Options for Adrian Houser: start, bullpen, trade

[jay87shot]

I think it might be a good idea to move Houser to the bullpen, I was reading a Dodger trade rumor that Houser would be a great add for them because he could start and then be a solid reliever once some of their big prospects are ready midway-ish through the year.

https://dodgersway.com/posts/dodgers-most-realistic-brewers-trade-target-houser-woodruff-burnes

Basically here is a tweet that caught my attention.

Houser's heavy fastball is ideal for getting ground balls with men on and throwing less pitches could see his K rates rise. Maybe we start Ashby in the pen the 1st month or so to limit his innings a tad and then swap the 2's role. Houser only is going to make 4.5-ish million and to me we signed Ashby long team to give him a shot as a starter much like the Peralta extension. I wouldn't mind the idea of trading with the Dodgers and get 2 of there lower top 30 prospects who would still be top 15 in our system probably. Say P Kyle Hurt/Emmett Sheehan/Michael Grove and SS/2B Rayne Doncon (or other similar packages).

 

[brewcrewdue80]

Looking at Savant, Houser's problem is throwing a lower 1st strike pct and throwing less pitches in the zone for strikes overall.  So he's battling behind in the count to often the last 2 seasons. Also why he's bottom of the league for Starters and k percentage.

I'd definitely put him in the bullpen. He's one of those SPs that will go from 4+ERA to below 2.5ERA lock down relief pitcher.  I think his trade value increases when he becomes that in '23. Regardless what he does this season he'll have some trade value. Take his lower salary and SP/RP ability and hang on to him for '23

[monty57]

As things stand, his role for the Brewers looks to be as a bullpen arm, and I think he could be a good one. 

But, a lot could happen between now and opening day, so the questions in our pitching staff won't be answered for a while. Of course, it's good that the questions stem around having too much talent.

[SF70]

1 minute ago, monty57 said:

As things stand, his role for the Brewers looks to be as a bullpen arm, and I think he could be a good one. 

But, a lot could happen between now and opening day, so the questions in our pitching staff won't be answered for a while. Of course, it's good that the questions stem around having too much talent.

The team has many options thanks to the starter depth acquired by the FO this offseason.

Stand pat and send a couple of starters to the pen to open the season, Trade Houser or Lauer and still send a starter to the pen.

Having Wilson, Junk as possible 8th & 9th starters with Small still an option with a hopefully fixed release-point, seems excessive, and then Gasser sometime possibly post S2. This doesn’t include Tyson Miller or Costanza.

I’m guessing a trade happens sometime before OD, still lots of teams need starters.

[jay87shot]

30 minutes ago, SF70 said:

The team has many options thanks to the starter depth acquired by the FO this offseason.

Stand pat and send a couple of starters to the pen to open the season, Trade Houser or Lauer and still send a starter to the pen.

Having Wilson, Junk as possible 8th & 9th starters with Small still an option with a hopefully fixed release-point, seems excessive, and then Gasser sometime possibly post S2. This doesn’t include Tyson Miller or Costanza.

I’m guessing a trade happens sometime before OD, still lots of teams need starters.

Yeah our depth is insanely good right now. We also have a few guys that are easy releases off the 40 man if a strong deal comes around. We have 4 solid IF utility guys (Toro, Miller, Huira, Brosseau) 7 quality mlb starters with 3ish ok depth starters. Evident by the Topa trade our reliever depth is fine, we have OF talent for days and lots of catching options after Contreras and Caratini. It would have nice to maybe make a deal like the Gregory Soto deal Philly made were the sent 3 meh depth pieces for a solid bullpen piece.

[MDCrew]

Right now unless able to find a good trade I think it makes the most sense to pencil Houser into the pen. As mentioned already a lot can happen between now and opening day, but the pen probably makes the most sense if no other starter is injured or traded. 
 

Bullpen to me is still a concern and Houser could be a good fit.

[CheezWizHed]

Seems like he has been passed by 5 or 6 people for our MLB rotation. (Burnes, Woody, Freddie, Lauer, and Ashby)

I'm a bit concerned that the lack of a defensive shift will impact him more than other SPs (being a groundball pitcher) and given age, I think it is best we cash in on him with a trade and sell high.

But I think it is most likely he is in the BP for us next year. 

 

 

[rickh150]

Figured the Miley signing was insurance for their rotation, but it also is allowing them to shop Lauer and Houser.  If a good deal is there for one of them and change, they can now make it.  Before, they could not knowing how their rotation was affected by injuries in 2022.

[brewerralph]

I feel we need to make sure Freddy is healthy first and foremost. If we trade him, it would be midseason. I like him as a reliever and part time starter. I also like the Miley signing, at his age you have to be careful about usage. That is another avenue for getting into the rotation. 

[yourout]

Bullpen or trade.

The evolution of extreme hitting launch angles has really hamstringed sinker ballers.

What used to be good location on pitches is now right in the wheelhouse for upper cuts.

[wallus]

I am guessing he will start in the bullpen and probably finish the regular season in the rotation. Then he will go back to the bullpen for the playoffs.