Brewers: Crew Improves SP Depth By Signing RHP Zack Godley

The Milwaukee Brewers pitching staff, one that’s almost completely intact from 2020, is expected to be a strength for the ballclub again as we near the start of the 2021 regular season. In terms of the rotation, it is currently headlined by Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes. Adrian Houser, Josh Lindblom, Brett Anderson, and Freddy Peralta are all expected to be in the mix as well.

In a season in which the possibility still exists for games to be postponed or rescheduled due to health and safety protocols, pitching depth has never been as important. In fact, there have even been talks that the Brewers may begin the season with a six-man starting rotation to help keep pitchers stretched out and healthy throughout the year.

Today, the Milwaukee Brewers made a move to help improve upon their starting rotation depth by signing RHP Zack Godley to a minor league contract.

This was reported by Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors which includes his salary, incentive bonus, and opt out date.

It is important to note that Zack Godley‘s contract includes a mid-May opt out date. I believe a big reason why this signing was made was the Brewers’ way of covering starting pitching depth in case they have to play an influx of games early on in the season.

Through six major league seasons, Godley has a career 4.86 ERA with his most successful seasons as a starting pitcher coming with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2017 and 2018. He is a crafty veteran who utilizes a big breaking curveball as his primary pitch while mixing in a cutter as a secondary pitch.

Godley does not throw much harder than 90 MPH, so he depends highly upon pitch movement and location to be successful. His ceiling is not much higher than a back of the rotation starter and his floor is really low given each of the past two seasons he has ended with ERAs over 6.00.

The great thing about this signing is that if the Brewers never have to use Godley in a major league game, they won’t be out a lot of money, $800k to be exact according to his base salary. However, if he was to be needed, he would provide some insurance for manager Craig Counsell given his experience.

At this point it seems like this was a cheap insurance policy type signing by the Brewers and the expectation for Godley should be as a spot starter, if needed. While it is not a splash signing, it could pay dividends during the season.