After many predictions of being mediocre or a fringe playoff team, the Milwaukee Brewers are surprisingly competing for the NL Central. Given how weak the division is this season, Milwaukee can easily win it. However, Milwaukee needs some starting pitching help down the stretch. After all, the last time the Brewers traded for starting pitcher in 2008 it worked out well. I believe the perfect pitcher the Brewers can acquire is Chicago White Sox starter Lucas Giolito.
The Brewers’ Window of Contention Is Closing
In the next two years, it feels like the entire current roster is set to hit free agency. Heck, the Brewers have already started the process of bringing up their top prospects like Garrett Mitchell in 2022, and Brice Turang, and Joey Wiemer this year. The cynic will tell you that it would be unwise for the Brewers to trade prospects for a two-month rental. However, the asking price for a rental player isn’t what it used to be.
The Sox are looking to replenish their farm system; however, Milwaukee doesn’t have to give up a highly valued prospect for Giolito. The Brewers currently have a surplus of outfield prospects. With Wiemer and Mitchell already called up, Sal Frelick knocking on the door, and the highly touted Jackson Chourio making noise; the Brewers can afford to part ways with some of their other prospects. With Chicago looking to replenish their system, the Brewers hold all the leverage over the Sox if they were to try to acquire Giolito. This amounts to a low-risk high-reward deal for the Brewers.
The Brewers Really Need Rotation Help
The Brewers really do need a starting pitcher down the stretch. Freddy Peralta can be inconsistent and can’t go deep into games. It’s also unknown how Wade Miley and Brandon Woodruff will be upon return from injuries. Meanwhile, Eric Lauer and Adrian Houser can’t be trusted. The Brewers’ other starters in Jason Alexander and Aaron Ashby have been out since before Opening Day with injuries. I’m also not sure how long fill-in rotation man Julio Teheran can keep his surprising performance going. Really the only reliable starter they have right now is Corbin Burnes. With pitching depth being hampered by injuries and uncertainty, it’s almost necessary for them to make the move for Giolito if they want to compete.
A Change of Scenery Might Help
Lucas Giolito is having a decent season despite playing on a horrendous White Sox team. He’s currently 5-4 with an ERA of 3.75, 76 strikeouts, and a FIP of 4.29. He’s quietly having a bounce back from last year when he followed up his All-Star season with an 11-9 record, a concerning ERA of 4.90, 177 strikeouts, and a FIP of 4.06. While he has struggled at times this season, Giolito would be going from a lifeless team to one that is in the postseason hunt. He could also potentially recapture the form that made him an All-Star in 2021 if the Brewers get him. Sometimes all it takes is a change of scenery.
It Would Work the Last Time Milwaukee Acquired an Arm
The last time the Milwaukee Brewers acquired a pitcher at the trade deadline was in 2008. In July of that season, Milwaukee acquired then-Cleveland Indians ace CC Sabathia. Upon arrival, Sabathia made an instant impact on the franchise. As a Brewer, Sabathia went 11-2 with an ERA of 1.65, 128 strikeouts, and a FIP of 2.44. He also threw seven complete games. Some fans say he single-handedly ended the Brewers’ 25-year playoff drought. That trade not only energized the franchise but the entire city of Milwaukee.
Giolito Is No Sabathia but the Situation Does Have Similarities
While acquiring Giolito wouldn’t bring nearly the magnitude that the Sabathia trade had, the situation does have its similarities. As Giolito has at times this year, Sabathia was struggling before being traded to Milwaukee. At the time of the trade, Sabathia was 6-8 with an ERA of 3.83, 123 strikeouts, and a FIP of 3.41. Like Chicago has this season, Cleveland had a dismal record in 2008 and wasn’t going to be a postseason contender.
The change from a non-contender to one trying to make the postseason really made a difference for Sabathia. He went from having a down year to reverting to the form that made him a Cy Young winner the year prior. While the Brewers no longer have a long playoff drought to end, they did miss it completely last season and should want to return this year. If the change of scenery can help a star like Sabathia then I think it can work with Lucas Giolito as well.
Acquiring Giolito Gives Milwaukee a Strong Chance to Win the Division
The Milwaukee Brewers can very easily win the NL Central. With what seems like the entire roster entering free agency, Milwaukee should at least try to compete for a championship potentially one last time. After all, everyone knows that the playoffs are a giant game of roulette. The fans also would rather see the Brewers contend and fail rather than not try at all. This is a great deal for the Brewers not to do. Acquiring Giolito would solidify the rotation, Milwaukee wouldn’t have to give up a highly valued prospect to get it done, he could potentially get back to All-Star form, and the Brewers can possibly make a run at a championship.
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