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Milwaukee Brewers season ends in disappointing fashion, must add offense in offseason

By Brian Sampson

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 12: Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers bats during the second inning against the Atlanta Braves in game four of the National League Division Series at Truist Park on October 12, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 12: Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers bats during the second inning against the Atlanta Braves in game four of the National League Division Series at Truist Park on October 12, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The Milwaukee Brewers, a team who not so long ago was dubbed as a darkhorse candidate to win this year’s World Series, were bounced from the playoffs in disappointing fashion as they lost to the Atlanta Braves 5-4 on Tuesday night.

Milwaukee’s offense had a breakout performance–at least to their standards–when they scored four runs in one game. That doubled their total runs from the previous three games and brought their series total to a whopping six.

At one point between games two to four, Milwaukee failed to score in 22 straight innings. This included being 0-for-20 with runners in scoring position before Omar Narváez’ RBI single in the top of the fourth inning in Game 4.

The Brewers’ batters simply failed to make contact with the ball most of the time. They struck out 42 times in the series (35 innings) and some of their biggest names were the biggest culprits: Christin Yelich was 3 for 15, Kolten Wong was 1 for 12, and Avisail Garcia was 2 for 15.

The Milwaukee Brewers’ 2021 season came to a disappointing end with a 4-5 loss to the Atlanta Braves and its clear offense is priority number one.

Even Milwaukee’s pitching, which was one of the best in all of baseball, couldn’t save this putrid offense. The starters pitched brilliantly, but it was never enough. Of course, it didn’t help they were without two of their best relief pitchers due to Devin Williams drunkenly punching a wall and Brent Suter going through an oblique issue that kept him off the NLDS roster.

The Big Three of Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff and Freddy Peralta will return, but David Stearns will have to do more if he wants his team to take it to the next level. That means addressing the offense in a big, big way.

Yelich has been a shell of his former self for two years now and it wouldn’t be surprising if it comes out he was hurt down the stretch. Still, he’s due $26 million a year until 2028 and no team will touch him with a 10-foot pole at this point.

Instead, Milwaukee will have to look elsewhere for upgrades.

Josh Hader is set for a massive upgrade in arbitration and one the Brewers probably can’t or don’t want to pay that. That could set him up to be traded for an offensive upgrade. Hader is in the prime of his career and is clearly the best closer in baseball. He should be able to attract a solid player in return.

Or would Stearns ship Williams out after his boneheaded mistake? Stearns did not look pleased when discussing Williams’ injury. Would the team trade him for an offensive contributor? They’ve had a history of developing relievers out of nowhere and could try to go that route again.

Whatever the path is, you know Stearns will be turning over every stone. He’s diligent and one of the best in the business. We have a long offseason ahead, but expect it to get offensive for the Brewers.

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