Fansided

5 moves the Milwaukee Brewers could make to say on top

By Joshua Sadlock

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 06: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles stands outside the dugout before the game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum on May 6, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Baltimore Orioles 2-1. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manny Machado
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 06: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles stands outside the dugout before the game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum on May 6, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Baltimore Orioles 2-1. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manny Machado /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
SAN DIEGO, CA – MAY 29: Tyson Ross #38 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins at PETCO Park on May 29, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – MAY 29: Tyson Ross #38 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins at PETCO Park on May 29, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

3. Reinforce the rotation

The weak link for the Brewers is the starting rotation, with Jimmy Nelson sidelined until at least after the All-Star break and Zach Davies also on the disabled list and struggling before he hit the shelf. Strong performances from Junior Guerra and Jhoulys Chacin have helped to cover for the inconsistencies of Davies, Chase Anderson and Brent Suter. The Brewers are 14th in baseball with a 4.02 ERA from their starters, but they are by far the weakest of the three teams vying for the NL Central title.

There aren’t many slam-dunk trade candidates in the starting rotation, and the Brewers will probably pass on trying to trade for Jacob deGrom or Noah Syndergaard if the New York Mets open them up for trade. Milwaukee might have the prospects to go and get deGrom or Syndergaard, but pulling off a trade for either of the aces might require them to take pieces away from their current MLB roster.

A mid-tier arm is likely good enough to keep the Brewers up in the standings thanks to their steady offense and lights-out bullpen. Looking at some of the potentially available names, Milwaukee should consider J.A. Happ, Tyson Ross, Francisco Liriano or Dan Straily.

Building out a star-studded rotation is far less important for postseason success as baseball is played today. The Brewers have a bullpen full of multi-inning weapons who can shorten the game to five innings and have been getting enough out of their starters most nights. No need to break the bank for an “ace” at the trade deadline.

Home/MLB