Starting pitching has long been the Brewers’ top priority on the trade market — and likely still is — but in the wake of Christian Yelich’s placement on the injured list with a significant back injury, the team is now also seeking a left-handed bat, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports. Yelich is attempting non-surgical rehab to get back to the field sooner than later, but he’ll very likely require surgery this offseason as he aims to correct an issue that’s plagued him for some time now.
Milwaukee is hitting .256/.332/.403 against right-handed pitching as a team — good for a 108 wRC+ that ranks ninth among MLB teams. However, Yelich’s return to MVP-caliber form this season has played a substantial role in that production. The 2018 NL MVP and 2019 MVP runner-up carries a .315/.406/.504 batting line on the season. He’s ripped 11 homers and added 21 doubles, three triples and 21 steals (in 22 attempts).
Yelich has tormented both left- and right-handed pitchers, and Milwaukee has several righty bats (e.g. William Contreras, Joey Ortiz, Willy Adames) who’ve been quite productive against righties. The rest of the lineup, however, is lacking in terms of impact left-handed bats. Garrett Mitchell, Brice Turang, Sal Frelick and switch-hitting Blake Perkins (who’s been better as a right-handed hitter) are all lighter-hitting options. Yelich was the team’s primary left-handed power threat, and now it’s both unclear precisely when he’ll return and how effective he’ll be upon activation.
The market generally isn’t steeped in impactful lefties, but there are a few who have floated throughout the rumor mill in recent weeks. Marlins center fielder/second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. is widely expected to be traded prior to Tuesday’s deadline. He’s controlled through the 2026 season. The Rays have been active in selling off some veterans to both clear payroll and make way for younger/more inexpensive contributor and would likely be willing to move Brandon Lowe, who can be a free agent at season’s end but has two club options on his contract. Angels switch-hitting infielder Luis Rengifo is another option and is controlled through 2025. Former Brewer and current Nats outfielder/DH Jesse Winker is enjoying a rebound campaign after a pair of injury-wrecked seasons (one in Milwaukee) and as a rental on a selling club is among the likeliest trade options in the game.
The weekend slate of games will be worth following with a watchful eye. The Giants, for instance, would have several left-handed bats that could hit the market if they fail to make up any ground in the standings (or fall back even further). Michael Conforto is an impending free agent, while Mike Yastrzemski and LaMonte Wade Jr. are controlled through the 2025 season.
Milwaukee currently has a payroll of about $112MM — a notable drop from last year’s season-end payroll of about $126MM. This month’s acquisition of Aaron Civale already added a bit of money to the books, and gap between the current payroll and last year’s mark should signify that GM Matt Arnold and his team have a bit of financial wiggle room as they look to address multiple needs in the next four-plus days.
Can you imagine the rioting if they brought Winker back?
Not going to happen
Or Rowdy.
YES!
Nope, Gavin Sheets!
I think the Brewers need a power bat, regardless of the side of the plate. They have LH bats Turang, Frelick, Mitchell, Perkins (switch hitter) and the often overlooked Jake Bauers. Mitchell is a guy they need to provide power, but he’s got the least proven of the group. If I’m them, I’m looking a RH power bat in Brent Rooker. Sure he’ll cost more in terms of prospects but he’s got a .931 OPS vs. RH pitching in 2024.
Think Mike Yaztremski.
Tbf, Milwaukee fans riot and make a big deal about everything. Sleep town syndrome
Yep, that’s what we’re known for. Beer, Brats, and of course, rioting.
Yeah, a reunion isn’t happening.
Good god DO NOT bring Winker back. He wore out his welcome in Milwaukee with the incredible .199 BA he had last year.
Winker isn’t the broken-down player he was last year. He’s closer to the guy who used to torment the Brewers when he was with the Reds. He is one of the rare hitters who can take half swings and dump the ball into the outfield when he falls behind in the count, much like Turang.
Your sentence fell short… much like Turang’s full swing
Can I interest them in one gently used Masataka Yoshida? If they take on the full contract, a bag of balls would be a fine return.
If not, I’m sure the Sox would eat part of his contract. Would love to free up that roster spot
Brewers would never take on a contract of that size
That’s fine. The Sox are paying Sale’s entire salary this year and got literally nothing in return (yes, sale deal needed to happen I’m fully on board but Grissom was an awful return). They’d just have to give up a prospect or two.
