Brewers: 3 FA Signings that Would Show Commitment To Winning

Contracts are currently a big deal in Wisconsin. Despite a crazy year in 2020, as Wisconsin sports fans, we’ve gotten lucky with elite level players committing to stay with their respective teams.

The most recent big time signing was on December 15th, 2020 when Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo signed a monster five-year supermax extension. Earlier in the NFL season, David Bakhtiari committed to four more seasons with the Packers. Last but certainly not least, early in March Christian Yelich put a pen to the paper to remain with the Milwaukee Brewers for the next nine seasons!

A theme throughout these signings, in particular with the signing of Antetokounmpo and Bakhtiari, is that the owners showed that they are committed to continue to win. With the Brewers and extending Yelich, these feelings were not quite as strong, despite the signing.

Leading up to Christian Yelich‘s signing, the Brewers issued a plethora of one year deals with club options in year two to multiple low-risk players. Of those signed, Justin Smoak likely had the highest ceiling, but players like Brock Holt, Eric Sogard, and Jedd Gyorko did not scream “win-now” moves.

This decrease in talent was quite disappointing, since just one offseason prior the Brewers signed Yasmani Grandal and Mike Moustakas to one year deals. After coming up just one game short of reaching the World Series in 2018, these signings gave many fans the prospective that 2019 was our year to finally reach baseball’s biggest stage for the first time since 1982.

Unfortunately, the Brewers came up short and were bounced out in the one game Wild card game in which they lost to the eventual World Series Champion Washington Nationals. As mentioned, the 2020 offseason was rather uninspiring from an acquiring top end talent standpoint, but they were able to get a long term commitment from Christian Yelich.

Brewers Need To Surround Yelich With Talent

Now that Yelich is locked up long term, could the Milwaukee Brewers again look to make bigger splashes in free agency and show their commitment to winning again? Finances remain one of the biggest obstacles in this becoming a reality.

While no owners across MLB made money in 2020 due to the pandemic, it could be beneficial to have excitement surrounding the team as we prepare for the potential of fans returning to the stands in 2021.

This excitement could help fill the ballpark earlier and more often next baseball season, but in order to do that the Brewers need to make some splash moves that show their commitment to winning next season.  Let’s take a look at three free agent signings that could do this.

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 27: Didi Gregorius #18 of the Philadelphia Phillies awaits the play during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on September 27, 2020 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

SS Didi Gregorius

After five seasons with the Yankees, Didi Gregorius bet on himself in 2020 by signing a one year, $14MM deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. His results were a .284 batting average, .827 OPS, 10 home runs, and 40 runs batted in. Those numbers and his performance is likely enough for him to get another contract in the double digits in terms of average annual value.

At his best, Gregorius can hit in the mid to high 20’s in terms of home run production. He has only hit 20 or more home runs three times throughout his career. However, had it not been for missing part of the season recovering from TJS in 2019 and the shortened 2020 season, he would have two more 20+ home run season under his belt.

The Brewers did just tender a contract to Orlando Arcia and have Luis Urias under club control for several more years. To date, Arcia has not turned the corner from an offensive standpoint and Urias is still trying to prove himself against major league pitchers. Gregorius would be a clear upgrade at one of the premium positions in the game.

While there were no concerns in 2020 in Gregorius’ ability to play shortstop, if needed, the Brewers could transition him to play 3B. If anything, this may actually improve his offensive numbers for he wouldn’t be asked to do as much defensively, and with slick fielding Arcia and Urias on the team the Brewers defense would remain in good shape.

2021 will be Gregorius’ age 31 season.  While a smaller sample size, 2020 showed that he is not slowing down and his left handed swing would fit in nicely at Miller Park. The Brewers were reportedly interested in him during the 2019 Winter Meetings, so maybe a deal can be made this offseason.

RHP Trevor Bauer

As extremely unlikely and improbable it is that Trevor Bauer would sign with Milwaukee, getting involved in his market would represent quite the commitment to winning.

Bauer is one of the most interesting players in the entire MLB, both on and off the diamond. His antics on the pitching mound and willingness to speak his mind about any issue may not interest some, but his pitching certainly did a good majority of his talking in 2020.

As the National League ERA champion in 2020 at 1.73, Bauer was also the Cy Young Award Winner. His 276 ERA+ was the best in the league and he struck batters out at a 12.3 strikeouts per nine innings pitched ratio.

Besides last season, 2018 was Bauer’s most successful when he 2.21 ERA in 27 starts for the Cleveland baseball team. His 2019 struggles eventually lead to a trade deadline deal to the Cincinnati Reds. Now a free agent, Bauer is likely to command a minimum of $15MM per season and likely more if he chooses to sign a shorter deal.

As a pitcher who is entering his age-30 season, Bauer is certainly on the borderline as to if he should sign a long term deal or not. As one of the more talented starting pitchers available in free agency this year, he likely will receive multi-year offers, but if the impact of lost revenue even slightly decrease his average annual value, Bauer is at a good point in his career to sign a one year deal to prove his worth prior to signing a multi-year extension.

For the Brewers, pitching was their strength in 2020, but their starting rotation outside of Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes lacked consistency. Adding Bauer to the mix would instantly make this trio of pitchers a force no team would want to face in the playoffs as the Brewers attempt to make the postseason for the fourth consecutive year.