Article: The Brewers and Free Agency - Which Pitchers & Hitters Remain?

[Nate Palmer]

The Milwaukee Brewers filled two of their biggest needs: a catcher and a hitter by acquiring William Contreras. Here is a look at some other areas of the rosters that should be addressed and what free agents are out there that could help. 

After the Milwaukee Brewers acquired William Contreras, one major item of need was checked off the list. As the free agent rumor mill continues to churn and signings have been filing in, there are a few more logical places for the Brewers to add talent to their roster. Here is an attempt to play matchmaker in a few areas of the roster. 

Bullpen Help
For any team considering a playoff run, the bullpen is where teams always look for more quality arms. The front office has collected a plethora of arms in two of the trades completed this winter, but a lack of assured quality is present. (If certainty can be a thing regarding bullpen arms.) It will certainly be interesting if the Brewers continue to feel secure about Devin Williams as their closer or if they would like to bring in someone else to either supplant him or push him back to the primary setup role. 

The big name is Craig Kimbrel, who spent 2022 in Los Angeles pitching for the Dodgers. Currently, at age 34, Kimbrel now has age and mileage concerns attached to him. This past season, there was a drop in his strikeout and K-rates, only to add fuel to those concerns. Even with that in consideration, he still put up a 3.75 ERA paired with a slightly less encouraging 4.04 xFIP. 

Of course, if Williams is the closer going forward, there are potentially a lot of setup or 6th and 7th-inning guys available that would lengthen the Brewers 'bullpen. Michael Fulmer, Trevor May, and Andrew Chafin are among the names that could fit into that sort of role for the Brewers, and their market may be on the cusp of getting some traction in the coming weeks. 

Brandon Drury
The Brewers have seen both Wong and Jace Peterson land on other rosters this offseason, and while there are guys on the roster ready to replace them, there could still be interest in bringing someone in. Brandon Drury could make sense in large part due to his flexibility. He can play second and third base and venture to the corner outfield if needed. 

Drury is coming off his best offensive season after hitting .263/.320/.492, a .813 OPS, and 28 home runs. All buyers should beware of potentially buying Drury at his high point, but if the 2022 version is real, he could provide insurance for Brice Turang if he struggles, as well as Luis Urias. 

Drury’s presence would also allow Abraham Toro to stay at Triple-A for development. Something that could help maximize the centerpiece of the return from the Mariners for Wong. Drury would also provide further infield depth just in case the Brewers were blown away by an offer for Willy Adames. Someone other teams will call on if they are left without a chair in the game of musical chairs that the free agent shortstops have created this offseason. 

Adam Duvall
After the trade of Hunter Renfroe, there is still room for the addition of another outfielder. Adam Duvall is a guy who has spent the last several seasons as a valuable role player for Atlanta Braves. He has been a fringe starter but is a threat to hit for power when put in the right situation. Over Duvall’s career, he has had even platoon numbers, although this past season, he produced much better numbers against left-handers than right-handers. 

There may not be much reason to sign a Duvall-type outfielder other than he would help establish a “floor” for the quality of players in the Brewers outfield. While establishing a floor, he hasn’t been good enough, nor should he be expensive enough, to truly block playing time from young guys like Tyrone Taylor, Sal Frelick, or Joey Wiemer. Due to the presence of those three, someone like Duvall would seemingly be a lower priority than other needs. The addition of Contreras' bat also lessens the pressure on one of those young outfielders to produce immediately. 

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[CheezWizHed]

Toro certainly wasn't the centerpiece of the Wong trade... and I doubt he starts at the MLB (or even appears for more than a cup of coffee) this year. 

I'm surprised you didn't look at more options like Justin Turner, who the Brewers have pursued in the past and just might be in our $$ range now. I'd say 3B and infield in general is our biggest need at the moment. 

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

14 minutes ago, CheezWizHed said:

Toro certainly wasn't the centerpiece of the Wong trade... and I doubt he starts at the MLB (or even appears for more than a cup of coffee) this year. 

I'm surprised you didn't look at more options like Justin Turner, who the Brewers have pursued in the past and just might be in our $$ range now. I'd say 3B and infield in general is our biggest need at the moment. 

They have plenty of guys who can play 3B. I'd say if they go that direction, it's more a luxury at this point. Tellez and Adames are about as set as you're going to get at 1B and SS. Urias will likely be starting somewhere, whether its at 2B or 3B. They need to decide whether a bat like Brian Anderson or Justin Turner is a big enough upgrade over Toro/Turang/Brosseau to justify the cost.

