Milwaukee Brewers rumors: Eyeing pitching as deadline nears

By Griffin Fabits |

KANSAS CITY, MO -JUNE 23: J.A. Happ

As the Milwaukee Brewers prepare for a potential playoff run, the team is reportedly looking to trade for starting pitching befor the July 31 deadline.

The Milwaukee Brewers are interested in bolstering their starting rotation as the trade deadline nears, according to MLB.com’s Jon Morosi.

The Brewers surprisingly find themselves in contention and atop the National League Central. A 49-41 record and five wins in their last six games has allowed Craig Counsell’s club to cushion their lead over the defending-champion Chicago Cubs. That lead currently stands at 4.5 with one game until the break.

General manager David Stearns has already started some groundwork for potential trade targets: Sonny Gray, Jose Quintana, and possibly other starters who could slide right into the rotation and prove to be impactful are potential targets. Gerrit Cole, a neighboring pitcher in the NL Central, likely isn’t an option, Morosi writes.

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Consider the Brewers game for any move that brings them an elite pitcher, no matter the cost. As the MLB insider makes note of, Milwaukee has a farm system rich of talent, and the lowest payroll in all of baseball around $78 million.

Lewis Brinson, Corey Ray, Josh Hader, Luis Ortiz, and Isan Diaz are considered expendable as July 31 looms.

While Gray, Quintana, and Cole are all viable options, one arm that would make the most sense per Morosi would be Toronto’s J.A. Happ. He is a left-handed pitcher and has postseason experience; something the Brewers lack this year. At 34 years old and owed $13 million for next season, Stearns should see Happ as Milwaukee-made.

Justin Verlander‘s hefty contract, on the other hand, may be too unrealistic.

Milwaukee would be wise to stock up on starting pitching as the Chicago Cubs aren’t too far behind. Even though the defending-champion Cubbies may be suffering from a World Series hangover, they’re still within striking distance with a hot week. If Stearns is serious about a postseason run, he ought to take the chance and spend big.

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The underdog Brew Crew don’t appear to be going away anytime soon. With ten more meetings coming against the Cubs, a proven starting pitcher could be the difference-maker as they’re in pursuit of their first division title since the magical 2011 season.

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