Milwaukee Brewers: Could Boone Logan Fit with the Crew?

The Milwaukee Brewers will look to add to their pitching staff and fill out their  bullpen this winter. They could choose a relatively inexpensive option if they look to Boone Logan.

Boone Logan was one of the top left-handed relievers in the game not too long ago. He signed a three-year deal with Colorado and, being the pitcher’s purgatory that it is, Coors Field helped his ERA climb in his first two years. Logan figured it out in his final year there in 2016.  He pitched to a 3.69 ERA before signing a one-year deal with Cleveland last year.

In Cleveland, Logan had very little success. He posted a 4.71 ERA before his season ended in July due to a lat injury. The Indians declined his option, and the 33-year old is now a free agent.

Logan may not have performed at his best the past couple seasons, but he’s still a quality bullpen option when healthy. He earned $5.5 million with Cleveland, but coming off an injury shortened season, Logan is likely to sign for less.

Logan is a ground ball pitcher that has had more success than it may seem on the surface. While his ERAs may have climbed over the past few years, his FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) shows a different story. FIP is regarded as a more accurate and better representation of pitcher performance than ERA. Over the last three seasons, Logan averaged a 4.24 ERA, but his FIP average is at 3.33, showing his performance isn’t as awful as it seems.

Does Logan fit in Milwaukee?

He absolutely would fit in Milwaukee. Logan is a big left-handed reliever that manager Craig Counsell will rely on. The Milwaukee Brewers are lacking left-handed pitching. Logan wouldn’t cost much for 2018 because he missed most of 2017 with a lat injury. He hasn’t been as effective as he was with the Yankees from 2010-13, but he’s still a good pitcher and will be ready to go in Spring Training.

Logan was an effective set-up man throughout his career. He would slot into the eighth inning nicely if Anthony Swarzak not return. But even if Swarzak does return, Logan can pitch in the seventh just as well. In New York he mostly pitched in the seventh, but when he went to Colorado, he was the eighth inning guy.

Adding Logan makes a lot of sense given how little he would cost and how much experience he adds. For his career, Logan appeared in 13 post-season games and owns a 2.35 ERA. He’s not the bullpen workhorse he once was, but if Counsell needs a double play or face off against a left-handed hitter, Boone Logan is the guy.

How much will Logan cost?

A contract similar to the one he signed with Cleveland is about right for Logan. A one-year deal with a club option should convince Logan to sign. It’s doubtful that it will take more than the $5.5 million Cleveland gave to Logan last year. He’s coming off a rough season that ended due to injury. With plenty of experience at a small cost, lefty Boone Logan makes perfect sense for the Milwaukee Brewers to sign this winter.

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Logan represents an upgrade over guys like Carlos Torres and Oliver Drake. As this postseason proved, a good bullpen helps in big situations. If the Brewers are going to win a World Series anytime soon, the bullpen will need to be strong. Signing a guy like Boone Logan is a good first step.