MLB Preseason Brewer Predictions

[CheezWizHed]

Ok, Prince is signed.  Time to turn the focus to next year.  So lets make some predictions on various "awards"

 

Player of the Year: Ryan Braun - I think he beats the suspension and repeats maybe not MVP, but for the Brewers

Pitcher of the Year: Zack Greinke - Better infield defense will help.  As will a year of familiarity.  Tight race with Yo.

Rookie of the Year: Matt Gamel - ok, not sure he really has "rookie" status or not.  But I'm picking him.

Most Improved Player:  Jonathon Lucroy - Year 1 was an early call-up.  Year 2, he settled in well.  Year 3, he steps up and posts a 270/330/440/770 line while improving defense.

 

Questions Answered:

1) Who will get the first contract extension? Greinke

2) Who will be the first traded away or released (off the expected 25 man roster)? Nyjer Mogan

3) What position in the NL Central will the Brewers finish? Second w/ Wild Card

 

Record: 88-74

 

edit- nice call in adding a Record prediction.  Not sure whey I didn't think of that. http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/wink.gif

[jjkoestler]

Player of the Year: Rickie Weeks - I think Rickie will have a monster year, be an all star again, and get votes for MVP.

Pitcher of the Year: Yo

Rookie of the Year: Peralta - I think he is inserted into the rotation following an injury.

Most Improved Player: Gomez - A full season of outstanding defense and a .260/.305/.420/.725 line

 

Questions Answered:

1) Who will get the first contract extension? There aren't a lot of candidates so I'll go with ZG.

2) Who will be the first traded away or released (off the expected 25 man roster)? Taylor Green

3) What position in the NL Central will the Brewers finish? 1st

 

Record: 92 - 70

[MVP2110]

Player of the Year: Ryan Braun - Determined to show that he wasnt performing because of PED's or whatever is going on with that case. He has another sensational season

Pitcher of the Year: Zack Greinke - About time his peripherals show his real performance.

Rookie of the Year: Nori Aoki - If everything goes right he should be the only rookie playing a decent amount of time this year

Surprise Player: Shaun Marcum( does even better than last year and is our best pitcher in the playoffs)

Disappointment: Jose Veras (never nails down the 7th inning job securly leaving spot open most of the year)

 

Questions Answered:

1) Who will get the first contract extension? Its gotta be Greinke right?

2) Who will be the first traded away or released(off the expected 25 man roster)? George Kottaras

3) What position in the NL Central will the Brewers finish? 1st

 

Record: 91-71

[Raw Biz]

Player of the Year: Braun (if not suspended), otherwise I'll say ARam (love his potential at Miller Park)

Pitcher of the Year: Greinke

Rookie of the Year: Gamel (possibly Aoki if Braun is suspended)

Most Improved Player: Gamel if given the chance (hard not to improve on .302 OPS last year)

 

Questions Answered:

1) Who will get the first contract extension? Greinke

2) Who will be the first traded away or released (off the expected 25 man roster)? Morgan (if no Braun suspension), otherwise a backup IF (Izturis/Bianchi/Conrad/Ishikawa)

3) What position in the NL Central will the Brewers finish? 2nd with WC

 

Record: 88-74

[Invader3K]

Player of the Year: Ryan Braun - I don't really see anyone else coming close to the numbers he'll put up, quite honestly, suspension or not.

Pitcher of the Year: Yovani Gallardo - He'll contend for the NL Cy Young Award.

Rookie of the Year: Norichika Aoki - He'll get enough playing time to make a good impression this season.

Most Improved Player: Kameron Loe - I don't know why. I just think he'll have a very nice year out of the pen now that Roenicke hopefully knows how to use him correctly.

 

Questions Answered:

1) Who will get the first contract extension? Zack Greinke - I don't see anyone else who is an obvious candidate. I don't think they'll end up really trying to extend Marcum.

2) Who will be the first traded away or released (off the expected 25 man roster)? Taylor Green - I think he gets traded to fill another position of need. Not really hoping I'm right on this one, just a hunch.

3) What position in the NL Central will the Brewers finish? 1st place

 

Record: 90-72

[jhart05]

Record: 84-78

 

3rd in the Central

 

No playoffs

[JohnBriggs12]

Player of the Year: Braun

 

Pitcher of the Year: Axford

 

Rookie of the Year: Aoki

 

Most Improved: Gomez

[PrinceEatMeat]

Player of the Year: Rickie Weeks - I think he'll finally get a full year out of the leadoff spot and really step up. Lots of homers, lots of runs driven in.

