By Brian Gillespie, MLB Analyst (My Sportsbook)

2004 FINISH (67-94) - 6th place (NL Central)

OVERVIEW

The Brewers fulfilled traditionally low expectations this season, as they finished dead last in the National League Central with a 67-94 mark. After a solid first half, the Brewers struggled mightily down the stretch, posting just a 22-53 mark en route to their second consecutive last place finish.

Working with an NL-low $27.5 million payroll, Brewers manager Ned Yost couldn't keep his young team afloat in the second half. The squad was particularly atrocious in August, registering just six wins in 27 games. Milwaukee finished with its 12th consecutive losing season, posting one less win than last season.

Fortunately for Yost, the Brewers have a new owner in Mark Attanasio who is expected to kick up the payroll in 2005. However with more payroll, Attanasio is expecting better results. The good news is that the team won't have to deal with the mixed messages from the Selig family anymore.

Offensively, the Brewers barely had a pulse, ranking last in the league in batting average (.248), 29th in runs scored (634) and home runs (135). Outfielder Geoff Jenkins led the team in homers (27) and RBI (95), while first baseman Lyle Overbay paced the squad in batting average (.301).

Overbay was terrific for a good portion of the year, but he slipped into a September slump. In the final month of the year, Overbay saw his batting average fall 16 points. Overbay did lead the Majors with 53 doubles.

PEAK PERFORMER

Ace righthander Ben Sheets was spectacular despite receiving a lack of run support all season long. Sheets went 12-14 with an impressive 2.70 ERA (2nd- NL), while fanning a franchise-record 264 (2nd-NL) and amassing a WHIP of 0.98 (2nd-NL). The former Olympian gave up no more than three runs in any of his last eight starts. For the season, Sheets was third in the NL with five complete games.

Scott Podsednik must get a short mention in this category, as he broke the franchise record with 70 steals. Podsednik has swiped 113 bases in the past two seasons.

Dan Kolb set a franchise record with 39 saves.

WEAKEST LINK

Don't count on Craig Counsell to be much more than a reserve for the Brewers next season after hitting just .241 with two homers and 23 RBI in 140 games. Counsell, 34, also committed a career-high nine errors at shortstop.

OFF-SEASON NEEDS

The Brewers must seek out more power hitters to fill the void left by last offseason's trade of Richie Sexson to Arizona. Adding another talented pitcher or two wouldn't hurt to bolster the staff.