The Milwaukee Brewers have made a name for themselves as savvy operators on the trade market, often walking away with more than they gave up. So when news broke of a six-player swap with the Boston Red Sox, it was easy to assume Milwaukee had done it again. But there’s a layer to this deal that deserves a closer look - and it goes beyond just the names on the transaction sheet.
Yes, the Brewers sent Caleb Durbin, Andruw Monasterio, and Anthony Seigler to Boston in exchange for Kyle Harrison, Shane Drohan, and David Hamilton. That’s the headline. But tucked beneath it is a detail that could have long-term implications: Milwaukee also included a Competitive Balance Round B draft pick in the deal.
And that’s not just a throw-in.
That pick - currently slotted at No. 67 overall in the 2026 MLB Draft - carries real value. It could shift to No. 68 depending on where Zac Gallen signs this offseason, but either way, it’s a premium selection. And in today’s MLB landscape, where draft capital and bonus pool strategy are vital tools for building sustainable success, giving up a pick like that is no small thing.
To understand why, let’s break it down. Last year, the No. 67 pick had a slot value of $1.285 million.
With standard year-to-year inflation, that figure is expected to rise to around $1.3 million this summer. That money doesn’t just vanish - it’s part of the team’s total draft bonus pool.
Lose the pick, and you also lose the flexibility that comes with its associated signing bonus.
That flexibility is crucial. Teams often look to go under-slot with early picks - selecting players willing to sign for less than their slot value - to free up money for later-round talent that might require over-slot deals. It’s a delicate balancing act, and Milwaukee just lost one of its key levers in that process.
So why do it?
Well, the Brewers have shown a willingness to part with draft capital when they believe it can bring back meaningful big-league help. They did it last year in the Quinn Priester deal - a trade many initially questioned - and they’re doing it again here. This time, they’re betting on the upside of Harrison and Drohan, two arms with the potential to impact the rotation for years to come.
It’s a bold move, especially for a small-market club that was awarded the Competitive Balance pick in the first place to help level the playing field. But Milwaukee’s front office seems to be leaning into a more aggressive team-building philosophy - one that prioritizes immediate value without completely mortgaging the future.
With the deal done, the Brewers are now left with just two picks inside the top 100 of this year’s draft: No. 25 and either No. 66 or 67, depending on how the draft order shakes out. That’s still a solid starting point, but it does put more pressure on the scouting department to hit on those selections.
Bottom line: this trade wasn’t just about players - it was about strategy. And while the Brewers may have sacrificed a valuable draft asset, they did so in pursuit of a deeper, more competitive roster in the now. That’s a gamble, but it’s one Milwaukee seems increasingly comfortable making.