MILWAUKEE BREWERS - Major Needs, Minor Seeds

Milwaukee's too small for these big guns

When the St. Louis Cardinals upset the Phillies in the NLDS, it sure seemed like the Brewers were bound for the World Series, didn't it?  One of baseball's most impressive teams in 2011 had a ticking clock hanging over its head all season.  With star first basemen Prince Fielder headed to free agency this off-season, the Brewers knew that last year was the year.

No one inside baseball's inner circle expect Fielder to be back in Wisconsin in 2012.  Teams like the Rangers, Orioles and Cubs will participate in the sweepstakes, while GM Doug Melvin is forced to find a new solution.  First base will be the Brewers priority this off-season, but it's not the only area that needs addressing.

MAJOR NEEDS

• Crowning a new prince 

If Prince Fielder bolts, the Brewers are left with a gaping hole in their lineup.  They still have at least one power bat in Ryan Braun, but what once was a fearsome lineup becomes a very average group. 

The Brewers will have money to spend this off-season, just not enough for Fielder.  With a hole at SS (Yuniesky Betancourt's option was declined), the Brewers might look to pursue top free agents Jose Reyes and Jimmy Rollins.  This doesn't address the power outage in the wake of Fielder's departure, but at least it adds talent to a deflated lineup.   

• Who's on first? 

If Milwaukee bites on a top-tier free agent at shortstop, there's still the matter of finding a new first basemen.  GM Doug Melvin has discussed moving long-time prospect Matt Gamel to first (woof), but his lifetime .222 average leaves something to be desired.  Jim Thome (who couldn't play first every day anyway) was the first of the 1B free agents to find a home.  Here's a look at some candidates for the job.

• Michael Cuddyer - Good luck, Brewers.  The Twins and Phillies are all over him.
• Casey Kotchman - Still just 29 years old, and produced well in the Rays lineup.  Problem is, Joe Maddon probably wants him back.
• Derek Lee - Old and oft-injured, Lee isn't what the Brewers are looking for.
• Carlos Pena - An interesting option, since he could replicate some of Fielder's power production.

• Fountain of Youth bullpen 

Ancient relievers Takashi Saito and LaTroy Hawkins did a fine job teaming up with K-Rod and John Axford in the Milwaukee bullpen last year.  Both are free agents and the Brewers sound interested.  But with K-Rod looking for a big contract elsewhere and the old guys just getting older, Milwaukee must address their bullpen.  

The starting rotation should be stacked again, which means any money devoted to pitching should go towards relief help.  The Brewers would be smart to sign at least three solid bullpen arms, but could also find help through their farm system.


MINOR SEEDS
 

Taylor Green is the Brewers best hitting prospect

Before the start of the 2011 season, the Brewers were ranked the worst minor league system in baseball, having shipped off their best prospects in off-season trades.  Top prospect Brett Lawrie (swapped for Shaun Marcum) is now a star rookie for the Blue Jays, and will be sorely missed.  But the Brewers are slowly building back the system, thanks in part to an excellent 2011 draft class.  We'll focus primarily on the more advanced prospects who could have an impact in 2012. 

• Wily Peralta (RHP) - Signed at age 16, Peralta dazzled in five AAA starts, and could offer the Brewers bullpen help (or a fifth starter should someone get hurt) in 2012. 
• Taylor Green (3B) - He can play second base as well, but Rickie Weeks has that locked up.  Green posted awesome AAA stats (.336 AVG, 22 HR), and could push Casey McGehee if he keeps it up. 
• Mike Fiers (RHP) - Fiers earned a September call-up in 2011 thanks to a marvellous run in AAA.  He went 8-0 with a 1.11 ERA and struck out more than a batter per inning.  Shame there's no room in the Brewers starting rotation. 
• Logan Schafer (CF) - Not to be confused with Astros CF Jordan Schafer, this young talent has great speed and an impressive bat.  He's Nyjer Morgan's heir apparent, but he's not ready for the spotlight just yet. 
• Tyler Thornburg (RHP) - Thornburg draws Tim Lincecum comparisons because of his small stature and terrific stuff.  He's controlling minor league hitters at every level and could be the most legitimate pitching ace on this list.  Still, he won't crack the majors until September at the earliest. 
• Honorable Mentions: Taylor Jungmann (RHP), Caleb Gindl (OF), Scooter Gennett (2B)

NEXT UP: PITTSBURGH PIRATES