2018 Bullpen

[clancyphile]

We've talked the rotation, but the pen in 2018 could be very, very good.

 

Closer: Corey Knebel

Set-up: Hader

7th inning: Swarzak (if re-signed)

LOOGY: Wei-Chung Wang

Short Relief: Jeremy Jeffress

Middle Relief: Jared Hughes

Long Relief: Guerra

 

Barnes will likely be on the outside looking in, as will Torres, Drake, and Tyler Webb.

[jerichoholicninja]

Barnes will be in it. Craig seems to love him. I'd rather have Guerra starting in AAA as depth than use him as long relief. They can find some 4A scrub to fill the long relief role.

[markedman5]

I think you will see somebody added. Hopefully Swarzak is resigned but obviously can't count on that.

[OnTheBlack]

We've talked the rotation, but the pen in 2018 could be very, very good.

 

Closer: Corey Knebel

Set-up: Hader

7th inning: Swarzak (if re-signed)

LOOGY: Wei-Chung Wang

Short Relief: Jeremy Jeffress

Middle Relief: Jared Hughes

Long Relief: Guerra

 

Barnes will likely be on the outside looking in, as will Torres, Drake, and Tyler Webb.

 

 

This looks like a decent approximation at this point, but you can bet it'll look almost nothing like this 365 days from now. Knebel SHOULD be set in his role..and if he's not, things probably aren't going well.

 

Hader I'd like to see get a shot at the rotation. If not, I'd like to see him used like he is now, just hopefully more frequently.

 

Barnes has the stuff to be a SU man(or a closer for that matter) so I could see him on the outside looking in as you say, but I could also see him improving and being in line to take over should Knebel stumble.

 

And remember, we were talking about Anderson being a long man out of the pen this year. Just shows the volatility.

 

I'd like to see as a basic framework;

 

CL-Knebel

SU-Swarzak

6/7th-Hopefully Barnes earns a job and Taylor Williams

Loogy-Wang

Long Man/Last Man-Jungman/Jeffress

 

I'm still holding out hope that Wily can get it figured out and come back next year in better shape(though I don't know that-that has ever been a real issue), Guerra can get it figured out and we can get Jungman another shot.

[pacopete4]

Closer: Corey Knebel

Set-up: Swarzak

6th-7th: inning: Jeffress

6th-7th: Free agent signing

Mid Relief: Barnes

Middle Relief: Jared Hughes

Long Relief: Suter/Wilkerson (Whoever pitches better)

[OnTheBlack]

Barnes will be in it. Craig seems to love him. I'd rather have Guerra starting in AAA as depth than use him as long relief. They can find some 4A scrub to fill the long relief role.

 

I don't know that he loves him, I think he was one of the only options earlier this year and has since been moved down a bit to a role more commensurate with his performance. His early dominance in March/April probably helped him when he struggled.

 

But his numbers look very similar to 2016 Corey Knebel and he's a

2016 Knebel- 10.47 K/9 4.41 BB/9 4.68 ERA FIP 3.58 xFIP 4.06

2017 Barnes 10.35 K/9 4.20 BB/9 4.34 ERA FIP4.01 xFIP 3.70

 

I'm certainly not saying that Barnes is gonna put up Knebel type numbers next year, but he's definitely a guy who could provide a huge boost to this pen if he can be just a bit more effective. I think his HR/FB pct will come back down to normal and he'll be just fine.

 

But guys who have fastballs that average over 97 MPH with a good cutter has all the tools to be a closer or SU man. Just has to keep more balls in the park(though, better GB ratio that Knebel and lower hard hit pct than Knebel this year)

[markedman5]

We've talked the rotation, but the pen in 2018 could be very, very good.

 

Closer: Corey Knebel

Set-up: Hader

7th inning: Swarzak (if re-signed)

LOOGY: Wei-Chung Wang

Short Relief: Jeremy Jeffress

Middle Relief: Jared Hughes

Long Relief: Guerra

 

Barnes will likely be on the outside looking in, as will Torres, Drake, and Tyler Webb.

 

 

This looks like a decent approximation at this point, but you can bet it'll look almost nothing like this 365 days from now. Knebel SHOULD be set in his role..and if he's not, things probably aren't going well.

