Brewers 2025 Starting Rotation

[wibadgers23]

I don't see us doing much of anything in terms of acquiring starting pitching in the offseason.  I think you can pretty much pencil in Peralta, Myers, Civale and Woodruff as the starters.  Gasser obviously won't be ready to go to start the year.  Either we go out and grab another starter (and Rea is the long man) or Rea is your 5th starter.  Misiorowski is probably the first guy up following an injury.

[TURBO]

Penciling in Woodruff to start the year in the rotation would be a mistake.

Anything Woodruff adds in 2025 is a bonus, but counting on him as one of our top 5 in 2025 would be irresponsible imo.

[Brewcrew82]

30 minutes ago, TURBO said:

Penciling in Woodruff to start the year in the rotation would be a mistake.

Anything Woodruff adds in 2025 is a bonus, but counting on him as one of our top 5 in 2025 would be irresponsible imo.

I don't think it's that irresponsible to count on him being in the rotation considering they paid $17 million for him. He'll be 16 months removed from surgery by ST, which is where Ashby was when he regained his form.

Counting on him to be an ace is a different thing, but odds are he'll be in the rotation.

[SF70]

1 hour ago, wibadgers23 said:

I don't see us doing much of anything in terms of acquiring starting pitching in the offseason.  I think you can pretty much pencil in Peralta, Myers, Civale and Woodruff as the starters.  Gasser obviously won't be ready to go to start the year.  Either we go out and grab another starter (and Rea is the long man) or Rea is your 5th starter.  Misiorowski is probably the first guy up following an injury.

Rea to the pen as a bulk and depth starter arm.

5th & 6th starters should be Hall-Ashby until proven otherwise.

[Thurston Fluff]

46 minutes ago, TURBO said:

Penciling in Woodruff to start the year in the rotation would be a mistake.

Anything Woodruff adds in 2025 is a bonus, but counting on him as one of our top 5 in 2025 would be irresponsible imo.

I'm glad someone else thinks this way. Our team will be in much better shape preparing as though he won't be ready. If he is close to himself all the better. If not it's better to have the contingency plan in place before the season starts than have to scramble during the season.

 

24 minutes ago, Brewcrew82 said:

I don't think it's that irresponsible to count on him being in the rotation considering they paid $17 million for him. He'll be 16 months removed from surgery by ST, which is where Ashby was when he regained his form.

Counting on him to be an ace is a different thing, but odds are he'll be in the rotation.

Neither Jimmy Nelson nor Ashby managed to come back as an effective starter. Perhaps Ashby can yet but he hasn't so far. Nelson never did come back. Just because Woodruff will be further removed from surgery to start the year doesn't mean he's more likely to recover from it. Whatever amount of money they gave him is irrelevant. It was a short term gamble they thought was worth taking. It was also a good PR move that didn't hurt player relations even if it doesn't pan out on the field.

[young guns]

Assuming he's healthy, I would be shocked if rea wasn't in the starting rotation.

[Brewcrew82]

2 hours ago, Thurston Fluff said:

 

Neither Jimmy Nelson nor Ashby managed to come back as an effective starter. Perhaps Ashby can yet but he hasn't so far. Nelson never did come back. Just because Woodruff will be further removed from surgery to start the year doesn't mean he's more likely to recover from it. Whatever amount of money they gave him is irrelevant. It was a short term gamble they thought was worth taking. It was also a good PR move that didn't hurt player relations even if it doesn't pan out on the field.

Nelson is irrelevant as he had a totally different, much more severe injury than Woodruff. 

Being 17 months removed from surgery does matter though as it increases the likelihood he'll be fully healed from his procedure. These things take time, as we saw with Ashby who only regained his stuff in July/August. 

Also, do you really think this organization is in the business of paying $17 million for a player for PR reasons? 

Like I said, I don't think it's wise to count on Woodruff returning to the top 10 starting pitcher he was prior to the injury given the nature of shoulder injuries, but odds are pretty good he'll be in the rotation in 2025 given the financial commitment and time distance from his surgery. 

[RobertCrawley]

3 hours ago, TURBO said:

Penciling in Woodruff to start the year in the rotation would be a mistake.

Anything Woodruff adds in 2025 is a bonus, but counting on him as one of our top 5 in 2025 would be irresponsible imo.

The bottom line is no one knows how good Big Woo will be when he returns. I take heart in the reports that he feels good, but we just don't know.

Any word on Wade Miley for next year?

[Jim French Stepstool]

Ashby returning to SP status would be HUGE, but with him going from looking like a total disaster most of his AAA season to being at times a dominant reliever here, I just don't know how much you want to push him. If he's an effective lefty BP arm we should probably count our blessings. You WOULD like at least one LH starter though, and he seems to have an effective enough pitch mix. If not him then hopefully Hall steps up, or Gasser when ready.

I absolutely loved what I saw from Myers in the finale.

[Jopal78]

1. Peralta

2. Myers

3. Rea

4. Civale

5. Woodruff 

Absent a trade to acquire a starting pitcher; I’d say those 5 have the inside track with Ashby, Carlos Rodriguez and Hall getting a chance to compete for a rotation spot in Spring Training.

