The Brewers are in familiar territory at this point in the season: sitting on top of the NL Central and looking like buyers at the trade deadline. The bigger question isn’t whether Milwaukee will make a move, but how aggressive it plans to be.
MLB insider Robert Murray of Fansided.com thinks the Brewers should be expected to do something meaningful, and he’d be “surprised” if they walk away from the deadline without addressing at least one major need.
“But it would be a surprise if the Brewers left the deadline without a starting pitcher and potentially another bat," Murray writes.
That lines up with the way Milwaukee’s roster is being discussed right now. The Brewers could use help at third base, in the bullpen, and in the rotation, but starting pitching looks like the cleanest path to a deal.
Jacob Misiorowski and Kyle Harrison have been excellent, but both are heading into territory where their innings count becomes a real concern. Adding another arm would ease that burden and give the Brewers more cover for the postseason.
A few names have already surfaced as possible fits. Robbie Ray of the San Francisco Giants, Freddy Peralta of the New York Mets, Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers, Reid Detmers of the Los Angeles Angels, Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha of the Kansas City Royals are listed as Milwaukee’s top options in that market.
Skubal may be out of reach if the Brewers decide to keep leaning into their prospect-heavy approach, but Peralta and Ray are described as more realistic targets. Milwaukee doesn’t necessarily need the biggest name on the board, especially with Misiorowski and Harrison already in the mix.
The “another bat” part of the equation is less specific, but it gives the Brewers room to improve either the infield or the outfield. Luis Arraez, Willson Contreras, and Matt Chapman are among the names mentioned as possible fits.
The exact package is still unknown, but Murray’s bottom line is clear: by the time the August 3 trade deadline passes, the Brewers should have added a starting pitcher, and maybe another hitter too.
In Other News...
Caleb Durbin Is Suddenly Forcing Brewers Fans To Rethink Everything
Caleb Durbin looked like a rough fit early in the season, the kind of player who could get lost in the shuffle after a trade and leave a front office hoping the rest of the deal carries the load. Through May 23, his bat was buried deep enough in the numbers that it was fair to wonder whether the Brewers had seen the best of him already, especially with third base still a spot where production matters and patience can run thin.
Since June 10, though, Durbin has started to look like a completely different player. He has piled up seven home runs in that stretch and paired the surge at the plate with strong work at third base, turning what once looked like a frustrating early return into one of the more interesting developments on the roster. The bigger question now is whether this is a hot streak or the moment he finally settles in as the player Milwaukee thought it was getting. [Read more 🡒]
Brewers Suddenly Face A Bigger Infield Decision Than Anyone Expected
David Hamiltons exit against the Cardinals turned what looked like a routine infield shuffle into a more complicated roster question for Milwaukee. Pat Murphy said the left hamstring tightness could take some time to heal, leaving the Brewers to sort out how they want to cover the spot while Hamilton is out and the rest of the infield keeps moving around.
One name already in the mix is Jett Williams, the clubs No. 5 prospect, who has yet to make his major league debut but has been productive at Triple-A this season. The Brewers have also been using Joey Ortiz at third base with Cooper Pratt at shortstop, so any move would have to fit into a lineup card that is already changing shape as they wait on Hamiltons recovery. [Read more 🡒]
Brewers Suddenly Look Linked To A Proven Late-Inning Difference Maker
With the trade deadline approaching, Milwaukees bullpen situation has started to draw more attention, and the search for late-inning help has naturally pushed the Brewers toward the relief market. Boston left-hander Aroldis Chapman has emerged as a name to watch because he has been effective this season, pairing a 2.36 ERA with a high strikeout rate while working in a late-game role for the Red Sox.
For a Brewers club dealing with multiple bullpen injuries, that kind of track record makes obvious sense on paper. Chapman has also piled up 18 saves in 26.2 innings, which only adds to the appeal if Milwaukee decides it needs another arm it can trust in the final innings, though how aggressive the front office wants to be still leaves plenty of room for the deadline to shape the answer. [Read more 🡒]