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Milwaukee Brewers: Assessing starting rotation options

By Kenny Jilek

MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 05: Starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin #45 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws in the fourth inning of Game Two of the National League Division Series against the Colorado Rockies at Miller Park on October 5, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 05: Starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin #45 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws in the fourth inning of Game Two of the National League Division Series against the Colorado Rockies at Miller Park on October 5, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 16: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox during Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 16: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox during Game Three of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 16, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Free Agent Signing Candidates

There has been a lot of talk amongst the Brewers fan base of where an ace may come from. They have already spent more money than ever and have secured the priciest Opening Day payroll in Brewers’ history, but who knows, maybe their new naming deal with American Family Insurance, as much as it pains us all, could help pay for a big name. There are not many big names still left on the market this close to the start of Spring Training, but there are two former 20-game winners still in the free agent pool. One is, admittedly, much more exciting than the other, but they are both lefties, something the Brewers currently lack. The possibility of signing back Gio Gonzalez after a very successful second half with the Brewers has been thrown around all through the offseason and Dallas Keuchel has the Brewers in the mix of potential landing spots.

Gio Gonzalez

After being traded to Milwaukee mid-season in 2018 he earned a 2.13 ERA in 5 starts while attaining a perfect 3-0 record. He was an important piece in Milwaukee’s late-season push to take the NL Central title from the Cubs’ grasp. He gives the Brewers a left-handed starter which they now lack after the departure of Wade Miley and Brent Suter‘s Tommy John surgery.

His past few seasons with the Nationals were very shaky, and at 33 years old he may be past his prime. However, if the Brewers value a left-handed starter to shake things up and want to give Peralta another year to develop his stuff, this could be a very valuable signing for them. It would be a 1-year rental deal and of course, he would have to compete for his spot, but he has ace potential. He has been great in the past and maybe the Brewers could squeeze one more season of greatness out of him.

Dallas Keuchel

Alright I know you saw the picture at the top of this slide and immediately wanted to hear that Keuchel is coming to Milwaukee and everything is going to be perfect. You might have skipped the section on Gio just to get here and read this part. Well, I have good news and bad news. Here’s the good news from Atlanta broadcaster Paul Crane:

"Am told Dallas Keuchel down to 3 teams: HOU, offer 2 yrs, plus option.. MIL offer 3 yrs, ATL a finalist, no detail on offer"

The Brewers are one of the three finalists for a former Cy Young pitcher. That sounds pretty fantastic, and it is. The bad news is that Milwaukee has not historically been a glamorous landing spot for free agents, and players have a tendency to re-sign with their own teams, especially when they are winning. A Keuchel signing would transform this Brewers rotation, but nothing is certain yet and it’s not quite time to get our hopes too sky high.

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