The Milwaukee Brewers find themselves in a situation most wouldn’t have predicted 50+ games into the 2021 season. The team needs to find some bullpen help.
Drew Rasmussen and J.P. Feyereisen have been traded to the Tampa Bay Rays. Angel Perdomo and Justin Topa are on the injured list. Bobby Wahl is now off the injured list, but still trying to get to 100%. Eric Yardley is not having a good season. Brent Suter has been good in complete relief innings, but not the best when runners are already on base.
The newly acquired relievers Trevor Richards, Patrick Weigel and Alec Bettinger have not made a huge impression either since coming to Milwaukee. Brad Boxberger has been pretty good, and Devin Williams is still getting back to his 2020 season form. The only solid dominating force in the bullpen right now is Josh Hader. And he can’t be used every day.
So besides a trade, another option would be to bring back a familiar face. One that is still a free agent too. That would be Jeremy Jeffress.
2020 Season
After a rough 2019 season and a release from the Brewers, Jeffress signed with the Cubs. It was a one year deal worth $850K.
Over the shortened 2020 season, Jeffress appeared in 22 games. He recorded eight saves, three holds, a 4-1 record and an impressive 1.54 ERA. After the 2020 season, he was looked at as a valuable free agent signing, and often linked to the Brewers as an offseason move.
Offseason Drama
Jeffress signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals on February 22, 2021. Less than two weeks later, he was released by the team. There was no injury report or any word that he was hurt, so many were confused by the release. The Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said he was released for “personnel reasons”. Then the tweets started coming out a few weeks later.
The fact that my ex agent has ruin my chances on playing this season is killing me. I want to sign with anyone but going home would be a blessing. You wanna kno the real me. Talk to me not bums!!
— Jeremy Jeffress (@JMontana41) March 17, 2021
According to the 33-year-old reliever, his ex-agent cost him a spot on the team. It also appeared whatever happened might have reached other clubhouses. We still have no idea what happened or what his agent did.
🤬🤬🤬
— Jeremy Jeffress (@JMontana41) March 17, 2021
He then posted another tweet in April.
— Jeremy Jeffress (@JMontana41) April 23, 2021
Since then, no reports or additional information have come out about Jeffress. It if was something legal or bad, it probably would have been released by now. It still could be, but what would be the reasons for that?
There are several teams and sites already writing about signing Jeffress, and the chances of him remaining a free agent this season are very slim. He has a career 3.08 ERA over 414 games with 52 saves under his belt.
The Time Is Now
It would be the perfect time for the Brewers to sign him to a minor league contract. Adding him to the bullpen would be a definite upgrade right now. Then when relievers like Wahl, Perdomo and Topa are healthy, you can bolster your bullpen again to help compete for the NL Central the rest of the season.
The Brewers have already made two trades and brought in bullpen so far this year. Would another one really help when you have someone like Jeffress out there? It’s time for the Brewers to make the move.
I’m still here. 😂🤭
— Jeremy Jeffress (@JMontana41) May 20, 2021
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