[Last Word on Sports] - Low Key Pitcher Now Available For A David Stearns Reunion

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    • Jun 2013
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    [Last Word on Sports] - Low Key Pitcher Now Available For A David Stearns Reunion

    Any time an organization hires a new front office leader, natural speculation takes place regarding potential reunions. Many wonder if that person will look to or players that they . For new Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, the main speculation in that realm has centered around or one of the Milwaukee Brewers' top two rental starters. However, Stearns should target lefty , outrighted by Milwaukee on Friday, as a realistic reunion candidate. Eric Lauer Now Available for a David Stearns Reunion In November 2019, Stearns acquired Lauer and in a trade with the San Diego Padres. Lauer, a Padres first-round pick, struggled in the majors before the trade and was not the main piece of the trade. The Brewers placed Eric Lauer on waivers, he went unclaimed, and was outrighted to Triple-A. He does has enough MLB service time to refuse this and elect free agency. — Tyler Koerth (@TylerKoerth) In two seasons in San Diego, Lauer pitched 261 2/3 innings with a 4.40 ERA. He also struggled in his first season with the Brewers, tossing just 11 innings in the pandemic-shortened season while battling COVID-19 and shoulder issues. Lauer: A Stearns Reclamation Success Lauer blossomed in 2021 as Milwaukee's fifth starter. The breakout season was largely credited to what people in Milwaukee call "The Milwaukee Brewers pitching machine." Under the Brewers' guidance, Lauer made mechanical adjustments to protect his shoulder. This led to a higher velocity, better strikeout rates, and improved overall production. Lauer finished 2021 with a 3.19 ERA and 117 strikeouts in 118 2/3 innings pitched. His strikeout rate of 23.9 percent and 130 ERA+ marked career highs. He followed that up in 2022 by pitching 40 more innings with an almost identical strikeout rate (23.8 percent) and a 3.69 ERA. Improved velocity, movement, and usage from Lauer's cutter and 4-seam fastball helped drive his success. Before 2021, Lauer threw his fastball over 50 percent of the time in the majors. From 2021 through 2023, that usage dropped to around 43 percent while increasing usage of his off-speed and breaking pitches. He transformed from a soft-tossing lefty who relied on soft contact to a slightly harder thrower who thrived at missing bats. Lauer's 2023 Struggles After two good years in Milwaukee, Lauer posted a 6.56 ERA in 46 2/3 innings in 2023. He lost some velocity on his fastballs early in the year, which led to increased home run and walk rates. From late May through the end of the season, Lauer bounced between the injured list, minor leagues, and inactive list. Eric Lauer was nervous, struggling with command and his velocity was down. Not a good combo: — Todd Rosiak (@Todd_Rosiak) Milwaukee recalled Lauer on September 30 for a start against the Chicago Cubs, and it did not go well. He allowed eight runs (three homers) in four innings in what will likely go down as his last start as a Brewer. It's likely that shoulder issues and potentially other undisclosed health issues contributed to Lauer's diminished stuff and production. While health issues are never good, teams can perhaps hope Lauer isn't washed up and just needs rest, recovery, and adjustments for better production. Lauer's 2024 Outlook Lauer earned $5.075 million last year and would have earned a slight raise through arbitration this winter. The Brewers likely would have non-tendered him by the mid-November deadline. Instead of delaying the move, Milwaukee placed Lauer on waivers this week. After no team claimed him, Lauer was outrighted to Triple-A, which means he could stay in the organization, but not on the 40-man roster. However, Lauer can reject the outright and become a free agent since he has more than three years of service time. This is the expected outcome, and he would be available to sign with any team. Thus, it's reasonable to expect interest from Stearns and the Mets. Though Stearns is far from the only person who should get credit for Lauer's success, he no doubt played a big role in it. He clearly knows Lauer and factors like his health and how to get the best out of him. Lauer might feel comfortable working with a staff built by Stearns to once again reclaim his career. 1⃣3⃣ days until opening day!!! In perhaps his best start last season, Eric Lauer beat the recording 13 strikeouts in 6 shutout innings. Lauer has been a solid option at the back end of Milwaukee’s rotation for the past two seasons. — Brewers Stats (@BrewersStat) Will Stearns Be Interested in a Reunion? From New York's perspective, Lauer represents a buy-low option to fill one of many holes on the pitching staff. The veteran does not have minor league options remaining but has the opportunity to compete for a back-of-the-rotation spot. If Lauer's injuries make him better suited for the bullpen, the Mets have enough openings that he can fill. New York has lacked a reliable multi-inning reliever or swing starter since left after 2022. Lauer's history as a starter means he should be able to ...

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