Milwaukee Brewer Bullpen to Remain Strong in 2009

With pitching again the primary concern as Milwaukee prepares to begin spring training later this week, all eyes now focus on the starting rotation as GM Doug Melvin has prepared a solid bullpen to support any rotation the Brew-Crew are finally able to string together.  

The biggest acquisition, of course, comes in the form of 41 year-old right-hander and career saves leader Trevor Hoffman.  While his old age naturally creates some concern about dependability down the stretch, his signature change-up should continue to put batters away in the ninth inning for the Brewers.

Another possible free-agent signing that has been speculated this week is an interest in Braden Looper, former SP from the St. Louis Cardinals.  If signed, Looper would bump one of the current Brewer starters from the rotation into the bullpen, shoring up the long-relief position in the pen and assuring the Brewers a dependable arm should a starter falter in the early innings. 

At this point, it appears that Seth McClung would be the first choice for the job, but this will most likely not be decided until the end of spring training.

The questionable spot for the Brewer's pen appears to be middle relief.  Carlos Villanueva stepped up as a relief pitcher last year for the Brewers and will likely be the 8th inning man in high pressure situations.  Players like Todd Coffey, Jorge Julio, and Mike DiFelice will have to prove early on in the season that they can throw strikes if they intend to keep their middle-inning jobs alive.  

Keep an eye out for the emergence of Chris Capuano or Chase Wright in the rotation or in long-relief later on in the season.  When Capuano returns from injury, management will have an interesting decision whether to allow him to start or place him somewhere in the bullpen.

As long as the Brewers stay healthy and can shore up both their rotation, and in turn, their bullpen with the addition of Looper, the Milwaukee bullpen should remain a strong point for the team most of the season.