The Brewers could be undergoing a big change this year as Prince Fielder is likely to leave Milwaukee for greener pastures. This is going to send shockwaves through the team. They shouldn’t panic but they should act quick to keep the team near the top of the N.L. With that in mind, I think that these are the three free agents they should go hard after:

1. Jimmy Rollins - Jimmy Rollins would be a huge upgrade at SS over Yuniesky Betancourt. Rollins would give the Brewers a true leadoff hitter, so they can utilize Rickie Weeks’ power lower in the batting order.

2. Derrek Lee - Derrek Lee is an outstanding defensive player and he has 25-30 homer power. He can’t replace Fielder as a hitter, but he can cushion the blow to the lineup.

3. Nick Punto - Enough of Craig Counsell already. Punto can play all over the place and he adds speed and versatility to the bench.

The Brewers need to make a three deals this week. One for a starting caliber 3B to push Casey McGehee, one for a reserve infielder to improve on Craig Counsell (he has been pathetic this year) and one for a lefty reliever. Edwin Encarnacion, Chone Figgins, Kevin Kouzmanoff, Mark Teahan, Jeff Baker, Ty Wigginton, Juan Uribe or Casey Blake would push McGehee at 3B. Blake DeWitt, Omar Infante, Aaron Miles, Jamey Carroll or Mike Aviles might push Craig Counsell into retirement. As far as the lefty reliever goes, top targets would likely be Craig Breslow, Arthur Rhodes, Will Ohman, Tim Byrdak, John Grabow and J.P. Howell in that order. The Brewers don’t need to make major moves but they need these kinds of improvements if they want to hold off the Pirates, Reds and Cardinals and win the N.L. Central in 2011.

With young 3B Taylor Green started to get himself back in gear, I think he turned himself back into a decent trade chip for the Brewers. The Marlins have a solid and deep bullpen. With that in mind, I think the Brewers should offer them Taylor Green for righty reliever Burke Badenhop and lefty reliever Randy Choate. Choate and Badenhop would help the Brewers this year, while the Marlins would get a solid prospect who could come right up and play 3B for them. This would be a classic win-win deal for both teams.

The Brewers will likely be looking to make some small moves and maybe one big one. I think they need to improve at SS as Yuniesky Betancourt has not played too well this year. They could go for broke and make an offer for Jose Reyes of the Mets. That would be a bold move that would cost them at least three good prospects. A smaller deal with the Padres for Jason Bartlett probably makes a lot more sense. The Brewers could also use some bench help with 1B/OF Conor Jackson (A’s), 2B/3B/1B Adam Kennedy (Mariners), 2B/SS Jerry Hairston (Nationals), 2B/SS Jeff Keppinger, 2B/SS Jamey Carroll (Dodgers), 3B Wilson Betemit (Royals), OF Ryan Sweeney (A’s), OF Scott Hairston (Mets), OF Felix Pie (Orioles), OF Mitch Maier (Royals), OF Matt Diaz (Pirates) and OF Chris Denorfia (Padres) likely considered.

The Milwaukee Brewers have six free agents heading into this winter but most of the decisions won’t be tough ones. Here is how I see everything going down pertaining to these six guys this winter:

Craig Counsell: 40-year old lefty swinging infielder Craig Counsell played in 102 games for the Brewers last season and he was 51 of 204 (.250 avg, .640 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 2 homers, 21 RBIs and 1 stolen base. VERDICT: Counsell is a fan favorite because of his hustle. With that in mind the Brewers might offer him a deal to come back for 2011 but it won’t be for a lot of money.

Gregg Zaun: 39-year old switch hitting catcher Gregg Zaun played in 28 games for the Brewers last season and he was 27 of 102 (.265 avg, .743 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 2 homers and 14 RBIs. VERDICT: The Brewers have already turned down Zaun’s option for 2011 valued at $2.25 million bucks as they bought him out for $225K. They are letting him walk.

Dave Bush: 30-year old righty starting pitcher Dave Bush pitched in 32 games (31 starts) for the Brewers last season and he was 8-13 with a 4.54 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP. VERDICT: I don’t see the Brewers bringing back Bush in 2011 unless he’s willing to work cheap….and I don’t think he will.

Chris Capuano: 32-year old lefty starter/reliever Chris Capuano pitched in 24 games (9 starts) for the Brewers last season and he was 4-4 with a 3.95 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. VERDICT: The Brewers have stuck by Capuano during his recoveries from multiple surgeries so maybe he will accept a deal with a low base salary plus incentives from them.

Doug Davis: 35-year old lefty starting pitcher Doug Davis started only 8 games for the Brewers last season due to some serious injuries and he was 1-4 with a 7.51 ERA and a 1.99 WHIP. VERDICT: The Brewers have already declined Davis’ option worth $6.5 million bucks for 2011 and they are going to let him walk.

Trevor Hoffman: 43-year old righty reliever Trevor Hoffman pitched in 50 games (0 starts) for the Brewers last year and he was 2-7 with 10 saves, a 5.89 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. VERDICT: The Brewers have declined Hoffman’s 2011 option valued at $7 million bucks. I see them letting him walk.