Pitcher of the Year: Yovani Gallardo - He'll be the ace, and compete for the NL Cy Young.

Rookie of the Year: Mat Gamel - He'll step up and prove all his doubters wrong. Finally play to his potential.

Most Improved Player: Mat Gamel - Will how much he struggled in the little time he's had, how can he not become the most improved?

Surprise Player: Brandon Kintzler - Stays healthy and takes on a big role in the pen.

Disappointment: Zach Braddock - Despite all his potential, continues to struggle and Parra takes the lefty role in the pen.

 

Questions Answered:

1) Who will get the first contract extension?Zack Greinke. He wants to be here. Doug will get it done.

2) Who will be the first traded away or released(off the expected 25 man roster)? George Kottaras. Maldonado takes over the backup catcher role.

3) What position in the NL Central will the Brewers finish? 1st

 

Record: 93-69

[brewtank34]

Player of the Year: The reigning MVP of the NL. Easy. 2nd choice is: Weeks, 2nd All-Star appearance.

Pitcher of the Year: Yo

Rookie of the Year: Aoki. I'm pretty excited to see what this kid can do.

Most Improved Player: Gonzalez. Improved from his own stats, but improved in relation to the production of our SS position in general.

 

Questions Answered:

1) Will Gamel be a liability or prove to be a reliable producer in the wake of Prince: He better! I feel he'll end up with a .265 avg, .310 OBP, 18 HR's and 75 RBI's. For a 1st year in the bigs, I'll take that. He'll show signs of improvement throughout the year.

 

2) Will Braun's production decline due to Prince leaving? Minimally.

 

2) What position in the NL Central will the Brewers finish? 2nd, Wild Card ( I want to say 1st due to having LaRussa out of the NL Central, but for now, I'll stick with the Wild Card)

 

Record: 88 - 74

[owbc]

Player of the Year: Weeks. (Unless Braun gets to play all 162)

Pitcher of the Year: Greinke

Rookie of the Year: Aoki-dokie (will start 120+ games)

Most Improved: Lucroy

Surprise Player: Manny Parra (fills bullpen role and gets about 10 starts)

Disappointment: Gamel (hope I'm wrong)

 

1) No contract extensions

2) Some relief pitcher, not expecting any major deals early

3) 89 wins, 1st place NL Central

4) Expecting some decline from Braun, but that MVP award is wide open with Pujols gone

[TooLiveBrew]

Player OTY: Ryan Braun (2nd choice: Ramirez)

Pitcher OTY: Yovani Gallardo

ROTY: Wily Peralta

Most Improved: Zach Braddock

Surprise: Mat Gamel

Disappointment: Manny Parra

 

Gamel will surprise the doubters, much like Weeks, Hardy, & Hart before him. I think my 'most improved' & 'disappointment' could be interchanged. I honestly don't know what to expect at all from Braddock, Parra, & even Kintzler; I hope they all return to form.

 

Questions:

1) Greinke

2) Frankie De La Cruz

3) 87-75, 2nd place in Central... WC candidate

[Bombers]

Player of the Year: Rickie Weeks - I think he is going to have a monster year and stay injury free

Pitcher of the Year: Greinke

Rookie of the Year: Aoki

Most Improved Player: Greinke (Let's face it, the guy wasn't amazing last year)

 

Questions Answered:

1) Who will get the first contract extension? Greinke

2) Who will be the first traded away or released (off the expected 25 man roster)? K-rod - Traded to a club because of an injury on that team

3) What position in the NL Central will the Brewers finish? First

 

Record: 91-71

[brettac1]

Player of the Year: Weeks

Pitcher of the Year: Greinke

Rookie of the Year: Gamel

Most Improved: Braddock

Surprise: Parra

Disappointment: Morgan (he continues to not take walks and gets less lucky on BABIP and has his average dip into the .240's)

 

First contract extension: Axford. Greinke goes to FA and gets more than the Brewers can afford.

