Trade Deadline Preview: Milwaukee Brewers
By Aaron Somers
Jun 22, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez (16) during the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Needs to be addressed:
1. First base
It seems as though this has been a need ever since the organization elected to let Prince Fielder walk as a free agent. He left a void, a large one at that, which they simply haven’t been able to fill. This season the task has been shared by Mark Reynolds (.211/.307/.397) and Lyle Overbay (.239/.324/.342). The pair has combined to hit 16 home runs, but they’ve also struck out 123 times between them.
2. Right-handed relief help
Most teams find themselves in need of a lefty reliever, but the Brewers have two dominant ones already. Perhaps adding another solid piece to their middle relief will help shorten games at the season continues on? It’d also help them avoid overworking the arms they’ve been employing so far.
3. Who plays third base next year?
Aramis Ramirez does have a mutual option in his contract that could pay him $14 Million next season. He’s have a solid year at the plate, but do the Brewers want to pay him that much for another season when he just turned 36? Moreover, if they do, who takes over the hot corner after he’s gone?