Will the Brewers Land Their Ace Pitcher?
Milwaukee Brewers are heating up the hot stove. It seems like every day for the last two weeks we’ve heard a rumor about the Milwaukee Brewers and some ace pitcher. In the last few weeks, we’ve heard the names of Madison Bumgarner, Corey Kluber, Noah Syndergaard and others like Zack Greinke as potential options for the Brewers. It seems like a formality that the Brewers want an ace for this pitcher staff. Brewers general manager David Sterns seems to think that’s all this team is missing from being in the World Series. The question is can he actually pull it off? What does a deal look like for a star pitcher?
Someone familiar with what Indians are looking for in a deal for Corey Kluber tells me #Brewers could satisfy their needs. I'm just not sure how #Brewers would squeeze Kluber's $17 million salary into their budget. Seems to me they'd have to deal another salary away (Thames?).
— Tom (@Haudricourt) December 10, 2018
With this tweet from Tom Haudricourt, it feels like the most smoke right now is Kluber. Los Angeles Dodgers are involved, but the Indians want outfield help which means they would probably have to give up their stud prospect Alex Verdugo for a deal to happen between the two teams. Even though Milwaukee’s best prospect is not an outfielder, the Brewers are loaded with talented ones. Corey Ray leads that category plus the Brewers have multiple outfielders like Domingo Santana and Eric Thames who could play this season for the Indians. It’s hard to see a deal where Hiura isn’t on the table for the Indians despite having multiple second basemen but who knows with the Indians.
To me, a deal for Trevor Bauer with the package being Ray and others makes more sense. Bauer is a dynamic guy whom would challenge the clubhouse chemistry a bit, but he would be a great arm to add to the Brewers rotation. Stearns is a patient general manager though. These deals take time, and he isn’t jumping at the first offer. It has to make sense for the Brewers and their farm system. Milwaukee is one or two deals away from their farm system being tapped, so, it’s important for Milwaukee to truly make the smartest move for the team.
Charlie.