2009 outlooks: Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers went all in for a playoff bid last year, giving up a healthy chunk of their farm system for a partial season from CC Sabathia. And while Sabathia certainly gave them what they wanted, pitching like Sandy Koufax for three months to send them to the postseason for the first time since 1982, he bolted for the dollar signs of New York in the offseason, making some fans wonder if those four playoff games against the eventual world champion Phillies really justified the price tag.

Of course, with all their young talent, the Brewers could maybe survive the loss of Sabathia alone -- maybe. But throw in departure of Ben Sheets, their ace since 2004, and the Brewers suddenly have a bottoms-up rotation that, while capable, has the potential to sabotage any thoughts of a return trip to the postseason.

Then again, they do -- knock on wood -- get a full season from future ace Yovani Gallardo, who lost most of last season due to knee surgery. He impressed with a 3.68 ERA and 1.27 WHIP as a rookie in 2007 and has the kind of strikeout potential to make him a Fantasy ace as soon as this season. The Brewers have another electric arm in left-hander Manny Parra, but his shaky command makes him just a low-end option in Fantasy right now. Dave Bush, who always has a disproportionately high ERA compared to his WHIP, would give them a steady innings eater if he could ever learn to pitch on the road.

And that's the top three. Not bad, right? Well, not especially good either, and after that somewhat promising but equally questionable trio, the Brewers have nothing but the perpetually mediocre Jeff Suppan and a battle between converted relievers Seth McClung and Carlos Villanueva. Hey, at least they have Trevor Hoffman closing games -- an improvement over the now-retired Salomon Torres.

Of course, the centerpiece of this Brewers team for now and for years to come is left fielder Ryan Braun. Already a star at age 25, he has the most consistent power on the team, trumping Prince Fielder, who last year took a significant step back from his 50-homer campaign. He remains an elite Fantasy option with a high ceiling, sure, but his size makes his longevity a question even at age 24. The Brewers also have two power-hitting middle infielders in J.J. Hardy and Rickie Weeks and two potential 20-20 outfielders in Corey Hart and Mike Cameron. Bill Hall is an all-or-nothing utility player miscast as a starting third baseman, but Mat Gamel awaits in the minors to assume his starting position. Angel Salome hopes to do the same with catcher Jason Kendall.

Yes, given the young talent in their lineup and the talent soon to arrive, the Brewers at least have a chance of competing again. But they'll need a few breaks in their pitching staff to have a halfway serious chance.

Potential Breakout: Yovani Gallardo, SP

Before his unfortunate knee injury last season, Gallardo was on equal footing with fellow prospect Tim Lincecum, who ended up winning the Cy Young last season. His numbers from his rookie season actually don't do him justice, considering the awful August he had to endure that year. Throw it out, and he posted a 2.16 ERA, which stands up to his 1.88 ERA in four regular-season starts last year. He has outstanding stuff and already knows how to command it at age 23. The only thing that might hold him back is the pressure that comes with serving as the staff ace. But he earned that pressure, and he might just as easily justify it with his own run at hardware come season's end.

Potential Bust: Rickie Weeks, 2B

Every year, someone buys into the hype of former first-round pick Weeks, and every year, he disappoints. Yes, he has the tools -- the power and the speed. But he hits .230 ever year and can never stay in the lineup consistently enough to accumulate halfway decent RBI totals. Shoot, his career high in home runs is only 16. You haven't missed out on anything from him yet. And granted, you need steals wherever you can get them in Rotisserie leagues, but Weeks' small contribution in that category doesn't recoup his damages done. By now, Fantasy owners should stop drafting him as a potential breakout in the middle rounds and start viewing him as a late-round Hail-Mary pass, much like Jeremy Hermida.

Potential Sleeper: Angel Salome, C

It's a fact: Jason Kendall is hanging by a thread. A catcher with zero power can't hit .240 and expect to keep his job unless he throws out 90 percent of base stealers. OK, maybe 75 percent. Sixty? In any case, he has to have some other near-superhuman quality to keep his job, and Kendall, despite his long and impressive career, doesn't. Meanwhile, 23-year-old Salome won a batting title at Double-A Huntsville last year. He has power and has quickly adjusted at every step up the organizational ladder, showing he might have the ability to make an immediate Fantasy impact much like Geovany Soto did last year. He'll likely open the season in the minors, meaning you probably shouldn't draft him, but expect someone in your league to pick him up at some point.

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