The Brewers are still rolling, but the bullpen is the area that could use a jolt before the trade deadline.
Milwaukee sits seven games ahead of the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central and owns the second-best record in Major League Baseball. Even with that kind of cushion, the roster still has a few spots that need attention, and relief help stands out as the biggest one.
One name on the radar is Royals left-hander Matt Strahm. Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report identified him as a buy-low trade target this summer, and Milwaukee makes plenty of sense as a possible fit.
"Teams are always interested in trying to add left-handed pitching to their bullpen. Strahm is a big personality, and has had some notable postseason struggles. But he also was one of the best relievers in baseball between 2024 and 2025, while pitching for the Philadelphia Phillies," Kelly wrote.
"At 34, he may no longer be that guy, but a contending team will bring him in and try to figure out. At 37-54, the Royals have no reason to hold onto Strahm, who is making $7.5 million in the final year of his contract."
Strahm’s second stint in Kansas City has not gone the way anyone would have hoped. He has a 5.46 ERA in 32 appearances this season, but his track record still makes him an intriguing rental arm for teams looking to upgrade late in the year.
That’s where the Brewers come in. They could use another reliable piece at the back end of the bullpen, and Strahm would at least give them a high-leverage option with a history of missing bats and handling big innings.
Milwaukee came up short in the NLCS last October, and another bullpen addition could be the kind of move that changes how far this group can go in October.
Strahm was excellent with the Phillies, posting a 2.74 ERA last season and a 1.87 ERA the year before. If he’s healthy, there’s still reason to believe he can be one of the better relievers in the league.
A move to a contender like Milwaukee might be exactly what he needs, and it would also give the Royals a chance to move on from a player they don’t need to keep. What Matt Arnold decides to do before the deadline will be worth watching.
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 🡒]