"Business is actually very good," confirmed Rick Schlesinger, the Brewers' executive vice president for business operations.

There is plenty of time before the first pitch is thrown in April, but the early offseason signs have been positive for the Brewers, who excited their fan base in 2008 by making it to the playoffs for the first time in 26 years.

Even the loss of Sabathia to the New York Yankees, who gave him a $161 million free agent deal, has done little to quiet the telephones in the Brewers' ticket offices. Club officials look at three areas of business to determine their overall outlook: ticket sales, sponsorship sales and merchandise.

As the calendar turned to the New Year, the club was faring well on all three fronts.

"A successful 2008 helps," Schlesinger said. "I know the economy is tough, but our renewal rate on season tickets is about 90 percent at this time, right about where they were last year but with a bigger base.

"So, to this point, season-ticket sales are robust. That bodes well."

Schlesinger said the Brewers have a "low double-digit" increase in season tickets from a year ago. The club does not make public season-ticket numbers, but the Brewers -- who drew 3 million fans for the first time in 2008 -- probably approached the 14,000 level last season.

Schlesinger said he can point directly to making the playoffs as a reason for that boost because fans who bought new season-ticket packages for 2009 were given priority in buying tickets for the '08 postseason.

"I think that trend will continue," he said. "When most teams are looking to hold the line or are seeing a decrease, we're ahead, so that's good.

"When you haven't made the playoffs in so long and you do make it, we knew there was going to be a bump from that. I didn't think the economy would be as bad as it is, but our numbers continue to be good, so that's a pleasant surprise."