The youth movement of Milwaukee continued this spring with the trading of pitchers Wayne Franklin and Leo Estrella to the San Francisco Giants for two minor leaguers. Franklin pitched marginally last season with a 10-13 record and 5.50 ERA. Estrella pitched in 58 games last year posting a 7-3 mark and 4.46 ERA in relief appearances. Pitchers Carlos Villanueva and Glenn Woolard were shipped eastward in the deal. Outfielder Ben Grieves also joins the club after an injury shortened 2003 season with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Grieve, a one-time Rookie of the Year, drove in 104 runs in 2000 and has 111 career homeruns in 7 major league seasons.

The skids of the Milwaukee Brewers see the franchise with losing records since the 1992 campaign. Unfortunately 2004 most likely will continue the trent into a 12th straight season as the rebuilding continues. The biggest news in the offeason is the trading of slugger Richie Sexson, pitcher Shane Nance, and outfielder Gary Varner to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Craig Counsell, Junior Spivy, Lyle Overbay, Chad Moeller, and pitchers Chris Capuano and Jorge De La Rosa. Overbay, Moeller, Spivey, and Counsell represent the new infield along with returning third baseman Wes Helms. The loss of Sexon is the reality of small market baseball. While Sexson was a fan favorite, the salary demands of a player his caliber did not fit in with the continuing rebuilding of the Brewers franchise.