The Brewers already have one of baseball’s better bullpens, sitting fifth in ERA, but there’s still a clear opening for another veteran arm. And right now, a left-handed reliever with a track record worth betting on is available.
That pitcher is Danny Coulombe, who was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Saturday. Boston had signed him to a one-year, $1 million deal with incentives, but after a rough start to the season, he’s suddenly on the market.
Milwaukee could make sense as a landing spot. The Brewers have been dealing with injuries to DL Hall, Rob Zastryzny and Angel Zerpa, which has left them short on lefty relief help. Coulombe would fit that need, and he’d come at a bargain price if the Brewers decide to put in a waiver claim.
His numbers this season haven’t been pretty. Coulombe posted a 4.50 ERA in 29 appearances over 22 innings before Boston moved on.
But the bigger picture is a lot more encouraging. He hasn’t finished a season with an ERA above 3.67 since 2018, and he hasn’t ended a year above 2.81 since 2021.
Last season, he turned in a 2.30 ERA in 55 appearances split between the Texas Rangers and the Minnesota Twins.
That’s the kind of profile Milwaukee could gamble on. If Coulombe gets back to that level, the Brewers would deepen an already strong bullpen without giving up prospect capital or paying much at all. And if it doesn’t work, the club could simply do what Boston did and designate him for assignment.
With the trade deadline in August still ahead, Milwaukee should be hunting for arms anyway. The opportunity here is simple: add a veteran with upside, pay very little, and hope another team doesn’t beat them to the waiver claim.
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