Quick quiz: name the players currently on the Milwaukee Brewers' roster that were in the dugout during Game 1 of the 2008 National League Divisional Series.

It's not as easy as you think. A little more than a year after the glorious October afternoon, during which the team celebrated its first playoff berth in 26 years, only a handful of those 25 players still remain with the Brewers.

Gone are mainstays like J.J. Hardy, Mike Cameron, Bill Hall and mid-season pickup Ray Durham. C.C. Sabathia signed with New York last season, Brian Shouse went to Tampa Bay and Salomon Torres retired. Eric Gagne tried a comeback and failed, while Brad Nelson couldn't hack it during his first extended big league action last season.

In addition, Jason Kendall wasn't retained and Mike Rivera and Seth McClung weren't tendered contracts for 2010.

Talk about turnover.

In terms of starters, Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, Rickie Weeks and Corey Hart are the only remaining position players and Dave Bush, Jeff Suppan (for better or worse), Yovani Gallardo and Manny Parra (though he worked in relief) remain in the rotation ... for now.

Add in lefty Mitch Stetter and reliever Carlos Villanueva and the Brewers have just 10 players remaining from the playoff squad, a somewhat stunning statistic.

But that's the reality facing general manager Doug Melvin as he tries to retool the Brewers into a contender in the National League Central Division.

The so-called youth movement era has passed; the home-grown stars like Fielder, Braun and Gallardo are no longer youngsters learning the game, they're somewhat seasoned veterans who have made names for themselves and tasted the postseason.

Maybe that's part of the reason that Melvin has added some experience to the clubhouse this off-season. Randy Wolf and LaTroy Hawkins are by no means eligible for AARP benefits, but Hawkins will be 37 later this month and, by the time his three-year deal expires, Wolf will be 36. Newly acquired catcher Gregg Zaun is cut in the mold of veteran, journeyman catchers that lend stability to a pitching staff and a clubhouse.

Despite the turnover, neither Melvin nor manager Ken Macha are willing to suggest that the Brewers are rebuilding.

Call it what you want: re-tooling, tinkering, adjusting, upgrading ... the Brewers are going to have a much different look when pitchers and catchers report to Maryvale in two months.

In addition to the experience and veterans in the dugout, there also will be plenty of hungry youngsters. Alcides Escobar will be an Opening Day starter for the first time and he will celebrate is 23rd birthday this week. Carlos Gomez came to Milwaukee in the Hardy deal and only has about a year and a half under his belt.

Turnover in baseball, especially considering the game's economic realities, is a fact of life. No matter what people think they were promised with Miller Park, the Brewers will not be able to spend dollar-for-dollar with New York, Boston and the other "major-market" franchises whose payrolls are directly linked to not only good attendance, but millions and millions in broadcast revenues.

Instead, the Brewers' plan is based on developing key pieces, building around them and filling holes with bargain one-year wonders and other waiver-wire or reclamation projects, which has been Melvin's specialty.

Scott Podsednik, Dan Kolb, Derrick Turnbow, Gabe Kapler and, more recently, Casey McGehee are perfect examples of the GM's ability to plug holes on the cheap with more-than-serviceable players.

Which makes it all the more mind-boggling why some fans are questioning his decision to surround the younger stars with players like Zaun, Wolf and Hawkins instead of breaking the bank to acquire players like Roy Halladay or other big-name, big price-tag talent.

Championships are won with a balanced mix of young talent, established stars and a supporting cast of grizzled veterans who come to a team looking to win and are willing to accept whatever role necessary to get the ring.

Take a look at the Brewers' roster now. Seems like a pretty good mix, doesn't it?