Milwaukee Brewers pursuing pitchers for bullpen and rotation – MLB News
The Milwaukee Brewers are expected to engage in a flurry of activities – as far as pursuing free agents are concerned, in the upcoming Winter Meetings. To start next Monday, December 3, the Brewers are to pursue pitchers both for rotation and bullpen.
The offseason this year so far has witnessed the Brewers parting ways with the likes of Shaun Marcum and Francisco Rodriguez. The club did not also opt for getting the players through arbitration when it came to Kameron Loe and Jose Veras (both relievers) coupled with Nyjer Morgan.
Gord Ash, Brewers' assistant general manager, was not quite specific about what the club was thinking and planning to do.
"I can't give you any odds on that right now," assistant GM Gord Ash said. "Obviously, we've talked to some [free-agent starters], but we haven't advanced past the initial inquiry stage."
Both rotation and the bullpen are among the set of priorities for the Brewers. When it came to relief in 2012 Major League Baseball season, it was one of the worst for them, finishing 4.66 ERA which was actually last.
Their blown saves, 29, were actually a franchise record. In effect, it was a particularly lacklustre season. That is something they do not intend to see any in the coming year. Compared to an almost flawless 2011 MLB, this season was embarrassingly poor for them when it came to relief.
But entering the Winter Meetings, the Brewers have options available in the free agent market.
"We can certainly sell opportunity this winter," Ash said. "Incredibly helpful. It's why, last year, we couldn't sign any starters, because they looked at our rotation and said, 'I don't have any chance to pitch there.'"
As also commented on the recent moves made by the Los Angeles Dodgers (Brandon League) and San Francisco Giants (Jeremy David Affeldt) wherein the two teams struck a deal with pitchers for three years, both of whom cost over $18 million each
"I wouldn't say [those deals made adding relievers] harder, I would say more expensive," Ash said.
To be seen now is whether or not the Brewers will be able to find some good and inexpensive pitchers.
Tags: