The Brewers are in the market for a veteran starter, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Tom Haudricourt.
General manager Doug Melvin spoke to the media and confirmed the team’s main focus will be acquiring a starter. Melvin is comfortable with the Brewers’ position players but wants to get more rotation depth behind Yovani Gallardo. The Brewers are expected to let pitcher Shaun Marcum test the free-agent market, leaving them with rookies Mike Fiers, Mark Rogers and Wily Peralta and a recovering Chris Narveson, to fill out the rotation.
Melvin said he doesn’t envision the team making a play for any “high-priced free agents,” making it unlikely the team will pursue Zack Greinke. There also will be turnover in the bullpen. John Axford is expected to return as the closer, but Francisco Rodriguez will hit free agency. Kameron Loe, Manny Parra and Jose Veras are all arbitration-eligible and could go if they get too expensive. Melvin added he believes it’s important to have two or three pitchers who are capable of closing games.
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