Milwaukee Brewers: Ranking their needs heading into offseason

The Milwaukee Brewers have a few holes they must fill if they want to truly take the next step and advance to the World Series in 2019.

The Milwaukee Brewers are facing their biggest offseason in a long time. After falling just one game short of the World Series, what steps will they take to improve their roster for 2019?

Being that they’re a small market team, general manager David Stearns won’t have a ton of money to throw at pending free agents. Even if he did, that’s not always the best way to build a contender. Instead, Stearns must get creative with his approach and try to find diamonds in the rough.

Last year, the Brewers were able to sign players like Wade Miley and Jhoulys Chacin. Each of those pitchers was clutch down the stretch and helped provide Milwaukee with the spark they needed. We will find out if Stearns can work his magic again this offseason.

Before the offseason gets into full swing, however, let’s preview the Brewers’ biggest areas of needs. These are positions Milwaukee should think the most about filling in order to take that next step forward.

4. Bullpen

This may seem silly, as it was the Brewers’ strength in 2018. However, there are a number of changes that could possibly be made to weaken Milwaukee’s greatest weapon.

For starters, Joakim Soria is a pending free agent and it’s uncertain if Milwaukee will bring him back. He was a nice addition in the playoffs and pitched in some big moments. A guy like Soria really helped put the bullpen over the top.

It’s also uncertain whether some of the younger pitchers will stay in the pen or if they will try their hand in the starting rotation. Players like Josh Hader, Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes are question marks at this point. Stearns should think heavily about reloading in the pen.

3. Second/third base

Mike Moustakas declined his mutual option for 2019 and is a pending free agent. That means Travis Shaw will likely move back to third base if Moustakas or another player is not brought in. However, Shaw staying at second is another possibility, as he flashed a very good glove there last season.

Jonathan Schoop is one option to fill in at second, but he was a complete bust last year. Milwaukee likely doesn’t have much confidence in him. Mauricio Dubon and Keston Hiura are two young studs in the Brewers’ system, but are likely still a year or two away.

That means the Brewers could look outside the team to improve. Stearns has a couple of options depending on if he wants to bring in a second or third basemen to start.

2. Catcher

Catcher is a big question mark for Milwaukee heading into 2019. Manny Pina and Erik Kratz performed remarkably well last year, but the Brewers need an upgrade. Neither player is closed to polished and this is where Milwaukee could boost their team.

There are a few decent options on the free agent market, but the Brewers could also look to make a trade. Whatever they do, Stearns must address this area of need.

1. Rotation

The Brewers managed to get creative and lock down teams in the postseason without a traditional starter. However, it would be helpful if they at least secured two pitchers they trusted to go five innings in a playoff game.

When you combine the potential bullpen pieces moving to the rotation, Stearns is going to have to sign a few pitchers to fill a hole somewhere. No matter where it is, the rotation should be the top priority heading into the Winter.