Record: 84-78, 24.0 behind the Cubs in the NL Central and in 2nd place. 5 games out of the wild card.
It was a 3rd straight winning season for the Brewers. However, 87, 85, and now 84 wins just aren't going to cut it. There were some definite highlights as well as some moments and players that need to be forgotten. Let's review...
The Good - Bill Hall's start
Carried the team through the first few months, posting great numbers early on and establishing himself in the middle of the order. Hit .321 and .316 in April and May and had an OPS of .892, .964, and .902 in the first three months.
The Bad - Bill Hall's finish
Bottomed out in August with .209/.634 and not much better in September with a .248 average. Overall though he posted a solid season with a .269/25/87/.826 line.
The Bad - Trading Ben Sheets
His final numbers, after a sloppy ending in the the AL...22-8, 2.29, 0.93 WHIP. One of the few bona fide aces in this league. A guy who was tearing up the NL better than Dontrelle Willis while he was here. Certainly sad to have to get rid of him.
The Good - The Haul for Ben Sheets
Jeff Francis is a potential ace in the making, and he alone is better than the compensatory first pick that would have resulted. Chaz Roe is a great prospect, a gamble because of injury but great nontheless, and Denard Span is nice as well.
The Good - Prince Fielder
40 HR, 119 RBI and an .876 OPS in his 3rd full season.
The Bad - Michael Barrett
Hit .234 with 8 HR and 57 RBI in his first season as a Brewer. You can bet I'll be in the market for a catcher this offseason.
The Good - Rickie Weeks
Had 60 steals and hit 20 HR
The Bad - Rickie Weeks
Had 139 K's and hit just .257
The Good - Gabe Gross
Came out of nowhere to fill in for Cliff Floyd and have a great season. Hitting out of the #2 spot for most of the season, posted a .329 average with 12 HR and 66 RBI in 140 games, and also stole 14 bases.
The Good - The starting rotation
Although Francis and Weaver were acquired at the deadline, these four posted 58 combined wins, with solid ERA and WHIP numbers. Chris Capuano had a 3.30 ERA and Jeff Weaver won 19 games.
The Ugly - Dave Bush
3-14, 5.94 for a guy who won 25 games with a 3.15 and 3.49 ERA in the last 2 years. 'Nuff said.
The Good - Robin "Alchemist" Muldowney
The 24th overall pick, he blossomed from a 3.5 star prospect to a 5.0 with 6-10-8-10 ratings and is only 19 years old.
The Bad - Trading Brent Brewer
But I will get him back one day!
The Ugly - Cliff Floyd
Signed a monstrous contract before getting hurt, out for the season, and his entire skill set diminishing. At least I got rid of him for Randy Winn, who has some semblance of talent remaining. Winn's #s - .315, 15 HR, 75 RBI, 40 steals, .884 OPS. Should be the leadoff hitter next year.
So that's the 2008 Milwaukee Brewers recap...congrats to nick and the Cubbies for winning the division...and we'll be right on your ass next year.