Milwaukee Brewers: Is Kevin Siegrist A Fit In the Bullpen?

The Milwaukee Brewers are still on the search for pitching help as we approach the Winter Meetings. One player that could fit in the Brewers bullpen is Kevin Siegrist.

Lefty Kevin Siegrist spent most of his career as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals. Siegrist has spent five seasons in the major leagues and has been a valuable part of the Redbird bullpen in that time.

In 2015, the southpaw finished the year with a 2.17 ERA with 81 appearances over 74 2/3 innings. He struck out 90 batters and finished with a 10.8 K/9 that year. In 2016, he put up another quality year with a 2.77 ERA over 67 appearances. However, underlying that ERA was 10 home runs allowed and a 4.43 FIP, showing that Siegrist was more lucky than good.

Siegrist’s stats overall took a dip in 2017. A 4.81 ERA and averaged 5.00 BB/9, which is extremely high. Over his entire career Siegrist has boasted a high walk rate. He never posted a BB/9 lower than 3.8 in a Cardinals uniform. He was claimed off waivers in September by the Philadelphia Phillies and was granted free agency in October.

Could he fit?

As a second year arbitration eligible player coming off a bad season, Siegrist will not cost much to add to the roster. He’s been a late inning reliever in the past, pitching mostly out of the eighth inning with St. Louis in 2015 and 2016.

With a lot of experience late in ballgames, Siegrist could definitely fit the role the Milwaukee Brewers need. However, his high walk rate is concerning. His career walk rate of 4.2 shows a major control issue. But, he can strike batters out at a high rate as well, with a career rate of 10.5 K/9.

Plus, Siegrist is a big fly ball pitcher, and those types of pitchers have a tendency to do poorly in Miller Park. Overall, with his declining peripherals and fly ball tendencies, Siegrist doesn’t really profile as a type of guy the Brewers should want in their bullpen. He’s been a setup man before but he’s not the pitcher that will help the Crew make a push for the playoffs.

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There are much better relief options on the market for David Stearns to pursue instead of Siegrist. With the free agent market still moving slowly, Siegrist may have to wait awhile to find his new team.