Milwaukee Brewers Free Agent Target: LHP Patrick Corbin

Free agent Patrick Corbin has been creating some buzz as possibly the best starting pitcher to choose a new team for 2019. One of those teams could be the reigning National League Central Division Champions, the Milwaukee Brewers.

It was known heading into the playoffs that the Milwaukee Brewers did not really have a steady core of pitchers in the starting rotation. Jhoulys Chacin was the clear ace and Wade Miley was a strong number two. But now the Brewers now seek to round out their starting rotation in order to defend their NL Central Division title.

Some names that were thrown around were former Brewer, CC Sabathia, who had just re-signed with the New York Yankees for one more year and Dallas Keuchel, who was one of the major keys to the Houston Astros World Series run in 2017.  Another potential name is former Arizona Diamondbacks southpaw, Patrick Corbin.

How Did Corbin Do For Arizona?

Patrick Corbin spent most of his Major League career playing in the desert over the course of six years. This season, he had a record of 11-7, a 3.15 ERA, career high 246 K, 48 BB, 200 IP and a 1.050 WHIP. He was one of the many reasons why the Diamondbacks had found success this season, but just missed winning the NL West division to the Dodgers and the NL Wild Card spot to Chicago and Colorado.

Breaking down his 2018 season, Patrick Corbin in the first half saw himself have a 6-4 record, a 3.24 ERA, 149 K, 35 BB, 122.1 IP and a 1.054 WHIP. Those first half stats were highly good enough for Corbin to earn a trip to the 2018 All-Star Game in D.C.

Corbin continued to be successful in the second half, as well. He had a 5-3 record, a 3.01 ERA, 97 K, 13 BB, 77.2 IP and a 1.043 WHIP.

Let it also be known that he pitched better at on the road this season than at home. At Chase Field, he was 7-5, had a 3.47 ERA, 131 K, 24 BB, 103.2 IP and a WHIP of 1.032. While away from the home ballpark, he was 4-2 with a 2.80 ERA, 115 K, 24 BB, 96.1 IP and a 1.069 WHIP.

What Could Corbin Cost?

There’s going to be a lot of suitors for Corbin this winter, as he’s arguably the top free agent starter on the market. The Yankees, Phillies, Braves, and Angels figure to be in the market for his services among many other teams.

Given Corbin is 29 years old and is coming off a career year, he’s in line for a large contract. He could easily top nine figures this offseason. Corbin could get a guarantee of six years and probably $120MM-plus. That would be a record free agent deal for the Milwaukee Brewers, but he could put the Crew over the top in their pursuit for a World Series.

How Would Corbin Fit in Milwaukee?

Patrick Corbin could be what the Milwaukee Brewers are looking for when it comes to a starting pitcher. He usually can go deep into ball games, get outs, and not give up any runs. That would put less stress on the bullpen to go out there and get three outs each inning. Something the Brewers’ rotation lacked in 2018 was a starting pitcher capable of going deep into ball games.

With the return of Jimmy Nelson in 2019 and with Chacin still with the team, but Wade Miley deciding to take on the free agent market, Milwaukee could still use a solid arm in that rotation. And Corbin being the crafty, left-handed veteran that he is could help with team success.

With speculation that Brandon Woodruff, Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta also being in the starting rotation, David Stearns could pull the trigger and move one of those three pitchers back to the bullpen.