Milwaukee Brewers: Which players are facing decisions on club options?

Mike Moustakas and Joakim Soria have already declined their mutual options, and have become free agents. Which current Milwaukee Brewers have club options for 2019 that the team has to decide on?

The Milwaukee Brewers only have two players with club options for 2019, Jeremy Jeffress and Jordan Lyles. Could both return to the Brewers next year? Neither? Only one?

What should the Brewers do with Jeffress?

Bring him back as quickly as possible? Jeffress signed a one-year contract that came with two club option years. His first club option is worth $3.175 million, and his 2020 club option is worth $4.3 million.

After posting a 1.29 ERA in 73 games with 89 strikeouts and only 27 walks, Jeffress is a lock to return in 2019 at only $3.175 million.

Does Jeffress have a role in 2019?

Not really, but he didn’t have one it 2018, and that wasn’t a problem until the post season. He’ll either close or work in a setup role, but he should continue to dominate.

Jeffress did run into issues in the post season. He posted a 5.40 ERA against the Colorado Rockies, and a 7.20 ERA against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He also had his now infamous Game 7 meltdown that saw him give up a homer to Yasiel Puig. If anything, it sounds like Jeffress is now a man on a mission to get back to the post season and succeed.

How did Lyles do with the Brewers?

Lyles made 11 appearances for the Milwaukee Brewers, all in relief. He worked 16 1/3 innings, and posted a 3.31 ERA. Lyles struck out 22 and walked nine.

How about Lyles’ club option?

Lyles came to the Milwaukee Brewers on August 5th after the San Diego Padres placed him on waivers. His contract came with a club option worth $3.5 million, and a buyout worth $250k. Guess who’s going to get a new addition to his house, and the opportunity to find a new team for 2019? It’s Lyles! The Brewers are very unlikely to bring Lyles back at $3.5 million, and are far more likely to cut Lyles a check with a lot of zeroes on it.

The Milwaukee Brewers could bring back Lyles on a much smaller contract if they like him as a reliever, but there is very little chance he can crack the rotation. Given the Brewers depth, he’s also a long shot to make the bullpen.

Lyles was a depth signing at a time when the Brewers roster was tested. He could very well reinvent himself as a full-time reliever, and pitch for 10 more years at a high level, but it’s not likely to happen in Milwaukee.