Brewers Still In the Market For Rotation Depth?

[NOMAAM]

Ross Stripling from the As is an interesting target.  Depending if the As are dealing and the cost.

[eddiemathews]

11 hours ago, Dadbauer said:

Usually when there's smoke there is fire when it comes to this front office. You either hear about something right before it happens or it happens without a mention. We will see in the coming days.

Off the wall theory - Brewers attempting a pillow contract on Snell and Boras is leading them on. Maybe they leak something like this now as an ultimatum - either take our offer or your guy is still in limbo.

The impressive thing about the Brewers is how often that there is fire with absolutely no smoke.

[brewmann04]

I am curious if their any truth 

[Sugarrayray]

I think a year like this its important to compete, but also really important to see what they have in guys like Gasser and Hall. The Brewers are wizards at getting the best out of pitchers. They already went out and got depth options with Junis and Ross, who happened to be chillin with easy 96 velo the other day. Miley will make some starts. Rea appears to be heavily featured. I really don’t want that many guys taking innings from young talented guys, specifically in a year where they are competitive, but taking a slight step back from last year. Also Carlos Rodriguez is soon to be ready as well. Let’s say the Brewers are more competitive next year, there will be far fewer innings to be patient with guys like Gasser, Hall, and C-Rod. So I’m thinking now’s a good time.

The Brewers were extraordinarily patient with guys like Turang and Wiemer last year. Now its to do the same with the rotation.

[Dave_Not_Here]

8 hours ago, Sugarrayray said:

I think a year like this its important to compete, but also really important to see what they have in guys like Gasser and Hall. The Brewers are wizards at getting the best out of pitchers. They already went out and got depth options with Junis and Ross, who happened to be chillin with easy 96 velo the other day. Miley will make some starts. Rea appears to be heavily featured. I really don’t want that many guys taking innings from young talented guys, specifically in a year where they are competitive, but taking a slight step back from last year. Also Carlos Rodriguez is soon to be ready as well. Let’s say the Brewers are more competitive next year, there will be far fewer innings to be patient with guys like Gasser, Hall, and C-Rod. So I’m thinking now’s a good time.

The Brewers were extraordinarily patient with guys like Turang and Wiemer last year. Now its to do the same with the rotation.

I think you make both a good point, but also a fair point. At some point, you have to let the kids run, and see what happens. 

 

I do believe the Brewers will be able to do this AND add to the rotation. Miley has a history of fragility, and both Ross and Ashby are coming back from significant injuries. Peralta has also had durability concerns in his career, although the fact that he made 30 starts last season is a great sign.  That's to say nothing about Junis, who may be better deployed as a reliever at that stage of his career, and all the young guys with limited to no MLB experience. 

 

From the best I can tell from Baseball Reference, it looks like the average number of innings pitched last season for all teams was about 830 IP; the Brewers got about 875 IP. That may be part of why the bullpen was so good across the board.  

But it makes me wonder now how many arms they will need to deploy this season just to get to 830 IP from the rotation, and will the bullpen be expected to pick up some of those innings to make up the difference? Just adding a guy who is at least a durable, #3/#4 type arm that could get 25+ starts could make a huge difference. 

[jay87shot]

13 hours ago, brewmann04 said:

sorry but Miz is a way off for the Rotation and not sure how much Junk and Mckendery move the needle either

Misi pitched 21 innings in AA, the way he was moved through the minors last year (26 innings A, 23 inning A+). It wouldn't be to crazy with a good spring to have in in AAA. I agree he has some control issues before he is ready but I don't think it would be crazy for him to be ready come the all-star break. As the 10th-ish in line to start that is reasonable. 

Again agree Junk and McKendry don't move the needle but my point was that we have a ton of depth and really need higher quality. For me Lorenzen and Clevinger still have plenty of question and would really just prevent one ofHall, Gasser, and Ashby (maybe Rodriguez) from getting a full shot this year.

I wouldnt mind Clevinger or Lorenzen, we could just use that money better.

[NOMAAM]

Lorenzen is still looking for 2 yrs.  That’s probably why he’s still on market.  At this point any new signing isn’t ready until Mid April.  So that needs to be taken into account.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

13 minutes ago, NOMAAM said:

Lorenzen is still looking for 2 yrs.  That’s probably why he’s still on market.  At this point any new signing isn’t ready until Mid April.  So that needs to be taken into account.

I doubt guys like Lorenzen and Clevenger, much less Snell or Montgomery, are just sitting on their couches waiting for the phone to ring. I imagine they are currently in the middle of a very similar spring training process as players who are under contract, with the expectation that they will soon sign a deal and be in a camp somewhere. There are plenty of training facilities, some even owned by agents, that do a pretty great job mimicking a typical spring training experience. 

[SeaBass]

2 hours ago, Ron Robinsons Beard said:

I doubt guys like Lorenzen and Clevenger, much less Snell or Montgomery, are just sitting on their couches waiting for the phone to ring. I imagine they are currently in the middle of a very similar spring training process as players who are under contract, with the expectation that they will soon sign a deal and be in a camp somewhere. There are plenty of training facilities, some even owned by agents, that do a pretty great job mimicking a typical spring training experience. 

I think this is very likely. I haven't tracked how FA pitchers in similar situations have operated in previous seasons. I would think they would be mitigating how strenuously they prepare while trying to remain healthy so as not to tank their earning potential with an injury.

[MilwaukeeBeers]

Begrudgingly I would go with the arm with lowest risk and highest reward. Trevor Bauer. 

[brewcrewrule28]

I love how so many people act like Trevor Bauer is satan but there hasn't been one comment about Clevinger's off the field issues. 

