3 relief pitchers the Brewers should target during the 2025-26 offseason

As is often the case, the relief pitcher market has been the first to catch steam this offseason. With the Milwaukee Brewers' division rival, the Chicago Cubs, officially inking reliever Phil Maton to a two-year pact early last week and the Baltimore Orioles signing closer Ryan Helsley to a two-year deal over the weekend, teams who are looking for improvements to their bullpen must act fast or risk losing out on the top-tier options.

The Brewers are not a squad that necessarily needs to upgrade their bullpen, but MLB teams are always looking for ways to increase their depth, find more flexibility, and get creative with the money they spend when it comes to their relief corps. Milwaukee is no different, and while it may seem like there aren't any open spots in the Brewers' talented bullpen, President of Baseball Operations Matt Arnold and his front office team are no doubt monitoring the relievers who are available this offseason, whether it be through a trade or a free agent signing.

Milwaukee likely wasn't planning on shopping in the upper echelon of the free agent reliever market this offseason anyways, but the teams’ decision to bring Brandon Woodruff back on the $22.025 million qualifying offer further slammed the door on that possibility. Therefore, should the Brewers find an addition to their major league group of relievers this offseason, it will have to come via creative means. Here are three such players who would be intriguing additions to Milwaukee's 'pen without being too detrimental to the team's payroll.

1. Michael Kopech: Free Agent

A first-round pick in the 2014 MLB Draft, Michael Kopech has always had the talent to succeed at the major league level. However, it wasn't until he left the Chicago White Sox' organization following a trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the 2024 trade deadline that Kopech really hit his stride. Converting to a reliever at the start of the 2024 campaign, Kopech posted a 1.13 ERA in 24 appearances for the Dodgers following the trade.

Kopech battled injuries in 2025, but looked sharp in the limited game action that he saw; he maintained a 2.45 ERA through just 11 innings of work. A free agent for the first time in his career following an injury-riddled season, but still possessing the arsenal to be an effective high-leverage reliever, Kopech is the perfect candidate for a short-term prove-it deal. What better team to sign it with than the Brewers, who have become known for their ability to get the most out of their relievers?

The now 29-year-old Kopech possesses impressive velocity, averaging 97.5 mph on his deceptive four-seam fastball. With a strong secondary that is somewhere between a slider and a cutter, Kopech's strikeout rate eclipsed the 30% mark in 2024. It's exciting to think about what the Brewers' pitching lab could do with Kopech's electric arm. If Arnold and company can land him on a short-term, team-friendly deal, it would be an excellent addition to Milwaukee's already velocity-rich bullpen.

2. Orion Kerkering: Philadelphia Phillies

Unlike Kopech, Orion Kerkering is not a free agent this offseason. Rather, he is rostered by the Philadelphia Phillies, the team he was drafted by back in 2022. For the last two seasons, Kerkering's first two full seasons in MLB, the flamethrower has been an important piece of the Phillies' bullpen, posting a dazzling 2.78 ERA in 133 appearances.

However, this past postseason, Kerkering made a crucial error in Game 4 of the NLDS, one that ended his team's extra-inning thriller with the Dodgers and ended their season altogether. It's the type of play that occasionally results in the two parties electing to part ways to each put the unfortunate moment behind them. The Brewers executed such a trade back in 2019, sending Trent Grisham to the San Diego Padres after his unfortunate misplay during the NL Wild Card Game. If the Phillies are looking for a trade partner for Kerkering so he can have a fresh start elsewhere, the Brewers should absolutely throw their hat in the ring.

Not only does Kerkering possess an upper 90s four-seam fastball, but he also has one of the best sweepers, by Stuff+ scores, of all relievers in MLB. Add to that the fact that he's under team control for the next four seasons, during only three of which he will be arbitration eligible, and Kerkering looks even more intriguing.

Additionally, Kerkering has three minor league options remaining. Brewer Fanatic's team insider, Jack Stern, recently wrote about the team's lack of roster flexibility in the bullpen due to several relievers not having minor league options remaining. Acquiring Kerkering, though it wouldn't come cheap, would add some flexibility to Milwaukee's bullpen for the next three seasons.

3. Ryan Zeferjahn: Los Angeles Angels

Another potential trade target with minor league options is Los Angeles Angels right-hander Ryan Zeferjahn. A third-round pick of the Boston Red Sox back in 2019, Zeferjahn was traded to Los Angeles as part of the 2024 trade deadline deal that landed Luis García in Boston. He immediately got an opportunity in the Angels' bullpen and posted a 2.12 ERA in 12 appearances.

Fast forward to 2025, and on paper it looks like Zeferjahn took a step back. Despite appearing in 50 more games than he did the season prior, the 27-year-old Zeferjahn held a 4.74 ERA in 2025. However, the talent is there for a Zeferjahn to become a high-leverage arm. He possesses solid velocity, averaging more than 97 mph on his four-seamer, and produced whiff and strikeout rates in the 84th and 86th percentile, respectively. If he can clean up his high walk rate, Zeferjahn could easily become a shut-down set-up man in MLB, and that's the type of profile that is music to Matt Arnold's ears.

With five years of team control remaining in addition to his three minor league options, Zeferjahn could command a sizable return in an offseason trade, but his poor surface-level numbers in 2025 could make it easier for the Brewers to acquire him from Los Angeles.

The Brewers are in a strong position when it comes to their bullpen this offseason, not needing to make any major alterations, but having the resources to swing a trade or sign a reclamation project if they choose to do so.