I’d like to see what the Sox could get for O’Neill.. Unless they plan to add some major pitching additions and one more bat, he may get a decent return.
Agreed. I’m a prospect hoarder and he’d cost the least.
Winker will either underperform again for the Brewers or become the series MVP elsewhere.
Jazz for Quero
Unless Jazz can play/wants to play third base, the Brewers would never consider trading for him. Turang is already a perennial gold glover at second. They also already have better defensive center fielders.
I was thinking Jazz would be an upgrade bat to Perkins and could spell Turang once a week.
Sure, but Jazz is going to command a bigger return than utility player/4th outfielder. They don’t have a spot for him as a starter, would not be worth the value they would need to give up for him. The juice is not worth the squeeze.
The only way I’d see Jazz as a Milw target would be they traded Adames just before. Turang to SS and Jazz to 2b.
Irons trade proposal was Quero not Perkins. I think that’s too much an unknown with his season ending injury. Quero now sits on extremes of ceiling-bust that you can’t trade him.
Just about the fastest way to hear a dial tone.
I’m not interested in Jazz.. Durability issues.
At least he got rid of his Hair coloring. He looked like a clown with his former dew. He is a good player who needs to stay healthy!
“Great?” No. Good, sure.
Jake McCarthy and Druw Jones for Jackson Chourio. You can also have Seth Beer I’m sure he’s around somewhere as he should be a brewer anyway.
That’s an underpay and a half, Chourio was the number 2 prospect last year and is hitting better as of later and signed long term trading him for depth and a platoon rookie would just be silly
No way Brewers are trading Chourio, especially after getting him to sign for an extension.
Chourio is threatening to replace Yelich by himself and take his spot in the lineup. He is untouchable.
It would take Skenes to trade away Chourio. Brewers would lose 3+years of control that Skenes talent overrides.
Pleaae stop thinking
I thought my throw in of Seth beer would’ve help indicate my serious level. Chourio is the future of MKE, they would never trade him.
Yankees should be in half way sell mode. Verdugo, Holmes, Torres should all be available and Soto if the Yankees get completely blown away.
I know their record since May whatever is the same as the Angels, so it’s a free fall, but they should add, add, add. You don’t trade for Soto then give up. If they want to resign him, they need to prove that winning is a priority. That is the message he keeps sending. And I know- the retort is he’ll go to the highest bidder regardless, but that also can be NY. Either way, they can’t sell unless it’s to improve this year’s club.
The Brewers are most likely just going to trade for Rengifo. He is going to be cheaper than a lot of the other options out there and isn’t as big of a name as guys like Chisholm.
He’s also WAY better than Jazz.
It makes sense to trade for Rengifo because you want a player who would upgrade a current position but who wouldn’t interfere with Yelich’s return. Rengifo upgrades the roster spot held by Andruw Monasterio. So that’s an easy roster swap and would allow the Brewers to see more of Eric Haase at the plate or call up Tyler Black during Yeli’s absence.
They arent going to keep 3 catchers
They might have to the way they’ve been hitting. Or they’ll use Sanchez or Haase in a trade.
They are committed to Sanchez because of his stats against lefties. Haase has spent time in the outfield and at first base with Detroit.
Actually interesting being a switch hitter and can play better defense than Black can give with another year control. Which for 2025 and Adames gone works great. Perfect trade to dump Black to.
Maybe Keven Kiermaeir would fit? Jays eat most of the salary and take back bonus pool money? He’s not a good bat but can play outstanding defense.
We already have 4 outfielders who can play CF. No job available!
Mets have the gut they need JD Stewert
Benintendi is their man!
White Sox would gladly deliver Benintendi to Brewers and might even give Moncada as a bonus.
I would not take B from the WS for free! He will only delay the development of our 3 excellent young outfielders
An infielder who can play 3B is probably the best choice. I would target Rengifo
Theres no space for a 3B this year so that doesnt help. Any infielder, really. Ortiz at 3, Adames at SS, Turang at 2B, and multiple guys at 1B.
While true, Rengifo would solve 2b next season and is a big upgrade on Monasterio. There’s also that trade Adames ability for something bigger than a Comp pick move.
Renigifo could gain an inside track on third base next season, with Ortiz moving to shortstop. The Brewers would like to see Brock Wilken there eventually, but Renigfo could start next season at third, given that they don’t trust Tyler Black’s arm.
