For 2008, we here at GROTA are going to exploit our blogging relationships with enemy blogs to bring you some actual insight. We're hoping to make this a regular feature before most series.

Our first enemy-blog of the season is the most excellent Brew Crew Ball, written by Jeff Sackmann. I sent him five four questions and he was kind enough to answer them for us... and then I reciprocated. You can find my answers to his questions here.

Q: Are the Brewers improved from last year? What were the major additions and subtractions? Are the Brewers going to contend with the Cubs for the Division title? Who do you think will win the division?

A: It'll be close, and I think the Brewers will have the edge. Milwaukee hasn't lost any key parts, and has made huge strides toward solving 2007's two biggest problems: the bullpen (adding Gagne, Riske, Torres, and Mota) and the defense (moving Braun to the outfield, signing Mike Cameron). We're still left hoping and praying that Ben Sheets makes it through each start unscathed, but this is as deep a Brewers team as we've seen in decades.

Q: What's your take on Ned Yost? I've heard that he's not popular, but from afar he seems to be doing a decent job.

A: Ned doesn't go down smooth with the stat-oriented among us. He seems to be a good motivator and handler of personalities, but he isn't exactly a master of bullpen management. I think the Crew could do better, but I also realize that just about every fanbase has these sorts of issues with their skipper, and unless Davey Johnson comes out of retirement, we're going to have to put up with what we've got.

Q: Who will be the Brewers MVP in 2008? Which aspect is your teams' strongest? Weakest?

A: I'm looking for Prince Fielder to match his 2007 output. He's the man, he knows it, and everybody else on the team knows it, too. It would be tough for any other part of the team to beat out the offense, especially if Bill Hall bounces back and Rickie Weeks builds on his solid second half. The weakness is still the defense, but as I mentioned already, it isn't going to be near the liability that it was last year.

Q: How's the new owner working out? (I've forgotten his name, so you can remind me who he is.) Do you miss Bud Selig? Also, what do you think of Bud the Commissioner?

A: Attanasio is great. He's massively raised the payroll and he lets the baseball people do their job. I don't miss Bud Selig at all. It's tough to really hate Bud Selig because he is responsible for the Brewers being in Milwaukee, but I'm not crazy about a lot of the things he's done as commish. I try not to worry about that stuff too much--I care about the game between the lines (and between the ears), not whether MLB is making marketing inroads in China.

Thanks so much, Jeff! Again, for my responses to his questions, check out the other BCB.

Update: I've created a page to track all of the Back-Channel Relations posts.