With an established rotation, talented infield and panoply of outfielders, the team seems to need only substantial bullpen help.

The main concern of the Milwaukee Brewers should remain fixing up a bullpen that cost the team numerous victories in the second half, especially in the final weeks after the implosion of Derrick “TurnBlow.”

But some question marks still linger on the offensive side of the ball, especially in left field.

Geoff Jenkins, the longest-tenured Brewer with 10 years on the team, provided the audience attending the final game of the 2007 season at Miller Park with an emotional and heartfelt goodbye and then took out a page of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel to show his appreciation for the fans of Milwaukee.

While Jenkins remains a decent baseball player and upright citizen, he symbolizes the Brewers past: overrated and going nowhere.

In an age where many treat baseball as a business, corner outfielders hitting under .255 with 21 home runs making $7 million a year usually get shown the door quickly. Jenkins’ character and defense will be missed; his overpaid bat will not be.

Who will fill in for Jenkins is the most relevant offensive question pertaining to the Brewers’ front office right now.

In-house options do exist; Kevin Mench exhibited some offensive prowess a few years ago in Texas, and Tony Gwynn Jr. could platoon with Mench in a situation similar to last year’s until one of them really distinguishes themselves.

The free-agency pool remains rather shallow overall this year, especially in the market for a left fielder. Barry Bonds is the biggest name in left field, but not only will he be overpaid and will fulfill a DH role, his steroid-inflated ego is not a match for Milwaukee.

The most skilled outfielder seems to be the troubled, albeit talented, Milton Bradley whose season came to a premature end after he tore his ACL disputing a call at first base. After these two, neither of which would be welcome in Milwaukee, the talent level drops off immensely.

The one name to watch may turn out to be Aaron Rowand, the center fielder for the Philadelphia Phillies. A 30-year-old defensive standout and crowd favorite – even with the same fans that booed Santa Claus – he hit .309 last year with 27 home runs while making $4.3 million.

While still a long shot to be signed by Melvin and Company, he would instantly improve the outfield, provide protection for young Ryan Braun and solidify the lineup as one of the most feared.

However, regardless of who they sign, in 2009 the front office fully expects 2007 first round draft pick Matt LaPorta to start in left field.

The infield needs no assistance with Prince Fielder and J.J. Hardy already earning All-star berths, and Rickie Weeks and Braun, a future MVP candidate as well, All-stars in the making.

Craig Counsell provides veteran leadership and defensive excellence, capable of playing all four positions in the infield, and Joe Dillon gives the team an offensive spark off the bench and can play all spots in the infield except shortstop.

With Tony Graffanino out until at least the all-star break due to a knee injury, and Corey Koskie finally gone, the infield is very capably manned and clearly the strong point of the up and coming Crew.

At catcher, Johnny Estrada looks to don the tools of ignorance for at least one more year. With few free-agent options at catcher, especially since Jorge Posada signed with the Yankees for $52 million, it would be shocking to see the organization add a backstop.

The largest name on the market is the New York Mets’ 2007 catcher, Paul Lo Duca, a 35-year-old signal-caller who made $6.25 million last season. While he’s an upgrade from Estrada, he makes almost double and is essentially the same type of player: a defensive liability with limited power who hits for a decent average.

Of the free-agents that remain realistically available for the Milwaukee Brewers, none seem to fit well for a team that effectively utilizes the draft to keep the team talented and competitive.

With an established rotation, talented infield and panoply of outfielders, the team seems to need only substantial bullpen help.

Assuming they receive some, a valid assumption, the Beer Makers should be considered the frontrunner in the National League Central for the 2008-09 season.

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