter like his father and would fit nicely into the Brewers lineup. Whether or not he's a full-season starter has yet to be established yet, but he's a very good option to fill in in case an outfielder gets injured.

Then there's Rickie Weeks.

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