Relievers are Major League Baseball’s most volatile position group. There is so much variation in performance from year to year that it is difficult to predict who will be a reliable arm and who will not.
That is why bullpens have such a high turnover rate each year. Trust can be built and destroyed quickly. Consider Grant Anderson, a reliever who did not make the Opening Day roster but has quickly risen through the trust tree to earn a high leverage spot for the Milwaukee Brewers.
On the other side, there’s Joel Payamps.
Joel Payamps is the second longest-tenured member of the Brewers pitching staff, trailing only Freddy Peralta. Payamps was acquired in the William Contreras trade in 2022 and has since become a mainstay in Milwaukee’s bullpen. He has spent the majority of his time in high-risk situations.
Payamps had a 2.55 ERA his first year in Milwaukee, and a 3.05 ERA last year, with nine saves and 48 holds.
However, the 2025 season has been an entirely different story. Payamps has a 17.55 ERA in his first nine appearances, allowing 13 runs in 6.2 innings. He has allowed runs in each of his last three starts, including Saturday night’s game, in which he gave up a leadoff home run to Shea Langeliers in the ninth inning, making a 2-1 deficit 3-1.
“His confidence is shaken. We thought it was a good confidence booster for him. We cannot use another leverage reliever there. “Give up another big hit, that’s concerning,” Pat Murphy said.
When the manager describes a reliever as having shaken confidence and calls the situation concerning, it’s a clear indication that Joel Payamps’ time in Milwaukee is coming to an end.
“He’s been great for us. He’s been an effective reliever. He takes the ball, but he hasn’t thrown it well recently.” Murphy added.
Murphy clearly does not trust Payamps right now, and if he cannot trust one of his relievers, a change should be made. Payamps is running out of opportunities to regain his confidence and demonstrate to the coaching staff why he should remain on this roster. The Brewers have a number of minor league options to consider.
Notably, Payamps does not have any minor league options left so if they do make a change, Payamps would need to be removed from the 40 man roster, which could open a spot for someone like Craig Yoho.
