{"id":109437,"date":"2025-11-26T20:56:11","date_gmt":"2025-11-27T01:56:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=109437"},"modified":"2025-11-26T20:56:11","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T01:56:11","slug":"best-options-improving-brewers-pitching-rotation-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/11\/26\/best-options-improving-brewers-pitching-rotation-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Options for Improving the Brewers Pitching Rotation in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Milwaukee Brewers enter 2026 with both opportunity and challenge when it comes to their pitching rotation. With veterans nearing free agency and a young core battling injuries and inconsistency, the front office faces a <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/11\/04\/biggest-questions-brewers-offseason\/\" target=\"_self\">pivotal offseason<\/a> that could determine whether the Brewers remain contenders in the National League Central.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_66950\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-66950\" style=\"width: 842px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-66950\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/01\/USATSI_21487959-1-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"842\" height=\"561\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/01\/USATSI_21487959-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/01\/USATSI_21487959-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/01\/USATSI_21487959-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/01\/USATSI_21487959-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/01\/USATSI_21487959-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/01\/USATSI_21487959-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/01\/USATSI_21487959-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 842px) 100vw, 842px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-66950\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sep 23, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff (53) throws a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>The Best Way Forward for the Brewers Rotation in 2026<\/h2>\n<h3>Bringing Back the Core<\/h3>\n<p>Retaining <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/woodrbr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brandon Woodruff<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/p\/peralfr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Freddy Peralta<\/a> is the first logical step for stability. Both are near the end of their contracts, and while Woodruff missed time late in 2025 with a strained lat, the mutual option for 2026 makes him an attractive, cost-controlled option compared to the open market. Peralta\u2019s $8 million team option is equally a no-brainer after his strong 2025 showing. Keeping both right-handers protects the top of Milwaukee\u2019s rotation, even as trade rumors swirl around Peralta\u2019s final year.\u200b<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">The only pitchers with three or more 200-strikeout seasons for the Brewers:<\/p>\n<p>Yovani Gallardo<br \/>\nCorbin Burnes<br \/>\nFreddy Peralta \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n<p>Peralta has quickly become one of the top starters in Milwaukee&#8217;s history! <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/LTnO4hjlk9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/LTnO4hjlk9<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JustBB_Media\/status\/1993756893492465944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">November 26, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>The Youth Movement<\/h3>\n<p>Much of the rotation\u2019s upside, and risk, rests with three young righties: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/misioja01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jacob Misiorowski<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=hendelo01,hender002log&amp;search=Logan+Henderson&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Logan Henderson<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/gassero01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Robert Gasser<\/a>. All three have shown flashes of plus stuff, but dealt with injuries in 2025. Misiorowski performed well in the postseason after a stint on the injured list. The Brewers can afford to be patient, with the depth to let Gasser start in Triple-A if needed. But if healthy, all are rotation-caliber arms with serious upside for 2026.\u200b<\/p>\n<h3>Internal Depth<\/h3>\n<p>Milwaukee saw <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/p\/priesqu01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Quinn Priester<\/a> dominate at times in <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/04\/07\/red-sox-quinn-priester-traded-brewers\/\" target=\"_self\">2025<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/myersto01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tobias Myers<\/a> earned team MVP honors in 2024 before bouncing between roles last year. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/p\/patrich01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chad Patrick<\/a> impressed early in 2025, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=rodrig044car,rodrig041car,rodrig043car,rodrig046car,rodrig036car,rodrica02,rodrig042car&amp;search=Carlos+Rodriguez&amp;utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Carlos Rodriguez<\/a> continues to rack up strong numbers at Triple-A. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/halldl01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DL Hall<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/ashbyaa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Aaron Ashby<\/a>, strong as multi-inning relievers, remain rotation possibilities if their health holds up. This wealth of options makes the Brewers uniquely poised to use a six-man rotation if they want to protect young arms and keep veterans fresh late into the season.\u200b<\/p>\n<h3>Outside Help<\/h3>\n<p>The Brewers could also dip into free agency to add durability and experience. One name with Milwaukee ties is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/g\/galleza01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-11-26_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zac Gallen<\/a>. The former All-Star isn\u2019t in Cy Young form, but still ate nearly 200 innings in 2025 and could be had on a short-term, prove-it deal. He recently rejected a qualifying offer from the Diamondbacks, meaning that the Brewers could jump on the opportunity to add experienced depth to the pitching rotation. Pairing a veteran like <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/03\/13\/zac-gallen-diamondbacks-future-free-agency\/\" target=\"_self\">Gallen<\/a> with Peralta and Woodruff would give the Brewers balance and a deep, playoff-ready staff, something that proved vital as the team ran out of gas late in 2025.\u200b<\/p>\n<h3>Management\u2019s Role and the 2026 Outlook<\/h3>\n<p>Ultimately, how Milwaukee pieces together its rotation depends on health, performance, and some tough financial decisions.<\/p>\n<p>Will ownership gamble on a six-man rotation and chase postseason glory ahead of a potential 2026 lockout?<\/p>\n<p>Will the front office move Peralta for future assets, or double down on internal depth?<\/p>\n<p>These choices will define the Brewers\u2019 ceiling. However, with the infrastructure in place, Milwaukee is as well-positioned as any club to weather the volatility that defines modern pitching staffs.\u200b<\/p>\n<p>A blend of savvy moves, organizational depth, and perhaps a bold signing or trade could turn a very good Brewers rotation into the best in the National League for 2026.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Milwaukee Brewers enter 2026 with both opportunity and challenge when it comes to their pitching rotation. With veterans nearing free agency and a young core battling injuries and inconsistency, the front office faces a pivotal offseason that could determine whether the Brewers remain contenders in the National League Central. The Best Way Forward for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5561,"featured_media":104040,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[27,1071,35],"tags":[1984,28571,3317,2514,28858,29007,2694,5854,28490,1820],"class_list":["post-109437","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-brewers","category-mlb","category-news","tag-brandon-woodruff","tag-carlos-rodriguez","tag-dl-hall","tag-freddy-peralta","tag-jacob-misiorowski","tag-logan-henderson","tag-quinn-priester","tag-robert-gasser","tag-tobias-myers","tag-zac-gallen"],"modified_by":"Lewis Masella, Site Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109437","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5561"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=109437"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109437\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":109991,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109437\/revisions\/109991"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/104040"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=109437"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=109437"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=109437"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}