Should the Brewers sign a starter?

[owbc]

56 minutes ago, SF70 said:

I am assuming Harrison is closer to the first half star than the post-injury mess of a pitcher.

I’m encouraged he got his velo back and pitch shape before the postseason started and after an offseason of work I think we are going to like the ‘27 version of Harrison.

More starter depth added from outside of the organization works for me.

Yeah we don't want to read too much into recent performance and that goes both ways. Gasser outperformed his regular season numbers in the postseason and got a lot of help from our defense and some luck.

It's entirely possible that he will deliver a full 150-170 IP regular season in the bigs, but based on his full track record I still slot him as a 4 or 5. 

 

[folly412]

Is there a starter on a short term / affordable deal who is preferred over our bottom of the roster pitching depth (think Crow and Gordon), or just wait until a veteran is needed to eat innings and find him then?

We'll still wind up signing or trading for a Keuchel, McCullers, Woodford, or Wilson if not two tree of them.  Just about every team does.  Eric Lauer gave the Dodgers 72 adequate innings this past season and the Dodgers paid less for his services than Kyle Tucker makes for two games.

[BrewCrew8675309]

16 hours ago, Trail said:

I've been reading some places about the Brewers' strong starting pitching depth.  Beg to differ.  I see three reliable starters and a whole lot of question marks.  Harrison, Priester, Drohan, Crow, Spoat are...in my opinion...all questionable for various reasons.  I'd love to see Hall back in the mix given his evolution this year.  An injury to any of the big three leaves this rotation pretty shaky, I think.  Should they be looking for a solid number 4?  

The options...Familiar: Run it back and hope that QP and KHarrison are up to the task for a full year. Bring Big Woo back on a prove it deal, May left so quick I think he is just a rental guy and honestly was outshined by a 2 or 3 batter Loogy that can only go vs lefties (Go look at JoJo's BRef Splits page if you doubt me). There is moving Ashby as well and stepping up DL into a high leverage role. 

Outside means calling someone not on the WS roster up like a Sproat, Crow, or Drohan and there is no reason not to keep them at AAA and wait for the injuries. In fact, I remember a time when starters had to be hardcore long relief guys that could deal (Woo and Burnes). I like that role for them so not calling these guys up. 

Trade or FA seems like we have some $$$. We sold a lot of merch and Woo and his 22mil will not be coming back in that capacity. If Bauers jets then that 23mil will not be used either...might as well invest in Turang, Contreras, or pitching. We have about 45 or so men to consider for the 40 man so some will be shipped out for some minor pieces anyway. Hot Take: Ortiz is a sell high right now too.  

Truth is we don't know if they want Ashby's wish granted, if Woo has it in him for 2027, if QP and KHarrison have figured it out. Obvs I trust leadership...but I would say that it is easier to get bullpen guys than an Ashby level starter. If Gasser is the #4 then that is a nice rotation. Ashby's $$$ is easier to stomach across 20+ starts too. Swing something like they did for Zerpa last year and gear up for the 183mil salary floor by extending Contreras and Turang and a low cost FA like Strahm (I AM going to speak this into existance!!). Keep Megill and move Hall up the ladder. Sproat, Drohan, Crow, Hardin start in AAA.

[BrewerFan]

16 hours ago, Frisbee Slider said:

In seriousness, Dustin May is probably the best we could do. Would you take Dustin May back? I genuinely would for short-term deal.

Yes... if I was part of the Brewers staff who thought we could get his sinker back, get him back to being a GB pitcher. That's a guy who can throw in the upper 90s, if he can get some strikeouts, ground balls...

But that assumes we can get more out of him. I obviously don't think we should pay 20M for the Dustin May we got this year.

I also doubt he gets 1 year 20M. It maybe 2/34, but starting pitching is obviously expensive. I still hate the deal we gave up for him.


I do think we'll be fine. Harrison had a bad stretch, but is a very talented starter and Sproat... we'll see how he bounces back, but I love his upside. Give the Brewers a chance to develop him, I think he could be a #2. 

