24-year old lefty swinging Prince Fielder will again man first base for the Brewers despite widespread trade rumors over the winter. Fielder played in 159 games for the Brewers last season and he was 162 for 588 (.276 avg, .879 OPS) with 86 runs scored, 34 homers and 102 RBIs. Fielder has to hit well to make up for his poor defense as he made 17 errors in 155 games at first base. Look for Fielder to hit well again this season.

26-year old lefty swinging Brad Nelson is probably the next in line at 1B for the Brewers. He played in 9 games for the Brewers last season and he was 2 for 7 (.286 avg, .946 OPS). He also played in 132 games in AAA-ball last season in which he was 136 for 475 (.286 avg, .860 OPS) with 78 runs scored, 18 homers, 78 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. Nelson would need Fielder to get injured or traded to get a chance with the Brewers this season and he would have to outplay Scott Thorman in the minors.

27-year old lefty swinging Scott Thorman was also signed over the winter to provide depth at 1B. Thorman played in 101 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 97 for 387 (.251 avg, .748 OPS) with 47 runs scored, 19 homers, 56 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. Thorman has failed to this point in the majors but maybe a new start in Milwaukee is exactly what the doctor has ordered for him.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: B+

The Brewers have re-signed 33-year old righty reliever Eric Gagne to a minor league deal. He pitched in 50 games (0 starts) for the Brewers last year and he was 4-3 with 10 saves, a 5.44 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. Gagne has now pitched in 402 games (48 starts) in his major league career and he is 33-26 with 187 saves, a 3.47 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. The Brewers are hoping that Gagne can help them setting up Trevor Hoffman in 2009.

UPDATE: The Brewers have released Eric Gagne due to rotator cuff damage and labrum problems. Gagne will likely need more surgery if he wants to continue his major league career at some point in the future.

The Brewers got great defense from their catchers in 2008 but they will also need them to add something with the bat in 2009. 34-year old righty swinging Jason Kendall will handle the bulk of the workload again in 2009. He played in 151 games for the Brewers last year and he was 127 for 516 (.246 avg, .651 OPS) with 46 runs scored, 2 homers, 49 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. Kendall was solid behind the plate as he nailed 36 of 90 (40%) basestealers last season and Brewers’ pitchers had a 3.85 ERA with him behind the plate.

32-year old righty swinging Mike Rivera will back up Kendall again in 2009. Rivera played in 21 games for the Brewers last season and he was 19 for 62 (.306 avg, .812 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 1 homer and 14 RBI. Rivera only threw out 2 of 18 (11%) basestealers but Brewers’ pitchers had a 4.10 ERA with him behind the plate. If Rivera improves his throwing he would probably get more playing time so Kendall doesn’t get burned out.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: C-

The Brewers will be without starting 3B Bill Hall for the next 4-6 weeks due to a partial tear of his left calf muscle. Hall played in 128 games for the Brewers last season and he was 91 for 404 (.225 avg, .689 OPS) with 50 runs scored, 15 homers, 55 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Hall has now played in 755 games in his major league career and he is 634 for 2,462 (.258 avg, .771 OPS) with 348 runs scored, 96 homers, 343 RBIs and 48 stolen bases. If Hall is not ready to start the 2009 season because of this injury then rookie Mat Gamel and veteran Mike Lamb will battle to replace him.

The Brewers have claimed 24-year old righty starting pitcher Nick Green off waivers from the Angels. Green pitched in 28 games (all starts) last season in AAA-ball and he was 8-8 with a 5.32 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. Green was the #8 rated prospect in the Angels’ entire minor league system heading into 2008 according to Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook. With that in mind this was a solid gamble for the Brewers who need rotation help in 2009.