Predicting Milwaukee Brewers' 2016 Record Going Into Spring Training

The Milwaukee Brewers had a difficult 2015 season. Their top pitcher heading into the season, Kyle Lohse, didn’t make it through the season in the rotation despite making it through the season healthy. Instead of being able to send Aramis Ramirez off in style, the Brewers had to trade him to the Pittsburgh Pirates so that he could make the playoffs one last time. Now the Brewers are facing an uncertain 2016.

The Brewers have some reason to be hopeful. They saw the emergence of Zach Davies at the end of the 2015 season. He appears set to be an ace in the majors. In six September games he went 3-2 with an ERA under 4. Since the end of the season, they have traded Jean Segura for Aaron Hill and Chase Anderson. That gives them someone with experience at third base and a backend-of-the-rotation starter with a decent upside.

Of course, they lost Segura who was one of their most promising hitters. As an elite base runner with decent defense, Segura cannot be replaced by Jonathan Villar alone. However, top prospect Orlando Arcia is on the horizon. Much like the Cubs of 2014, if the Brewers can hold on for a season or two, they have talent coming from the minors en masse.

For 2016, some of their minor league contracts could have an impact on how the Brewers do. They signed Chris Capuano to be a swingman — a reliever to start the season, but ready to start at a moment’s notice. To support Hill and Scooter Gennett, the Brewers signed former San Diego Padres third baseman, Will Middlebrooks. With Eric Young to challenge Domingo Santana for playing time in center, the Brewers have the makings of a decent team.

They lack depth, but with Davies and Wily Peralta both looking at double-digit wins, the Brewers should be pushing .500 most of the season. As they fall out the race, some of the pieces will be sent away. By the end of the season there will be hope in Milwaukee and a record of 74-88.