Jakob Junis Joins Brewers Rotation Mix on One-Year Deal (UPDATED)

He was pretty good later in the year. His k/9 was 10 compared to a career rate around 8. Junis isn't a sexy name but could be a Wade Miley type add. There are probably 4 or 5 other starters I would have preferred but I can live with this.

It does however muddy the bullpen depth even more, Ross gets kicked to the pen for sure. Gasser in AAA likely.

Peralta, Miley, Junis, Rae, Ashby/Hall

Williams, Uribe, Payamps, Megill, Milner, Wilson, Peguero, Clarke, Ross, Vieira, Ashby/Hall

16 pitchers for 13 spots.

Was hoping for Mike Klevinger so not really excited for this move.  
 

Also worry about him moving from a SF pitching environment to playing home games in Milwaukee.  
 

It feels like the Brewers are leaning heavily into non traditional roles for a number of pitchers with folks like Rea, Ross, Wilson and now this guy.  

Good signing, but hopefully we're not done looking for a true starting quality pitcher.  Junis is far better out of the pen.

I actually would be upset if Gasser is not in the bigs to start the year. Technically he has proven more at AAA than probably any pitching prospect in baseball right now. Sending him back again is the kind of thing that can mess with a prospects head.

I like depth signings, but if guys like Junis and or Ross are blocking Gasser’s development, not only is that pretty un-Brewers like, but also seem pretty counterproductive. Especially in a year that is somewhat of a “soft rebuild” where they’re letting the young guys play.

Can anyone explain to me what I’m missing?

Also I have so much faith in the Brewers to get the best out of a pitcher, but for some of the penny pinching moves they’ve done, I think this is too much money for a guy like Junis. He seems like long relief is his best spot.

I can't fairly comment on the guy, because every time I see his name I can't help but think of Jeff Juden.

Paying $7 million for this guy tells me that there were other teams interested. Which also indicates that there is some solid upside here. It wouldn't surprise me whatsoever if he comes in and defies expectations. 

3 hours ago, biedergb said:

Isn't it a 1-year deal? If I read that wrong, then ignore the rest. But if it's a one year roster spot for this player, and the deal is spared over two, then I'm even less enthused - as it is still a $7M commitment for one year of service, or did I miss something?

In that event, the yes 2.5% of payroll this year is great, but 2.5% of next year payroll for someone not on the team isn't great.

I mean, I am just thinking in house options or NRI options could be close in value to the team and financially better since he is not a significant upgrade, and I'd rather they add an extra $7M (or more) to the payroll next year (or the following year) to add a key piece, not just a guy who can fill innings.

Hey bud I think its a mutual option, which never get exercised. So I think its 4 mil this year with a 3 mil “buyout” next year or something like that.

Hope this helps.

Hey I wanted to know if anyone has thoughts on this or knows more than I do. 
 

its pretty obvious Junis mostly sucks against lefties. Although, I noticed that his change up usage almost tripled last year from the first couple months of the season to the last two or so. I am not being exact but it’s around there. His second half of the season stats are wayyy better than his first half. I wonder if he finally found the right change and the Brewers see something there that gives them confidence in his ability to start. I mean by the end of the year he was even throwing his change against righties, and it is fairly firm. This gives me more confidence in the deal now that he truly appears to be a three pitch pitcher. 
 

Any thoughts from my fellow geniuses?

On 2/7/2024 at 6:20 PM, Sugarrayray said:

Hey bud I think its a mutual option, which never get exercised. So I think its 4 mil this year with a 3 mil “buyout” next year or something like that.

Hope this helps.

It is a mutual option, but the buyout occurs in November of 2024 (NLT 5 days after the world series). The value of the buyout is applied to the year end 40 man roster payroll.  So it really is just a 1 year deal for $7M, with $3M of that deferred until November.

3 hours ago, ClosetBrewerFan said:

It is a mutual option, but the buyout occurs in November of 2024 (NLT 5 days after the world series). The value of the buyout is applied to the year end 40 man roster payroll.  So it really is just a 1 year deal for $7M, with $3M of that deferred until November.

Huh then what’s even the point of it?

Deferred money.  Lump sum paid at end of year instead of throughout the year.  Its probably more of a cash flow thing for the team.