Milwaukee Brewers: 7 Bold Predictions for 2012 Season

The Milwaukee Brewers had a season like no other in 2011, in which the one-time punchline of Major League Baseball transformed itself into a kooky, division-winning powerhouse run on veggie burgers and facial hair.

That being said, the Crew's offseason is largely up in the air, as the return of several key players are not guaranteed. However, it must be remembered that the Brewers have a penchant for off-kilter moves, so here's seven equally out-there predictions as to how Milwaukee could ride Beast Mode into another season. 

Welcome Back, Prince Fielder!

After the standing ovation Prince Fielder received during his final at-bat of the NLCS, everyone pretty much assumed he'd be gone come spring training. However, stranger things have been known to happen.

Fielder has already built an enormous fan base (and a life) in Milwaukee, so to pack up and leave now would be kind of silly—especially considering how close he came to the series with the Crew. He's built a chemistry with Ryan Braun and the gang, and the breakup of that could result in a mutual collapse for both parties.

The departure of a few Brewers this offseason (specifically the giant sum of money that K-Rod is getting) could open it up for the Brewers to resign Fielder for many more years of Beast Mode.

John Axford Wins the NL Cy Young

A closer winning the Cy Young happens only once in a blue moon, but the facts seem to line up for the Ax-Man. In history, five closers have won the award, one of which was Rollie Fingers. Mind you, he did this as a Brewer (in 1981) while sporting the same 'stache as Axford. You can't explain that.

Seriously, though, Axford has the potential. In just his first full season as the Brewers' closer, he broke Doug Jones' club record for single-season saves, with 46. That number also lead the entire NL, by the way, and he kept his ERA to a 1.95, which seems fairly important given that he's the guy who prevents close losses.

He's one and three-quarters seasons and 71 saves into his MLB career; imagine what he'll do with time.

Starting at Shortstop, Rafael Furcal!

Hate it or love it, the Brewer-killer himself may be the everyday man between second and third next season. Milwaukee declined its option for current SS Yuniesky Betancourt, just as St. Louis did for the 34-year-old Furcal, who's a two-time All-Star.

The way the market stands right now, Furcal is one of the most realistic options for the Brewers, as Jose Reyes comes with an astronomical price tag and 32-year-old Jimmy Rollins wants five years. Furcal would prove effective in the short term while the Brewers groom someone down on the farm for the long.

Jonathan Lucroy Is an All-Star

The Brewers' catcher showed signs of promise in 2011, the biggest of which being that he'll probably be around for more than a couple of seasons. He's played 211 games in just under two years in the bigs, and this season he batted .265 with 12 homers and 59 RBIs, despite generally hitting in the eight spot between Yuniesky Betancourt and the pitcher.

Defensively, he allowed 77 stolen bases, but only one past ball, and finished the season with a .993 fielding percentage. He's also young (25), so it could be that has mistakes this season were the kinks getting worked out, and next season no one dares steal on Jonathan Lucroy.

Craig Counsell Will Replace Dale Sveum

Craig Counsell, he of the absurd batting stance and Wisconsin roots, has been a part of the Brewers organization in various forms since he was a boy, so it's only fitting that he continues the tradition into old age.

He's got the experience—16 years in the bigs and two World Series rings—to show, and he's been with the current team long enough to know how to mold instruction directly to them. Granted, he had a record setting 45 at-bat hitless streak this season, but you know what they say: Those who can't do, teach. Don't be surprised if Counsell quietly transitions from player to coach this offseason. 

A New Crop of Ex-Closers in the Bullpen

In the 2011 season, the Brewers' strategy of padding their bullpen with former closers proved successful. Francisco Rodriguez, Takashi Saito and LaTroy Hawkins were all effective set-up men, but all of them are also free agents this offseason, with K-Rod specifically highly unlikely to return.

This can be remedied, though, as aging elites like Brad Lidge, Francisco Cordero and Joe Nathan are all available, and likely at a negotiable price given their ages and injury histories. Any of them would be a good fit to take any of their predecessors places, and their experience could help wisen a young Milwaukee bullpen.

Milwaukee Brewers: World Series Champs

Hey, anything could happen.

The defending champion St. Louis Cardinals could lose Albert Pujols to a savvy Miami club, and with Tony La Russa out they'll be breaking in new manager (and former Brewer backstop) Mike Matheny.

Taking into account the previous six bold predictions, the Brewers will have assembled an impressive unit: Fielder will be back at first, Furcal will be at short, Lucroy will be having a career season, and a murderer's row of elite relievers will be allowing for the first closer's Cy Young since Dennis Eckersley in 1992.

With a lineup like that, it would be challenge for any team to stop them. These were supposed to be bold predictions—why not go big?