The Brewers are in the kind of spot that invites deadline dreams. They’re sitting on top of the NL Central, and with Brandon Woodruff’s injury creating a real need in the rotation, it makes sense that Milwaukee would be looking for help. An infield upgrade, especially at third base, would also fit.
But the biggest fantasy target on the board doesn’t sound like a realistic one for Milwaukee.
Tarik Skubal has been the name that can light up any trade-deadline conversation, and for the Brewers he would be the ultimate swing. The Detroit Tigers ace is the back-to-back AL Cy Young award winner, and pairing him with Jacob Misiorowski and Kyle Harrison would give Milwaukee a rotation that could go toe-to-toe with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the rest of baseball’s elite offenses.
That’s the dream. The reality, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, points in a different direction.
"The Brewers are unlikely to trade big prospects for a rental like Skubal, according to people briefed on their thinking," Rosenthal reports.
That’s the key line here. Even with Skubal sitting at the top of the market, the price tag is expected to be enormous, and Milwaukee does not sound eager to pay that kind of cost for what would amount to a one-year rental. So while the Brewers remain a team to watch, they do not appear to be in position to chase the biggest prize on the board.
There’s still time for that to change, but for now the more likely path is a quieter one. Milwaukee seems headed toward cheaper pitching additions rather than a blockbuster. Robbie Ray or Freddy Peralta would make sense for the rotation, and more names could surface as the deadline gets closer.
For now, though, Skubal looks like a long shot for the Brewers. The fit is obvious.
The dream is easy to see. The report from Rosenthal just makes it clear that Milwaukee is probably going to shop in a different aisle.
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One Brewers Bat Is Suddenly Looking Like Tonights Power Play
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The matchup only adds to the appeal, with the Brewers facing the Cardinals and right-hander Michael McGreevy, who has already given up 13 homers in 17 appearances. Chourios success against right-handed pitching has been part of the conversation too, which is why he stands out in this spot even if the final result is still the kind of thing that can turn on one well-placed pitch. [Read more 🡒]