MILWAUKEE, WI - SEPTEMBER 04: Wade Miley #20 of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts in the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park on September 4, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

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It is well known that the Milwaukee Brewers are looking to add to their starting rotation for the 2019 season. One move that they could make to add depth would be bringing back fan favorite, Wade Miley.

As day one of the MLB Winter Meetings concluded, it was reported by Adam McCalvy after a discussion with GM David Stearns that the Milwaukee Brewers are “keeping in touch” with Wade Miley‘s agent.

Brewers are “keeping in touch” with Wade Miley’s agent Tom O’Connell, David Stearns said, and are open to bringing him back. Miley will test his free agent value first. — Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) December 11, 2018

Miley is going to test the free agent market first but for the right price, the Milwaukee Brewers may try to bring him back to help add depth to the starting rotation.

How was Miley in 2018?

Wade Miley was a low risk signing for the Milwaukee Brewers with a heavy incentive laden contract in 2018.

Although Miley spent some time on the DL at the beginning of the season, once back in the rotation he was able to put together the best season of his professional career.

In 16 starts covering 80 2/3 innings, Miley’s opponents recorded a slash line against of .237/.309/.327. Miley also posted a career best ERA of 2.57, a WHIP of 1.21 and allowed just three home runs.

Miley isn’t going to over power hitters with a ton of strikeouts. He is a soft contact pitcher that locates the ball low in the zone and is able to generate a lot of ground ball outs.

What to expect in 2019 from Miley?

Even though Miley along with Jhoulys Chacin were the obvious best starting pitchers on the Milwaukee Brewers, it’s realistic to expect that we see regression from Miley.

In many of Miley’s statistical categories he blew his career averages out of the water and most likely that won’t be sustainable.

Over his career opponents have a slash line of .269/.331/.420 and Miley has an ERA of 4.26, with a WHIP of 1.388.

As fun as 2018 was with Miley in Milwaukee, if he does return we need to temper our expectations.

What’s his contract situation?

The Milwaukee Brewers brought in Miley on a base salary of $2.5 million with an additional $3.2 million in incentives.

As he should be, Miley is going to test the free agent market in hopes of capitalizing on his 2018 performance.

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There may be some teams out there that will give Miley a bigger contract that covers more than just a year, but the Milwaukee Brewers won’t be one of them. However, if Miley doesn’t receive the offers that he desires, and his price range is in the ballpark of what it was in 2018, Stearns may look to bring him back to Milwaukee for 2019. As we saw this past season, teams can never have too much depth in their rotation.