Milwaukee Brewers: Why Yu Darvish is the right choice

Highly touted starting pitcher Yu Darvish remains unsigned. The Milwaukee Brewers have been connected to Darvish. If Darvish signs with Milwaukee the team has the potential for something greater than an NL Central title.

Over the course of Yu Darvish‘s five-year tenure in the majors, he has established himself as a premier arm. Career averages of a 1.17 WHIP, 3.30 FIP, and 11 SO/9 back up his reputation.

Win Now Mentality

The Milwaukee Brewers have shown the willingness to become a win now team next season and end their rebuild. This is proven with the trade for Christian Yelich for top prospect Lewis Brinson and other highly regarded prospects in Isan Diaz, Monte Harrison, and Jordan Yamamoto.

Shortly afterward, the Brewers added to the outfield with the signing of Lorenzo Cain. Cain, would have signed elsewhere if the team was not willing to commit to a winning philosophy.

Recently, the bullpen was bolstered with the addition of Matt Albers. Albers was one of the best relievers in all of baseball last season and is sure to make a key impact in 2018.

These moves prove that the rebuild is over and the team is ready to contend for the NL Central and beyond.

Rotation a weak link heading into ’18

With Jimmy Nelson gone until around June according to pitching coach Derek Johnson, the rotation lost its top performer.  According to MLB.com, the projected rotation is currently:

1. Chase Anderson
2. Zach Davies
3. Jhoulys Chacín
4. Brent Suter
5. Yovani Gallardo

The depth of the rotation is worrisome. There are doubts regarding Chacín as he struggled mightily while away from pitcher-friendly Petco Park last season. In 80 innings on the road he had a 1.64 WHIP and allowed a wOBA against of .363.

While Suter performed well in his opportunities this past season, Gallardo hasn’t been the same player since leaving Milwaukee. He isn’t worthy of a spot in the rotation.

On a positive note, the resurgence of Junior Guerra this off season could see him working his way back into the rotation. An addition to the rotation is necessary in order for this team to reach its potential.

Darvish in Milwaukee

Darvish is the best starting pitcher available in this free agent class. While he comes with a hefty contract, he would provide an elite arm the Milwaukee Brewers need. Here is the projected rotation with Darvish:

1. Darvish
2. Anderson
3. Davies
4. Chacín
5. Guerra

When Nelson returns here’s what it would look like:

1. Darvish
2. Nelson
3. Anderson
4. Davies
5. Chacín/Guerra

Next: Is signing Darvish a bad idea?

This is a rotation that could go deep into the postseason. With all the other acquisitions this off season, the Milwaukee Brewers are in win-now mode. Letting Darvish slip away would be a costly mistake.