Besides, Brewers will decline mutual option on Montas and Miley. Joe Ross is a free agent, and Bryce Wilson is a possible non-tender candidate. That’s every  who started (besides as opener) in ‘24 that’s still in the organization and’or not already out for parts of ‘25 with injury. 

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

I imagine we'll pick up a few "change of scenery" bulk guys to compete, and you know we'll be running a six-man rotation for a good chunk of the year.

Let me say a word on behalf of Hall. I think he's going to be more of a candidate than people think. His injuries this year really kept him from getting in any kind of groove, but I thought I saw some flashes there, and he's a lefty. I would guess Ashby is going to be a bullpen piece, potentially a piggy-back or multi-inning guy, a la the old Hader, and I would bet the Brewers put him in that role. That means Hall's going to be given every chance in the rotation. And he's going to be in the pitching lab, and guys with his prospect pedigree usually manage to be more than just a guy.

I'd be in on Joe Ross as an FA if the price is right. He's a good signing for Milwaukee. I doubt there's a huge market for a 31-year-old with his pedigree, and you'd figure he'd just as soon stick with a team like the Brewers than get only slightly more on a mediocre team.

We're going to win with pitching depth. A lot of guys who keep you in games equals a lot of wins with this much offensive talent on the roster.

[wiguy94]

2 minutes ago, Cool Hand Lucroy said:

I imagine we'll pick up a few "change of scenery" bulk guys to compete, and you know we'll be running a six-man rotation for a good chunk of the year.

Let me say a word on behalf of Hall. I think he's going to be more of a candidate than people think. His injuries this year really kept him from getting in any kind of groove, but I thought I saw some flashes there, and he's a lefty. I would guess Ashby is going to be a bullpen piece, potentially a piggy-back or multi-inning guy, a la the old Hader, and I would bet the Brewers put him in that role. That means Hall's going to be given every chance in the rotation. And he's going to be in the pitching lab, and guys with his prospect pedigree usually manage to be more than just a guy.

I'd be in on Joe Ross as an FA if the price is right. He's a good signing for Milwaukee. I doubt there's a huge market for a 31-year-old with his pedigree, and you'd figure he'd just as soon stick with a team like the Brewers than get only slightly more on a mediocre team.

We're going to win with pitching depth. A lot of guys who keep you in games equals a lot of wins with this much offensive talent on the roster.

I think Hall ends up in the rotation as well with Rea shifting into more of a swingman role. I can't imagine the expectation for Hall and Woodruff would be 30 starts and 150+ IP considering Hall has never thrown 100 innings in a season and Woodruff is coming off shoulder surgery.

[homer]

I think you pencil Woodruff is as the #5 starter and hope he pitches like a #3. I agree with others that given his salary, they will make every effort they can to get him in the rotation. I don't know if he will be on an innings limit or not. I'd be pleasantly surprised if he throws 150 IP +

[SF70]

16 hours ago, Cool Hand Lucroy said:

I imagine we'll pick up a few "change of scenery" bulk guys to compete, and you know we'll be running a six-man rotation for a good chunk of the year.

Let me say a word on behalf of Hall. I think he's going to be more of a candidate than people think. His injuries this year really kept him from getting in any kind of groove, but I thought I saw some flashes there, and he's a lefty. I would guess Ashby is going to be a bullpen piece, potentially a piggy-back or multi-inning guy, a la the old Hader, and I would bet the Brewers put him in that role. That means Hall's going to be given every chance in the rotation. And he's going to be in the pitching lab, and guys with his prospect pedigree usually manage to be more than just a guy.

I'd be in on Joe Ross as an FA if the price is right. He's a good signing for Milwaukee. I doubt there's a huge market for a 31-year-old with his pedigree, and you'd figure he'd just as soon stick with a team like the Brewers than get only slightly more on a mediocre team.

We're going to win with pitching depth. A lot of guys who keep you in games equals a lot of wins with this much offensive talent on the roster.

Not expecting the team to be able to sign Ross. He won’t rotation with this team and I’m guessing he wants to start.

[SF70]

The SP depth on this team is the best I can ever remember. That will pay dividends over a long championship season. My preferred rotation:

1. Woodruff— I predict solid from the get go, improving to first game playoff starter.

2. Myers— From his arsenal to his elite tunneling to his command — could be a #2 next season.

3. Peralta— As good a 3rd starter as there is in the game.

4. Hall— Health and an offseason in the pitching lab. Needs innings. Team needs LHSP.

5. Ashby— Stuff is all the way back so this is where he belongs. 4 of the nastiest pitches in the game. Hoping he can add a 4-seam option he can throw up in the zone. 

6. Civale— As good of a 5th/6th starter as there is 

7. Rea— Great depth to have pitching bulk out of the pen.

8. CRod

9. Patrick

10. Henderson 

11. minor-league signing

They could also sign Miley on an incentive-laden deal for sometime in the second-half of the season.

