The Brewers should consider taking a flyer on this proven innings-eater free agent

The Milwaukee Brewers have seen a lot of roster turnover this offseason. Willy Adames is gone, Devin Williams is gone, and there have been a number of changes on both sides of the ball that is going to take some getting used to for fans heading into the 2025 season. However, the one area that they arguably need to address before next season starts is their rotation.

Would it be nice to add an impact bat or shutdown reliever? Of course it would. However, Milwaukee already seems to have a plan in place to align their infield without Adames and they have multiple viable candidates for the late innings in Aaron Ashby, Abner Uribe, and potentially top pitching prospect Jacob Misiorowski. The rotation, however, experienced multiple departures without a clear plan to replace them other than hoping new trade acquisition Nestor Cortes performs like he did in New York (mostly) and Brandon Woodruff can return to form.

The Brewers don't need to swing for the fences here. With Freddy Peralta, Woodruff, and Cortes, they have the makings of a strong front of the rotation and there is a bit of depth behind them. What Milwaukee needs is someone that can cover ample innings behind them. As it turns out, there is a free agent out there right now that could work for the Brewers in Kyle Gibson.

While Kyle Gibson is far from a perfect solution, he could be exactly what the Brewers need this offseason

On the surface, the 37-year-old Gibson may seem like a weird fit for the Brewers especially if they are truly looking to contend in 2025. He is generally going to post a mid-4 ERA, doesn't miss a ton of bats, and usually deals with a number of baserunners. However, the one thing that he is pretty much a lock to do is what Milwaukee needs right now and that is give them innings.

With Woodruff coming off a serious shoulder injury in addition to some other question marks in the rotation, the Brewers' bullpen is going to be working pretty hard especially early in the season. While his outings could get a bit more interesting than one would like at times, having a guy like Gibson who has averaged 178 innings a year since 2021 could have a lot of value and preserve their bullpen a bit. It doesn't hurt that Milwaukee has a strong track record of maximizing what they get out of pitchers which at least implies a bit more upside with a potential Gibson signing than you would think just looking at his numbers.

Given that Gibson is 37 years old, just had his $12 million option declined by the Cardinals, and doesn't fit the mold for many teams, there is a chance that he could be had for a reasonable one or two year deal. The Brewers might have to stretch their financial comfortability a bit to sign him, but it could be worth it given the state of their pitching staff at the moment.

More Brewers News from Reviewing the Brew