First player traded: K-Rod

What Position in the NL Central will the Brewers finish: 3rd (Reds 1st, Cards 2nd)

 

Record: 83-79

[Eye Black]

Player of the Year: Rickie Weeks
Pitcher of the Year: Yovani Gallardo
Rookie of the Year: Norichiki Aoki
Most Improved Player(s): Kameron Loe / Mat Gamel

Biggest Drop-off(s): K-Rod / T-Plush

Questions Answered:
1) Who will get the first contract extension? Zack Greinke (5-yr/$78 mil)
2) Who will be the first traded away or released (off the expected 25 man roster)? Traded, George Kottaras
3) What position in the NL Central will the Brewers finish? Tie for 1st with Reds

Record: 89 - 73

 

 

[TooLiveBrew]

Kam Loe was actually pretty good on the season as a whole last year, I'm surprised he's wound up as a candidate for so many as "Most Improved"

[docduany]

Player of the Year: Ryan Braun
Pitcher of the Year: Zach Greinke
Rookie of the Year: Aoki (would be Gamel if he qualified)
Most Improved Player(s): Manuel Parra

Biggest Drop-off(s): T-Plush

Questions Answered:
1) Who will get the first contract extension? Zack Greinke (5-yr/$85 mil)
2) Who will be the first traded away or released (off the expected 25 man roster)? Traded T-Plush
3) What position in the NL Central will the Brewers finish? 2nd

Record: 87-75

[Warning Track Power]

Player of the Year: Rickie Weeks. Dude is an absolute stud when healthy. Most overlooked Brewer by the national media. Will breakout in a big way and will replace a great deal of Prince's production this season. I'm expecting a Prince even year line of something like: .270, 32 HR, 95 RBI

Pitcher of the Year: Yovani Gallardo. Completes his journey to staff ace. 14 IP, 2 runs against the D'Backs in the NLDS. Awesome. I'm expecting something like: 16-6, 3.25 ERA

Rookie of the Year: Mat Gamel. I expect him to start slow, but hitting in the 6th spot should allow him to see some pitches. By mid-season I expect him to be a solid everyday player. It will be the tale of two seasons, a struggle in the first half and an above average second half. By season's end, I'm expecting: .275, 17 HR, 70 RBI

 

Most Improved Player: Jonathan Lucroy. Whereas Rickie is the most overlooked Brewer by the national media, I think Lucroy is the most overlooked Brewer by most Brewer fans. He'll continue his development into an above average everyday catcher. I don't expect his numbers to jump much but I think we will begin to appreciate all that he brings to the team.

 

Biggest Disappointment: Nyjer Morgan. The T-Plush phenomenon was a 2011 special. I expect him to not produce at the same levels he did last season. While I don't expect him to fall off substantially, I do expect a drop in AVG from .304 to around .275. While not a terrible AVG, his lack of BBs could be detrimental to the top of the lineup.

 

Questions:

1) Who will get the first contract extension?

Zack Greinke or no one. I want to believe ZG will be extended. I really do but I am nervous that it won't happen. If it does, I think it will be at the most a Weaver-like deal 5 years $85 million. If he wants more than that, he will leave.

 

2) Who will be the first traded away or released (off the expected 25 man roster)?

Not too many options here. I don't think anyone will be traded. However, if the Angels were to have interest in K-Rod and would be willing to deal a Peter Bourjos to open a spot for Mike Trout in the OF, then I think he would be the most likely candidate.

 

3) What position in the NL Central will the Brewers finish?

Tough to say without knowing whether or not Ryan Braun will be suspended. Without a suspension, I will say 1st. With a suspension, I will say 2nd.

 

RECORD:

No Braun Suspension: 90-72

Braun Suspension: 86-76

[jhart05]

Kam Loe was actually pretty good on the season as a whole last year, I'm surprised he's wound up as a candidate for so many as "Most Improved"

I felt he took too much criticism last year. Wasn't his fault he had to be used in the 8th inning setup role a lot early in the season because of injuries to other guys in the pen. Take a look at his game log. Sure he had a few blow up games, but much more often than not, he did a good job. (But I don't want to turn this into a Kam Loe discussion.)

[Nottso]

Player of the Year: Ryan Braun, with or without suspension. With Prince's departure Braun assumes more of a leadership role, making the Brewers undeniably "his" team. Numbers, as always, will be there.

Pitcher of the Year: Yovani Gallardo. A second consecutive year in which Yo doesn't feel like he has to carry the entire staff, coupled with the improved defense behind him, add up to a monster year for Yo.

