by Sports Xchange

BIGGEST NEEDS: Beyond figuring out who will play the key position of catcher, the Brewers must strengthen their starting staff. Whether that means making trades or signing free agents, they cannot come back with the same five starters who collectively ranked last in the NL. Other decisions loom, but it all starts with improving a rotation that took down the team in 2009.

ARRIVALS: CF Carlos Gomez (trade with Twins), C George Kottaras (claimed off waivers from Red Sox).

DEPARTURES: SS J.J. Hardy (traded to Twins), OF Jason Bourgeois (claimed off waivers by Astros).

FREE AGENTS: C Jason Kendall, 2B Felipe Lopez, CF Mike Cameron, INF Craig Counsell, RHP Claudio Vargas, OF Frank Catalanotto, OF Corey Patterson, RHP David Weathers, RHP Braden Looper.

The Brewers have tough decisions on Kendall and Cameron because they don't have obvious internal options at those positions yet might not want to spend the money necessary to keep both players. Lopez is a Class A free agent, so the Brewers might offer arbitration merely to keep draft-pick compensation in place.

ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: RHP Dave Bush, RHP Todd Coffey, OF Jody Gerut, OF Carlos Gomez, RF Corey Hart, RHP Seth McClung, C Mike Rivera, RHP Carlos Villanueva, 2B Rickie Weeks.

McClung might be cut loose, as he pitched sparingly after hurting his elbow in late July. The other players are expected to be invited back.

IN LIMBO: RHP Braden Looper might head elsewhere after the Brewers declined his $6.5 million mutual option for 2010. He received a $1 million buyout. Looper posted an impressive record last season (14-7) despite a 5.22 ERA.

MEDICAL WATCH:

2B Rickie Weeks (left wrist surgery in May 2009) is expected to be fully healed by spring training.

LHP Manny Parra (left shoulder surgery in October 2009) should be ready for the start of spring training.

3B Casey McGehee (arthroscopic right knee surgery in October 2009) should be ready for the start of spring training.

RHP Braden Looper (right knee surgery in October 2009) should be ready for the start of spring training.

INF Craig Counsell (right knee surgery in October 2009) should be ready for the start of spring training.

RHP David Riske (Tommy John elbow surgery in June 2009) is not expected back until late next season, at the earliest.

RHP Mark DiFelice (strained right shoulder) will continue his physical therapy until he's ready for a throwing program.