Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of MLB fans. All year long we ask questions of the most connected Brewers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly email surveys.
Last week we asked Brewers fans to share their thoughts on what the team should do with staff ace Freddy Peralta. This week we’re asking fans for outside help with the rotation.
The Brewers’ pitching staff was a strength for much of 2025, but with Brandon Woodruff and Jose Quintana likely headed to free agency and Peralta possibly on the trade block, the Brewers are certainly looking for an additional veteran presence for the 2026 roster.
Like last season late spring with Quintana, the Brewers will likely be looking for an experienced arm, although we all know that Mark Attanasio, Matt Arnold and Co. prefer a cheap option. Instead, we’ll take a look at some solid, yet affordable options. The names below are listed in order of 2024 and 2025 fWAR, as of MLB’s free agency tracker.
Flaherty had a rough 2025 after a stellar 2024 season between Detroit and the Dodgers. Over 28 starts in 2024, Flaherty had a 3.17 ERA and 194 strikeouts over 162 innings. He returned to the Tigers last offseason on a one-year, $25 million contract, and he has a $20 million player option for 2026. He struggled to an 8-15 record with a 4.64 ERA and 188 strikeouts in 161 innings, but his FIP (3.85) nearly exceeded his ERA by a full point, and it was only slightly worse than his 2024 FIP (3.47).
Flaherty would have to exercise his option within five days of the end of the World Series, meaning we’ll find out next weekend if he returns to Detroit. It wouldn’t be surprising either way, as Flaherty may opt to sign a longer deal for less money in his 30s. If he is looking for a multi-year deal, it will likely be in the $15-$20 million range, which could be a bit pricey for Milwaukee’s front office.
Bassitt, who turns 37 next spring, has been a potential trade deadline candidate with the Blue Jays in recent seasons, though he has been committed to Toronto since 2023. An 11-year veteran, Bassitt has a career 3.64 ERA, 3.95 FIP and 1,191 strikeouts in 1,278 2/3 innings. He bounced back from a mediocre 2024 to pitch to a 3.96 ERA, 4.01 FIP and 166 strikeouts in 170 1/3 innings in 2025.
At the end of a three-year, $63 million deal, Bassitt probably won’t make that much in 2026. He’s likely looking more in the $14-$18 million range, which makes him slightly more affordable than Flaherty, even though he’s seven years older.
The 30-year-old Gallen is a free agent for the first time in his career after expiring his arbitration years in 2025. Gallen was a Cy Young finalist in 2023 and had a slightly down year in 2025, with a 4.83 ERA, 4.51 FIP and 175 strikeouts in 192 innings. In his final year of arbitration, he avoided a hearing and agreed to a $13.5 million contract.
According to Spotrac, Gallen’s market value is around four years, $75 million, which equates to $18.75 million per season. Given his rough 2025 campaign, it wouldn’t be surprising if he opted to look for a one-year “prove it deal,” especially considering his agent, Scott Boras, whose clients have done that often (Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, for example).
Kelly, who turned 37 earlier this month, was a late bloomer who spent several years in South Korea before finally joining the D-backs in 2019. He was a solid arm for seven years at Arizona, totaling a 3.74 ERA, 3.98 FIP and 865 strikeouts in 953 innings. He was sent to the Rangers at the trade deadline and pitched to a 4.23 ERA, 4.18 FIP and 46 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings later with Texas.
Kelly’s last contract was for two years, $18 million with a $6 million club option for 2025, which was picked up by Arizona. Kelly is in the same universe as Bassitt, which is to say he’s likely expecting $14-$18 million per year as a veteran player on a contending team.
Which arm would you most like to see in Milwaukee next season? Answer the survey below and stay tuned for the results later this week!
#Brewers #respond #survey #free #agent #arm #Brewers #add