Potential free agent and trade additions
The Brewers’ decisions on how they shape next year’s rotation could be some of their most important of the offseason.
Milwaukee was successful this year in part to their ability to find unexpected success from pitchers like Tobias Myers and Colin Rea’s 3.52 ERA through his first 21 starts.
Who are some potential options for the Brewers to look at for 2025?
Andrew Heaney, 4.28 ERA, 4.04 FIP (free agent)
Heaney’s been solid over the past two seasons with a 4.15 and 4.28 ERA. That’s nothing special, but he’s pitched 307 1⁄3 innings in that time. This past season, the Brewers had 15 different pitchers start multiple games. Some of those were openers, but the point remains that the rotation could benefit from some consistency.
Heaney’s season-long workload could be better than what the Brewers got from other pitchers like Frankie Montas and Colin Rea while providing interesting upside. Heaney had 11 starts with at least seven strikeouts. He’s not an elite strikeout guy, but there’s enough to expect him to help lead a few wins with some backup from the offense.
It’s also notable that Heaney’s rough end to the season made his numbers look much worse than they did for most of the season. Through his first 27 starts, he had a 3.81 ERA. His final four starts inflated that to 4.28.
Nathan Eovaldi, 3.80 ERA, 3.83 FIP (free agent)
If the Brewers wanted to tap into the top end of the pitching market, it might be someone like Eovaldi. He’ll be 35 by Opening Day, so he won’t command the same contract length as someone like Jack Flaherty or Max Fried. Eovaldi would still provide another arm capable of being a playoff starter.
He’s been as consistent as they come, posting an ERA below 3.90 every year since 2020. This year, he ranked in at least the 80th percentile in whiff rate, walk rate, and groundball rate. His profile is well-rounded, and his propensity for groundballs especially plays into the Brewers’ elite infield defense.
Chris Bassitt, 4.16 ERA, 4.08 FIP (Toronto Blue Jays)
If the Brewers wanted to make a trade, they could consider someone like Bassitt. After a disappointing season, would the Brewers take a chance and help get him back into form? According to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, the Blue Jays should consider the trade. Bassitt’s walk rate jumped, and his chase rate dipped. That’s a bad combo, so Milwaukee would have to look for other peripherals that he could improve.
While at age-35 it’s unlikely he gets back to an ERA near 3.00, Bassitt is another arm capable of providing length this season. He’s pitched at least 170 innings in the last three seasons, so the Brewers might only need depth and average performance from him before handing over the game to the bullpen and locking up games that way.
Trevor Williams, 2.03 ERA, 2.79 FIP (free agent)
Williams only made 13 starts this year, but with a career-best 2.03 ERA, would Milwaukee buy into a new standard for Williams?
He’s been applauded for his control and deep arsenal, but with a mediocre strikeout rate, it makes him another interesting addition. FanGraphs’ Meg Rowley points out that his low release makes it difficult for hitters to catch his fastball, even with low velocity. A starter who controls the zone well, yet still allows a decent amount of contact, seems like a good fit with the Brewers’ defense. He’s expected to get around $10 million a year, so it wouldn’t break the bank for Milwaukee if they deemed him capable of sustaining his improved performance.
Stats courtesy of FanGraphs unless otherwise noted.