Left Handed Tandem / Piggyback Pairs

[True Blue Brew Crew]

With the Brewers top 8 controlled initial out getting arms (IOGs) all being RHPs, the Brewers have set themselves up for quite a bit of maneuvering needed to get the desired balance of opposite handedness. It could be as simple as coming to acceptable terms with either Miley and Gio. Either way, retaining or adding 2 LHP at minimum, only brings the IOG group to 10. No amount of piggybacking makes room for 10 of these guys on a 12-man staff. Since the signs on the wall point to the Brewers wanting to retain all 3 of the young trio, you have to expect someone from the group of Anderson, Davies, and Guerra to be moved. Likely two.

 

If it's not as simple as bringing back Miley and Gio, you're looking at free agency and/or trades. The immediate thought would be to go after a Corbin but that's obviously a longshot given the demand and price he'll command. I don't have a list of targets just yet, but I imagine it will come from undervalued lefties who either struggle deeper into games or are current left-handed relievers with the ability to be stretched out. You don't need to pay through the nose for a 200 inning guy when you only need him to go through a lineup twice.

 

The Brewers could also settle for one LH IOG at the outset and add one during the 2019 season but the likely tandem-pairing with at least some part of the rotation has me thinking they want two from the get-go. The fun will be in identifying the Brewers under the radar LH targets.

[long ball]

Jamie Garcia and Jorge De La Rosa could fit the multi inning role.

 

Happ, CC, Holland, Brett Anderson, pomeranz all probably profile more in the starter role.

 

Keuchel, Corbin, And Ryu are in the never gonna happen pool.

[True Blue Brew Crew]

Unless Miley just absolutely loves being a Brewer and signs for less than he'll likely get elsewhere, I see Gonzalez the more likely of two to be brought back. I think there's unfinished tinkering to be done with Gio. From outside, I like Happ as a budget friendly 1 year option.

[tmwiese55]

Young controlled cheap lefty target who might be undervalued to me is Rodon for the White Sox. IDK what you'd have to give up to get him or if it's possible without Keston or Ray but I'd at least be asking them. Their manager often let him go way too deep in games thus inflating his stats (and they still were good). 6 innings or our 2 times through and yank at first sign of trouble method and this guy should kill it, also should be good for his oft injured arm.

 

Maybe a Santana or Thames (assuming Abreu is traded) plus other prospects gets them talking.