Milwaukee Brewers prepare for unexpected role as deadline buyers
By Tim Haberin
Not content to just spin their wheels, the first-place Milwaukee Brewers are reportedly eyeing some big names ahead of the trade deadline.
Most fans likely didn’t envision the Milwaukee Brewers as potential trade deadline buyers heading into the 2017 season. Yet here we are, a week into July, and the Brew Crew still sit on top of the National League Central. At 48-40, the team has built a 4.5-game cushion over the defending champion Chicago Cubs.
We’re past the point where we should be asking if this is real. Milwaukee’s healthy +40 run differential suggests the club’s success is no mere fluke. With two and a half months left to go in the regular season, it’s fair to say the Brewers have as good a chance as anyone to win their division.
So it’s no surprise to hear the front office wants to capitalize on the team’s spot in the standings and bolster the roster for the stretch run. According to Jon Morosi of MLB.com, Brewers general manager David Stearns intends to make additions to his club before the trade deadline. This represents a quick turnaround for a franchise most expected to spend the year continuing to rebuild.
The Brewers’ decision-makers even have a couple big names on their wish list already. Per Morosi, the team is “doing background work” on starting pitchers Jose Quintana and Sonny Gray, along with other “impact starters.”
It’s clear that for the moment Milwaukee is setting its sights high in terms of trade targets. If they indeed purse the likes of Quintana and Gray, they’re sure to tangle with some of the league’s traditional heavyweights and deadline buyers. But for a team not accustomed to being among such company, that’s by no means a bad thing and demonstrates how far they’ve come in a short time.
Fortunately, the Brewers have the prospect capital to compete in what is sure to be a frenetic trade market. Prior to the start of the season, MLB.com’s Jim Callis ranked the Milwaukee farm system at number five overall, trailing only the Braves, Yankees, White Sox and Padres. As Morosi notes, they have five prospects in MLB Pipeline’s top 55, headlined by outfielder Lewis Brinson at #13. If the Brewers want to go out and get someone, they have the resources to do it.
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The Brewers’ rotation has been quite solid in 2017, with a 4.09 ERA that places it seventh in baseball. The surprising emergences of Jimmy Nelson and Chase Anderson have buoyed the staff, and even veteran Matt Garza currently has an ERA under 4.00. However, if Milwaukee aims to make the postseason and do something once there, having a more clear-cut ace would be a big help.
In the short-term, the club will be without Anderson for a few weeks as he recovers from an oblique strain. With a relative lack of proven track records on the staff, there is also the possibility of some second-half regression. These factors only strengthen the drive to acquire a number-one starter.
Even if the Brewers miss out on the big fish, they should still find other arms that can give them a boost. Morosi suggests J.A. Happ, who could become available if the Blue Jays decide to sell. Though he’s missed some time with an elbow injury this year, the veteran lefty has posted a 1.99 ERA over his last five starts. He’s signed through next season at $13 million, which shouldn’t be overly burdensome for Milwaukee.
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Whichever direction the Brewers decide to go, the notion that they aren’t going to spend the trade deadline on the sidelines should bring a gratifying feeling to their fanbase.