2009 Brewers Guesstimates

Thanks to MLB At Bat for my iPhone, I reached an event horizon for personal multitasking. After getting him from a long day at the grain elevator, the app kept me abreast of the goings on in the majors and my fantasy squads, did two loads of laundry, worked out, took out the trash, finally listened to the new Nick Cave, and a myriad of other quantum mundane events I won't bore you with. It was crazy, I was very close to seeing forever.

I'll only share how I see the next few months, however, for the only numbers anyone cares about:

Team Wins
83, second place, no playoffs

Attendance
2.7mm

Homers
Braun 32
Fielder 38
Kendall 3

Errors
Braun 3
Weeks 16

Stolen Bases
Hart 26
Weeks 25

Ground Outs
Kendall 148 (168 last year)

Strikeouts (batters)
Hall 143

Strikeouts (pitchers)
Gallardo 159

Innings Pitched
Gallardo 165
Suppan 182
Bush 210
Looper 177
Parra 160

Saves
Hoffmann 23
Villanueva 6

Peavy Trade?
Nope

Prospect Arrival
Gamel (July)
Escobar (September)

Non-Prospect Arrival
Gwynn (September)

As I've consistently believed since the end of last season, 2009 is going to be a small step back for the Brewers. They lost a significant amount of innings in the starting rotation, so they're going to have to rely on the bullpen to throw more, thus getting worn down and a mess by July. The offense has been underwhelming for a few seasons and they could theoretically break out and be that offensive powerhouse many inherently think the team is.

I think this is still going to be a fun team to watch because the core – Hardy, Hart, Braun, Fielder, Weeks – have another season of experience and are still approaching their statistical career seasons. They'll play better defense and hopefully not look so silly at the plate, perhaps take a few more walks, and whatever. I like the core, I still enjoy watching each of their at bats (except Hart, he has some work to do after his September performance).

As far as management, I expect it to be a quiet year for Melvin and the Worthwhile Canadian Initiative. The team needs a stellar starter for 2010-2012 while the aforementioned core players are still under team control. Melvin doesn't have any chips to deal until the offseason when Escobar should be seriously pushing either Hardy or Weeks into a new position or out of the organization. I can see Cameron being dealt, but whatever he would net in return is not what the Brewers need.

Bring it on.