Rookie of the Year: Aoki. I'm not sure Gamel's eligible, and even if he is I just don't have a lot of faith in him. This lack of faith is admittedly baseless, but it's there nonetheless.

Most Improved Player: Jonathan Lucroy. Now that his first full season is behind him I look for his defense to show marked improvement; more specifically, improvement in throwing out base runners.

Biggest Disappointment: Gamel. I hope I'm proven wrong here, but just not feeling it.

Questions:
1) Who will get the first contract extension?

Zack Greinke.

2) Who will be the first traded away or released (off the expected 25 man roster)?
K-Rod. Some team out there will find themselves wanting or needing an established closer and that want/need will make them willing to give up value in return. I thought about Kottaras here as well, but he may very well still be Wolf's "personal catcher."

3) What position in the NL Central will the Brewers finish?
First. The combined losses of Albert, TLR & Duncan will be too much for the Classies and I'm just not sold on Cincinatti.

RECORD:
93/69

[ilovebeer]

Player of the year Braun........ Pitcher of the year Yo...... Rookie of the year Aoki.....Most improved Lucroy, Biggest disappointment Morgan. First contract exertion will go to Grienke...... First person to be released will be Morgan...... Brewers record will be 88-74 2nd place wild card winner.

[Raw Biz]

First person to be released will be Morgan

Unless he gets into a fight or does something really stupid, I don't see anyway Morgan is just outright released. Morgan has at least some trade value, even with his past.

[Roderick]

POY - Gallardo

POY - Gallardo

ROY - Gamel

MIP - Gallardo

BD - Krod

CExt - Melvin waits out Greinke and Marcum and no one else is really in a position to have one. They are either too young or have a L-T contract in place or are a CF with questions.

Off - can't see any of the regulars (until July at least), and its too hard to say who are going to be the fringe of bullpen or utility man.

Three-way tie for first with Cards and Reds with 89-73 record.

[sheetskout]

Player of the Year: Zach Greinke - The extra innings after missing a month will dilute the bad inning here and there. He'll win the Cy Young Award.

Pitcher of the Year: Zach Greinke - He'll win the Cy Young award. He was the second-half Cy winner last season.

Rookie of the Year: Taylor Green - I don't think he'll have a huge year but he's one injury away behind two injury-prone players (Weeks, Ramirez)

Most Improved Player(s): Manny Parra - Irony is the most powerful thing in the universe and Prince Fielder has departed.....

Biggest Drop-off(s): John Axford - I don't see a huge decline, but repeating that season would be insane.

 

Questions Answered:

1) Who will get the first contract extension? Zack Greinke

2) Who will be the first traded away or released (off the expected 25 man roster)? Francisco Rodriguez - If we don't contend he'd be the most likely traded.

3) What position in the NL Central will the Brewers finish? 1st (93 wins)

[Glennron]

Player of the Year: Rickie Weeks*, because I'll cynically/pessimistically assume Braun gets suspended.

Pitcher of the Year: Zach Greinke, think he'll have a "bounce back" year.

Rookie of the Year: Mat Gamel.

Most Improved Player(s): Zach Braddock.

Biggest Drop-off: Nyjer Morgan. Just don't see him repeating last year and I think the whole "Tony Plush" thing will lose some steam.

 

Questions Answered:

1) Who will get the first contract extension? No idea on this one. Don't know what but I've got a sinking feeling Greinke won't be extended for whatever reason.

2) Who will be the first traded away or released (off the expected 25

man roster)? K-Rod.

3) What position in the NL Central will the Brewers finish? Second place, 88 wins.

[Oldcity]

Player of the Year: Weeks--just need a full season and he'll get this with Braun like missing 50 games.

Pitcher of the Year: Greinke better defense and better luck this season.

Rookie of the Year: Gamel. Just have to give him a shot. If Green had a full time spot, I'd say him, but he doesn't.

Most improved: I honestly don't see any player improving individually from last year much. Probably one of the newer relievers, like Kintzler or Fiers, because the should actually get a shot.

Biggest disappointment: Ramirez. Too much money, too little defense, only decent offense is my guess

First extension: None this year

First trade/release: Nyjer Morgan, after Aoki plays well and Schafer/Gindl make him expendable.

Record: 87-75, Second place in the division, and Bud's new 5th playoff team. Get ready for that lame one-game "playoff."