2b is Turangs for the long term future. It would be 3b after the Ortiz shift to SS. I find it hard to believe that the Brewers would pay what it will take to get Rengifo to be a backup in this playoff push. But then Ortiz has been putrid with the bat the last 50 ABs. Wonder whats up with him.
Ortiz hasn’t been the same since the injury he had however long ago.
I don’t see SS going to Ortiz. I see him staying at 3rd or moving to 2b.
So you see Turang moving to SS? That was rumored to be the plan before getting Ortiz, but Turang has played 2b so well. I can see what you are envisioning.
If only they had a LHB prospect in the minors that should be up right now…
They’re looking for more slugging than Black provides. I lean toward giving Eric Haase a longer look barring a trade for his roster spot.
20/HRs a season isn’t enough slugging? Black’s problem is he doesn’t have a defensive position major league worthy. Keston Hiura #2 only he doesn’t k.
Black could replace Jake Bauers if he could play a decent first base. A dropped routine throw got him sent down after his first stint in the majors, and he looked better on defense the second time around.
Mickey Moniak willing to take a signed Robin Yount baseball in return
!!!!!Two for one special!!!!!!!
The Brewers can have Matt Carpenter AND Brandon Crawford for next to nothing.
To JT: Keep Haase you get rid of Sanchez! Not sure about that one. That is why you pay the GM the big bucks!
Nice try. We are on a youth rebuild while still trying to win. BTW, what Happened to Walker?
Your guess is as good as mine.
Thank You!
LaMonte Wade would be fine, if he doesn’t cost too much.
Jake Mccarthy. Dbacks need to get another starter or hitter.
No need. Already have 3 Young outfielders!
Stinky Winker been pretty solid for us in DC even if he is a bit of a hot head. Would be tremendously hilarious to see him go back to the Brewers. Not sure if he’d hate it more or the Brewers fans.
Wouldn’t Stinker Winker sound better?
Seth Brown seems like a decent guy they could target. He wouldn’t cost anything too good on the farm, and Brown is hitting better after being called back up.
Conforto or Wade?
I like Wade because he could replace Jake Bauers at first base when Yelich is ready to return. The Brewers should trade for Wade and for Rengifo, who could supplant Andrew Monasterio as a backup infielder and pinch hitter. Those two moves strengthen the roster while allowing for Yelich’s return.
Some good thoughts! Thank You!
Kepler?
Yeah, the Twins can’t add to their pitching staff unless they unload that much salary. They probably would ask for more than the Brewers would want to pay for another outfielder. And Kepler is so streaky at the plate.
You’re right. If the Twins want to add, they will need the salary relief. Seems unlikely they do much at the deadline. They’ve already got Wallner and Larnach as Lefty OF. They might want to simply give Kepler away to free up some money for a pitcher?
How about Verdugo?
Too much money for a Ham and Egger! OPPS I said that again. I cannot help myself!!
Send the brewers whoever fetches best prospect out of wade,yaz and conforto!
How about Cody Bellinger? As a Cubs fan, I hate to help the Brewers, but that’s outweighed by the desire to hinder the Cardinals.
The Cubs would want too much for Belli. Not a chance.
Also injured and Injury Prone!
Not sure about that. They would LOVE to get out from under his TWO player options. Those options will also prevent any team from trading for him even if someone wanted him.
Bringing Daulton Varsho back to his home state could reignite his bat. He would fit the Brewers’ mold on defense and be a third catcher, which would allow a trade of Eric Haase to San Diego or wherever.
Yes please. Take Varsho.
He is a good player. Still cheap enough. Reminds me of BJ Surhoff in his defensive versatility!
Last comment: Please no Woody or Winkler. They needed a change of teams, not a return to sender!
The dumb is definitely Milwaukee fans
You must be from south of the border. And by that I mean the WI border.
Abreu and Yoshida from Boston are available for RH bat.
Hot again, cold again Josh Bell is suddenly hot again. Worth a flyer?
This is call out for……. Javier Baez
Always nervous when Crew gets desperate for a power bat. No need for a Mendoza type with a dozen dingers. That was the old Crew. Tyler Black, Brewer Hicklen, and Hasse are all going to be better than half the crap out there. Bauer has got to go though. Spend your capital on pitching, Crew!
Ian Happ