The bullpen has been okay. Sure Trevor Hoffman and LaTroy Hawkins have been rocked, but Carlos Villanueva and Manny Para have been brilliant and Todd Coffey very good.

But the rotation is a whole other story. Dave Bush has been his normal, steady self, but you’d shudder if you were told he would be your best starter through the opening weeks.

Off-season signing Randy Wolf has allowed four runs in every start so far (only 2 total unearned). Yet he was given a standing ovation after leaving in the 7th having allowed “only” four runs. If this is a sign of how bad Brewers pitching is going to bem, its going be a long wait until football season for fans in Wisconsin.

Yovani Gallardo received a huge contract extension and rewarded management by getting shelled by the Cardinals.

Jeff Suppan was hit hard coming back from the DL.

Doug Davis is simply 0-1 with an 11.25 ERA.

If this team does not shape their pitching into something at least better than the Washington Nationals last year, look out. Not even Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder are capable of helping this rotation out.

Although Miller was a pretty good defensive catcher, Zaun is at best a mediocre guy behind the plate, with Kendall owning an absolutely abysmal throwing arm in his time as a Brewer.

Offensively, only Miller had the above average season in 2005. He was sub-par or pretty bad in 2006 and 2007, followed by 2 awful offensive seasons by Kendall. 2008 saw Jason Kendall post a .241 batting average and a .636 OPS. Yikes.

Although the season is young, Zaun has been beyond abysmal at the plate in his short, 12-game Brewer tenure. He is a paltry 5 for 35, with a .184 on-base percentage. Gregg may be adding some “veteran leadership” to the young club, for whatever it’s worth, but that type of play is miles from acceptable.

Even worse, all this below average production is from catchers in the twilight of their careers, they are also paying above average costs for it. No upside or possible improvements can be expected from any of them, only a steady decline in all categories. They signed Zaun for a 2 million dollar deal this off-season. They paid Kendall 4.5 million in 2008 as well, so they aren’t even bargain-bin shopping.

Overpaying for that type of production doesn’t exactly bode well for a team with their modest budget. If they plan on giving Prince Fielder than big deal he desires, they don’t need to be shrewed in other areas, they just need to not over-pay in other places, like below average catchers…

In today’s 7-2 loss to the Cubs he did break a career worst 0-18 slump with a single. But that still leaves him hitting just .103, 4-39 this season.

Lee also has zero RBI’s, no extra-base hits, and only 1 walk. His OPS is a number that is worse than almost every batting average for a starting position player last season.

So what is up with the $100 million dollar outfielder? More than one person has remarked that Carlos looks in better shape in years past and he indeed does look to be a bit leaner.

Missing Lance Berkman never helps, but its no excuse for such atrocious numbers. The way the Astros look Lee could have been a candidate to trade to a contender at the deadline, with the value that he still has 2 more yearsr after this, and perhaps could have fetched a good package of prospects.

He’ll have to prove he can still hit first.

Baltimore Orioles

Key losses- Chris Ray, Danys Baez

Key additions- Kevin Millwood, Garrett Atkins, Mike Gonzalez

Off-season grade- C+

Justification- Kevin Millwood provides some leadership for the Orioles young staff. He’s also very durable and that should keep the young staff from pitching too many innings. Garrett Atkins is a nice low risk/high reward signing. Mike Gonzalez stabilizes the back end of the bullpen.

Boston Red Sox

Key losses- Billy Wagner, Jason Bay, Casey Kotchman

Key additions- Mike Cameron, John Lackey, Adrian Beltre, Jeremy Hermida, Marco Scutaro

Off-season grade- A

Justification- It looks like Theo Epstein set out to improve the defense on this team and this off-season reflects that. They upgraded in center with Cameron. The Cameron signing also allows Jacoby Ellsbury to move to left field, where he is better defensively. Scutaro is an upgrade over Lugo. Boston’s defense could rival Seattle’s this season. The signing of Lackey gives the Red Sox one of the best rotations in baseball.

New York Yankees

Key losses- Melky Cabrera, Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Phil Coke, Jerry Hairston

Key additions- Curtis Granderson, Nick Johnson, Javier Vasquez

Off-season grade- A

Justification- They won the World Series so they did not have a lot of holes to fill, but the rich did get richer. Curtis Granderson is an upgrade defensively in center field. Nick Johnson will most likely take over for Matsui at the DH spot and he provides a nice on-base percentage. Javier Vasquez is a nice addition to an already stellar pitching staff.

Tampa Bay Rays

Key losses- Akinori Iwamura,

Key additions- Rafael Soriano

Off-season grade- C+

Justification- They were not very active, but they did upgrade the bullpen, which was a weakness last year.

