One big move the Brewers still need to make before 2025 Opening Day

The Milwaukee Brewers have a Devin Williams-sized hole in their bullpen. While internal options for relief help exist, in the form of Craig Yoho for example, a veteran present in high-pressure situations would go a long way for Milwaukee. Luckily, one free agent still on the market could fill that role and prove to the fanbase that the Crew has its sights set on winning.

David Robertson, once a standout closer for the Yankees, has yet to find a home for 2025. Sure, he’s going to be 40 this season, but Justin Verlander, Justin Turner, and Max Scherzer are all older and planning on putting in a lot more time on the field than a typical reliever. Robertson would represent a needed course correction after the Brewers failed to adequately address their bullpen this offseason.

Brewers should sign veteran reliever David Robertson to address bullpen holes

Robertson has been linked to the Tigers throughout the offseason, indicating he would be willing to sign with a smaller market team with playoff hopes. His $11.5 million salary from 2024 would be outside of the Brewers’ budget, but Opening Day is right around the corner, so he likely wants to sign ASAP. Spotrac puts his market value at $7.1 million, and if Milwaukee can negotiate that down a bit, a signing isn’t outside the realm of possibility since the projected payroll is $17 million less than last year.

Right now, the Brewers are relying on Anderson and Rule 5 draftee Connor Thomas to fill out the bullpen, according to FanGraphs’ depth chart model. Robertson has a better projected fWAR than everyone in the Crew’s ‘pen except for Trevor Megill. That kind of value shouldn’t be left on the sidelines when the season starts.

Robertson has battled injuries and bounced between teams since 2019, but his results with Texas last season should be enticing to the Brewers. Over 72 innings, he posted a 3.00 ERA and a 1.111 WHIP. He was particularly effective in medium leverage situations, when he held opponents to a .153 batting average. Robertson has also been injury free. He has complete 60 innings in each of the past three seasons.

The Brewers don’t necessarily need a closer. Megill can fill that role. But a Milwaukee ‘pen that features untested castoffs will put the Crew in the underdog position again. The NL Central is a wide-open division; the Brewers should take advantage and make a big move to fix that before Opening Day.

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