3 scenarios for Milwaukee Brewers after trade of Yovani Gallardo

Aug 11, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo (49) pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The Milwaukee Brewers on Monday finalized a deal sending Yovani Gallardo and $4 million of the $13 million he is owed for 2015 to the Texas Rangers for three prospects—right-handers Corey Knebel and Marcos Diplan and infielder Luis Sardinas, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Knebel was ranked No. 8 in the Rangers organization by MLB.com, while Diplan—just 18 years old—was rated No. 20.

Gallardo, who will be 29 next month and was an All-Star in 2010, is the Brewers’ career leader with 1,226 strikeouts.

But his velocity took a downward dip the last two seasons, with his hits per nine innings and strikeouts per nine innings making drastic moves in the wrong directions.

From 2009-12, Gallardo was one of the premier power pitchers in the National League, striking out 9.4 batters per nine innings and allowing 8.1 hits per nine. He had a 3.68 ERA and 1.298 WHIP over those four seasons and was 60-38.

But the last two seasons, those ratios moved the wrong way—with his K/9 rate dropping all the way to 7.0 while his H/9 rate went up to 9.0. He had a 3.84 ERA and 1.327 WHIP over his 63 starts in 2013-14 and was 20-21.

In fairness to Gallardo, he did have the best ERA (3.51) and walks per nine innings ratio (2.5) of his career last season.

So how does this play out? There are three scenarios I see as being feasible in the wake of the move. But first, let’s take a closer look at the guys coming from Texas.

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