Toronto Blue Jays

Key losses- Roy Halladay, Marco Scutaro

Key additions- Alex Gonzalez, Brandon Morrow

Off-season grade- C-

Justification- They lost one of the best pitchers in the game and did not get a major league ready pitcher that can fill in in 2010. I did like them getting Kyle Drabek from the Phillies though. They were probably smart in letting Scutaro walk and collecting the draft picks. They did not do much to improve the team in 2010, but they did make some good moves toward the future.

Key losses- Rich Harden, Milton Bradley, Kevin Gregg, Aaron Miles, Aaron Heilman. Jake Fox

Key additions- Carlos Silva, Marlon Byrd, John Grabow (re-signed)

Off-season grade- C

Justification- Considering the circumstances I think the Cubs have come out okay this off-season. Getting Silva for Bradley hurts, but getting $9 million from Seattle and getting Marlon Byrd to a reasonable contract helps soften the blow. The pitching staff took a hit with the loss of Rich Harden. The Cubs didn’t need a complete overhaul considering the core from the 2008 team is still in place. Marlon Byrd allows Fukudome to go back to right field where he becomes an above average right fielder. This grade could improve if/when they sign a platoon partner for Kosuke and another pitcher.

St Louis Cardinals

Key losses- Joel Piniero, Mark DeRosa, Troy Glaus, Khalil Greene

Key additions- Matt Holliday (Re-signed), Brad Penny

Off-season grade- B

Justification- Anytime you can get a player of Holliday’s caliber below market value you have had a good off-season.  There is a slight drop-off from Piniero to Penny. The loss of DeRosa creates a hole at third base. That being said the Cardinals look to be the favorites in the NL Central this season.

Cincinnati Reds

Key losses- Jonny Gomes

Key additions- Scott Rolen (Re-signed) and Aroldis Chapman

Off-season grade- C

Justification- The Scott Rolen deal is a nice pickup for them. He is still a solid defensive third baseman, which should help out their young pitching staff. The Aroldis Chapman signing is a good move for the future, but will probably not provide much for the 2010 season.

Milwaukee Brewers

Key losses- Mike Cameron, JJ Hardy

Key additions- Carlos Gomez, Randy Wolf, LaTroy Hawkins

Off-season grade- C

Justification- Randy Wolf is a solid addition to the Brewers staff. However, the loss of Cameron negates the signing of Wolf. LaTroy Hawkins provides a decent arm for the bullpen even if they did overpay.

Houston Astros

Key losses- Miguel Tejada, LaTroy Hawkins, Jose Valverde

Key additions- Brandon Lyon, Matt Lindstrom, Pedro Feliz

Off-season grade- D

Justification- The acquisition of Lindstrom is a nice low risk/high reward trade. The problem is that they overpaid for Brandon Lyon. An average of $5 million a year for a middle reliever is never a good idea. I also question the logic of spending money on Feliz in a year they are not expected to contend.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Key losses- Matt Capps

Key additions- Bobby Crosby, D.J. Carrasco, Brendan Donnelly, Ryan Church, Akinori Iwamura, Octavio Dotel

Off-season grade- C

Justification- They didn’t make any splashy moves, but I consider these low risk moves. I don’t expect them to contend for a division title in 2010, but this team looks better than it did at the end of 2009. They did a good job of improving the bullpen this off-season. This team should improve enough that more people should start paying attention to the team and I think that should count for something.

Didn’t make the same noise fellow number 1 prospect Ryan Braun made during his call up, but none the less is still outrageously talented. He’s still got the power to hit 30 plus every year. I think this is the year where he could bust loose.

2) Brett Lawrie-2B

Could be the reason why Milwaukee lets go of Weeks at some point soon. He’s got better than average range and an improving bat. Smart player and was on the olympic team. He does have some pop, but I don’t know if it’ll transition to the major league level. I would think a gap to gap guy is more realistic here.

3) Jeremy Jeffress-SP

Right hander that throws 95-96 mph although is fairly straight. If he doesn’t locate it- he’ll get hit hard. He’s got a curveball and changeup but are still coming along. His mechanics are fairly solid although I think he’s a full effort kid which could make him more injury prone. His hips come through nicely, but I don’t really like how he picks the ball up with his elbow.  I would say buyer beware with this kid.

4) Angel Solome- C

Catcher of the future- heck maybe even the catcher of the present. I think he’s got a real chance to make the big leagues out of spring training if that already isn’t their plan. Improving on his defensive skills and is more of a contact guy at the moment offensively- but is tough as nails. Gotta like that.

5) Lorenzo Cain-OF

Can play all 3 outfield positions nicely. He’s got improving power, an excellant arm, and is learning how to take a walk. He doesn’t make as much contact as I would like- but he’s young and has to adjust. We’ll see how he does probably in AA/AAA this year.