 

Hader I'd like to see get a shot at the rotation. If not, I'd like to see him used like he is now, just hopefully more frequently.

 

Barnes has the stuff to be a SU man(or a closer for that matter) so I could see him on the outside looking in as you say, but I could also see him improving and being in line to take over should Knebel stumble.

 

And remember, we were talking about Anderson being a long man out of the pen this year. Just shows the volatility.

 

I'd like to see as a basic framework;

 

CL-Knebel

SU-Swarzak

6/7th-Hopefully Barnes earns a job and Taylor Williams

Loogy-Wang

Long Man/Last Man-Jungman/Jeffress

 

I'm still holding out hope that Wily can get it figured out and come back next year in better shape(though I don't know that-that has ever been a real issue), Guerra can get it figured out and we can get Jungman another shot.

 

Wily ain't coming back.........

[FVBrewerFan]

We've talked the rotation, but the pen in 2018 could be very, very good.

 

Closer: Corey Knebel

Set-up: Hader

7th inning: Swarzak (if re-signed)

LOOGY: Wei-Chung Wang

Short Relief: Jeremy Jeffress

Middle Relief: Jared Hughes

Long Relief: Guerra

 

Barnes will likely be on the outside looking in, as will Torres, Drake, and Tyler Webb.

 

Hoping Hader is a starter. No thank on Guerra. Add Suter and Taylor Williams. Of course the way bullpens go lots of guys will come and go.

[reillymcshane]

It's hard to predict the bullpen. So much depends on Nelson's health.

 

No matter, I would bet that the club tries to bring back Swarzak - or someone like him. If Hader goes to the rotation, a lefty might also be added.

 

Again, just so many variables right now. What's up with Nelson? What's the plans for Hader? No matter, I think we have a decent array of arms to fill the back end of the bullpen.

[djoctagone]

I'd rather have Guerra starting in AAA as depth than use him as long relief. They can find some 4A scrub to fill the long relief role.

guerra is out of options next year, so if he's kept at aaa, he'd have to clear waivers to be outrighted off the 40-man roster.

[And That]

I'd hope that Hader is moved back into the rotation.

 

Guerra and Jungmann (and Jeffress) are out of options - I can't see all three making it if none of them crack the rotation. I think it is somewhat telling that they aren't giving Taylor any sort of shot right now despite his options status. Would not be surprised to see him dealt this offseason before the 40-man rosters have to be set for the Rule 5 draft. Perhaps Guerra as well, for that matter.

 

I am not comfortable with Wang and Webb as our only primary lefty options in the bullpen, or with Drake as the LOOGY, so left-handed relief is one of the few areas I would spend in free agency. Fernando Abad, Boone Logan, Clayton Richard, or Tony Watson would be solid adds.

 

Swarzak is going to get paid by someone based solely on his performance with the Brewers post-trade. Whether or not the Brewers should meet that price is TBD, but I would not count on Swarzak being back.

[djoctagone]

Guerra and Jungmann (and Jeffress) are out of options - I can't see all three making it if none of them crack the rotation. I think it is somewhat telling that they aren't giving Taylor any sort of shot right now despite his options status.

jungmann had a pretty good camp this year (14 strikeouts in 14.2 innings, 2.45 era, 1.30 whip) and made the club. he was optioned to make room for waiver claim nick franklin, and the timing just was never right to recall him again.

 

i think jungmann is a viable bullpen option in 2018.

[Roderick]

Knebel

Swarzak (or free agent to replace him)

Hader (I don't see the benefit of moving him to starter, if we sign a free agent starter)

Hughes

Barnes

Wang/Webb (loogy)(Ramirez doesn't have loogy splits but can fill that role?)

Jungman/Guerra/Jeffress (Assuming they can stick Suter in the minors to start the season)

 

T. Williams/Derby/Ramirez/Archer/etc (any of the host of minor league guys brought up when they move to 8 man pen in May)

[MrTPlush]

I'd have to think Suter will be long relief. He has been pretty decent this year and it will keep him stretched out enough to do spot starts too.

 

Jeremy Jeffress will be in there somewhere too I would have to think.

