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Milwaukee Brewers roundtable: Trade grades and crowded infield

By Dairyland Express Staff

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 31: Mike Moustakas #18 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws out Chris Taylor of the Los Angeles Dodgers at first base in the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium on July 31, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 31: Mike Moustakas #18 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws out Chris Taylor of the Los Angeles Dodgers at first base in the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium on July 31, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – JUNE 02: Chris Archer #22 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches against the Seattle Mariners in the first innng during their game at Safeco Field on June 2, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – JUNE 02: Chris Archer #22 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches against the Seattle Mariners in the first innng during their game at Safeco Field on June 2, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

2. Should the Brewers have gotten a starting pitcher?

Mike Wendlandt: Not for the prices they went for on July 31. Archer is a good top of the rotation guy, but there’s absolutely no way the Brewers were willing to pay what Pittsburgh did. That could be a trade that is looked back on later as a mistake.

The other guys who were changed ballclubs weren’t needle-movers for the Brewers. The only one I would’ve thought seriously about was Kevin Gausman, if only because what he can do with a good pitching coach. But the Brewers are better off trying to find a decent starter on the waiver wire in August (Jon Gray, Carlos Rodon) or in the offseason. A massive kudos to David Stearns for not overpaying for exceedingly average pitchers Tuesday.

Anthony Haag: Going into the trade deadline, yes I would have liked Stearns to add another starting pitcher. You can never have enough arms. As the day progressed and seeing what teams were giving up for starting pitching it became too rich of a market, as they would have probably had to give up Corbin Burnes, Freddy Peralta and Keston Hiura, something Stearns didn’t want to do.

They could still get a starting pitcher here in August, the Houston Astros got Justin Verlander last August. Last year, when the Brewers missed the playoffs by one game, it wasn’t the pitching that let them down it was their hitting. This year their ERA currently ranks second in the National League and fifth in all of baseball. Currently, if their starting pitching can keep them in it through five innings and turn it over to the bullpen, who has been locked down, we have a very good chance.

Nick Michalski: David Stearns played it smart this year and refrained from giving up the top-shelf prospects required to get the most desired starting pitching options out there. Kevin Gausman of the Orioles and Chris Archer of the Rays both brought in significant hauls in trade. The Brewers need to stay disciplined and reject high acquisition costs when it comes to prospects or big-dollar contracts.

The team could use a starting pitcher to increase its depth, but the staff has performed admirably and they do have some backup in Colorado Springs in Wilkerson and Woodruff, etc. It would not be surprising at all if they pick up a starting pitcher during the waiver-trade period in August, and who knows, Jimmy Nelson and/or Zach Davies might give this team something yet. The addition of a front-line, ace-caliber starting pitcher will have to wait.

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