The 2024 season brings a mix of challenges and opportunities for the Milwaukee Brewers. Coming off a strong 2023 campaign, where they clinched 92 wins and secured the National League Central crown, the Brewers are now in a period of significant transition.
The departure of long-time manager Craig Counsell to the Chicago Cubs marked the beginning of a major shake-up. Counsell had been a stabilizing presence for years, and his exit leaves a considerable void. But the changes didn’t stop there.
Roster Shake-Up
The Brewers’ rotation has undergone substantial changes. Corbin Burnes, a cornerstone of the pitching staff, was traded to the Baltimore Orioles. This move alone signaled a shift in the team’s strategy. Additionally, Adrian Houser was acquired by the New York Mets, further depleting the Brewers' starting pitching depth. To exacerbate the situation, Brandon Woodruff is likely to miss the entire season due to ongoing shoulder issues, while Wade Miley is recovering from Tommy John surgery. Robert Gasser's elbow surgery adds another blow to their already thin rotation.
Struggles on the Mound
The impact of these absences is reflected in the Brewers’ starting rotation statistics. The team ranks near the bottom in several key areas, including innings pitched, strikeouts, and quality-start percentage. This speaks volumes about the challenges faced by the new and returning pitchers who have been thrust into more prominent roles.
Bullpen Resilience
Despite the woes in starting pitching, the Brewers’ bullpen has been a silver lining. Ranked fourth in MLB for relief ERA, the bullpen has been a critical factor in the team’s ability to stay competitive. Relievers have stepped up, filling gaps left by struggling or injured starters, and providing much-needed stability in the later innings of games.
Offensive Firepower
Contributing to their resilience is a robust offensive lineup. The Brewers rank seventh in the league for runs scored. Consistent hitting and timely runs have kept the team afloat, compensating for the shortcomings on the mound.
Financial Constraints
However, financial limitations loom large. Operating with a bottom-ten payroll, as estimated by Cot's/Baseball Prospectus, the Brewers are navigating a tight financial landscape. This has inevitably influenced their decision-making process.
According to sources familiar with the organization's thinking, "The Milwaukee Brewers, leading their division with the National League's third-best record despite needing pitching help, don't seem inclined to fix that hole through big spending or by trading top prospects at the deadline." This prudent approach underscores the importance of sustainable growth over immediate fixes, albeit with its set of risks.
Entering this season with such dynamic shifts, the Brewers have managed to remain competitive. Balancing a weakened starting rotation with a top-performing bullpen and productive offense, they've found a way to stay in contention. The challenge now is to maintain this delicate equilibrium while working within their financial constraints and player limitations.