Going forward the Brewers seem to be very deep outside of the bullpen.
C Lucroy/Maldonado – I wonder if GMDM would deal one in the off season for pitching? This is a position of halves and halve nots and it seems Milwaukee has two. The thought of past days (Jason Kendall) makes me nervous about the thought. IT could be tempting if a real good pitching prospect was dangled. The rumor that the Crew had interest in Kelly Shoppach makes me wonder.
1B Corey Hart- One year left on his deal. He has been fabulous at 1B. I would think they will try very hard to extend him. He will have a long career yet at that position. Mat Gamel will be plan B? Hunter Morris has been really good on the farm.
2B Richard Weeks- A bad year for sure. I think health was an issue early on and then confidence. I am not worried at all moving forward. Scooter Gennett is the insurance and should be ready soon. He might be a really valuable utility guy while he waits for his chance every day.
SS This position have been a train wreck. Jean Segura will be solid to very good next season. I think they will have interest in keeping Cody Ransom around for a while. He is very good defensively all over the infield. Has good pop. Love him off the bench. Reminds me of an infield version of Gabe Kapler.
3B Aramis Ramirez- The awful start was predictable but worse than usual. Since then he is more than you should expect. His defense has been remarkable. He still has plenty of gas in the tank.
LF Ryan Braun- He won the MVP last season and probably should not have. He won’t win it this year and probably should get serious consideration. Either way he is awesome, young and locked up for the long haul. The people that said that was a bad extension are still very very stupid.
CF Carlos Gomez- he has been brilliant in stretches. Longer ones this season. I still have not given up on him being an everyday player. He is still young enough. If he puts it all together he could be the 2nd best player on the team. No I do not do drugs. I pray to the baseball gods that one day I can say I told you so on this topic. Nyjer Morgan will move on after this season if he isn’t moved in August. Logan Schafer or Caleb Gindl will get one of the extra OF gigs.
RF Norichika Aoki- He has been really good. I can’t see a reason to not pencil him in here. GMDM and staff deserves big credit for this signing.
SP Yovani Gallardo- I wish he was more consistent. Even when up and down this guy is really good. He will anchor a young staff in 2012.
SP Marco Estrada- He has a career k/9 ratio of 9.1. It is time for them to give him the shot coming out of camp. I bet that the Brewers think he has the chance to be a monster talent.
SP Mike Fiers- He has been too good not to pencil him in. I can’t believe he is this good. I won’t predict he is not.
SP ?
SP ?
Shaun Marcum, Chris Narveson, Tyler Thornburg, Mark Rogers, Johnny Hellweg and Wily Peralta-these are the guys in the mix. More will be added.
It makes no sense to try and figure out the bull pen. John Axford, Kam Loe, Jose Vera and Brandon Kintzler seem likely to me. Maybe they finally give up on Manny Parra? Good chance they keep Livan Hernandez around. He seems like a guy to have with such a young staff.