The Milwaukee Brewers bullpen has come under fire since the trade deadline. The decision to trade Josh Hader while bringing in several different relievers has not exactly worked out. Not only did the Brewers let Dinelson Limet, who was acquired as part of the Hader deal go, but they have also gone 1-4 in the games since, with the bullpen blowing a pair of saves as they have fallen out of a playoff spot. It has not been pretty.
That revamped bullpen is losing yet another piece. The Brewers announced that they have designated Jake McGee for assignment, ending his brief time in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee Brewers bullpen plans have been a disaster
McGee was worth a look after he was released by the Giants on July 14. He had notched 31 saves last year as he was one of the better relievers in the game. However, he struggled this year in San Francisco, posting a 7.17 ERA and a 1.547 WHiP in his 21.1 innings, striking out just 11 batters with six walks before being let go.
He was slightly better in Milwaukee. He allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk over his 5.2 innings, striking out four batters. That performance, while an improvement over his time with the Giants, was not exactly great either.
Now McGee is heading back into free agency as Jason Alexander is being called back up. It is a chance at a player with at least more upside than McGee possesses at this point. But the same could have been said about Lamet as well despite his own struggles.
In the end, the Brewers took a gamble. They knew they would not be able to afford Hader beyond this season and made that move in an attempt to extend their playoff window. Instead, given the bullpen’s struggles since that deal, they may have slammed that window shut on this year.
The Milwaukee Brewers bullpen has been in the spotlight of late. Their decision to designate Jake McGee for assignment was another failed move.