The Brewers signed 35-year old righty swinging Alex Gonzalez over the winter and he will be the new starting SS. He played in 149 games for the Braves last year and he was 136 of 564 (.241 avg, .642 OPS) with 59 runs scored, 15 homers, 56 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Gonzalez was a hacker at the plate last year as he whiffed 126 times while only walking 22 times. Gonzalez has now played in 1,535 games in his first 12 years in the majors and he is 1,372 of 5,552 (.247 avg, .690 OPS) with 641 runs scored, 152 homers, 665 RBIs and 29 stolen bases. Gonzalez only made 12 errors at SS last year in 149 games there for the Braves but he showed below average range.

32-year old switch-hitting Cesar Izturis will be Gonzalez’ backup in 2012. He played in 18 games for the Orioles last year and he was 6 for 30 (.200 avg, .450 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 0 homers and 1 RBIs. Izturis has now played in 1,185 games in his first 11 years in the majors and he is 1,036 of 4,055 (.255 avg, .618 OPS) with 422 runs scored, 15 homers, 290 RBIs and 109 stolen bases. Izturis didn’t have any errors in 12 games at SS while showing outstanding range last year for the Orioles.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SS IN 2012: C+

The Brewers hope that 29-year old righty swinging Rickie Weeks can stay in one piece in 2012. He has only played in over 129 games one time in his first 8 years in the majors. Weeks played in 118 games for the Brewers last year and he was 122 of 453 (.269 avg, .818 OPS) with 77 runs scored, 20 homers, 49 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. He has now played in 760 games in his first 8 years in the majors and he is 732 of 2,866 (.255 avg, .789 OPS) with 523 runs scored, 109 homers, 314 RBIs and 100 stolen bases. Weeks made only 5 errors in 115 games at 2B for the Brewers last year, while showing off poor range.

25-year old lefty swinging Taylor Green will be next in line if something happens to Weeks in 2012. He played in 7 error-free games at 2B for the Brewers last year while showing outstanding range. He is a natural 3B, but he has adjusted to playing 2B.

32-year old switch-hitting Cesar Izturis is also on hand. He will be the backup SS for the Brewers in 2012, but he can handle 2B too if needed. He played in 3 games at 2B for the Orioles last year and he had 1 error while showing awful range.

30-year old righty swinging Edwin Maysonet will also try to win a job on the Brewers’ bench. He played in 103 games in AAA-ball for the Brewers last year and he was 111 of 383 (.290 avg, .733 OPS) with 57 runs scored, 3 homers, 39 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. He last played in the majors in 2009 with the Astros. He has played in 46 games in his first two years in the majors and he is 21 of 76 (.276 avg, .659 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 1 homer and 7 RBIs.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2B IN 2012: B+

The gaping hole at 1B for the Brewers (due to Prince Fielder leaving) will make competition fierce for the position this spring. 26-year old lefty swinging Mat Gamel likely has a slight edge heading into spring training. He played in 10 games for the Brewers last year and he was 3 for 26 (.115 avg, .302 OPS) with 1 run scored and 2 RBIs. Gamel also played in 128 games in AAA-ball last year and he was 153 of 493 (.310 avg, .912 OPS) with 90 runs scored, 28 homers, 96 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Gamel has now played in 85 games in his first four years in the majors and he is 38 for 171 (.222 avg, .684 OPS) with 13 runs scored, 5 homers, 23 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Gamel didn’t make any errors in his 2 games at 1B last year. He is a natural 3B, so he should be a decent defensive 1B for the Brewers. This is Gamel’s first really big shot for the Brewers.

28-year old lefty swinging Travis Ishikawa will also be in on the competition at 1B. He played in 56 games in AAA-ball for the Giants last year and he was 44 for 175 (.251 avg, .751 OPS) with 21 runs scored, 3 homers, 18 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Ishikawa last played in the majors in 2010 for the Giants. He has now played in 281 games in his first four years in the majors and he is 160 for 603 (.265 avg, .727 OPS) with 80 runs scored, 15 homers, 80 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. He is a decent defensive 1B.