I think they go 6-man all season to protect their starters, especially Woodruff-Ashby-Hall-Myers.

That is my optimistic take on this teams ‘25 rotation. There is no doubt in my mind they have the depth of quality starter arms to have a better rotation than what they had in ‘24, and with maybe the best bullpen they’ve had since late-season of ‘18, they will have the pitching to win a title.

[jay87shot]

I would love to trade for another 2/3 style starter but for now without a big move Peralta, Myers, Woody, Civale, Rea is a safe bet. I think I would have DL Hall or Ashby piggyback off of Woody for the 1st month or 2 and just keep his work down a bit. I would probably look into stretching out Ashby during the offseason and see if he could bump Rea to the pen. 

To be honest, I wouldn't mind just trading Rea and then having a camp battle between Misi, Henderson, Ashby, Hall, CarRod, and Shane Smith (+ maybe a minor league fa vet) for the 5th man and long man spots. We have enough quality depth that we can gamble a bit and go for a young guys upside over the likely steady 4 era of Rea.

[True Blue Brew Crew]

I've assumed Woodruff would be brought along slowly, perhaps pitching out of the pen until August at the earliest given he didn't pitch a single inning in 2024. I'd much rather have him covering more innings (starting) at the end than in the beginning. Anyone else thinking the same?

[LouisEly]

On 10/6/2024 at 8:02 AM, TURBO said:

Penciling in Woodruff to start the year in the rotation would be a mistake.

The key word is "pencil".  It's erasable.

You "pencil" him in but have contingency plans in place. 

1) Peralta
2) Civale
3) Myers
4) Woodruff (written in pencil)
5-7) Rea/Hall/Ashby

Primary Depth:
8) Misiorowski
9) C-Rod

In case of emergency:
10) Gasser (if ready)
11) Henderson (have to add him after the 2025 season anyway)
12) Patrick
13) Shane Smith (have to add him after 2025 as well)
14) Hunt 
15) Wichrowski

Also, the Brewers have until four days after the World Series ends to extend Montas and tear up the option year if they feel like Woody isn't progressing.  I would not be surprised at all if they do that.  I think Montas knows that he isn't getting $20M (from the Brewers or anyone), but might be open to $20M guaranteed over a two-year extension and he really enjoyed being on the team.

Depending on what they think of Henderson, Smith, Hunt, and Wichrowski, they have some young pitching talent to package to pick up an established starter if they need one (but I think they try to extend Montas first).

[Underachiever]

37 minutes ago, LouisEly said:

The key word is "pencil".  It's erasable.

You "pencil" him in but have contingency plans in place. 

1) Peralta
2) Civale
3) Myers
4) Woodruff (written in pencil)
5-7) Rea/Hall/Ashby

 

If you are writing Woodruff in pencil, shouldn't he be a #2?

[markedman5]

2 hours ago, True Blue Brew Crew said:

I've assumed Woodruff would be brought along slowly, perhaps pitching out of the pen until August at the earliest given he didn't pitch a single inning in 2024. I'd much rather have him covering more innings (starting) at the end than in the beginning. Anyone else thinking the same?

No……I see little to no chance of that

[Matt]

There's no way I'm counting on Woody to ever pitch for the Brewers again. Not with that injury. Obviously hoping he returns and does well, but they need six or seven guys they're comfortable with when they break camp. 

Peralta
Myers
Rea
Civale

Those are four locks. I think they give Ashby, Patrick, and Rodriguez chances in the spring to see how they look. Sign #5 type in free agency. Maybe trade for a reliable inning eater, possibly using Black. 

Hope for the best with Woody and if he makes it back you can always slide guys into the pen.

[Underachiever]

I agree with those who think Woodruff will never be as effective again. I’ll be surprised if and when he pitches in mlb. I hope I’m wrong, but I always assume the injury will be worse or take longer to recover from than expected.

[sveumrules]

Woodruff’s first “full” season as a starter was 2019 with 22 GS. If we were to say an actual full season (no quotes) is 30 GS, then Brandon has “missed” 8, 0, 3, 19 and 30 starts over the last five full seasons for a total of 60. 

Even with all that missed time, his 595 IP from 2019-24 still ranks 65th in MLB among only 100 pitchers with at least 500 IP, such is the state of pitching injury around the league.

During that same stretch Woody’s 69 ERA- is tied for 1st and his 72 FIP- is tied for 2nd among those same 100 pitchers, so while decline is inevitable (even had he not gotten injured) at least he’ll be regressing from the very tippy top.

My realistic expectations are zero or worse, but I don’t think it would be too crazy if Brando came out and pitched something like say 120 IP | 90 ERA- | 2.0 rWAR or thereabouts.

[RobertCrawley]

What's the status of Montas? It would be nice to see what he can do next season.

[Thurston Fluff]

14 minutes ago, RobertCrawley said:

What's the status of Montas? It would be nice to see what he can do next season.

He has a $20 million mutual option and a $2 million buyout. There's no way the Brewers pay $18 million to keep him.