While everyone waits for the Milwaukee Brewers to make a big splash for a free agent pitcher, they added another back end starter this morning. The team signed Wade Miley to a minor-league deal loaded with incentives to see if he can regain what he’s lost in the last couple of years. This is the second player that Milwaukee chased on a minor-league deal with Yovani Gallardo. He’s worth the risk as a left-handed pitcher to see if Miley can find something again in Spring Training. The worst that can happen is he continues to suck and doesn’t have stop making mistake which means he will be cut loose before the season stars.

There’s no question about that Miley needs some fixing to regain him to get back to his 2012 season. Five years ago, Miley had an ERA of 3.35 and won 16 games for Arizona. He never really amounted to that afterwards. Miley led the league in walks last season with 93, and he gave up 20+ home runs. In four of his first five full seasons, the Los Angeles native gave up 20 or more home runs. That’s not an encouraging sign of things to come. I’m curious to see what the Brewers believe they can do to tweak how he’s handling the strike zone a pitcher. Personally, I can’t see it, but I’m not a pitching coach. I will say Miley hasn’t seen NL batters in a few years which could help things.

We’ll see if the Brewers make a move on a free agent pitcher. The adding of competition almost makes it seem like two spots in the rotation are open. If they do add someone, the fight for the fifth starter becomes much more difficult.

Charlie.