25-year old lefty swinging Taylor Green comes into this season as the Brewers’ #8 prospect according to Baseball America. He played in 20 games for the Brewers last year and he was 10 for 37 (.270 avg, .622 OPS) with 2 runs scored and 1 RBI. Green also played in 123 games in AA+AAA-ball last year in which he was 145 for 431 (.336 avg, .993 OPS) with 76 runs scored, 22 homers, 91 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Green is a natural 3B, but he’s blocked there by Aramis Ramirez….so a shift to 1B makes perfect sense.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 1B IN 2012: C

25-year old righty swinging Jonathan Lucroy is going to be the Brewers’ starting catcher once again in 2012. Lucroy played in 136 games for the Brewers last year and he was 114 of 430 (.265 avg, .703 OPS) with 45 runs scored, 12 homers, 59 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. He has now played in 211 games in his first two years for the Brewers and he is 184 of 707 (.260 avg, .674 OPS) with 69 runs scored, 16 homers, 85 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. Lucroy caught 132 games for the Brewers last year and he had 7 errors and only 1 passed ball. He threw out 21 of 107 (19.6%) base stealers and Brewers’ pitchers had a 3.63 with him behind the plate. Look for Lucroy to have another rock solid year in 2012.

28-year old lefty swinging George Kottaras will backup Lucroy once again in 2012. Kottaras played in 49 games for the Brewers last year and he was 28 of 111 (.252 avg, .771 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 5 homers and 17 RBIs. He has now played in 116 games in his first two years with the Brewers and he is 71 for 323 (.220 avg, .725 OPS) with 39 runs scored, 14 homers, 43 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. He has now played in 164 games in his first four years in the majors and he is 94 for 421 (.223 avg, .717 OPS) with 55 runs scored, 15 homers, 53 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Kottaras caught 36 games behind the plate for the Brewers last year and he had 0 errors and 2 passed balls. Kottaras threw out 3 of 21 (14.3%) runners trying to steal on him last year and Brewers’ pitchers had a 3.63 ERA with him behind the dish.

25-year old righty swinging Martin Maldonado finally made it to the majors last year. He played in 3 games for the Brewers last year and he was 0 for 1 (.000 avg, .000 OPS) with a whiff. He also played in 103 games in AA+AAA-ball last year in which he was 98 for 342 (.287 avg, .809 OPS) with 47 runs scored, 11 homers, 59 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Maldonado played in 3 games behind the plate for the Brewers last year and he didn’t have any errors or passed balls. No one tried to run on him in his three innings behind the plate and Brewers’ pitchers didn’t give up any runs with him behind the dish. Maldonado will likely start the 2012 season in AAA-ball for the Brewers.

35-year old righty swinging Mike Rivera is back with the Brewers. He played in 1 game for the Brewers last year and he was 2 for 6 (.333 avg, .667 OPS). He has now played in 120 games in his first five years with the Brewers and he is 88 for 337 (.261 avg, .755 OPS) with 36 runs scored, 11 homers, 55 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Rivera has now played in 189 games in his first 9 years in the majors and he is 131 of 548 (.239 avg, .674 OPS) with 51 runs scored, 13 homers, 69 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Rivera played in 1 game for the Brewers behind the plate without making an error or having a passed ball. He threw out the only runner that tried to steal on him and Brewers’ pitchers had a 3.46 ERA with him behind the dish. Rivera will likely start the 2012 season in AAA-ball.

34-year old righty swinging Paul Phillips played in 78 games in AAA-ball for the Indians last year and he was 63 for 266 (.237 avg, .586 OPS) with 26 runs scored, 3 homers and 24 RBIs. He last played in the majors back in 2010 with the Rockies. Phillips has now played in 91 games in his first seven years in the majors and he is 58 for 221 (.262 avg, .655 OPS) with 27 runs scored, 3 homers and 26 RBIs. Phillips will also likely start the 2012 season in the minors.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CATCHERS IN 2012: B

The Brewers are set late in games with closer John Axford and set-up man Francisco Rodriguez, but they are going to need some other relievers to step up to get the game to them. Here is a look at the Brewers’ bullpen for 2012 as of right now:

Closer: John Axford: 28-year old John Axford really stepped up in his first full season as the Brewers closer in 2011. He pitched in 74 games (0 starts) for the Brewers last year and he was 2-2 with 46 saves, a 1.95 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. Axford has now pitched in 131 games (0 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 10-4 with 71 saves, a 2.26 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. Axford is downright nasty and I look for him to have another great year in 2012 for the Brewers.

Set-Up Man: Francisco Rodriguez: The Brewers didn’t think that K-Rod would accept arbitration but he did. The 30-year old righty will return to the Brewers as the set-up man in 2012. He pitched in 31 games (0 starts) for the Brewers last year and he was 4-0 with a 1.86 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. Rodriguez pitched in 73 games (0 starts) for the Mets & Brewers last year and he was 6-2 with 23 saves, a 2.64 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. He has now pitched in 604 games (0 starts) in his first 10 years in the majors and he is 36-27 with 291 saves, a 2.51 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. Look for K-Rod to turn in another solid year for the Brewers in 2012.

