Milwaukee Brewers Acquire Shaun Marcum From the Toronto Blue Jays

If the Milwaukee Brewers are going to get back to the playoffs in 2011, GM Doug Melvin knew he had to improve his starting rotation. The Brewers finished second to last in starters' ERA (4.65) in the National League in 2010 and needed more quality pitchers to round out the rotation.

Enter Shaun Marcum.

The Brewers acquired the 29-year-old righty on Sunday night from the Toronto Blue Jays for top prospect, 2B Brett Lawrie. While it’s always tough to give up a top prospect, I really like this trade for the Brewers.

After missing the entire 2009 season because of Tommy John surgery, Marcum came back strong in 2010. He posted a 3.64 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and a 7.6 K/9 in 195.1 innings.

Those are very solid numbers pitching A. In the American League East and B. Pitching on the fourth-best team in that division.

His 3.5 WAR this season was better than some more popular names like Phil Hughes and Trevor Cahill. And his 7.6 K/9 was better than household names like CC Sabathia, Zack Greinke and Clay Buchholz.

Marcum isn’t a sexy name, but he is a legit No. 2 pitcher in the National League. He will fit in nicely as the Brewers No. 2 behind Yovani Gallardo.

Does Marcum solve all of the Brewers’ issues? No, he doesn’t. I still think they need another starter to compete with the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals.

However, for the next two years, Marcum should be very solid for the Brewers.

In exchange for Marcum, the Brewers had to depart with Lawrie. Lawrie was the Brewers first-round pick in the 2008 draft and had a very solid year in Double A in 2010.

He hit .285/.346/.451 with eight HR, 16 triples and 30 SBs. That’s a ridiculously good season by anyone’s standards.

The issue with Lawrie is that there might have been a place for him in Milwaukee. The Brewers are talking extension with current second baseman Rickie Weeks and some feel that Lawrie might project as a corner outfielder. That’s an issue because Ryan Braun and Corey Hart just signed extensions with the Brew Crew.

Lawrie, a native of British Columbia, will start the year in the minors and could take over at second base for Aaron Hill when Hill becomes a free agent after the 2012 season.

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