Injured free agent starter is pushing hard for a return to the mound with the Brewers

While the Milwaukee Brewers are very clearly being hamstrung by their financial limitations, they still are looking to field a competitive roster in 2025. Losing Willy Adames and Devin Williams are significant blows to their playoff chances to be sure, but the Brewers' front office is still expected by fans to make sure the team is at least not be embarrassing next season and that means they will have to add some pitching depth that was tested in 2024.

One reason why Milwaukee couldn't field the deepest rotation last season was because of Wade Miley. Miley had been sneaky good the previous three seasons with a 3.26 ERA across 60 appearances and the Brewers were relying on him to contribute in 2024. However, the now 38 year-old starter only managed to make two starts before needing Tommy John surgery in April and ending his season on the spot.

Understandably, the Brewers declined Miley's $12 million option given his injury combined with his advanced age for a MLB starter. However, Miley seems to be in the middle of a public relations tour right now including in an exclusive with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Curt Hogg where he was openly lobbying for the Brewers to bring him back in 2025.

Brewers News: Wade Miley wants to pitch in 2025 and he really wants to do it in Milwaukee

There are real reasons for the Brewers to not rely on Miley in 2025. He doesn't throw hard at all, doesn't really miss bats even when he is at his best, and the track record for starters in their late 30's coming off major arm surgery isn't the greatest. If Miley was asking for real money to play next season, Milwaukee should pass.

However, that does not appear to be what Miley is asking for at the moment. In his comments about his future, Miley talked about his efforts to aggressively accelerate his injury return timeline in order to get one more chance to play a full season. He seems to have no delusions about the fact that he knows his time is running out and wants to be back on the mound by May 2025 assuming the bone spurs in his elbow allow for it.

Miley went on to say that, "If I could draw it up, I would sign back in the Central Division, preferably wearing blue. Dark blue.” The article from Hogg went on to say that the Brewers and Miley have had preliminary discussions, but the team wasn't willing to guarantee him a big league contract just yet. That doesn't seem to be a major problem as Miley said he was willing to sign a minor league deal as long as there are incentives in place in the event he pitches well in the big leagues.

This is the kind of deal the Brewers could get behind. If Miley does sign an incentive-based deal, there is little risk for Milwaukee if he is truly washed which is possible. However, if Miley truly does have one more solid season left in him, he could be the kind of rotation bargain that the Brewers need right now.

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