Proposed Starters for Next Season

[The Dude]

C: Damian Miller
1B: Prince Fielder
2B: Rickie Weeks
SS: J.J. Hardy
3B: Bill Hall
LF: Carlos Lee
CF: Brady Clark
RF: Geoff Jenkins

S1: Ben Sheets
S2: Doug Davis
S3: Chris Capuano
S4: Tomo Ohka
S5: Rick Helling/Dave Bush

Setup: Danny Kolb
Closer: Derrick Turnbow

How does everyone feel about this lineup?

[burger eater]

This team really could and probably will compete for the division. If Turnbow is the real deal and Weeks/Fielder progress, I don't see how they won't be in the mix, especially if Kolb returns to Brewers form.
Who was Santos traded for? He seems to have pretty good stuff and I always wondered why he had such mediocre numbers. He looked great every time I saw him so I checked his splits last year to see if I was imagining things. I wasn't, he owns the Cubs.
Too bad he didn't get traded out of the division.

Santos vs. the Cubs

2004: 0-1, 2.89 ERA, .191 BAA
2005: 3-1, 2.08 ERA, .216 BAA

7 starts, 44.2 IP

[coachbrad34]

C: Damian Miller
1B: Prince Fielder
2B: Rickie Weeks
SS: J.J. Hardy
3B: Bill Hall
LF: Carlos Lee
CF: Brady Clark
RF: Geoff Jenkins

S1: Ben Sheets
S2: Doug Davis
S3: Chris Capuano
S4: Tomo Ohka
S5: Rick Helling/Dave Bush

Setup: Danny Kolb
Closer: Derrick Turnbow

How does everyone feel about this lineup?

I like this lineup, except there are a lot of "ifs"
Can Jenkins stay healthy and produce like he did in the second half?
Can Weeks recover from his thumb injury and not suffer a sophomore slump?
Can Weeks' fielding improve?
Can Clark put up similar numbers as he did last year?
Can Fielder handle the pressure of playing everyday?
Can Capuano pitch like he did last year?
Can Sheets stay healthy?

if the answer to most of these questions is yes, then it should be a good season

[godzilla]

if you look at the stats i think Tomo Ohka is the most decent starter in the rotation

[KingJ]

That's a good looking team you guys built up there.

[Solair Wright]

I had questions to my rivals, as of 1998: how will Sheets/Ohka stand? Bill Hall is fast and powerful, but will Corey Koskie try to pluck him out of third base? I hope not. I never got the Koskie trade, because he would have to let Hall give up his spot during certain days.

[brewcrew82]

I like this lineup but a few worries: Firstly, Prince Fielder, how will he adjust to major league pitching. Secondly, have we seen the best of Danny Kolb, yes he did well his first stint with the team, but he, as a pitcher, struggled in Atlanta (with Leo Mazzone)...raises questions and makes me hope he wasn't a "one year wonder". Thirdly, will Jenks stay healthy the whole 162 games?

That being said, I'd realistically say that this team is well primed at a post season run in 2007 (I want to say now but I think we should give Weeks, Hardy and Fielder a year or two in the big club before we proclaim them the future of our franchise-- remember how quickly Pat Listach faded?).

[The Dude]

I think the Koskie trade was brilliant, because even though Cirillo played okay last year, Koskie is still more servicable at 3B. Plus, there's always the what if last year was just a bad year for koskie? Besides, this allows Hall to fill in whenever needed. He excelled last year playing wherever and whenever, so why break that mold?

[XBucky]

Koskie is starting to find his groove. He's a much need veteran in that infield. A couple weeks ago I was watching a game where he took all the infielders out for dinner and picked up the tab. He had Bill E Hall pick up the tip, because he's almost a veteran. Seems like a real class act.

[Lala63]

I agree with everything there...but for one thing. Ohka won't be in the rotation next season, I hear Milwaukee might trade him.

[The Dude]

C: Johnny Estrada
1B: Prince Fielder
2B: Rickie Weeks
SS: J.J. Hardy
3B: Cory Koskie/Tony Graffanino or Ryan Braun
LF: Geoff Jenkins & Kevin Mench or Corey Hart
CF: Bill Hall
RF: Corey Hart or Ryan Braun

(Either way, Hart will be Starting. If Braun comes up and plays RF, I'm guessing Jenks and Mench will both be benched for Hart)

S1: Ben Sheets
S2: Chris Capuano
S3: Jeff Suppan
S4: Dave Bush
S5: Claudio Vargas

Setup: Derrick Turnbow
Closer: Fransisco Cordero

Now, when looking at all the changes ... I have to say those are some vast improvements at catcher and CF. If Braun comes up, that 3B spot will be a bast improvement as well. The only real loss was Lee, but Hall definatley made up for it last season.

To answer Crew's questions:
-Fielder adjusted pretty well.
-Kolb ...blehchasdf.
-Jenks stayed healthy .. but wasn't great.

I'd like to pose some questions for this season:
1.Will Suppan be worth the money?
2.Will Hardy, Weeks, Coskie, and Sheets come back alright?
3.Will Braun be starting on opening day?
4.How will Hall adjust to CF?

[cosmo34]

If the Brewers wanna have their 3B player(s) be a drag on their lineup then they will platoon Counsell/Graffanino.

If they wanna get off to a good start, they will have Braun start at 3B.

[AznInvasion]

Will Yovani Gallardo get a shot at some point this season? The brewers look like they will make some serious noise in the central this year.

[brewcrew82]

I think if we were to see Yo in Milwaukee it would be a the end of the season. I have not heard any plans that suggest he'll be up before.