[Outlander]

They could really use another right handed bat that can hit lefties as 1B/weak side of the DH platoon/backup OF. Wil Myers, Adam Duvall and Justin Turner should all be targets. We shall see if any are in the Brewers price range.

[Brock Beauchamp]

13 minutes ago, Outlander said:

They could really use another right handed bat that can hit lefties as 1B/weak side of the DH platoon/backup OF. Wil Myers, Adam Duvall and Justin Turner should all be targets. We shall see if any are in the Brewers price range.

I haven't heard much about Turner lately. He's likely to take a one-year deal, right? That seems like the kind of thing the Brewers could swing.

[Brewcrew82]

I honestly wouldn't mind a reunion with Taylor Rogers to help provide some assurance in the bullpen. His peripheral numbers remain quite strong, and he's only 32, compared to Kimbrel or Boxberger who are in their mid 30s. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

11 minutes ago, Brewcrew82 said:

I honestly wouldn't mind a reunion with Taylor Rogers to help provide some assurance in the bullpen. His peripheral numbers remain quite strong, and he's only 32, compared to Kimbrel or Boxberger who are in their mid 30s. 

I agree. And I think the market on him will be relatively soft. 

[ougiqbxy]

What about Trey Mancini to get Righthanded at bats at 1B and some veteran presence in Right field so we aren't so reliant on the rookies?

I would take Turner for third and no one else would even be considered an upgrade, imo.

My main wish is for Andrew Chaffin for bullpen help.  Others I am interested in for one reason or another are: Archie Bradley, Michael Fulmer, Ken Giles, Reyes Moronta, Adam Ottavino, and Taylor Rogers.

Does Edwin Rios have an option left?  If so I would like to take a cheap shot with him for 3B depth in minors.

Would Danny Duffy take a minor league deal for Starting Depth?

Other than those thoughts, I am happy to roll with what we have

[UpandIn]

7 hours ago, Outlander said:

They could really use another right handed bat that can hit lefties as 1B/weak side of the DH platoon/backup OF. Wil Myers, Adam Duvall and Justin Turner should all be targets. We shall see if any are in the Brewers price range.

Myers makes a LOT of sense. Turner of course does as well, but I see him back in LA on a ~8M deal. I suspect it'd take substantially more to get him to leave LA. 

I believe the Brewers could still add ~20M to the payroll this year(not a 20M a year type deal, 20 this year) give or take. More perhaps if it was a true difference maker and not just a nice sell to the fans like McCutchen. 

If they do or not...I don't care. They've already added an AS Catcher for nothing(in terms of money, Ruiz had value to us obviously). 

I also like May or Fulmer. Or Lugo any can be had in the 6-8M range. 

[Jake McKibbin]

Abdrew Chafin looks excatly what the club needs, solid, dependable reliever with low 3's ERA over his career, issue with injuries last year but maybe a good person for a 5/6m deal

[SF70]

17 minutes ago, jakedood said:

Abdrew Chafin looks excatly what the club needs, solid, dependable reliever with low 3's ERA over his career, issue with injuries last year but maybe a good person for a 5/6m deal

Chafin turned down a $6.5M player option, and with the prices for quality veteran relievers where there at, I think we’re looking at something along the lines of 2 years at $16-$20M. Don’t think the team goes there.

[SF70]

8 hours ago, UpandIn said:

Myers makes a LOT of sense. Turner of course does as well, but I see him back in LA on a ~8M deal. I suspect it'd take substantially more to get him to leave LA. 

I believe the Brewers could still add ~20M to the payroll this year(not a 20M a year type deal, 20 this year) give or take. More perhaps if it was a true difference maker and not just a nice sell to the fans like McCutchen. 

If they do or not...I don't care. They've already added an AS Catcher for nothing(in terms of money, Ruiz had value to us obviously). 

I also like May or Fulmer. Or Lugo any can be had in the 6-8M range. 

With the prices of FA relief pitching this offseason I think the estimates are quite low on the aforementioned pitchers. I’m guessing 2 year deals on all 3.

[Jake McKibbin]

1 hour ago, SF70 said:

Chafin turned down a $6.5M player option, and with the prices for quality veteran relievers where there at, I think we’re looking at something along the lines of 2 years at $16-$20M. Don’t think the team goes there.

Given his figures over 2021 & 2022, I'd maybe be willing to go 2/16 for Chafin, the others not so much

That or could be tempted for a 3/40-45 (Maybe this is another underestimate) for Eovaldi maybe? and Move Houser to the Pen?