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2005 finish: 81-81, 3^rd place in NL Central

Manager: Ned Yost (4^th season)

Free agents: IF Wes Helms, IF Jeff Cirillo, RHP Rick Helling

On the block: 1B Lyle Overbay, outfield prospects

Looking for: Starting pitcher, relievers, bench upgrades

What’s going on: After going 81-81 to snap 12 years of losing records, the Brewers will try to take the next step and post a winning record. The good news is the payroll should jump a bit again, from $42 million to about $50 million. They exercised an $8.5-million option on Carlos Lee, giving them five players under contract for 2006 at $34 million. The others: Ben Sheets $11.5 million, Geoff Jenkins $7.5 million, Damian Miller $3.25 million and Doug Davis $3.2 million. Add in arbitration raises for Brady Clark, Lyle Overbay and Tomo Ohka, and you’re already over $40 million with 18 remaining spots. That could mean Overbay is dealt, but GM Doug Melvin says he will have to be overwhelmed for that to happen. It also could mean that free agent Wes Helms won’t be back. They are trying to re-sign free agents Jeff Cirillo and Rick Helling. Melvin received a three-year extension and is signed through 2009; look for something similar for manager Ned Yost. Rickie Weeks underwent thumb surgery and is expected to be recovered in time for spring training. Victor Santos, Trent Durrington, Chris Magruder and Julio Santana were dropped from the 40-man roster, and won’t return.

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