MILWAUKEE BREWERS

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

Manager: Ned Yost (4^th season)

Incoming: 3B Corey Koskie, RHP Dan Kolb, RHP David Bush, OF Gabe Gross, RHP Chris Demaria, SS Zach Sorenson

Long gone: 1B Lyle Overbay, RHP Wes Obermueler, RHP Gary Glover, RHP Victor Santos, RHP Julio Santana, IF Wes Helms

Rotation: RHP Ben Sheets, LHP Doug Davis, LHP Chris Capuano, RHP David Bush, RHP Tomo Ohka

Relievers: Closer: Derrick Turnbow; Setup men: RHP Dan Kolb, RHP Matt Wise, RHP Jose Capellan, LHP Jorge de la Rosa, RHP Rick Helling, RHP Kane Davis, RHP Mike Adams, RHP Jared Fernandez

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

Role players: C Chad Moeller, 1B/3B Jeff Cirillo, 1B/3B/OF Corey Hart, IF Bill Hall, OF Gabe Gross, OF Nelson Cruz, IF Zach Sorenson

The pressure is on: Can Derrick Turnbow follow up on his unlikely breakout season in 2005?

Breakout candidate: Rickie Weeks slumped late in his rookie season, due primarily to a thumb injury that required surgery. Expect something in the range of .270/20 HR/75 RBI/20 SB in his first full season.

Rundown: It’s about time people start noticing the excellent job GM Doug Melvin is doing on a small-market budget. He helped the Brew Crew get to the .500 mark on about $42 million in 2005, and with another bump up to about $50 million this season, they appear ready to post that elusive first winning season since 1992. While Derrick Turnbow and Brady Clark came out of nowhere in 2005 and may not be able to match breakout seasons, there are more reasons to expect improvement from a roster that was 14 games better than in 2005: Rickie Weeks hit only .239 in 360 at-bats due to ligament damage in his thumb that has been corrected by surgery. He still managed to hit 25 homers and drove in 90 runs between Triple-A and the majors last season, and is going to be one of the league’s better offensive second basemen. Lyle Overbay hit .276 with 19 homers and 72 RBI last season, but the Brewers believe Prince Fielder will be able to contribute at least that much in his first full season. Cecil’s kid went .291-28-86 in 378 at-bats at Triple-A Nashville as a 21-year-old. And the two players who came in return for Overbay – David Bush and Gabe Gross – also should contribute. Bush grabbed the No. 4 spot with an excellent spring, and could win in double figures. Gross, a former Auburn quarterback, doesn’t have much power but should be a solid fourth outfielder who can play all three spots. They also got Corey Koskie from the Blue Jays for next to nothing, as the Jays had to dump a salary. While Koskie is 33 and injury prone, he is another veteran left-handed bat. Koskie’s presence likely will cost emerging Bill Hall some at-bats, but you have to figure that Hall will get plenty of playing time against lefties, and also as the backup at three infield spots. Top prospect Corey Hart also could play all four corner spots as another valuable option for manager Ned Yost, whose contract has been extended through 2008. Young shortstop J.J. Hardy also finished strong offensively after struggling in the first half, and should continue to improve. Dan Kolb is back with underrated pitching coach Mike Maddux, and perhaps can recapture what made him a very effective closer for the Brewers in 2004. Finally, even All-Star Carlos Lee has room for improvement, as he tailed off in the second half, but still finished with 32 homers and 114 RBI. Of course, there are concerns – the biggest being ace Ben Sheets. The Brewers got their wish when he skipped the World Baseball Classic as he tries to rebound from a torn muscle behind his shoulder. But he is expected to start the season on the disabled list, with a mid-April return projected. The defense on the right side of the infield also could be a problem. And if things don’t start off well, and they are out of contention before the trade deadline, there always is the possibility that they will deal a big salary such as Geoff Jenkins in order to free some payroll space. But we’re going to call for some modest improvement, and a winning season.

Predicted finish: 3^rd place, 83-79

2006 SEASON PREVIEW Click for the latest on your favorite teams AL EAST Baltimore Boston N.Y. Yankees Tampa Bay Toronto NL EAST Atlanta Florida N.Y. Mets Philadelphia Washington AL CENTRAL Chi. White Sox Cleveland Detroit Kansas City Minnesota NL CENTRAL Chi. Cubs Cincinnati Houston Milwaukee Pittsburgh St. Louis AL WEST L.A. Angels Oakland Seattle Texas NL WEST Arizona Colorado L.A. Dodgers San Diego San Francisco

MORE FROM BASEBALL

Baseball Section Front

It's when, not if, Halladay leaves Blyleven: Pitching to be had beyond Halladay From Bomber to bum: Jeter becomes a beggar CTB: Damon pricing his way out of N.Y. CTB: Rangers interested in landing Vlad U.S. turns to ‘baseball diplomacy’ with Cuba Dominican prospect charged in killing, loses U.S. visa Wetteland at home after hospital trip CTB: Clemens’ defamation case gets odder Free agents Baseball Section Front   Add Baseball headlines to your news reader: