Brewers Re-Sign Wade Miley: What to Make of Move

The Brewers have fortified their rotation for 2024, as a familiar face is set to come back to Milwaukee. Veteran left-hander Wade Miley will return to the Brewers on a one-year deal after the 37-year-old played a key role in Milwaukee last season. Here’s a look at what Miley brought to the Brewers in 2023.

Related: How the MLB Rule 5 Draft Works

A Look at Miley

The Brewers reunited with left-hander Wade Miley this past January, almost five years after the lefty played a key role in Milwaukee’s run to the NLCS in 2018.

At the time, Milwaukee seemed to have depth for the starting rotation. However, the move proved to be astute, as teams can never have enough depth. Aaron Ashby and Brandon Woodruff went down with injuries, while Eric Lauer (6.56 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, 1.016 opp. OPS as a starter over 46.2 IP) imploded.

Miley proved to be a key cog for the Brewers rotation, as the veteran arm posted a strong 3.14 and a 1.14 WHIP over 120.1 IP. The 37-year-old posted an above-average GB% of 47.4% and one of the best hard-hit rates (31.3%) last season.

Left-handed starters in the Majors have to get righties out to make it – and Miley does just that. That’s thanks to an eclectic mix that can keep hitters off balance, including a changeup, cutter, four-seamer, slider, and curve. However, much of his success is thanks to the cutter.

No left-hander in the Majors came close to Miley’s ability to jam right-handed hitters with the cutter. Miley had a league-leading 99 weak or flared contact stat points against righties. That was not only the highest total in the MLB, but also the best percentage-wise (5.3% Pitch%).

Wade Miley cutter map against RHH 2023 — The map is a work of art. Miley’s plus command has allowed him to stay in the league for well over a decade, and that was on full display in 2023. Look at how consistently he can jam right-handed hitters right on the hand (remember, these graphs are from the catcher’s perspective).

When he’s facing lefties, he can still use the cutter. But aside from that, he can also work them in with a sinker or away with a runaway slider that can look like the cutter but doesn’t have nearly the same velocity.

The 37-year-old will receive a $7MM deal for 2024 with a $12MM mutual option for 2025. Miley is guaranteed $8.5MM, as the contract comes with a $1.5MM buyout.

Miley wasn’t the only pitcher signed by the Brewers on December 4. Milwaukee also inked former National Joe Ross to a Major League deal.

Ross underwent his second Tommy John surgery in 2022 and hasn’t thrown a pitch in the Majors since 2021. However, the 30-year-old reportedly had increased velocity during a rehab stint in the Giants organization late last season.

Analysis

It’s been a busy few days for the Brewers. On December 3, reports circulated that Milwaukee finalized terms on the expected eight-year extension for outfield prospect Jackson Chourio. Now, the Brewers turned their attention toward the rotation.

The Brewers cut loose Brandon Woodruff last month when he was non-tendered, but his shoulder injury would likely keep him out for 2024 anyway. Milwaukee was going to need depth for the starting rotation, so it makes sense to target a crafty lefty with good command.

Miley and Ross are options for a Brewers rotation that at this moment includes Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta. Not to mention, Milwaukee does return Aaron Ashby, Adrian Houser, and Colin Rea. Left-hander Robert Gasser could make his MLB debut in 2024.