Milwaukee Brewers 2018 Season Preview

ST. LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 29: Ryan Braun
ST. LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 29: Ryan Braun
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Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun /

The Milwaukee Brewers were one of the biggest surprises in baseball in 2017. Can they build off of that success in 2018?

Last year was expected to be a season of growth for the Milwaukee Brewers. They had several prospects on the cusp of the majors, but the future was still some time away. In fact, the biggest question heading into 2017 seemed to be whether or not Ryan Braun would be traded before he became a 10-5 player.

Instead, the Brewers were one of the biggest surprises in baseball. They battled with the Chicago Cubs for the NL Central, and even traded for Neil Walker to bolster their postseason chances. Although the Brewers finished in second and missed the postsesaon, they had their best season since 2011. The future seemed much closer than it did at the start of the year.

This offseason, Milwaukee made moves to bolster their chances to reach the playoffs. Lorenzo Cain was signed as a free agent, and the Brewers made a blockbuster deal to bring in Christian Yelich. However, questions remain, particularly in regards to the starting rotation. With Jimmy Nelson slated to miss the first portion of the season, and without another top of the rotation option behind him, the Brewers may not have done enough.

There is a great deal of optimism surrounding the Milwaukee Brewers this season. Is it warranted?

(Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images) /

Milwaukee Brewers additions and subtractions

Key additions: Lorenzo Cain, Christian Yelich, Yovani Gallardo, Jhoulys Chacin

Newcomer to watch: Christian Yelich. Part of the Miami Marlins fire sale, Yelich is not only a key part of the Milwaukee Brewers present, but the future as well.

He is just starting to emerge as a star. Over his time in the majors, Yelich has displayed an intriguing blend of power and speed, while playing Gold Glove caliber defense in left. He has put together a .290/.369/.432 batting line in his 2812 plate appearances, hitting 59 homers and stealing 72 bases. He should fit nicely in the Brewers lineup in front of Ryan Braun and Eric Thames.

Yelich is not a rental player either. At just 26 years old, he is still to reach his prime. The Marlins locked him in to a team friendly extension, keeping him under team control through 2021, with a team option for 2022. As the Brewers are building towards sustainable success, Yelich will be a key part of that journey.

Key losses: Jared Hughes, Lewis Brinson, Neil Walker

Biggest loss: Jared Hughes. For all of the improvements that the Brewers made on offense, their pitching staff is still suspect.

While teams can overcome a weaker rotation with a strong bullpen, the loss of Hughes is a major blow there as well. In his only year in Pittsburgh, the righty posted a solid 3.02 ERA and a 1.223 WHiP, striking out 48 batters in 59.2 innings. Righties produced a meager .210/.310/.314 batting line against Hughes, as he fulfilled his purpose for Milwaukee.

Now, the Brewers will have to rely upon a bevy of talented, but relatively unproven, arms. Josh Hader is the primary setup man last year, a job that he may well thrive in given his impressive arsenal. However, Jacob Barnes and Oliver Drake are still question marks. Jeremy Jeffries was solid upon his return from the Rangers, but is not a dominant force. Junior Guerra is being transitioned to the bullpen after a disastrous 2017 campaign. Is that enough?

If not, the Milwaukee Brewers may find the loss of Jared Hughes to be more than they could have expected.

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What to expect from the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018

After their surprising run last year, there is a great deal of optimism surrounding the Milwaukee Brewers heading into 2018.

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It is easy to see why. The Brewers upgraded their outfield with Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain. Not only should the offense improve, but their stellar defense will help the pitching staff over the course of the season.

And yet, for all that optimism, there are still quite a few question marks in Milwaukee. The pitching staff still needs some work, both in the rotation and bullpen. Can Zach Davies or Chase Anderson really be a top of the rotation starter? Second base is another position that could be in flux for most of the year, with Eric Sogard, Jonathan Villar, and Hernan Perez battling for playing time.

The Brewers did try to fix one of those holes, as they pursued Yu Darvish this offseason. Even though they came up short in their pursuit, there are still options. Jake Arrieta would be a nice fit atop the Brewers rotation. Neil Walker could solidify second base once again. Plenty of relievers are still on the market. The Brewers, as currently constructed, may not be a finished product.

Next: Brewers Mount Rushmore

However, as it currently stands, the Milwaukee Brewers are not yet ready to take that next step and reach the postseason. They are getting closer, but still a year away. Prediction: Third place in the NL Central.

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