3 Starting Pitcher Targets The Brewers Should Try To Trade For Immediately

Brewers rotation trade target #3: Giants RHP Alex Cobb

In an NL West filled with the Dodgers, Padres, and upstart Diamondbacks, the San Francisco Giants have to know they're facing a nearly impossible battle get into the playoffs this year. They tried to revamp their team in free agency this offseason, but missed on Carlos Correa as well as both Aaron Judge and Arson Judge.

They currently have a couple of starters that would intrigue the Brewers in lefty Alex Wood and righty Alex Cobb. Of the two, Cobb may be best suited for the Brewers. First, Cobb has made all his starts this year while Wood has missed some time with injury, although he's healthy now. Second, Cobb has been excellent all year, posting a 1.96 ERA through his first nine starts.

Cobb is keeping the ball on the ground more than ever before, with a 62.4% ground ball rate this season. This is following a 61.5% GB rate last season. The Brewers are the best defensive team in baseball and prefer their pitchers to keep the ball on the ground. He's also stranding baserunners more than ever and his fastball velocity, even at 35 years old, is steadily averaging 95 MPH.

Cobb is under contract for this season at $9MM, which is quite affordable for the Brewers. He also has a club option for 2024 valued at $10MM, which would also be affordable if Milwaukee decides to go this route. He's keeping the ball in the park and has been improving each year even into his mid-thirties.

The Brewers will want a trustworthy, veteran addition to their rotation if they seek to fix their current problem, and that's exactly what Cobb would bring.

Milwaukee's facing a crisis in their starting rotation with injuries to Woodruff, Miley, and Ashby. They're running on fumes and are in need of some reinforcements similar to their need two years ago for shortstop help. They could pull the trigger then. Finding a trade partner for rotation help now would be more difficult, but it seems necessary at this point.