Could the Brewers reunite with free agent reliever Brandon Kintzler?

The Milwaukee Brewers still need to add a veteran right-hander to their bullpen. Brandon Kintzler is a free agent, and has yet to find a new team for 2020. Could the Brewers reunite with Kintzler?

Brandon Kintzler started his Major League career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010. Since then, he’s gone to an All-Star Game as the closer for the Minnesota Twins, and bounced around from contender to contender.

2020 will be Kintzler’s age-35 season, but it’s clear that he still has more than enough in the tank for a few more seasons in a Major League bullpen. Should the Brewers look to add Kintzler as their veteran righty?

How did 2019 go for Kintzler?

Kintzler spent 2019 with the Chicago Cubs after arriving in a trade deadline deal in 2018. He made 62 appearances and managed a 2.68 ERA last year. In 57 innings of work, Kintzler struck out 48, walked 13, and was tagged for only five homers.

He was absolutely brutal on left-handed hitters last year. They only managed a .163/.247/.275 slash line against. Kintzler was capable against right-handers as they slashed .256/.297/.419 against him.

How would Kintzler fit into the Brewers in 2020?

The Brewers need depth in their bullpen, especially on the right-handed side. As currently constructed, the team’s top righty reliever is listed on their depth chart as Bobby Wahl. That’s the same Wahl that missed all of 2019 with a knee injury suffered in Spring Training.

After Wahl, the Brewers will have to rely on Devin Williams, Corbin Burnes, or Ray Black to contribute innings. The team needs a right-handed reliever, and Kintzler has the experience and ability to work as part of a bridge to closer Josh Hader.

Kintzler made $5 million in each of the past two seasons, and should come close to that in 2020. The team has the money to spend and a clear need in their bullpen. A reunion with Kintzler may not work out, but he’s an option that the team needs to monitor in case there’s an opportunity to bring him back to Milwaukee for the 2020 season.