[SF70]

11 hours ago, owbc said:

Yeah we don't want to read too much into recent performance and that goes both ways. Gasser outperformed his regular season numbers in the postseason and got a lot of help from our defense and some luck.

It's entirely possible that he will deliver a full 150-170 IP regular season in the bigs, but based on his full track record I still slot him as a 4 or 5. 

 

I like Gasser’s upside now that he’s another season removed from his TJ. He got stronger as the season moved along, with his FB actually faster than he’s ever thrown before. 

If he can maintain the velo and continue to command, he’s much better than a 4 or 5 starter. He also started to throw his CH more as the season went along, and if that pitch continues to progress, he will get stronger vs RHH’s and could become a #2/3 starter.

[Mr Southpaw]

In a perfect world Priester and Harrison would just pitch to their capacity.

1 Mis

2 Priester

3 Harrison

4 Henderson

5 Gasser

In the not so perfect world of reality it can be so much different. Hopefully Harrison has figured out what was ailing him and is back at good first half Kyle.  I would start Priester in the pen and let him work his way back.  Let him be the righty version of Ashby. I am sure the organization has an appropriate plan of action.  Drohan and Sproat should continue to improve. Crow and Hardin stay in AAA for the start of the year.  I would not spend on a Free Agent, but would look for another young arm through a trade.

[Frisbee Slider]

I genuinely think Ashby will receive an opportunity to be a starter next season. We should want 140 IP of a 3.00 ERA more than 70 IP of a 2.50 ERA.

[mudbutt]

As long as Ashby is a multi inning guy instead of say a one inning closer, I prefer him in that role especially when he can throw 90 innings like he did in the regular season last year.

Also you could argue he’s more valuable than a starter in the post season when you can deploy him in almost every game in high leverage situations. And he ended up throwing the second most innings in the post season and only one less than Miz.

[Trail]

1 hour ago, Frisbee Slider said:

I genuinely think Ashby will receive an opportunity to be a starter next season. We should want 140 IP of a 3.00 ERA more than 70 IP of a 2.50 ERA.

I really hope they don't move Ashby.  Pay him like a starter...I'm fine with it.  However you can pitch the guy in every role imaginable...truly a swiss army knife.  He's more valuable, I think, pitching 3 or 4 times per week for an inning or 2 (or 3?) than as a starter.  He stops rallies, holds leads, closes...whatever!  

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

I realize that thoracic outlet syndrome is a pretty serious deal, but I'm really hoping that Quinn Priester can come back at 100% in 2027. He was legit excellent in 2025, and just turned 26 years old.

[liveforoctober]

1 minute ago, Ron Robinsons Beard said:

I realize that thoracic outlet syndrome is a pretty serious deal, but I'm really hoping that Quinn Priester can come back at 100% in 2027. He was legit excellent in 2025, and just turned 26 years old.

For my own sanity I'm not counting on Priester for anything and praying that I am wrong. TOS is such a toss up still. Feels like most guys are able to return from it but in what capacity and effectiveness is the question. It more or less ended both Strasburg and Harvey. Others (Cobb/Kelly) came back and were normal.

If I'm the Brewers I'm giving Quinn every chance to earn his old spot in the rotation back if he is back... but I am bringing in enough options if he doesn't.

[CheezWizHed]

Every year these posts come out for a FA signing. People are always hopeful for "going all in" and "pushing our chips into the table". Then posting the Mark A is cheap memes when it doesn't happen... 

But we just saw that the "Brewer Way" worked not once, but our little brother the Rays proved the approach from the AL side too. 

Feel free to pine after the FA SPs... but the reality is we will:

1. Start with Miz, Henderson, Gasser
2. Work with Priester and Harrison on injury recovery
3. Look at trade options that bring in upside improvement candidates (including Gordan from last year). 
4. Continue developing Sproat, Crow, Hardin, and other AAA pitchers.
5. Stash a few MiLB FA pitchers at AAA for depth.

I mean... it's who we are and I don't see that changing. 

