Last year the Milwaukee Brewers won the Wild Card, keeping the New York Mets out of the playoffs. A big reason for their success was the pitching of CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets. This off-season both players were free agents and if the Brewers were able to get them both or at least one of them, then they would still be in contention for the Division or Wild Card next year. The only problem is... they did not get either!
CC Sabathia signed mega deal with the New York Yankees (7 years, $161 million). With the Brewers last year Sabathia went 11- 2, had a 1.65 ERA, had a 1.003 WHIP, and had 7 complete games. Simply put: CC Sabathia was superb with the Brewers. Now the Brewers do not have that superstar pitcher on their team. That was a huge loss for Milwaukee, but not a surprise in the very least that he did not re-sign them.
Ben Sheets still could re-sign with the Brewers, but the chances of that happening are very slim. Sheets has been known as an injury prone pitcher throughout his career, but the first half of last year Ben Sheets was healthy and dominating. He went 10 - 3, with a 2.83 ERA, and 3 complete games. Not surprisingly, Sheets went down with an elbow injury in the second half of the year which hindered his second half and is keeping Sheets from signing with the Brewers or another team in the off-season. When healthy, Ben Sheets is nothing short of dominant, and his presence and production will certainly be missed by the Brewers. Last week, news came out that Sheet's elbow injury is a lot worse than originally presumed, if a team does sign him, it will most likely be after the all-star break when he is expected to be fully healthy.
Overall, Ben Sheets' excellent first half and CC Sabathia's unbelievable second half, coupled with Milwaukee's solid offense anchored by Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder helped lead them to their first playoff appearance since 1982. This Brewers team will not be the same as last year and probably won't be in contention for a playoff spot due to the lack reliable of pitching that the team possess.
The Brewers did sign Trevor Hoffman, who should help the awful bullpen they have, but he is old and his skills have been declining over the last couple years. Also, he was pitching in Petco Park last year, by far the most extreme pitcher's park in the league, this year he will be pitching in a more hitter friendly park, which should definitely have a negative affect him.
Milwaukee's rotation does have some young talent in Yovani Gallardo and Manny Parra who are good pitchers, but not aces. Gallardo is another pitcher who cannot stay healthy and if he is able to play a full season, then he can help the team in a big way, but that does not seem likely. Parra has been the third or fourth starter as of late and has been doing a good job, but can he take a more important role on that staff? We will have to see. A lot of players will need to step up next year for the Brewers to have any chance at playing in October.
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