 

Andrew Swarzak will definitely be back in my opinion. He has pitched well, our bullpen was a hot mess before getting him, and we have all the cash in the world to make it happen.

 

I also think Josh Hader is back in the bullpen. I think we will be set in the rotation where he will provide more for us as a late inning guy. He should be an interesting case in spring training.

[Outlander]

If Suter is long relief and Hader is in the bullpen how is the rotation set? Anderson/Davies/Woodruff/?/?.

[Roderick]

If Suter is long relief and Hader is in the bullpen how is the rotation set? Anderson/Davies/Woodruff/?/?.

 

Anderson

Free Agent

Davies

Woodruff

Nelson (or if not back early - Suter/Jungmann/Guerra. With Wilkerson/Burnes available in June if needed)

I can see trying Hader if you assume Nelson misses at least half of the season.

[MrTPlush]

If Suter is long relief and Hader is in the bullpen how is the rotation set? Anderson/Davies/Woodruff/?/?.

 

At this point I just assume Nelson will be ready or close to ready. Of course that can change. I think they go out and get someone to tie down a spot.

[kalle8]

I have this feeling Barnes will be Brewers best reliever next year. He has the stuff, the body, even the poise to be dominant.

[torts]

unless they trade him Barnes will be in the bullpen next year. anyone hoping that he's cut or sent to AAA is just loony, neither of those will happen

[And That]

the timing just was never right to recall him again

I would have agreed... up to the point where Jeffress started a game. They passed on Jungmann to go with a guy they knew would give them 2-3 innings max.

 

They also passed on Jungmann to give Wilkerson a shot.

 

If Taylor is injured, it's another story, but saving that, the Brewers passed on him to start a reliever and use a starter as a reliever.

[Greenleaf1]

Since 7/10: https://ibb.co/mQ05G5

 

Hader/Swarzak/Knebel have been dominant in the 2nd half of 2017. I would like to see all 3 stick in the bullpen next year if possible. Swarzak has been especially valuable in September, 7 scoreless innings so far with no walks, I think he'd be a good guy to consider re-signing.

 

I feel like it's underrated how much having a few solid guys in the back of the bullpen can take the pressure off the rest of the guys and make them perform better as well.

[KeithStone53151]

Since 7/10: https://ibb.co/mQ05G5

 

Hader/Swarzak/Knebel have been dominant in the 2nd half of 2017. I would like to see all 3 stick in the bullpen next year if possible. Swarzak has been especially valuable in September, 7 scoreless innings so far with no walks, I think he'd be a good guy to consider re-signing.

 

I feel like it's underrated how much having a few solid guys in the back of the bullpen can take the pressure off the rest of the guys and make them perform better as well.

 

Unlikely since Hader is likely to be in the rotation...and Swarzak will likely get paid.

[djoctagone]

regarding the 2018 bullpen, i'm wondering if the brewers will spend the bulk of the season with an extra arm. the brewers have been playing short a position player for quite some time under craig counsell (part of that is afforded by their defensive versatility).

 

the brewers have only three off days through their first 30 games, so there's a strong chance of an eight-man bullpen to start the season.

[LouisEly]

Highly likely, especially if they give Hader every opportunity to try to make it as a starter, which they should.

 

I think that's also a big part of their player acquisition strategy. Despite his plate discipline warts, Hernan Perez has a lot of value to the Brewers because he can play seven positions adequately (and is a better OF than many on this board give him credit for).

 

I think that's also a big reason for letting Gennett walk; despite their other strategy for LH/RH balance, Gennett offers no positional flexibility. While that came back to bite them in the butt a bit, they certainly cannot have anyone on their bench next year who cannot play multiple positions if Hader is in the rotation.

[Madhawk23]

I see that Jungmann was brought up in the "2018 Starting Rotation" thread, but I'm wondering if Jungmann couldn't be a possible bullpen piece next year? Is he the type of guy that could find an extra mph or two on his fastball if he went full time to the pen? Is it possible at all that he could become a Wade Davis type, or is that completely out of the realm of possibility? I guess I'm not familiar enough with Jungmann's overall "stuff" compared to Davis's? Just thinking out loud though if Jungmann couldn't become a solid pen guy, since he hasn't quite made it as a starter yet.