The Brewers are signing free agent reliever Jake McGee to a major league contract, reports Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic (Twitter link). The southpaw was released by the Giants last week. McGee is a Wasserman client.
McGee will try to find his footing in Milwaukee after a rough first half in the Bay Area. The veteran worked 21 1/3 innings though 24 appearances, posting a grisly 7.17 ERA. He punched out only 11.5% of opponents on a meager 8.7% swinging strike rate, a bizarre downturn in performance. McGee is only a season removed from serving as one of the Giants most trusted relievers. He posted a 2.59 ERA across 59 2/3 frames last season, punching out a solid 24.3% of batters faced that year.
While the extent of his struggles became too much for the Giants to overlook, it’s easy enough to understand why he found another opportunity rather quickly. Aside from a rough four-year stretch in Colorado, the 35-year-old (36 next month) has been a reliable reliever for the bulk of his 13-year MLB career. In addition to last year’s strong work, he was flat-out dominant with the Dodgers in 2020. During the shortened season, he posted a 2.66 ERA while striking out north of 40% of batters faced.
While McGee’s strikeouts and whiffs have fallen off, he’s not seen a notable drop in fastball velocity. He’s averaging 94.7 MPH on the heater to which he turns more than 85% of the time. That’s virtually unchanged from last year’s 94.9 MPH mark, and he’s continued to pound the strike zone effectively.
There’s little cost for the Brewers in seeing if they can get him missing bats again. McGee is playing this season on a $2.5MM salary, and he’ll take home a $500K buyout on what would’ve been a 2023 club option. The Giants remain on the hook for that money, with the Brewers paying McGee just the prorated portion of the $700K league minimum for whatever time he spends on the active roster. Milwaukee already had a vacancy on the 40-man roster, so they’ll only need to make a corresponding 26-man move once McGee reports to the team.
Not a bad move, but could have had a couple of other guys! Josh Lindblom and Peacock!
Jake has a shot! As a matter of fact, I’ll have one to, with a beer chaser please…
I like this move, really hope this is a sign the brewers are super active this deadline. Not sure this current team can even make it out the central this year
Jake can still bring it. Was hoping for a Rays reunion…
Good for McGee. He’s a total gamer. He touched 99 earlier in the season. If he can locate that high fastball, he’ll pitch well.
Oh baby! Turn down the stove before somebody gets burned.
McGee was awful with the Giants this year. So naturally, he’ll have a 1.45 ERA with 11.5 K/9 and be a key part of the Brewers’ pennant chase.
I Hope you are right! Even If I sense a bit of sarcasm! A technique I never use! LOL!
Exactly, then this off-season the Padres will give him $10m and he will require TOS surgery around May.
This seems like an astute move, since it’s likely that it’s for a negligeable amount of money. And they’re probably thinking that if he doesn’t show immediate success at turning things around, they’ll adjust their approach to the deadline accordingly.
A few weeks before the Giants released him, they sent him to AAA to try to recapture his command/stuff. It worked, he found something in his mechanics. And when they brought him back it worked too, except it only seemed to last for an appearance or so. Maybe he can find a way to lock it in for the Brewers..?
The Brewers know what to do with a live arm. They’re great with pitchers. I expect they’ll get quality innings from McGee and their bullpen will be even scarier.
I hope you are right! Time will tell!
Can he hit or just get hit? Offense please…
Taylor just activated filling the 26 man ! Maybe he can hit? When Mcgee reports some else goes off!
Hopefully Taylor gets in a grove. The Crew has limped into the break before and come out on fire. Postseason or bust, here we go…
I didn’t think he’d get a ML deal. Glad I was wrong. Good luck Jake.
if there’s anyone other than the Giants that can make this guy into a contributor, it’s the Brewers. that being said, he’s looked pretty bad all year and his 1 pitch dynamic can only take him so far. good luck to him tho
The Crew has done a good job at the minor league level with their pitchers. Not sure if they’ll be able to fix McGee in the show. Maybe he’ll gain confidence in early relief as opposed to late in games.
Taylor just activated filling the 26 man ! Maybe he can hit? When Mcgee reports some else goes off!
Sorry for duplicate! COMPUTER skills, not so much!
I mean c’mon. It’s not like anyone besides Hader and Williams have been spectacular, and even they’ve been shaky. Boxberger is holding his own, but what’s the risk here? Doesn’t cost any prospects, still time before the deadline. Let’s go McGee!
Go Jake!