MLB Trade Rumors: Milwaukee Brewers Still Looking for Someone to Pitch In

Since the tragic signing of Jeff Suppan in 2007, the Brewers have continued to look, albeit not very hard, for solid and consistent starting pitching. Randy Wolf finally came on at the end of last season, but he is no better than a No. 3 starter despite the bill of goods Doug Melvin has been trying to sell us.

The free agent market is pretty barren after Cliff Lee, so the Brewers will have to trade for pitching. Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks, Corey Hart and an array of prospects are what the Brewers have to offer. Let's take a look and see who's out there.

Edwin Jackson On The Move Again?

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OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 22: Edwin Jackson #33 of the Chicago White Sox pitches against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 22, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

OK Edwin Jackson isn't all that and a bag of chips. He is 27 and basically a middle-of-the-rotation guy similar to Randy Wolf. He has been linked in rumors to the Brewers in a deal involving Prince Fielder with Gordon Beckham also coming to Milwaukee.

For Prince, the Brewers can do better. In a smaller deal without Prince involved, Jackson is a possibility. The problem is that he becomes a free agent following the 2011 season and his agent is Scott Boras. I think he can stay a member of the White Sox. He has already been on five teams. Should that be a red flag?

A Ron Roenicke and Ervin Santana Reunion?

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TORONTO - APRIL 18: Ervin Santana #54 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim celebrates their win against the Toronto Blue Jays during a MLB game at the Rogers Centre April 18, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Abelimages/Getty Images)

Is that smile because he may be coming to Milwaukee?

He is more than just a workhorse, he can actually pitch. Santana is still young (turns 28 in January), in his prime and hasn't suffered a major injury while in the bigs. He is eligible to become a free agent after the 2012 season with a $13 million club option in 2013. He is set to make $8 million this year.

The Angels were desperate for a left-handed power bat last year, but they came up empty. The Angels could use Prince Fielder as the DH or Kendry Morales could be given a ticket out of town with Prince taking over at first. Bobby Abreu has already volunteered to DH, so that could open the door for a trade for Corey Hart. Ron Roenicke and Santana are obviously familiar with each other. I'm intrigued.

Jonathan Sanchez? Not a Bad Option

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 23: Jonathan Sanchez #57 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Six of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park on October 23, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by

His name has been linked in the past to trade rumors with the Brewers involving Prince Fielder.

With Aubrey Huff re-signed and Pablo Sandoval due for either a stint on The Biggest Loser or a position change, Prince no longer fits here. Rickie Weeks and Corey Hart on the other hand would fit nicely in PNC Park.

The Giants' current second baseman, Freddie Sanchez, was a playoff hero but is no offensive match for Weeks. Jonathan Sanchez just turned 28, is the author of a no-hitter and has some wicked stuff. He is still arbitration eligible in 2011. The Giants are World Champions, but adding some offense would make defending their crown more probable.

Jair Jurrjens? Are You Sure That's Spelled Right?

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ATLANTA - JUNE 30: Pitcher Jair Jurrjens #49 of the Atlanta Braves against the Washington Nationals at Turner Field on June 30, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

He's got the name and he's got the stuff. The Braves have quite an array of young pitchers, and I would have to believe Tommy Hanson wouldn't be going anywhere. The Braves just added Dan Uggla but could still use a corner outfielder like Corey Hart or someone at first base like Prince Fielder. Jurrjens will only be 25 in January and won't become a free agent until after the 2013 season. Scott Boras is his agent as well, so be prepared for what that entails. I'm sure Doug Melvin is well aware.

A Little Garza Goes a Long Way

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ST. PETERSBURG, FL - JULY 05: Pitcher Matt Garza #22 of the Tampa Bay Rays acknowledges outfielder Carl Crawford #13 for his catch during the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field on July 5, 2010 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo

Matt Garza is someone I have liked for a few years now. Luckily, Tampa Bay is currently in cost-cutting mode and looking for good young prospects for some of their more expensive major league talent.

Garza just turned 27 and has started 30+ games each of the past three seasons. His WHIP during that time has been consistently good. He is not scheduled to become a free agent until after the 2013 season. The Brewers have a host of prospects that might interest the Rays. I have no doubt that Doug Melvin could put together a nice package to make Matt Garza a Brewer.

Madison To Milwaukee?

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PHOENIX - SEPTEMBER 06: Starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner #40 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the Major League Baseball game at Chase Field on September 6, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Peters

Stud. Did I say that out loud? Based on his first year in the show, that's what Bumgarner is. It's hard to believe the guy is only 21. The performance he threw at the Rangers in Game 4 of the World Series was epic. I can't see the Giants trading him and keeping Jonathan Sanchez instead. It would take quite a package including either Rickie Weeks or Corey Hart. In Bumgarner's case, Doug Melvin would probably be taking more of a risk than trading for Sanchez. One positive is that Bumgarner isn't even ELIGIBLE for arbitration yet. Is the risk worth the possible reward? It just might be.

This Guy Is GOOD!

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ST. LOUIS - JUNE 28: Starting pitcher Dan Haren #15 of the Arizona Diamondbacks throws against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on June 28, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Dan Haren might be the best pitcher most people haven't heard of. He is 30 years old, but he is as durable as they come. Check this out. He has had six consecutive seasons of 200+ innings and has averaged 33.8 starts per season during that span.

His career WHIP is 1.193 and he has never walked more than 55 in an entire season. He is under contract through 2012, but would be ripe for an extension. As I mentioned before, Corey Hart and Prince Fielder are players the Angels might have interest in. If the Brewers do get Haren, he would have to switch from number 15. If you can tell me why, move to the front of the line.

Zack Greinke Is Going, Going, Gone!

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JULY 21: Starting pitcher Zack Greinke #23 of the Kansas City Royals warms-up just prior to the start of the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Kauffman Stadium on July 21, 2010 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty

Whether it's to Milwaukee or somewhere else, I don't believe Greinke will be a Royal in 2011.

The Royals seem to be in rebuilding mode again or maybe it's just a perpetual thing. If I'm Greinke, I have already started calling teams myself. I think it's safe to say no one on the East coast ever knew there was a team in K.C. let alone a Cy Young winner residing there. That is, of course, until the Yankees and Red Sox became interested in trading for him.

Greinke's skills are wasted in K.C. Coming to a team with an offense like the Brewers would make Greinke a big winner again. I'm just hoping both he and the Royals give the Brewers a legitimate shot.