That quintet is Yovani Gallardo, Manny Parra, Jeff Suppan, Dave Bush and Seth McClung, with Parra being the only left-hander. And McClung has been a swingman who never has pitched a full season as a starter.

That's the challenge facing new manager Ken Macha and his reconfigured coaching staff. After 17 years as the Brewers' bullpen coach, Bill Castro was promoted to pitching coach, and his primary challenge will be holding his rotation together.

Gone are the top two starters from the end of the '08 season -- left-hander CC Sabathia and right-hander Ben Sheets. Sabathia took $161 million to sign with the Yankees, and Sheets is still floating around on the market with no defined destination.

One thing Macha won't have to worry about is the starting lineup, which returns intact. However, second baseman Rickie Weeks and third baseman Bill Hall need to break free from their underachieving past to assure their status as everyday players.

The bullpen appears to be in decent shape, despite considerable turnover. All-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman has left San Diego to handle the closing chores. Holdovers Carlos Villanueva, David Riske and Todd Coffey figure to work the innings prior to Hoffman's arrival to the tune of "Hells Bells."

There are roster spots to be won. Who will back up starting outfielders Ryan Braun, Mike Cameron and Corey Hart? The primary candidates are Tony Gwynn Jr., Trot Nixon and Chris Duffy, all of whom bat from the left side. The starting outfielders are all right-handed.

The players have some seven weeks to get acquainted to their new manager after six years under Ned Yost. The hitters will have a new voice in Dale Sveum, who went from third base coach to interim manager to hitting coach since last spring. And Willie Randolph is a true voice of experience as the new bench coach.

WHERE, WHEN: Maryvale Baseball Park, Phoenix, Ariz. First exhibition game is Feb. 25 against Oakland.

TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: 3B Bill Hall got folks excited three years ago by socking 35 homers and driving in 85 runs. Then came two years of considerable back-sliding at the plate, prompting some fans to call for his ouster. Hoping to get back on track at the plate, Hall had LASIK eye surgery over the winter and expects to see the ball better. The Brewers, who have $15 million invested in Hall over the next two seasons, hope it is an eye-opening experience.

TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: RHP Jeff Suppan is in the third year of a four-year, $42 million contract. He was awful last September, failing to win a game, and was shelled in his only playoff appearance. If Suppan continues that slide, his contract will become a financial albatross. He is slated to make $12.5 million in both 2009 and 2010, so punting him would be very costly.

AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Ken Macha, who posted an impressive 368-280 record with Oakland from 2003-06, is in his first season at the helm of the Brewers. Macha is a stickler for fundamentals and said he wanted to make his own judgments on players in spring camp rather than coming in with preconceived notions. Dale Sveum is the new hitting coach and will focus on improving the team's .325 on-base percentage from last year. Bill Castro now runs the pitching staff after 17 years as bullpen coach. Willie Randolph, who interviewed for the managerial position, was hired as bench coach. Brad Fischer is the new third base coach, and Stan Kyles was promoted from the system to be bullpen coach. Only first base coach Ed Sedar returns to his former position.