The Brewers' bullpen is a fortress, but who's guarding the gate in the ninth inning?
It's a question that's leaving fans and the team itself in a state of delightful uncertainty. While the Brewers' bullpen proved to be a formidable force in 2025, with Trevor Megill shining brightly as their closer, amassing 30 saves and earning an All-Star selection with a stellar 2.49 ERA over 49 innings, manager Pat Murphy is keeping his cards close to his chest regarding the 2026 closer role.
"I feel like we’ll look at the matchups and see what’s best. We’ll look at the health of the pitcher. You might see other guys in that mix too," Murphy revealed, hinting at a more flexible, committee-style approach. This strategy, he explained, is all about embracing an "uncommon mindset" to "thread the needle the way we want to." It's a fascinating departure from a fixed closer, isn't it?
But here's where it gets interesting: Megill's seemingly secure position was briefly shaken by a right flexor strain that sidelined him in late August. Though he made a triumphant return for the postseason, even pitching in non-closing leverage roles, including a crucial opening appearance in a winner-take-all playoff game, his absence opened the door for another talent to shine.
And this is the part most people miss: While Megill was recovering, Abner Uribe, another hard-throwing righty, stepped up and delivered five saves as the interim closer. Uribe's performance was nothing short of dominant, boasting a 1.67 ERA, an impressive 53.2% grounder rate, and a 30.2% strikeout rate over a staggering 75 1/3 innings. When you compare their advanced metrics (SIERA), Megill and Uribe were virtually indistinguishable, with Uribe at 2.89 and Megill at 2.93. This parity is what makes the closer decision so intriguing!
Uribe's remarkable durability, evidenced by his 75 appearances (tying him for seventh-most in the league), could mean he's being groomed as the long-term closer of the future. With the Brewers' bullpen projected to be heavy on left-handed pitchers, the right-handed duo of Uribe and Megill could be strategically deployed in high-leverage situations, with lefties like Jared Koenig or Angel Zerpa potentially taking on the ninth-inning duties.
Megill, for his part, expressed his willingness to embrace any role, highlighting the "great dynamic" he shares with Uribe. He's also been proactive about his health, undergoing a PRP injection during the offseason to address his flexor strain.
From a contractual standpoint, Uribe, at under 26 years old and under team control through 2030, presents a long-term solution. Megill, on the other hand, is entering his age-32 season and has one more arbitration year before hitting free agency after 2027. His salary for 2026 has been set at $4.7 million, a significant jump from his 2024 earnings, underscoring how saves can boost a pitcher's earning potential, especially in arbitration.
Here's a point that might spark some debate: Could the Brewers be strategically limiting Megill's save opportunities in 2026 to potentially curb his future salary demands? Or, more likely, is it a precursor to a trade? The Brewers have a history of moving high-salaried players as they approach free agency, a strategy that has seen former closers like Josh Hader and Devin Williams depart. Megill's own success as a closer in 2024, when Williams was injured, certainly made the decision to trade Williams easier.
Adding another layer to this narrative, Megill was reportedly a target for the Yankees and Mets this winter. While a trade now seems less likely with Spring Training underway, the possibility remains. Moving a closer during Spring Training is a delicate act, especially given the clubhouse disruption caused by the Hader trade in 2022.
Megill himself seems unfazed by the speculation, viewing it as simply "business." He's ready to be a good teammate, no matter what the future holds.
So, what do you think? Is a closer-by-committee the wave of the future, or does a team need a single, established stopper? And given Uribe's trajectory, is he the Brewers' closer of tomorrow, or should Megill continue to hold the reins? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