[MrTPlush]

5 minutes ago, CheezWizHed said:

Every year these posts come out for a FA signing. People are always hopeful for "going all in" and "pushing our chips into the table". Then posting the Mark A is cheap memes when it doesn't happen... 

But we just saw that the "Brewer Way" worked not once, but our little brother the Rays proved the approach from the AL side too. 

Feel free to pine after the FA SPs... but the reality is we will:

1. Start with Miz, Henderson, Gasser
2. Work with Priester and Harrison on injury recovery
3. Look at trade options that bring in upside improvement candidates (including Gordan from last year). 
4. Continue developing Sproat, Crow, Hardin, and other AAA pitchers.
5. Stash a few MiLB FA pitchers at AAA for depth.

I mean... it's who we are and I don't see that changing. 

I don’t think people are after an impact SP. merely a reliable guy to eat innings.

However, I’m don’t think people realize what those cost and often require multi-year deals.

[cragi]

22 minutes ago, CheezWizHed said:

But we just saw that the "Brewer Way" worked not once, but our little brother the Rays proved the approach from the AL side too. 

yeah thats what i keep coming back to. brewers need to continue finding value, not transforming themselves into the dodgers or yankees because a one-time influx of cash is burning a hole in the pocket. And we see that all the money in the world didnt buy the Dodgers a champisonship, so what was it all for?

Brewers need to stop the biggest talent leaks as affordably as possible. Extending younger talent while they are cheap is cost-effective. If the CBA takes another year of eligibility off the initial contract, it becomes even more critical to extend younger guys.  It's so rare that the Brewers have thrown money at veterans and really had a lot of value to show for doing so, relative to bargain hunting with younger guys.

[owbc]

57 minutes ago, MrTPlush said:

I don’t think people are after an impact SP. merely a reliable guy to eat innings.

However, I’m don’t think people realize what those cost and often require multi-year deals.

Yeah a Lauer type is what I'm interested in, someone with a 4.5-5.0 FIP who can eat innings. There are a number of them out there, it just depends on which ones we think still have value since these guys are mostly in their 30s and tend to fall off cliffs and end up relegated to mop up duty in the bullpen. 

Quintana is the gold standard here -- 131 innings for $2 million, but I would take 100 innings for $5 million.

[CheezWizHed]

1 hour ago, MrTPlush said:

I don’t think people are after an impact SP. merely a reliable guy to eat innings.

However, I’m don’t think people realize what those cost and often require multi-year deals.

 

21 minutes ago, owbc said:

Yeah a Lauer type is what I'm interested in, someone with a 4.5-5.0 FIP who can eat innings. There are a number of them out there, it just depends on which ones we think still have value since these guys are mostly in their 30s and tend to fall off cliffs and end up relegated to mop up duty in the bullpen. 

Quintana is the gold standard here -- 131 innings for $2 million, but I would take 100 innings for $5 million.

So the Jeff Suppan type? 😏

Impact or non-impact FA... the answer remains the same.  When was the last time we did that in free agency? We typically reserve that for option C... as a mid-season bandaid, not as a FA plan. 

Unless something is really "off" with Preister or Harrison right now, you know they are going to go into Spring Training with both of them in the rotation plans. 

Plan A: Miz, Henderson, Gasser, Priester, Harrison

Plan B: Sproat, Crow, Gordon, <insert name of minor league FA with invite to camp>, Potential future trade nugget to polish.

Plan C: Plan A or B went off the rails in May/June... go find a trade (e.g. Priester) or MiLB pitcher with an opt out clause from the minors.  This is typically why players sign MiLB FA deals with opt out clauses... 

The problem with bringing in a Lauer type now (beside being Lauer) is that if Plan A works or someone from Plan B lights a fire... you have nowhere to put the guy that you just paid handsomely for. 

[CheezWizHed]

5 minutes ago, CheezWizHed said:

Impact or non-impact FA... the answer remains the same.  When was the last time we did that in free agency? We typically reserve that for option C... as a mid-season bandaid, not as a FA plan. 

To answer my own question... Wade Miley in 2024 and prior to that we had Wade Miley in 2023. Then Jhoulys Chacín in 2018. 

