Milwaukee Brewers took some time off when it comes to making moves. After several straight days of signing someone, Brewers took the weekend off. Other MLB teams did not. Rather, the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays signed top-level pitchers. Dallas Keuchel ended up with the Chicago White Sox as they continue to go for it, and the Toronto Blue Jays finally got themselves a pitcher with Hyun-Jin Ryu. Milwaukee Brewers didn’t seem to be involved with either player, and that’s perfectly okay.

Keuchel and Ryu would have been great additions for the Brewers… At the right price. Keuchel received 18 million per year and Ryu received 20 million for four years. Keuchel is 31 and Ryu is 32. That’s simply too much of a risk for the Brewers. While that might make some Brewers fans cringe, that is the reality. White Sox and Blue Jays are both in different positions than the Brewers are right now. Both teams are going for it with all of their young prospects, and if things blow up with these older guys, the youth movement is still there. Brewers do not have those young prospects if things go to complete shit with either of these pitchers.

Both have question marks heading into the season as well. Ryu had one great year and everyone wants him to be an ace. Yet this is the first time in four years he made it past 160 IP. Keuchel needs great infield defense to be successful. What part of Justin Smoak and Keston Hiura makes you think that he’s a logical fit for the Brewers? Yes, they were the last two available free agent pitchers worth a damn, but that doesn’t mean you sign them to fill a need. It would have been an overpay and an overreaction if the Brewers jumped at either guy.

This doesn’t mean that Brewers should be content with their starters though. David Price was a name considered for the Blue Jays if they didn’t land Ryu. That should be Milwaukee’s focus with the hope that Boston eats some of the Price contract to make it three years and 25 million per. A three-year deal would be excellent for Milwaukee considering the two years of Christian Yelich. He should be Milwaukee’s top priority for pitchers.

The dust hasn’t settled on the Brewers’ offseason. They have done a lot, but there is still time to do more plus money available. Please continue to be patient and let’s react when January is done.

Charlie.