SURPRISE, ARIZ. -- Brewers fans have high expectations for 2007, which is understandable given the current crop of exciting young players, the health of Ben Sheets and the praise of national pundits and prognosticators. In what has become a tradition at OnMilwaukee.com, we caught up with Brewers Radio Network announcer Jim Powell for a level-headed analysis of this year's chances. As the team wrapped up Cactus League play, we asked Powell about the Brewers' lineup, his off-season and his future as a broadcaster in Milwaukee. As usual, his answers were insightful and entertaining.

Enjoy this annual tradition: Milwaukee Talks with Jim Powell, 2007.

OMC: The Brewers didn't look particularly crisp in spring training. Is that something fans should be worried about?

Jim Powell: I don't know, how did you feel when you came to spring the last few years, where they looked great and then they finished under .500? Spring games don't mean anything. Really, if you ever have any questions about how much momentum there is in baseball, and it's an ongoing debate, there's an old adage: 'You only have as much momentum as the next day's starting pitching.' And that's it. Look at the Cardinals last year. They played horrible baseball in September. They were basically a .500 team that backed their way into the postseason in a division where no one else could finish over .500, and they won the World Series. They had no momentum at all going into the post season.

OMC: Last year, when we were standing right here in Surprise, you said that if the Brewers were not at least a .500 team, you'd consider the season a major disappointment. Obviously, injuries played into that. But is this a .500 team this year?

JP: If the Brewers don't finish over .500 this year, it will be a major disappointment (laughs).

OMC: Is this Ned Yost's last chance to build a winning team?

JP: Well, I don't know. It all depends on the circumstances. At first blush in 2006, it was a disappointing season, no doubt about it. I was disappointed, Ned Yost was disappointed, every player I spoke to expressed his disappointment. There were reasons why things happened the way they did, but I don't know of anybody who thinks that's Ned Yost's fault. In the end, though, these are the big leagues. The mission statement for a team is to win. There are no more excuses.

That said, this is a much better team than last season's team was. There's a lot more depth and experience now. Most young players take a year or two to get a feel for what baseball is like on a day-to-day basis before they begin to really produce at something close to their potential.

OMC: What will the Brewers do at third base?

JP: They'll start with the platoon of (Tony) Graffanino and (Craig) Counsell, and that's a sign that things have changed in Brewers ball. A couple of years ago, it would've been a no-brainer. Ryan Braun could've been hit in the face with every ground ball hit to third base in spring and, as long as he would've hit five home runs, he'd be on the club. That's it, end of the discussion.

OMC: And now, that's not good enough?

JP: Now, that's not even close to good enough. I was shocked how early he was sent down -- on the day he hit a home run. It's a different world now. The Brewers want to win. It's time to win. Ryan Braun knows he needs to tighten up his defense, and he's working very hard on it. He'll be here very soon.

OMC: Switching gears a bit, how was your off-season?

JP: It was fantastic. I love my family and all the winters are great, but this has to have been one of the greatest off-seasons I'll ever have.
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