The Brewers Would Be Batty Not To Keep Their Biggest Bulk Guy Around

Bryse Wilson came to the Brewers in the 2022-2023 offseason and slotted into a long-relief role for the 2023 NL Central champs. He did very well by any measure that year, posting a 6-0 record and a 2.58 ERA in 76 2/3 innings pitched. In 2024, his top-line numbers--a 5-4 record and a 4.04 ERA over 104 2/3 innings pitched--appear to be a step down, but Wilson’s been no less valuable.

Yet, despite his contributions, Wilson could be waived or designated for assignment by the Brewers over this offseason, rather than the team electing to pay a potential $3 million salary for 2025. While the Brewers face harsh economic realities in every hot-stove league, things are different for this coming offseason for one big reason: The Brewers have a lot of in-house choices.

Their rotation of Freddy Peralta, Tobias Myers, Colin Rea, Aaron Civale, and DL Hall would not be bank-breaking, and they have other potential rotation options in prospects Jacob Misiorowski, Carlos F. Rodriguez, Chad Patrick, and Logan Henderson at Triple-A Nashville, plus the returning Brandon Woodruff and the possibility of second-half contributions from Robert Gasser and/or Wade Miley. That is a lot of depth, before one considers possible free-agent signings.

That said, between the prospects and injury returnees, the Brewers will need pitchers capable of going a time through the order to “bridge” the gap from the starters to the late-inning crew that would consist of Devin Williams, Trevor Megill, Abner Uribe, Craig Yoho, Hoby Milner, Joel Payamps, and Jared Koenig.

Bryan Hudson has been one such pitcher for the Brewers, but so has Wilson been, even in 2024. As a reliever, Wilson’s posted a 5-3 record with a 3.57 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 63 innings across 25 appearances – not quite to 2023 standards, but still very solid numbers.

It goes without saying that the Brewers will be looking to manage the workload for both prospects and pitchers returning from the injured list. Wilson lets them do just that, and can do so on a very reliable basis.

Wilson is more than just a long-relief/mop-up guy. He also is a reliable spot starter, albeit a limited one. In nine starts for the 2024 Brewers, he posted a 4.75 ERA. It’s slightly lower than his career ERA as a starter (5.37), but the real value is that Wilson is readily available to be plugged in for a doubleheader or because of injury.

Just look at what the 2024 Brewers have gone though, and ask yourself if paying Wilson $3 million is really a bad thing. They lost Miley, Joe Ross, Hall, Woodruff, Jakob Junis, and Gasser to injury for extended parts of the season. Wilson was one of those who filled in and helped the Brewers greatly exceed expectations in 2024.

The Brewers have done well by picking pitchers up and turning them into valuable contributors. Wilson is but one example – others who have been more impactful include Rea, Myers, and Megill. That said, the Brewers have a known quantity with Wilson, and given their experience with pitching injuries, Wilson might be the most cost-effective option.

The Brewers will face a lot of hard questions with the 40-man roster over the offseason. Keeping Wilson is not necessarily one of them.