MLB Insider Has Two Starting Pitching Options In Mind For Brewers

[Steve Drumwright]

 

While a lot of Milwaukee Brewers fans might be clamoring for more punch in the offense, one of baseball's top insiders has identified another need for the Crew.

Playoff-caliber starting pitching, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. One of the reasons for needing starting pitching is the new shoulder injury to right-hander Brandon Woodruff, while right-hander Logan Henderson just returned Thursday from a stay on the injured list with a back issue.

As Passan sorts through all of the contenders, he made two choices for each club. One was a best-match trade addition, the other was a dream pickup.

The best match, Passan says, is the Brewers connecting with their old front-office boss David Stearns with the New York Mets and acquiring right-handed starter Clay Holmes. Having recently returned from a broken right leg 2.39 ERA (3.19 FIP) in 52⅔ innings with an 8.4% walk rate and 20.9% strikeout rate. But it is Holmes' experience as a postseason reliever in 2021, 2022 and 2024 that could help push the Crew over the top. Holmes also fits financially as he is making $12 million this year and $13 million next year.

But in a dream scenario, the Brewers would grab Minnesota Twins right-handed starter Joe Ryan. Ryan has ace qualities that would pair very nicely with Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski, the MLB leader in strikeouts (167) and ERA (1.62). Ryan has a 2.65 ERA (2.83 FIP) in 19 starts, having already logged 104⅓ innings. Ryan has a 5.4% walk rate and 28.8% strikeout rate. Ryan, making $6.1 million this year, would be more of a rental as he has a mutual option for 2027. Mutual options are almost always declined.

The Brewers certainly have the prospects to get either deal done.

 

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[nate82]

Ryan makes the most sense here but that is going to be at a huge price.  I'm not sure the Brewers will be willing to pay that price.  If it wasn't a mutual option I could see the Brewers trading for Ryan.  

[Team Canada]

Writing about other writers' articles about the Brewers feels like just doing it for clicks - which I assume it is, but it's not actual original content, nor is it a rumor just a guy's idea about good fits.

[wiguy94]

Clay Holmes actually does seem like a Brewers move though him having a player option could complicate things in terms of value. I think he probably declines it but tough to value those things.

[jay87shot]

Holmes would be nice but there are a lot of question marks with the health. Maybe by the dealine that would be cleared up. I kind of think we would go after Detmers or Soriano 1st if the prospect price isn't crazy. I like Ryan, the 1.5 years of control make him a little tricky just because we have traded those guys with 1 year left traditionally.

I think if you would say Holmes you would add in Sonny Gray, Kevin Gausmann, and Casey Mize as well.

[sveumrules]

4 hours ago, Steve Drumwright said:

Ryan, making $6.1 million this year, would be more of a rental as he has a mutual option for 2027. Mutual options are almost always declined.

The mutual option will likely be declined, but Ryan has one year of club control remaining via Arby’s in 2027 so it wouldn’t be a rental.

[umphrey]

You could probably sell me on the idea of Pena for Joe Ryan. Would be interesting to have 2 years of probably the best playoff starting 3 in the game. That's a move with the chance to get past the Dodgers. 

I wonder who the other pieces would be because I'm thinking they would ask for something like Fischer and Hardin to round out a package, that's when it starts to hurt. 

[Bmack]

 Most people agree that the Brewers need ; a high leverage reliever, power in the middle of their lineup and a top2-3 pitcher. getting all 3 is NOT in the cards. 2 out of 3 will be needed to compete in the playoffs. Ryan would fill a huge need. Pena , Williams, Lara/Frelick  are all candidates. Next, I'd opt for a big bat. Then, we'll see?

 

[Jim Goulart]

23 minutes ago, Bmack said:

 Most people agree that the Brewers need ; a high leverage reliever, power in the middle of their lineup and a top2-3 pitcher. getting all 3 is NOT in the cards. 2 out of 3 will be needed to compete in the playoffs. Ryan would fill a huge need. Pena , Williams, Lara/Frelick  are all candidates. Next, I'd opt for a big bat. Then, we'll see?

 

Welcome to BrewerFanatic, Bmack!

[long ball]

A Ryan trade would be a little scary. The guys who can become free agents after 2027 make for an interesting risk. 
 

we don’t know what will come of the looming CBA negotiations. Will we lose games and if we do, how will that impact service time and contract status?

 

now I don’t think we will lose games, but it would be a real bummer to trade a guy like Peña and more for Joe Ryan only to lose a bunch of the 2027 season. 
 

im also skeptical that we see these AL teams like the Tigers, Red Sox, or Twins sell. The league to date has been really soft and all it would take is a hit couple of weeks to move into playoff position. 

[Brian]

Brewers never do what every one thinks, especially for the last 4-5 years. 

[Snoebird]

Joe Ryan is far from a certainty to being traded. The new face of Twins ownership, Tom Pohlad, is trying to establish credibility with the fan base after last year's massive deadline selloff, and his team has gotten on a mini roll. The Twins' first two series after the break, at Wrigley Field and four at Cleveland, likely will have a significant bearing on Ryan's trade status.

[long ball]

I didn’t realize that Clay Holmes might not even be back from injury before the trade deadline. If that doesn’t scream Brewers trade target I’m not sure what does. 
 

I am starting to feel much more concerned about the rotation than I was 2 weeks ago. Woodruff is out. Harrison has the sore elbow. 
 

I think we can still feel ok about Miz, Harrison, and Henderson as our top 3 playoff starters, but adding a SP who could be an option in the playoffs is probably #1 on my wish list. If we make it to at least the NLCS, we probably bullpen a game where a 4th starter would be needed, but another playoff caliber SP gives us injury insurance.