Starting Pitching depth addition

[jay87shot]

Mlbtraderumors put out an article proposing that we are looking for SP depth.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/02/looking-at-the-brewers-rotation-depth-options.html

They do recognize our depth, noting Elvin Rodriguez could be an option which I hadn't really thought about. With it looking more likely that Woody won't be ready to start the year and Gasser maybe missing most of the year instead of 1/2, I agree. It is getting close to the point where guys like Lorenzen and Clevinger signed really cheap deals 1/3. I would prefer to keep Ashby and Hall in multi innings roles and be able to move them into the rotation (better for confidence). Guys like Patrick, CarRod, Elvin Rodriguez, Misi, or Henderson could earn a rotation spot. But here are some guys that could be had cheaper that I would be happy to get.

I think Pivetta, Quintana, and Heaney still get decent deals in the next couple weeks that won't count as deeply discounted. Kershaw to the Dodgers seems like a lock.

Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson, not my favorite but the experience is there.

Cal Quantrill and Chris Flexen, were decent in less than ideal situations and could be decent.

Mike Clevinger and Spencer Turnbull, I don't know where he is coming back from injury but maybe a minor league contract.

Jacob Junis, Drew Smyly, and Ryan Yarbrough, have been multi-inning relief guys but have been solid and could piggyback or be stretched out.

Kyle Finnegan, I doubt there is time to convert him to the rotation but he has the arm and a 3 pitch mix that could do it. Easy to transition to bullpen if it doesn't work.

[long ball]

I had a different reaction to reading this article. I came away appreciating that Civale, Cortez, and Woodruff are all going to be free agents after 2025 and that we better develop some of these other guys into big league pitchers and figure out what kind of role they may have in 2026: Miz, Ashby, Hall, henderson, Patrick. I would prioritize developing these guys versus signing a veteran. 

[brewmann04]

Hall for me is the Key he has to be healthy and now live upm to his potential.

[Ro Mueller]

We might choose to hold off on adding any more starting pitchers to our 40-man MLB roster until we’ve decided what to do with Connor Thomas (or if we face a distressing new injury).

Until then; 

CF Rodriguez has already burned one option.

Chad Patrick is already 26 years old, after throwing one very effective AAA season.

We said that Rule 5 pick Connor Thomas will be given a chance to start.

In October, Murphy talked about Ashby being a candidate to throw more innings.

There’s been some speculation that Elvin Rodriguez could be a multi-inning guy.

Logan Henderson has never struggled at any level and is already on the MLB roster.

I’d imagine that these constitute the main starting pitching depth options which Murphy and Hook will have to sift through if there are injuries or any starters falter (Peralta, Civale, Cortes, Myers, Hall).

[jay87shot]

7 hours ago, long ball said:

I had a different reaction to reading this article. I came away appreciating that Civale, Cortez, and Woodruff are all going to be free agents after 2025 and that we better develop some of these other guys into big league pitchers and figure out what kind of role they may have in 2026: Miz, Ashby, Hall, henderson, Patrick. I would prioritize developing these guys versus signing a veteran. 

Great point, I don't have a problem with this in the least.

[Frisbee Slider]

Would we want to buy low on Marcus Stroman and his $18 million contract for this year? Only problem, if he pitches 140 innings or more this year then he gets a player option for $18 million for 2026.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43843555/marcus-stroman-rejoins-yankees-camp-eyes-starter-role

[Madhawk23]

9 minutes ago, Frisbee Slider said:

Would we want to buy low on Marcus Stroman and his $18 million contract for this year? Only problem, if he pitches 140 innings or more this year then he gets a player option for $18 million for 2026.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43843555/marcus-stroman-rejoins-yankees-camp-eyes-starter-role

Absolutely hard "NO" on this!

[wallus]

18 minutes ago, Frisbee Slider said:

Would we want to buy low on Marcus Stroman and his $18 million contract for this year? Only problem, if he pitches 140 innings or more this year then he gets a player option for $18 million for 2026.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43843555/marcus-stroman-rejoins-yankees-camp-eyes-starter-role

No thank you. Heaney and Gibson are still out there and they are more interesting to me.

[Scooterfletcher]

Heaney would be a good addition if he didn’t cost more fhan around 5 million per year.  He’d fit in as a 3/4.

[brewmann04]

since they are not adding a bat they might target a starter as never have enough of them

[bigred]

2 hours ago, Frisbee Slider said:

Would we want to buy low on Marcus Stroman and his $18 million contract for this year? Only problem, if he pitches 140 innings or more this year then he gets a player option for $18 million for 2026.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43843555/marcus-stroman-rejoins-yankees-camp-eyes-starter-role

That reason alone, is why it's highly unlikely that Milwaukee would even consider Stroman. Basically no chance. They won't spend more for any young players with upside, so why would they spend $$ for an old pitcher on the decline?  

[Frisbee Slider]

1-2 year deal for an innings eater with some upside. 

At age 34, who knows what Stroman had left. I don’t love his public comments about being a starter or nothing. 

The Brewers don’t seem to mind spending money on 1-2 year commitments, like Hoskins.

[MVP2110]

Brewers among the teams interested in Jose Quintana

https://x.com/hgomez27/status/1892745287292026956?t=ln7ZdOsDrMXLVZILOGMdHw&s=19

 

[wallus]

Heaney signed with the Pirates so cross them off most likely. Another veteran starting pitcher would be nice.

[MNBrew]

1 hour ago, MVP2110 said:

Brewers among the teams interested in Jose Quintana

https://x.com/hgomez27/status/1892745287292026956?t=ln7ZdOsDrMXLVZILOGMdHw&s=19

 

That's intriguing.  Even if his best days are behind him, a solid, proven, & productive arm would help.

[Devinep]

On 2/20/2025 at 10:06 PM, MVP2110 said:

Brewers among the teams interested in Jose Quintana

https://x.com/hgomez27/status/1892745287292026956?t=ln7ZdOsDrMXLVZILOGMdHw&s=19

 

Quintana makes a lot of sense 

[brewmann04]

Sd and Braves looking at him 

[TURBO]

3 hours ago, brewmann04 said:

Sd and Braves looking at him 

Of course they are, I hope we might be looking too...

[MNBrew]

Funny that with plenty of folks wanting to see some SP depth added, the past couple days have seen the Brewers add two proven MLB . . . OFs.  Quality depth is always a good thing, but it sure seems we've signed better OF depth -- and arguably C depth if you think Alfaro's worth anything -- where we may not need it quite so much, while the pitching staff and the left side of the IF seem like places w/ more glaring room for known quantities as upgrades.