Milwaukee Brewers: How much did they improve at the deadline?

Yesterday’s waiver deadline was more active for the Milwaukee Brewers than any fan expected. During the crazy 24 hour period, the Brewers acquired a starting pitcher, a lefty reliever, and a left-handed veteran bat.

How much will Gio Gonzalez help?

Let’s start with the highlight of the day.

The Milwaukee Brewers finally made a move for a starting pitcher. Gio Gonzalez of the Washington Nationals is on his way to the Cream City.

This season Gonzalez has struggled. He has an ERA of 4.57 and owns a win-loss record of 7-11. However, he is an easy upgrade over some current rotation pieces. In his career, Gonzalez owns a 3.71 ERA and has a record of 124-97.

One exciting factor for Gonzalez is that he will be with miracle-working pitching coach Derek Johnson. Johnson has helped revive, or improve the careers of most of the current pitching staff. If Johnson can help Gio the way he has helped the rest of the pitching staff, then Gonzalez can turn into another steal by Milwaukee Brewers GM David Stearns.

Along with Gonzalez, the Brewers made a trade for a player that most fans had not heard about.

Who is Xavier Cedeno?

Xavier Cedeno was acquired from the Chicago White Sox. He is having a very good year in 2018, and that makes it all the more strange that Milwaukee was able to get him.  How could someone with an ERA of 2.84 in 33 games played pass through waivers?

As a Brewers fan you won’t argue it, but another solid lefty addition to this fatigued bullpen could help the Crew a lot in September.

Addition of a veteran bench bat

In one of the strangest, but possibly more impactful moves of the day, the Milwaukee Brewers went out and acquired a well-known name.

A player with his veteran presence alone can help this team ride into the playoffs. Curtis Granderson, a three-time All-Star who has 330 career home runs and can play phenomenal defense, was added to help get the runners home in late game situations.

Granderson is not having the greatest year offensively. His line of .243/.340/.429, 11 home runs and 35 RBIs don’t exactly seem like they will be of much assistance. However, Granderson is a clear upgrade over current lefty option on the bench, Eric Thames.

Thames has dealt with injuries this season but he owns a line of just. 220/.256/.439. The power is still there, as he has 16 home runs, but Granderson is better at just putting the bat on the ball. The Milwaukee Brewers need someone like that.

In August , Thames had 41 at-bats and has accumulated four hits. He posted an anemic .098/.159/.244 slash line in August.

Granderson also had 41 at-bats, but banged out 12 hits and is has a .293/.370/.488 slash line in August. In September, Granderson could get key hits and help the Brewers win important games.

Are the Milwaukee Brewers an improved team? Yes, they are. Everyone acquired has high upside and a change of scenery can help Gonzalez. These moves could all become very impactful from now into October.