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Milwaukee Brewers: Recent deadline trades for pitching

By Kenny Jilek

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 16: Pitcher Gio Gonzalez #47 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches during the first inning of Game Four of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 16: Pitcher Gio Gonzalez #47 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches during the first inning of Game Four of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Gio Gonzalez, Milwaukee Brewers
Gio Gonzalez #47, Milwaukee Brewers (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

2018: Gio Gonzalez

After only trading for relief pitching in 2017 and missing the playoffs, David Stearns and the Brewers decided to get a starter in 2018. And not just a starter. A huge name, former two-time All-Star, former 20-game winner, third in Cy Young voting, an absolutely huge blockbuster trade…if this was five years ago. But it was 2018 and Gio Gonzalez had been mediocre at best for the Washington Nationals with a 4.57 ERA.

But, somehow, as a 32-year-old, he gained some of his 2012 magic back and turned back into the ace that the Brewers needed and formed an unlikely strong starting trio with Wade Miley and Jhoulys Chacin that was able to lead the Milwaukee Brewers to a huge September and win the Division for the first time in seven years.

His ERA in five starts with Milwaukee was a fantastic 2.13 as he really bolstered a rotation that had some weak spots. Unfortunately, he was not as effective in the playoffs. After not pitching in the NLDS, he had a short start in game one of the NLCS when he gave up a solo home run to Manny Machado in the second inning and then was injured early in game four.

Gio Gonzalez has still yet to win a playoff series that he has pitched in. Even with the playoff disappointment, this trade was a win for the Brewers because of what he was able to do at the end of the regular season to lift them to a division title.

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