The Milwaukee Brewers have no shortage of arms in their rotation, but the case for adding one more veteran keeps getting stronger.
Jacob Misiorowski has been the headliner, and his numbers back it up: a 1.47 ERA in 17 starts with a league-leading 156 strikeouts. Kyle Harrison has been just as impressive in his own way, posting a 2.82 ERA across 16 starts while going 8-1.
Brandon Sproat has started to find his footing, Shane Drohan has held his own, and Logan Henderson is close to returning after missing time with a back injury. Before landing on the Injured List, Henderson put up a 2.74 ERA in five starts and is expected back this week.
Even with all that talent, Milwaukee still has a clear need for another established starter while Brandon Woodruff remains on the Injured List again.
That’s why ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel naming the Brewers among the best fits for Boston Red Sox three-time All-Star Sonny Gray stands out. In their breakdown, they listed Milwaukee alongside the Braves, Padres, Cubs and White Sox as a possible landing spot for the right-hander.
“No. 11.
Sonny Gray, RHP, Boston Red Sox,” Passan and McDaniel wrote. “Chance of being traded: 25 percent.
Rest-of-season impact: Moderate. Years of control: A 2027 mutual option for $30 million with a $10 million buyout. ...
“On top of the $10 million or so he'd be owed in salary for the final two months -- around the same as Skubal -- Gray's restructured contract after his trade from St. Louis to Boston includes a $10 million buyout on a $30 million mutual option for 2027. ... "Best fits: Braves, Padres, Cubs, Brewers, White Sox."
Gray checks a lot of the boxes Milwaukee would want. He’s pitching like a Cy Young Award candidate in the American League, with a 2.61 ERA in 16 starts and a 10-1 record.
He’s also already done damage in the National League Central during stints with the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds.
The one obvious wrinkle is the contract. Gray’s deal carries that $10 million buyout if the $30 million mutual option for 2027 isn’t exercised, which adds another layer to any trade discussion.
Still, the profile makes sense for the Brewers. Gray is a 14-year big league veteran who can take the ball and pile up innings, and that kind of presence would fit a young rotation that needs more certainty with Woodruff sidelined. If Boston makes him available, Milwaukee would have every reason to take a serious look.
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 🡒]