With the St. Louis Cardinals becoming a powerhouse in the last two seasons and the Chicago Cubs taking giant steps towards contention, the Milwaukee Brewers have been left a bit behind.
After missing the postseason in 2022 by losing a late push with the Philadelphia Phillies, the Brewers didn’t do much to improve their roster during the offseason.
They did, however, make a move on Wednesday afternoon.
They secured the services of left-handed starter Wade Miley on a one-year deal.
The contract has some incentives to sweeten the pot for Miley.
Here is a breakdown of the pact, courtesy of Bob Nightengale.
“Wade Miley’s $4.5 million detailed contract with the Milwaukee #Brewers: 2023: $3.5 million. 2024: $10 million mutual option or $1 million buyout. 75 innings: $150,000; 100 innings: $350,000; 125 innings: $500,000; 150 innings: $500,000,” Nightengale tweeted.
Miley, who spent last campaign with the Cubs, had to deal with elbow and shoulder problems that limited him to eight starts and 37 innings.
He finished with a 2-2 record and a 3.16 ERA, with 28 strikeouts and a 1.22 WHIP in 37 frames.
That’s why there are so many workload-related incentives in the deal, as he needs to prove he is back to full health.
If he is indeed healthy, Miley could slot in as a backend starter after Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, Freddy Peralta, and Eric Lauer.
He doesn’t possess a lot of strikeout upside, but should get results in a cool environment for pitchers.
It’s a calculated gamble by the Brewers, and they will be happy to pay the incentives on his contract as long as he is healthy.
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