Fact or Fiction: Spring Training Edition

The Brewers are better off with Eric Gagne closing than Francisco Cordero?

Fiction: This is very tough call but it's fiction. Gagne and Cordero are very comparable. Both are 32 years old and both were at times lights out (0.00 ERA in April) last season while at other times not so hot (Gagne 9.00 ERA in August, Cordero 7.50 ERA in June).

Gagne was dominant in his time with the Rangers (2.16 ERA,) but that number rose to 3.81 by seasons end with the Red Sox.

Cordero started the season on fire, started getting beat up in the middle of the season, and the ended the year pitching extremely well.

When it comes down to it I have to go with Cordero because of the durability factor. Gagne has only pitched 67 innings since 2005 while Cordero has pitched 207 since then. I am confident Gagne will have good season though. After this season Gagne will be a free agent again so he should be motivated to perform well.

Jason Kendall is an upgrade over Johnny Estrada?

Fact: This is 100% fact. Johnny Estrada was a cancer. He never drew any walks, always swung at the first pitch, and didn't exactly call a great game. Kendall posted a .362 on base percentage with the Cubs last season and has a .375 career on base percentage. He's known to call a good game behind the plate and should get on a base a lot.

Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun will combine for 100 Home Runs?

Fact: Last season the duo combined for 84 home runs. Prince hit 50 while Braun hit 34 and Braun didn't even get called up until May 24. The numbers these two are going to put up this season are just downright scary. Prince is entering his third full season with the Brewers while Braun is beginning his first full season although he did win the Rookie of the Year award last season despite the late start. I'm projecting 55 homers for Prince and 45 for Braun.

Ben Sheets has a shot at the Cy Young Award?

Fact: This is a fact but only if he can stay healthy which he has not been able to do for the last three years. Sheets was finally able to get some run support last season and made his third all-star team. He went 12-5. Sheets has had some really bad luck when it comes to injuries which has caused some people to question his conditioning. His talent however is undeniable. If he can stay healthy he has a great shot at being the NL Cy Young because this team is going to give him a heck of a lot of run support.

This will be the year Rickie Weeks breaks out?

Fact: Weeks is finally healthy and really started to turn it on the second half last season. In August Weeks had an on base percentage of .500 and a 1.019 OPS. In September his OBP was .409 and he posted a .980 OPS. This will be the year it all comes together for Weeks. He's going to hit for average, draw walks, hit for power and steal bases. Weeks is going to be fun to watch.

The Brewers will trade one of their starting pitchers before the season begins?

Fact: The Brewers are loaded with starting pitching. Ben Sheets, Yovani Gallardo, Jeff Suppan, Dave Bush, Carlos Villanueva, Chris Capuano, Claudio Vargas, Manny Parra. Eight guys are vying for five spots and Sheets, Gallardo, and Suppan pretty much had their spots locked up before Spring Training even started. This is a big spring for Bush, Vargas, and Capuano especially. I believe Vargas will end up the odd man out and be traded. Parra will start the season in Triple-A and either Capuano, Bush, or Villanueva will be in the bullpen.

The Brewers will win the NL Central?

Fact: This team is absolutely loaded. They led the division much of last season only to squander their lead late in the year. The lineup is stacked. They have a chance to have seven guys hit 20+ home runs, Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, J.J. Hardy, Rickie Weeks, Bill Hall, Corey Hart, and Mike Cameron.

The pitching is much improved over last season. The rotation is very deep and the bullpen looks to be in much better shape with the additions of Eric Gagne, David Riske, Guillermo Mota, and Solomon Torres.

The Cubs look improved as well but I believe the Brewers lineup is the best in the National League and and if they can avoid injuries to the starting rotation it's the Brewers division to lose.

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