ESPN MLB

By Jim Keller SportsTicker Staff Writer

ANAHEIM, California - When the Milwaukee Brewers traded away All-Star closer Danny Kolb on Saturday, it showed just how serious they are about their future.

And planning for the future is no easy thing when you have asked your fans to endure 12 straight losing seasons. But Saturday's trade could ensure that the losing streak may soon be coming to an end.

In trading Kolb, who saved 39 games in 44 chances last season, the Brewers picked up Jose Capellan - rated the fifth best righthanded starter in the minor leagues. The player to be named will be chosen from a list that reportedly includes prospect Buddy Hernandez.

"We're trying to build a team for the long run, looking to get better for the long term," Milwaukee manager Ned Yost said. "Everybody is clamoring for us to win more games, and I'd love to win more games, but a quick fix - to win for one year - doesn't cut it.

"Atlanta is the model to be a consistent performer year in and year out. We want to put together a consistent winner that can win year after year. That is what we want to do here."

Milwaukee is off to a good start trying to develop its own talent, assembling one of the best farm systems in the game. The Brewers have a legitimate prospect at just about every position and the addition of Capellan address the need for pitching at the major league level.

"There's no question our Class AAA and AA pitching took a step back with Manny Parra, Mike Jones and Chris Saenz getting hurt," Yost said. "Right now, we're trying to amass as many power arms as we can."

Certainly, the 23-year-old Capellan fits that bill at 6-4 and 235 pounds. He throws a fastball in the high 90s and has exceptional control for a young pitcher.

Those tools helped Capellan go 14-3 with a 2.32 ERA over three minor league levels in 2004. He struck out 152 and walked only 45 in 139 2/3 innings.

"Jose is one of the most highly regarded pitching prospects in the minor leagues," Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin said. "We would not have made this deal had we not received a player in return of Jose's caliber. He has a power arm and we feel that he can be a strong member of our pitching staff for years to come."

Among position players ready to breakthrough, the Brewers already have first baseman Prince Fielder, second baseman Rickie Weeks, shortstop J.J. Hardy and outfielders Corey Hart and Dave Krynzel.

Hardy challenged for the shortstop job last season before being sent to Class AAA. He missed most of the season with a shoulder injury, but could be the first of the aforementioned group to emerge in Milwaukee.

"I like J.J. Hardy," Yost said. "He's a quality defender and just 22-years-old. There's a question if he'll hit off the bat, but he'll hit eventually. I actually thought he could have started for us last season. ... Even though J.J. missed most of last season, I would still consider him for this year."

Milwaukee has three spots available in the rotation behind Ben Sheets and Doug Davis. Capellan may be too inexperienced to start the season in the rotation but Yost is in no rush, indicating that Victor Santos, lefthander Chris Capuano and righthander Ben Hendrickson all showing varying degrees of promise.

With Kolb gone, the Brewers will turn to another developed talent, righthander Mike Adams, to be their closer. He was a non-drafted free agent in 2001.

"Mike Adams will be our closer," Melvin said. "Not many people know who Mike is, but we have him rated as one of the top 15 relievers in the league."

The 26-year-old Adams was 2-3 with a 3.40 ERA with 14 walks and 39 strikeouts in 53 innings.

With a lot of the pieces in place the only variable remains how many save opportunities Adams will have.

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index