Milwaukee Brewers southpaw Aaron Ashby is currently in the second year of a five year deal that bought out all of his arbitration years and has club options attached to two years beyond that. Unfortunately he has not had success after initially providing a spark in both the 2021 and 2022 seasons. This year he has just two appearances in the big leagues and now has undergone a massive change in the minor leagues.
Aaron Ashby has undergone a massive change in the minor leagues but is seeing results.
Starting in August Aaron Ashby has only made appearances out of the bullpen. He had come out of the bullpen in a few games beforehand, but he now has seven consecutive outings as a reliever and has only been working 1.0-2.0 innings at a time. So far he is finding success as he has not given up a run over his last five outings and his velocity is back up to 98 MPH.
Aaron Ashby has really enjoyed his adjustment to the bullpen lately. He hit 98 tonight 👀
His last 5.2IP in the bullpen:
2H 0R 1BB 12K@CyrtHogg mentioned his work in his mailbag: https://t.co/pIrbtmb1AR pic.twitter.com/jVdq6SpKo5— Dominic Cotroneo (@Dom_Cotroneo) August 24, 2024
Are the Milwaukee Brewers going to permanently shift Aaron Ashby to the bullpen?
So far there have been no reports regarding the long term outlook on Aaron Ashby’s role. He was not finding success as a starting pitcher or long reliever, so with him seeing success early on in this transition and his velocity being back up to where it was pre shoulder surgery there has to be a lot of consideration about having him stay in the bullpen permanently.
Would Aaron Ashby’s contract be considered a bust if he switches to the bullpen permanently?
This year Aaron Ashby is making a modest $1.45 million. In subsequent years he will make $3.45 million, $5.70 million, and $7.70 million. His 2028 club option is worth $9.0 million and 2029 club option $13.0 million. For context Devin Williams is making $7.0 million in 2024 as one of the game’s best relievers.
Even if Aaron Ashby rejuvenates his career as a reliever and has MLB success from a contract stand point he would be significantly over-paid. The alternatives are releasing him and still being on the hook for his salary or working out a trade in which the receiving team would have to be willing to take on his remaining salary.
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