We had Junis and Ross in 2024, but both were more swing RP/SP types with more BP outings than SP. 

And of course the Brandon Woodruff signings... but that was a pretty unique circumstance. 

[MrTPlush]

Woodruff is a little bit of a unique situation, but did show they were willing to spend money on a veteran pitcher to anchor a spot in the rotation. Didn’t end up working out that way, but that’s merely looking at it in retrospect.

[TURBO]

I truly think Woodruff wants nothing more than to play with his guys in 2027.  I also believe he will sign a very friendly contract to stay.  He cashed in the past few seasons and didn't pitch much at all, his wealth is set, why not play where he is comfortable.

Not saying that if someone comes along and offers him a deal he can't refuse that he shouldn't take it. I mean if the Yankees offer him 2-3 years at even 10 million per, I think he probably cashes in one last time, but if all he is getting is one year offers, and we offer him even close to his highest offer, I think he sticks around.

Is it a good idea?  Kind of doubt it, I think he's done, but if the chance is still out there for him to play, he's going to do so.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

I think Woodruff will sign a cheap prove-it deal elsewhere, get hurt and retire. I can't imagine a deal like that even from the Yankees. There is zero reason to believe he can get through a season, or half of one.

[Trail]

2 hours ago, CheezWizHed said:

Every year these posts come out for a FA signing. People are always hopeful for "going all in" and "pushing our chips into the table". Then posting the Mark A is cheap memes when it doesn't happen... 

But we just saw that the "Brewer Way" worked not once, but our little brother the Rays proved the approach from the AL side too. 

Feel free to pine after the FA SPs... but the reality is we will:

1. Start with Miz, Henderson, Gasser
2. Work with Priester and Harrison on injury recovery
3. Look at trade options that bring in upside improvement candidates (including Gordan from last year). 
4. Continue developing Sproat, Crow, Hardin, and other AAA pitchers.
5. Stash a few MiLB FA pitchers at AAA for depth.

I mean... it's who we are and I don't see that changing. 

you're right to a degree, but the expectations are higher now.  We're not the "little engine that could" anymore.  At least for the time being, Brewers are looked upon as an elite team....fans, players, organization all expect a lot.  Going into the season with 3 solid starters and a load of question marks may have been good enough before, but just feels insufficient now.  Odds are against all 3 making it through the year healthy...that's just how baseball is, unfortunately.  Its sort of like the Packers having their starting 5 O-line and not planning for the inevitable injuries (oh...I guess they did that :) )  I want one more solid guy...trade or FA.  

[JoeyWiemerTruther]

Rotation: Miz, Henderson, Gasser, Priester (?), Harrison

Long relief bullpen: Ashby, Hall, Patrick 

6th rotation starter option: Drohan, Sproat

AAAA inning eaters: Gordon, Crow, Stallings, C. Rodriguez, Pannone

high minors yet to debut: Hardin, Kuehner (rule 5 protection?), Letson, Knoth, DeBerry, Thompson, M. Rodriguez (rule 5 protection?), B. Owens

not sure if I missed anyone

[jay87shot]

Any one like the idea of signing Jack Flaherty as a multi-inning reliever who could occasionally start? I would guess he would be like 1/5 or less, I think he would be like a righty version of DL Hall if his stuff plays up a bit as a reliever.

I also think there is some upside still to Shane Drohan that is being overlooked. His slider got a lot better throughout the year and being a full year removed from surgery could have some more gains with the offseason (maybe an improved changeup??). I do believe he is better as a bullpen option but he could easily be a guy who could make 30 starts at a sub 3.5 era, which is a really good 4/5 starter.

[StearnsFTW]

They should sign at least 1 starter every year.

[TURBO]

5 hours ago, OldSchoolSnapper said:

I think Woodruff will sign a cheap prove-it deal elsewhere, get hurt and retire. I can't imagine a deal like that even from the Yankees. There is zero reason to believe he can get through a season, or half of one.

I didn't say the Yankees, or anyone for that matter, would pay that kind of a contract, I said IF he was offered that money...