6) Jake Odorizzi-SP

Only 19 so we have a ways to go with this kid, but he’s got 4 plus pitches now. So even if they don’t get better- he still could probably be a 4 or a 5 if not a reliever at the big league level. If they continue to show improvement and i think they will improve- he could be a 2 in about 3 years. I would imagine he’ll start in A ball.

7) Cutter Dykstra-OF

Is still ridiculously young- but can go get it in CF. He’s going to start hitting for more power as he continues to grow into his body. It’s a little soon to project where he’ll be in 4 years- but all the signs point to him being a good major league player.

8) Cody Scarpetta- SP

Another young big power arm in the system. 91-95 with an improving breaking ball similar to the big breaking curveball Tommy Hanson throws. Power bite basically. He’s only 19 so theres some time here- but i would think we’ll see him in Milwaukee by 2012.

9) Zach Braddock-SP

Low 90s with a hard slider from the left side. Another 21 year old kid that could be a monster in a year or 2. Look for 2011 to be his coming out party if all continues to go well.

10) Taylor Greene-INF

He doesn’t have a set position yet- but if he can hit- they’ll find a place to put him. Probably won’t be an all star but should turn into a solid major league player. A platoon like guy potentially. Just an overall smart player.

Hawkins has always been underrated in terms of a set up guy, and I think he’s going to continue with that power arm of his.

Randy Wolf has been a favorite of mine for awhile, and frankly has pitched extremely well over the last couple years. Gallardo and Wolf at the top of the rotation isn’t going to be an easy tandom to face 30 plus times over the year. Whomever thought the Cubs and Cardinals would run away with the central in 2010 is mistaken as the Brew Crew have announced they plan on making a run in the central.

Rich Harden

Rich has been slowly trying to shake his “injury-prone” moniker the past 2 seasons, and for good reason: He’s actually made 25 starts or more in back-to-back seasons. The main complaint against him is that he only averaged 5.4 innings per start last year. This is due to the fact that his manager didn’t want to push his pitch count, and this is complicated further by him being a major strike-out pitcher. He struck out 10.9 batters per 9 innings, which is an elite rate.

Still, Harden regressed slightly in 2009, mainly because of how unbelievable he was in 2008. His ERA of 2.07 in 25 starts speaks for itself.

Rich is still 28-years-old. Although he has had a troubled history of nagging injuries, his best years may still be ahead of him (although eventually they might be coming out of the bullpen).

He was paid 7 million by the Cubs this past season, and he will very likely look to match or improve upon that number in 2010 with a multi-year deal. The Seattle Mariners look to be the front-runner in the race to sign Harden, with the Red Sox chasing right behind them.

Ben Sheets

Sheets had become a figure as a dominant pitcher in Milwaukee since 2004. In that ’04 season, he had a whopping 264 K’s with a 2.70 ERA. Seriously, he had a .98 WHIP.  That is just unheard of. Yet since his record was 12-14 on the poor-offensive Brewer club, he was massively unappreciated. It’s nice to see this concept is almost gone when the best pitchers in MLB right now, Lincecum and Greinke, are winning Cy Young awards while getting little to no run support.

The issue with any team signing Sheets now, most obviously, is that he has just missed the entire 2009 season due to elbow surgery. If he has a strong off-season of workouts, any team in baseball would love to have a very cheap, potential Ace in the hole with big Ben Sheets.

The Rangers have had connections with signing Sheets this offseason, and Texas could use a front-line starter, at least as long as Ben can make it to the mound healthy.

Erik Bedard

Some of us were lucky enough to have Erik Bedard on our fantasy baseball teams the year he just went crazy on the American League. In his 2007 season he piled up 221 strikeouts in only 28 starts. That’s not even mentioning his sterling 1.08 WHIP and 3.16 ERA with a surprising 13-5 record on the lowly Orioles.

After his fantastic season, he was traded to the Mariners for a package worthy of the Ace-type season he has just put up. Too bad the Mariners only saw Bedard put up consecutive 15-start seasons as he struggled to stay off the Disabled list. Still, while Bedard did play, he put up quality production. In 2009, he only pitched 83 innings, but still managed to strikeout 90 batters and score a 2.82 ERA

It looks like the Mariners won’t be offering arbitration to Erik for the 2010 season, so he will be free to sign with a team in the near future. Yet as usual, Bedard will be missing a portion of the upcoming season already, based off of his most recent shoulder surgery.

As with all three of these starters, offering Bedard an incentive-laden deal would suit any team with some extra cash well. His upside as an elite pitcher at the highest professional level is still intact in that very fragile body of his.