The Milwaukee Brewers’ bullpen has been a key factor in their recent success, ranking among the best in Major League Baseball over the past two seasons. In 2022, they finished second in MLB with a remarkable 3.11 ERA, just behind the Cleveland Guardians. In 2023, they continued their dominance, ranking third in the league with a 3.41 ERA, trailing only the New York Yankees.
This bullpen strength has been instrumental in the Brewers’ ability to win the National League Central Division in both 2022 and 2023. Their consistency in pitching, especially in high-leverage situations, has helped solidify their playoff aspirations and make them a competitive force in the NL. The combination of strong bullpen performance, alongside solid starting pitching and timely offense, has made Milwaukee a perennial contender in recent years.
A little more than a week ago, Milwaukee sent left-handed starting pitcher Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin to the Yankees in exchange for two-time All-Star closer Devin Williams. Although losing Williams is undoubtedly a blow to the bullpen, the Brewers did not gain anything by having him throughout 2024. The 2020 NL Rookie of the Year missed the first few months of the season due to stress fractures in his back, as fans may remember.
Nevertheless, Williams is among baseball’s top relief relievers. Milwaukee needs to make sure that their bullpen is at least as excellent as it was during his time with the team as they get ready for life without him.
The Milwaukee Brewers Could Sign Andrew Kittredge Away from the St. Louis Cardinals
Naturally, the Brewers don’t have a lot of money. They will therefore have to locate some unseen arms to bolster their bullpen. Andrew Kittredge, who played for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2024, might be one of those arms, according to Patrick McAvoy of Sports Illustrated.
Andrew Kittredge, a former reliever for the St. Louis Cardinals, is one guy that deserves careful consideration, McAvoy said. The Brewers probably had a good look at him when they faced St. Louis in the division. The Cardinals had one of the strongest bullpens in baseball in general last year and Kittredge was a huge reason why.”
Kittredge’s impressive durability and consistency in 2023—logging 74 games with a 2.80 ERA and 1.13 WHIP—make him an appealing option for the Milwaukee Brewers, especially after the departure of Hoby Milner to the Texas Rangers. Milner, who had been a staple in the Brewers’ bullpen and logged more appearances than any other Milwaukee reliever over the last four seasons, will be tough to replace. Kittredge’s ability to handle high-leverage situations without the pressure of closing games offers flexibility and depth to a bullpen that thrives on versatility.
As a non-closer with only 16 career saves in eight MLB seasons, Kittredge isn’t likely to command a high salary, making him a more affordable option for the Brewers. His ability to work in multiple bullpen roles—whether in setup situations or as a reliable late-inning arm—would give Milwaukee options in how to structure their bullpen. If the Brewers are uncertain about who to choose as their closer, Kittredge could provide valuable stability while the team explores different options, such as Trevor Megill or another potential candidate.
Given Milwaukee’s focus on maintaining a strong bullpen to complement their pitching staff, Kittredge’s skill set could provide the right balance of experience, reliability, and affordability for the Brewers as they seek to remain competitive in the National League.
Kittredge’s All-Star season in 2021 is a clear indication of his potential when healthy and performing at his best. Posting a 1.88 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and striking out 77 batters in just over 71 innings that year shows he can be a dominant presence out of the bullpen. His career-high eight saves that season further highlight his reliability in high-leverage situations, even if he’s not a closer by nature. This combination of versatility and success is exactly the type of arm the Brewers would be looking for as they continue to strengthen their bullpen.
With Milwaukee already adding some solid pieces to their relief corps, Kittredge could provide even more depth and experience. His ability to get outs in critical moments, without necessarily needing to be the closer, makes him a perfect fit for the Brewers, who value flexibility in their bullpen. Adding a pitcher like Kittredge would provide insurance in case any of their current relievers face struggles or injury issues, and his track record of success gives the Brewers another reliable option as they look to maintain their strong pitching staff for another playoff run.
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