Unknowns abound as Spring Training begins PHOENIX -- Down in Tucson, pitchers and catchers reporting to the revamped Diamondbacks are wondering, "Who the heck are you?" Over in Scottsdale, reporters trailing the Giants along with two of baseball's biggest stories -- the ongoing steroids saga and the march to home run history -- are wondering, "Will Barry talk?" Down in Mesa, where the Cubs are working out, the HoHoKams are wondering, "Where's Sammy?" And just a few miles east, in Central Phoenix, followers of the A's are thinking, "What happened to the Big Three?" The Brewers are facing plenty of questions, too. But when Milwaukee's pitchers and catchers officially reported for the start of Spring Training on Saturday morning, they had the place to themselves. "I've been here a few days, and most of the other guys have, too," said newcomer Ricky Bottalico, who will be counted on to provide some veteran presence in the bullpen. "We're all just ready to go." Bottalico was one of a number of newcomers meeting their teammates this week. Also on hand was catcher Damian Miller, the team's most notable free agent acquisition, hard-throwing youngster Jose Capellan, who has turned some heads in early throwing sessions, and veteran Jeff Cirillo, who will try to resurrect his career where it began. Soon enough, the throngs of autograph seekers will find the way to Maryvale Baseball Park, a gem hidden down at Phoenix's west end. But for now, manager Ned Yost, his coaching staff and the players who will suit up for six long weeks of training can focus on the business at hand. For Yost and general manager Doug Melvin, the first agenda item involves Ben Sheets, who had surgery after last season to relieve a bulging disc in his lower back. Sheets just agreed to a $6 million contract, the richest one-year salary for any pitcher in franchise history, and Melvin & Co. want to check his health before beginning long-term contract discussions. Left-hander Doug Davis will also draw some attention. After settling with the Brewers during the second half of 2003, Davis quietly was one of the National League's most consistent starters in 2004 and cemented himself in the rotation behind Sheets. The duo combined to make more quality starts than any set of teammates in Major League Baseball. Beyond that, Yost has some choices to make in his starting rotation. Victor Santos won nine of his first 12 decisions last season before a second-half fade, which he attributed partly to fatigue. Lefty Chris Capuano showed promise when healthy, but he could not stay healthy. And the team will also look at youngsters Capellan, Ben Hendrickson and Jorge De La Rosa, probably committing at least one spot in the rotation to a rookie. "I think there's probably some questions at the end of the game, but this looks like a good staff," catcher Chad Moeller said. "There are the guys out there in the bullpen who can do it, but it's just depends on where everybody gets slotted. Those slots aren't given away. They have to be earned." Mike Adams will have to hold off Bottalico if he wants to replace Dan Kolb as the Brewers' closer. If De La Rosa fails to make the rotation, he will get a chance to serve as the Brewers' first lefty reliever since the departure of Ray King after the 2002 season. The hitters will also begin trickling in this week, prior to the first full-squad workout next weekend. And there are question marks in those ranks, too, centering around the arrival of slugger Carlos Lee, the departure of speedster Scott Podsednik and the shift of Geoff Jenkins to right field. If the Brewers are to improve in 2005, the offense is going to have to do its share. All these issues will be settled over the coming weeks. Stay tuned, because Brewers baseball is back. -- ★opengoodbook 你什麽时候设我为好友啦?!XD To opengoodbook: 第一次丢你水球之後阿XD ★opengoodbook 我会害羞(跑) To opengoodbook: :P ★opengoodbook 这麽主动...... --

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