Milwaukee Brewers: Time to sign Gio Gonzalez?

The Milwaukee Brewers should be looking to add a veteran pitcher to the rotation. Now that Wade Miley is off the board, the veteran they should bring back is Gio Gonzalez.

Questions in the rotation

The Milwaukee Brewers could go into the 2019 season with a starting rotation filled with question marks and young players. It’s still uncertain how healthy Jimmy Nelson is and if his shoulder can handle a Major League workload. Chase Anderson came back to earth in 2018 after a stellar 2017 season. Based on his career stats, it looks like Anderson’s norm may be more like 2018 instead of 2017.

Zach Davies seemed to be injured or under-performing the entire 2018 season. In addition, guys like Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta are young and unproven, but both have the potential to be good major league pitchers. We just don’t know yet. The only starter that doesn’t come into the season with question marks is Jhoulys Chacin.

Gonzalez’s track record

Milwaukee Brewers GM David Stearns traded for Gio Gonzalez late last year in order to add a proven, reliable veteran with playoff experience to the rotation. It’s the same reasons he should sign Gonzalez this year. Gonzalez did pitch well for the Brewers last year going 3-0 with a 2.13 ERA and a .94 WHIP in five starts. Unlike Wade Miley, Gonzalez has a track record of successful seasons. Since 2010 he has had only two years with an ERA over 4.00 and has pitched in the post season five times.

Gonzalez indicated that he liked playing in Milwaukee and with each passing day, the price tag for his services is probably going down. He made $12 million last year. However, he could also stabilize a group of young pitchers the team might end up using this year.

Even though the Milwaukee Brewers rely heavily on their bullpen, they still need a rotation that can keep them in games through the fifth inning.  I’m not confident they currently have that, but bringing back Gonzalez would definitely be a step in the right direction.