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Astros’ Blubaugh Could Give Brewers' Rotation, Bullpen Help
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- Astros’ Blubaugh Could Give Brewers' Rotation, Bullpen Help
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The Milwaukee Brewers have assembled one of the National League's most competitive rosters and appear positioned to make a legitimate postseason run.
Even so, adding another proven starting pitcher or bullpen arm before the Aug. 3 MLB Trade Deadline could significantly improve their chances of competing with the Los Angeles Dodgers .
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Strengthening both the rotation and bullpen should remain among the organization's top priorities.
Acquiring an experienced starter to join Jacob Misiorowski and Kyle Harrison would provide additional stability and valuable depth for a pitching staff that has recently lost important contributors.
Milwaukee's need became more significant after Brandon Woodruff was officially ruled out for the remainder of the season. Harrison is also on the Injured List, leaving the Brewers with considerably less rotation depth than they expected entering the second half.
The bullpen could also benefit from another high-leverage reliever alongside Trevor Megill , Abner Uribe , and Aaron Ashby , particularly someone capable of handling important innings during postseason games.
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A versatile option
Someone who could potentially address both needs is Houston Astros right-hander AJ Blubaugh .
According to Chandler Rome from The Athletic , Blubaugh has already attracted interest from multiple teams and represents one of the most realistic trade candidates on Houston's roster.
Rome noted that the 26-year-old originally climbed through the Astros' pitching hierarchy as a starter before developing into a valuable swingman in the bullpen during his first full MLB season.
"Blubaugh has already drawn interest from multiple teams and is one of the most realistic trade chips on the Astros' major-league roster. The lanky 26-year-old ascended the Astros' pitching hierarchy as a starting pitcher but has blossomed into a swingman in Houston's bullpen during his first full major-league season," Rome wrote.
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That versatility could make him particularly attractive to Milwaukee .
Blubaugh has a 3.74 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 67.1 innings over 40 appearances. He's recorded 69 strikeouts against 32 walks.
His workload also demonstrates how differently he can be deployed compared with a traditional one-inning reliever. Blubaugh has pitched at least two innings in 22 of his first 40 appearances, giving teams the ability to use him as a bridge between a starter and the back end of the bullpen.
There is also significant long-term value attached to him.
Blubaugh remains under team control for five more seasons and could eventually transition back into a starting role. That combination makes him an obvious target for teams discussing potential trades with Houston.
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For Milwaukee, acquiring Blubaugh would provide immediate pitching depth without restricting him to one specific role. He could help cover innings while the rotation deals with injuries, strengthen the bullpen during the postseason, or potentially become a starter again depending on the organization's needs.
Blubaugh's potential
Blubaugh's versatility is perhaps his most valuable quality. Pitchers capable of moving between different responsibilities give managers considerably more flexibility. That's very important during postseason games when traditional pitching plans can change quickly.
His experience as a starter gives him the preparation and repertoire necessary to navigate a lineup for extended stretches. And his bullpen work has required him to adapt to shorter appearances and unpredictable usage.
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That adaptability requires more than physical ability. Blubaugh has shown the willingness to accept changing responsibilities and contribute wherever his team needs him.
His ability to handle multiple innings also allows a manager to protect other relievers when a starter exits early.
For a Brewers team dealing with rotation uncertainty while simultaneously trying to strengthen its bullpen, that combination could make Blubaugh particularly valuable.
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