3 offseason moves Milwaukee Brewers must make after early playoff exit

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 21: Christian Yelich #22 and Ryan Braun #8 of the Milwaukee Brewers look on during a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 21, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Reds won 6-3. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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1. Sign Marcus Stroman

Stroman did not pitch this year, as he dealt with a calf injury going into the season and ultimately opted out due to COVD-19 concerns in early-to-mid August. But won’t turn 30 until May 1 next year, he isn’t coming off an arm injury and he had a good season in 2019 split between the Blue Jays and the Mets (3.22 ERA, 7.8 K/9, 2.8 BB/9 over 32 starts-184.1 innings).

MLB.com has Stroman at a lofty No. 7 on their list of Top 25 free agents this offseason, with only Trevor Bauer (No. 2) above him among starting pitchers. He’s not a high strikeout guy in an era where that is valued highly, so he needs a good defense behind him. The Brewers look like a scary fit in that regard without some moves to improve, but in Stroman’s best year (2017) the Blue Jays were in the bottom half of baseball in team Defensive Runs Saved.

Having not pitched this year, Stroman is shaping up to be a relative bargain in free agency. That will automatically bring a lot of suitors who need starting pitching, and a competitive market might drive a lot of teams out on him quickly. But the Brewers should have Stroman on their radar already, and a multi-year offer should be a virtual foregone conclusion.

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