The Milwaukee Brewers have a glaring hole at the keystone as we look toward the 2019 season.
DJ LeMahieu is among the top available second basemen on this year’s free agent market. However, the Milwaukee Brewers are not likely to be in the running for the former batting champion’s services.
Although LeMahieu would be a vast improvement over what the Brewers currently have on the roster, a union between the two makes little sense financially. LeMahieu has shown that he’s an elite option at second base but Milwaukee has only a short-term need at the position.
LeMahieu is assured to receive a lucrative multiyear contract this Winter following a string of successful seasons with the Colorado Rockies. However, one has to wonder how much the thin air of Coors Field has aided his success over the past few seasons.
The 30-year-old hit .299 in 918 games while with the Rockies during the 2012-18 seasons. Not generally known as a power hitter, LeMahieu managed just 49 home runs during that time. However, he also has a .352 on-base percentage during his tenure with Colorado and provides a consistent bat near the top of the batting order.
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LeMahieu led the National League with a .348 batting average during the 2016 season and has hit above .300 during three out of the past four seasons. He’s adept at making contact and has struck out more than 100 times just once during his career.
Although LeMahieu would fill a gaping hole for the Milwaukee Brewers, signing him will push back the arrival of several highly regarded infield prospects. Top prospect Keston Hiura is close to reaching MLB and could see time for the Brewers at some point during the 2019 season.
Milwaukee also has Mauricio Dubon who is on the cusp of the big leagues and almost certainly should see time in MLB during next season. On top of those two players, the Crew also has last year’s first-round draft pick Brice Turang making waves in the Minors.
Although the Brewers are on the cusp of being among the elite teams in the NL, signing LeMahieu won’t push them over the edge. LeMahieu is a very good player who will generate plenty of interest during this Winter, but the Brewers need pitching more than a second baseman at this point.