Milwaukee Brewers Tickets

The Milwaukee Brewers made major moves before last year's trade deadline to sneak into the playoffs, but it didn't help them in the long-term picture.

The team traded away several prospects to the Cleveland Indians for ace C.C. Sabathia, who helped them make a run to the playoffs that ended quickly in the divisional series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

They then lost him in the offseason, as the Brewers had nowhere near the money necessary to be able to try and re-sign him to the huge contract he would demand on the free agent market.

With Sabathia out of the picture, the starting rotation takes a huge hit. The Brewers are eager to get Yovani Gallardo back after he missed nearly all of last season with torn ligaments in his knee.

Gallardo will likely have to fill the role of staff ace in a rotation that doesn't have any top-of-the-line pitchers. Dave Bush, Jeff Suppan and Manny Parra are mediocre at best

Free agent signee Braden Looper is coming off an outstanding season but doesn't have a great track record over the course of his career. Nonetheless, he is likely to be counted on as one of their stoppers.

The good news is that the shaky rotation should have plenty of offensive help behind it. Just knowing that the team behind them will put some runs on the board should help the starters realize they don't have to be perfect, just keep their squad in the game.

Slugging first baseman Prince Fielder had a disappointing season but will look to bounce back with a big payday looming in his future. I'd expect to see his numbers return to 2007-type levels.

Ryan Braun has become one of the best left fielders in the game and should only continue to get better as he matures and gains more experience. He could be a Triple Crown threat in another year or two.

More consistent at-bats from low-average hitters like Bill Hall and Mike Cameron would go a long way in helping the offense droughts.

If the Brewers can get some surprisingly effective work from their starting rotation, they have a chance to hang around in the National League Central race. If not, they are likely to sit in the middle of the pack all year long.