3 free agents or a trade the Milwaukee Brewers could pursue for DH
By Todd Welter
The designated hitter is highly likely coming to the Milwaukee Brewers lineup this season–whenever it happens.
Major League Baseball owners have finally realized having the American and National League play under two separate rules was ridiculous. Also, adding 15 more designated hitters is a nice negotiating chip to resolve the MLB lockout.
The Milwaukee Brewers, for the first time since 1997–when the franchise was last in the American League–will have a need for a full-time designated hitter for a full season (the shortened 2020 season allowed for NL teams to have a DH).
It has been a long time since the Brewers had Julio Franco occupying the designated hitter in the lineup. There will be some baseball purists upset that the National League will have the DH. Remember, the Milwaukee Brewers were in the American League for 27 seasons. Also, Paul Molitor, one of the most beloved Brewers of all time, finished the Milwaukee portion of his career at DH.
Plus, there really is no reason for a pitcher to be in the batting order. Analytics has pretty much taken bunting out of the game so you really do not need a pitcher trying to lay down a sacrifice.
Finally, for the fan who will miss the so-called strategy of the game that came with pitchers batting in the National League, just remember the real strategy in the game is a catcher calling for the correct pitch, selecting the correct reliever, and properly setting up the defense against a hitter.
Now let’s get back to the Milwaukee Brewers having a designated hitter.
The Brewers have plenty of internal options to use at DH. Addressing the DH roster spot is not exactly a pressing matter. A trend in the American League is to use a rotation at DH and not go with a traditional designated hitter. Then again, the Milwaukee Brewers offense the last two seasons has struggled to score runs. Team president David Stearns could use this roster spot to secure another bat to boost the offense.
The Milwaukee Brewers hit .233 as a team which was good for second to last in the National League. The team ranked 11th in both slugging and on-base plus slugging (OPS) percentages. The team hit just 194 homers which is a low number for a team that plays 81 games at home-run friendly American Family Field.
The Brewers might be better served going outside the team for a DH once the lockout is over. There are a few options available to provide some much-needed help.