Just two seasons ago, the Brewers were loaded with outfielders both on the roster and in their minor league system. They had names like Braun, Cameron, Hart, Gwynn Jr., and Gabe Gross on the roster.
In just two years time, the outfield has seen a major overhaul. Mike Cameron was allowed to leave via free agency this winter, Tony Gwynn Jr. was traded for Jody Gerut, and Gross was dealt as well.
Top prospects, Matt LaPorta and Michael Brantley were sent to Cleveland in the CC Sabathia trade. Youngsters Lorenzo Cain and Logan Schafer have seen injuries postpone their arrival in Milwaukee.
Corey Hart has seen his production plummet. Only Ryan Braun still remains as a reliable option in the outfield.
The Brewers are hoping Hart can rebound this season, and JJ Hardy was traded to Minnesota for young speedster Carlos Gomez. Gomez is great with the glove, but he leaves much to be desired at the plate.
Having so many questions in his outfield, Brewers' GM Doug Melvin decided to take a chance on a player that missed the entire 2009 season, Jim Edmonds.
When he last played in 2008, Edmonds split time between the Cubs and Padres, hitting .235, with 20 home runs and 55 RBI in 111 games.
For his career, Edmonds is a .284 hitter with 382 career home runs. His left-handed bat was a key ingredient to the Cardinals success for much of the past decade.
The four-time All-Star has seen his production slip since he finished fifth in the 2005 MVP balloting.
No matter what success he had at the plate, Edmonds has always been better known for his glove. The eight-time Gold Glove winner has made some of the most spectacular catches in the game over the past 20 years.
Although he has no doubt lost a step due to age, all reports indicate that Edmonds is in great shape and has a legitimate shot of making the opening day roster.
If Edmonds is fortunate enough to make the Brewers out of camp, it won't be anything more than as a spot-starter and pinch hitter. Should Edmonds see time as a regular starter, it's a horrible sign for the team and fans. That would mean one of the outfielders is either out with a major injury, or Carlos Gomez is terribly ineffective at the plate.
Edmonds is also able to play some first base. Although he won't be a threat to taking any playing time away from Prince Fielder, he could provide a late-inning substitute to get the big man so rest in games that have already been decided.
Just making the roster would be a victory for the 39-year-old Edmonds. I fully expect him to do so, as well as becoming a very valuable bat off of Ken Macha's bench.
He should also provide a great veteran presence in the locker room, making up for the losses of Mike Cameron and Jason Kendall.
It would be great for the Brewers if they could have Jim Edmonds circa 2004, but that's just a pipe dream. Edmonds will prove to be a crucial signing over the course of the year, but to expect him to provide the numbers he has in the past isn't realistic.
To read more by Jesse Motiff, click here .
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