Article: Four Ways to Get the Brewers Rolling Again

[Harold Hutchison]

While the Brewers are atop the NL Central, the team is not really sitting pretty. Injuries have ravaged the team, particularly the starting rotation. The offense has struggled to generate runs consistently. The situation is not desperate, but it is beyond dispute that the Brewers need to turn some things around. How do they do that? Here are four ideas:

Image courtesy of © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

1. DFA Jesse Winker, Luke Voit, and Darin Ruf; call up Keston Hiura, Tyler Black, and Eddy Alvarez; option Brice Turang

Jesse Winker and Luke Voit have not gotten the job done as designated hitters, and the Brewers need to be willing to cut bait. It’s time to roll the dice with Keston Hiura, who seems to have made strides in Nashville, and who can also fill in at first, second, and in left field, as soon as he's healthy. Tyler Black has hit well enough that he probably should get the call up as well to help at third base, and he is a viable option at second or the outfield and DH. Eddy Alvarez has performed well in Nashville, and warrants some time at the MLB level, while Turang goes to Nashville and hopefully rediscovers the OBP skills that have seemingly vanished in Milwaukee.

2. Stretch out Peter Strzelecki

Strzelecki’s addition of a sinker has helped him out as a late-inning reliever, but that could be selling his potential short. With four pitches, Strzelecki arguably could have the type of arsenal that could make him a decent back-end starter. With Brandon Woodruff and Aaron Ashby on the 60-day injured list, and Wade Miley also injured, the Brewers might need to look for some starting pitching help. Stretching out Strzelecki might provide that in the short term for the team, at no cost in prospects.

3. Reacquire “The Raptor” Plus One

Even with the addition of Julio Teheran, the Brewers may well decide to bolster the staff some more. If that is the case, they may want to swing a deal with Colorado to bring back a proven clubhouse commodity in addition to a pitcher who has posted some dominating numbers so far. That would be Brent Suter. With an ERA of 0.94 through the games of May 21, Suter has averaged over an inning pitched per game, and has past experience starting. In addition, the Crew could also bring back old friend Chase Anderson to bolster the pitching staff. Anderson was a solid pitcher for the Crew from 2016-2019, and he has worked both out of the pen and the rotation since, appearing to rebound from struggles over the three previous seasons.

4. Look for other starters

The Crew may want to start calling some teams that are struggling–or completely out of it–at this point of the season. They shouldn’t be looking for deals that could cost them prime prospects, but instead seek to find some “castoffs” who could add depth until Woodruff and Miley return. Zach Plesac of the Cleveland Guardians comes to mind right away, but the Crew should talk to San Diego, Seattle, the White Sox, and even give division rivals like the Cubs or Reds a call. Best to make the call now, before the injury bug strikes again and desperation forces the Crew into a deal that will cost them over the long term.

Conclusion

The 2023 season has not been horrible. If anything, the Crew has, given the rash of injuries, exceeded expectations by holding a lead in the NL Central. But the team needs to make some moves to turn things around, lest the Crew repeat their non-postseason appearance of 2022.

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[wiguy94]

Why would Darin Ruf be DFA'd? He has a 103 wRC+ for us and that's with some horrible batted ball luck. Plus he smashes LHP.

Keston is hurt and Alvarez has a 33% wRC+ in May with a 36% K-rate.

Why is Suter even mentioned in the same sentence as SP? He's pitched 4+ innings 1 time since the start of 2019. 

Chase Anderson...? Just why? What does Chase Anderson offer that Rea and Teheran don't?

[Austin Tatious]

I believe Hiura is hurt. Correct me if I’m wrong. 

Ruf has been a bright spot as a niche guy.  

Winker and Voit should be in Korea.  

[jerichoholicninja]

I give you credit for your commitment to the Suter running gag. Shows perseverance.

[wiguy94]

As of today:

Brent Suter - 2.88 ERA, 3.39 FIP, 4.47 xFIP

Chase Anderson - 4.12 ERA, 5.68 FIP, 4.85 xFIP

Vs their Brewers counterparts that you wanted to replace

Bryse Wilson - 2.83 ERA, 3.90 FIP, 4.64 xFIP

Colin Rea - 4.71 ERA, 4.80 FIP, 4.34 xFIP

Julio Teheran - 1.78 ERA, 3.73 FIP, 4.43 xFIP 

Thank goodness we didn't trade prospects away for Suter and Anderson and just continued to ride with what we had considering they have performed pretty much on par with Suter and Anderson.