Milwaukee Brewers: Three free agents to improve the roster
The Milwaukee Brewers are looking to contend once again in 2021. Let’s take a look at some free agents that could help them return to the postseason.
Last season was not what the Milwaukee Brewers had hoped for. They did manage to return to the postseason, but that was strictly due to the expanded playoffs as they finished fourth in the NL Central with a 29-31 record. As expected, they were swiftly dispatched by the Dodgers, scoring a grand total of two runs as they were swept.
The Brewers head into the upcoming season with numerous holes on their roster. The infield is a mess. There are major question marks in the starting rotation. Milwaukee’s bullpen has been a strength, and should continue to be so, but there are trade rumors swirling around Josh Hader once again.
Nonetheless, the Brewers have their sights set on reaching the postseason again in the coming year. To get there, they will need to find several bargains as they look to rebuild their roster on a tight budget.
Here are three free agents that the Milwaukee Brewers should consider.
Corey Kluber
The Milwaukee Brewers have some interesting pieces for their starting rotation. Both Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes were excellent last season, and Josh Lindblom pitched better than his ERA would indicate.
However, if the Brewers are looking to return to the postseason, they will need another solid arm in the middle of the rotation. One such option could be Corey Kluber, who is reportedly expected to throw in front of interested teams in January.
There was a time when Kluber was one of the best pitchers in the game. From 2013 through 2018, he was a three time All Star, winning two Cy Young awards while leading the league in wins twice and taking home the 2017 AL ERA crown. However, injuries have ruined his past two years, as he has pitched a total of 36.2 innings since the start of 2019.
If Kluber is healthy, he would be well worth the risk for the Brewers. While he is not likely to return to the form that made him an ace at this point, he could still be a solid middle of the rotation arm. Kluber, along with Woodruff and Burnes, would give the Brewers a formidable trio atop the rotation. And he likely would not cost much given his injury woes.
The Milwaukee Brewers need another arm for the starting rotation. Corey Kluber could be the perfect fit.
Todd Frazier
As it currently stands, the Milwaukee Brewers have Luis Urias atop their depth chart at third base. Urias is also the primary backup at second and short, showing how thin their infield is.
To make matters worse, the Brewers may not have an answer at the hot corner in their system. While they still have hope for Lucas Erceg, he has struggled in the upper minors and has not displayed the same level of power. Milwaukee still has hope that he will be that middle of the order bat they envisioned, but his time is running out.
Even if Erceg can be that player, the Brewers will need a stopgap at the hot corner to start the upcoming season. Todd Frazier may not be the hitter that he had once been, but he can still be a solid option for a team looking for a player for a year or two. And if Erceg can show that he is ready for the majors, Frazier can fit into a platoon at first as well.
Frazier would also fit into the Brewers’ budget after his struggles in 2020. His .236/.302/.382 batting line with four homers and nine doubles between the Rangers and Mets may not impress, but it is better than what the Brewers had at third last year. He is also likely to be inexpensive, fitting in with their budgetary needs.
Todd Frazier would not be a long term option for the Milwaukee Brewers. But for one year, he could fit the roster.
Yasmany Tomas
The Milwaukee Brewers have brought Dan Vogelbach back to man first base. However, there is no guarantee that he will be productive, as he somehow became a useful piece for Milwaukee after being let go by two teams in 2020.
Even if Vogelbach can prove that his 67 plate appearance run for the Brewers was not a fluke, he is still a prime candidate for a platoon. He has struggled against lefties, with a .184/.279/.308 batting line in 189 career plate appearances against southpaws.
The problem is finding a viable candidate to platoon Vogelbach with. One possible option would be an interesting reclamation project in Yasmany Tomas, who was exiled to the minors by Arizona due to his defensive struggles in the outfield.
There is no questioning Tomas’ potential with the bat. He had belted 31 homers and 30 doubles back in 2016, but struggled with injuries and his defense afterwards. However, He has been playing first in the minors, his days in the outfield seemingly far behind him. And Tomas did perform well in AAA in 2019, with a .301/.341/.590 batting line, hitting 29 homers and 24 doubles.
dark. Next. Time to extend Hader is now
Yasmany Tomas would be a gamble for the Milwaukee Brewers. However, as he could likely be had on a minor league deal, he has the potential to be an impressive lottery ticket.