[sveumrules]

23 minutes ago, brewcrewrule28 said:

I love how so many people act like Trevor Bauer is satan but there hasn't been one comment about Clevinger's off the field issues. 

First post in the thread mentioned Clevinger’s off field issues.

Main difference twixt the two seems to be that MLB didn’t think whatever Clevinger did warranted a suspension vs Bauer getting 324 games and what appears to be an unofficial blacklisting.

[wiguy94]

1 hour ago, brewcrewrule28 said:

I love how so many people act like Trevor Bauer is satan but there hasn't been one comment about Clevinger's off the field issues. 

My original post literally mentioned he had accusations against him. Singular. Not 4 plus multiple restraining orders like Trevor Bauer.

[brewcrewrule28]

16 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

My original post literally mentioned he had accusations against him. Singular. Not 4 plus multiple restraining orders like Trevor Bauer.

I missed that, clearly called out in the original post. I'm certainly not an advocate for Bauer but still think my general point stands. A bit odd to be strongly against one but totally fine with the other. 

[brewmann04]

Hey Jay. I was wondering what you would spen on if not Pitching.  I think depth is ok but again doesn’t move me and if you can add you should do it. The thing with Miz I think you see him coming out of the pen that starting imo

[Scooterfletcher]

Clevinger would have a very strong year here I feel.  I’d love to get the guy.

[bigred]

12 hours ago, brewcrewrule28 said:

I love how so many people act like Trevor Bauer is satan but there hasn't been one comment about Clevinger's off the field issues. 

Exactly. That's probably because fhe media didn't make a huge stink about it like they they did with Bauer. I actually don't remember hearing anything about off-field issues with Clevinger, so maybe the media didn't say anything about it. Wasn't Bauer sort of cleared of any wrongdoing? 

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

15 hours ago, MilwaukeeBeers said:

Begrudgingly I would go with the arm with lowest risk and highest reward. Trevor Bauer. 

I'd be more on board with bringing in a potentially cancerous personality like Bauer if he were still the Cy Young-level pitcher he used to be. I'm just not sure if he's that guy anymore, though. Which makes the risk/reward a lot more cognizant. 

[Ignitor 4ever]

38 minutes ago, Ron Robinsons Beard said:

I'd be more on board with bringing in a potentially cancerous personality like Bauer if he were still the Cy Young-level pitcher he used to be. I'm just not sure if he's that guy anymore, though. Which makes the risk/reward a lot more cognizant. 

At this point isn't the cost pretty low though?  It isn't like anybody is beating down Bauer's door.  He would probably sign a one year prove-it deal at a pretty low cost. $5M? He has everything to lose and will probably be on his best behavior.  If he sucks or causes problems, cut him.  Not much of a loss.  If he works himself into shape and becomes the ace, what a great get for the Brewers for 2024.  Worth the risk to me.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

38 minutes ago, Ignitor 4ever said:

At this point isn't the cost pretty low though?  It isn't like anybody is beating down Bauer's door.  He would probably sign a one year prove-it deal at a pretty low cost. $5M? He has everything to lose and will probably be on his best behavior.  If he sucks or causes problems, cut him.  Not much of a loss.  If he works himself into shape and becomes the ace, what a great get for the Brewers for 2024.  Worth the risk to me.

On paper, yes. But if you ready between the lines, there's something more here. He's said he's willing to play for the minimum. Yet nary a snippet of interest. Talented players who can help teams are rarely if ever given the industry cold shoulder to this degree. There's something more to this that hasn't come out. Just has to be.

[NOMAAM]

1 hour ago, Ron Robinsons Beard said:

On paper, yes. But if you ready between the lines, there's something more here. He's said he's willing to play for the minimum. Yet nary a snippet of interest. Talented players who can help teams are rarely if ever given the industry cold shoulder to this degree. There's something more to this that hasn't come out. Just has to be.

You have to look at it from PR perspective.  What are the odds he’ll get arrested again with a similar situation.  Also there is a high probability there are more women out there who haven’t come forward.  If he gets himself back on the field and on sports center and in the papers everyday.  Good chance some other women will no longer stay silent.  Heck there maybe some NDAs out as well.  See Vince McMahon.

[Guest]

Bauer is a pile of human garbage. The issue is he likes to choke women and punch them in the head after they pass out. For those that haven't read the details on things, he admits to doing these things and his entire defense is consent.

Clevinger had a single domestic incident with the parent of one of his children that MLB couldn't find sufficient evidence on to suspend him. Not defending him... at all.... but they aren't in the same ballpark.

Lorenzen was really good at times last year... downright dominant for a stretch. He just wore down, Philly overworked him... wouldn't mind seeing them do a 2 year deal... maybe with incentives based on innings pitched.

[DR28]

I would love to add Clevinger to our rotation.

[brewmann04]

I really hope the Brewers add one of those guys would make the Rotation so much better and solid to make a run 

[TURBO]

Trevor Bauer is expected to pitch for a Japanese travel team against Dodgers’ minor-leaguers on Saturday.

 

The 33-year-old is hoping to get noticed by professional scouts and this is one way of doing it. The team he’s playing for is called Asian Breeze, a traveling club from Japan that plays scrimmages against squads of minor-leaguers from MLB clubs. Ironically, he will be going up players within the Dodgers organization. Los Angeles has distanced itself from Bauer since he was released in January of 2023 after serving the longest suspension (194 games) in the history of MLB and MLBPA’s joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. This will be closest Bauer has come to a MLB-affiliated competition since his suspension.

 

Source: Bill Shaikin