Righties: Jose Veras: 31-year old Jose Veras came to the Brewers over the winter in a deal with the Pirates. He pitched in 79 games (0 starts) for the Pirates last year and he was 2-4 with 1 save, a 3.80 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. Veras has now pitched in 255 games (0 starts) in his first six years in the majors and he is 14-13 with 4 saves, a 4.11 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. Veras will try to replace LaTroy Hawkins in the Brewers’ pen in 2012.

Kameron Loe: 30-year old Kameron Loe pitched in 72 games (0 starts) for the Brewers last year and he was 4-7 with 1 save, a 3.50 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. He has now pitched in 125 games (0 starts) in his first two years with the Brewers and he is 7-12 with 1 save, a 3.18 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. Loe has now pitched in 232 games (47 starts) in his first seven years in the majors and he is 26-35 with 2 saves, a 4.33 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. The Brewers expect Loe to turn in another solid year out of the pen in 2012.

Tim Dillard: 28-year old Tim Dillard is going to try to stick with the Brewers a little longer in 2012. He pitched in 24 games (0 starts) for the Brewers last year and he was 1-1 with a 4.08 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. Dillard has now pitched in 39 games (0 starts) in his first three years with the Brewers and he was 1-2 with a 4.94 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP.

Marco Estrada: 28-year old Marco Estrada will likely be the long man in the Brewers’ bullpen in 2012. He pitched in 43 games (7 starts) for the Brewers last year and he was 4-8 with a 4.08 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. Estrada has now pitched in 50 games (8 starts) in his first two years with the Brewers and he is 4-8 with a 4.67 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. He has now pitched in 65 games (9 starts) in his first four years in the majors and he is 4-9 with a 5.08 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. Estrada will also be the first guy moved into the rotation if the need arises for the Brewers in 2012.

Brandon Kintzler: 27-year old Brandon Kintzler pitched in 9 games (0 starts) for the Brewers last year and he was 1-1 with a 3.68 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. He has now pitched in 16 games (0 starts) in his first two years with the Brewers and he is 1-2 with a 4.91 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. Kintzler will need a good spring to secure a spot in the Brewers’ bullpen in 2012.

Mike McClendon: 26-year old Mike McClendon might have a good shot of winning a job in the Brewers’ pen this spring. He pitched in 9 games (0 starts) for the Brewers last year and he was 3-0 with a 2.63 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. McClendon has now pitched in 26 games (0 starts) in his first two years with the Brewers and he is 5-0 with a 2.86 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. He has pitched good for the Brewers whenever given the chance.

Eulogio De La Cruz: 27-year old Eulogio De La Cruz might be a late bloomer. He pitched in 11 games (0 starts) for the Brewers last year and he was 0-0 with a 2.77 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. De La Cruz has now pitched in 26 games (1 start) in his first four years in the majors and he is 0-0 with a 8.16 ERA and a 1.97 WHIP.

Mark DiFelice: 35-year old Mark DiFelice got hit hard last year for the Brewers. He pitched in 3 games (0 starts) for the Brewers last year and he was 0-0 with a 12.00 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP. DiFelice has now pitched in 77 games (0 starts) in his first three years with the Brewers and he is 5-1 with a 3.79 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP.

Seth McClung: 31-year old Seth McClung pitched in 19 games (11 starts) in AAA-ball for the Rangers last year and he was 2-3 with a 5.19 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP. He last pitched in the majors back in 2009 for the Brewers. He has pitched in 177 games (51 starts) in his first six years in the majors and he is 26-34 with 6 saves, a 5.46 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP. He is a big time longshot to win a job in the Brewers’ pen this spring.

Lefties: Juan Perez: 33-year old Juan Perez pitched in 8 games (0 starts) for the Phillies last year and he was 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. He also pitched in 36 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball last year in which he was 0-5 with 4 saves, a 5.70 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP. He has now pitched in 32 games (0 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 1-1 with a 4.79 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP. Perez is going to have a good shot of breaking camp with the Brewers if he has a good spring.

Zach Braddock: 24-year old Zach Braddock pitched in 25 games (0 starts) for the Brewers last year and he was 0-1 with a 7.27 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. He has now pitched in 71 games (0 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 1-3 with a 4.41 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. Braddock will have a pretty decent shot of making the Brewers’ opening day bullpen if he pitches decent in spring training.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE BULLPEN IN 2012: B-