In 2011, the Brewers made the playoffs and advanced all the way to the National League Championship Series before succumbing to the Cardinals in six games.
Following the end of that campaign, the Brewers certainly were in a position where they would remain contenders. Ryan Braun was coming off an MVP campaign, Rickie Weeks developed into one of the better-hitting second baseman in baseball, Corey Hart was hitting great, and the Brewers had a strong rotation with Zack Greinke, Shaun Marcum, Yovani Gallardo, and Randy Wolf.
However, Milwaukee had a couple of holes. Most notably, the Brewers were going to lose one of their best hitters, Prince Fielder, to free agency.