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Trade Deadline: Pirates, Cardinals, and Cubs for sale: Brewers, Reds wish list

By Beau Adams

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 15: Marcus Stroman of the Chicago Cubs takes the mound prior to a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on June 15, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 15: Marcus Stroman of the Chicago Cubs takes the mound prior to a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on June 15, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images) /
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Jul 8, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals designated hitter Jeimer Candelario (9) reacts after hitting a three run home run against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 8, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals designated hitter Jeimer Candelario (9) reacts after hitting a three run home run against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

NL Central buyers: Milwaukee Brewers wish list

The Brewers are tied for first place in the NL Central with the Reds after Friday’s 1-0 win. With two games on Saturday and Sunday to play they could be in sole possession of first place by Monday. They will still need a lot of help to hold it and make a significant playoff run.

They are ranked 26th in the MLB for batting average at .232 and 22nd in runs (385) and home runs (97). On the mound, they are 22nd in home runs given up and 20th in strikeouts. They need three big players to be a serious contender.

Marcus Stroman of the Cubs would be a rental and probably opt out next year. At $25 million, he is very expensive, but the Brewers need to capitalize on this season to start off what could be a dominant decade in Milwaukee with their stockpile of talent coming up.

Stroman has only allowed six homers this year while striking out 101 batters in 118 innings. He is a one-piece solution to the pitching rotation and will win playoff games. A trade involving right-handed pitching prospect Abner Uribe and shortstop Eric Brown, in addition to catcher Victor Caratini, Tyrone Taylor, and Luke Voit, should be a deal-maker.

Next, they will need two players with a high average and adequate power to constantly get runners around the bases. First on the Brewers wish list is Nationals third baseman Jeimer Candelario.

It is almost a certainty Candelario will be moved within before August 1, but the sooner, the better for Milwaukee. After he was non-tendered by Detroit, he was signed by the Nationals to a $5 million deal. It was a terrific bargain and the switch-hitting infielder has posted a .260/.336/.813 line, 48 RBI, and 13 home runs with solid defensive metrics.

Next on the Brewers wish list is Justin Turner of the Boston Red Sox. Slashing .288/361/.836, 14 home runs and 56 RBI thru Saturday, he is perfect for the Brewers this season. Grabbing a relief pitcher like Brad Hand of the Colorado Rockies or Detroit’s José Cisnero would also be essential. Adding one of them to a combo of Turner, Canelario, and Stroman would solidify this season and not lock them into too much long-term money while allowing Brewers prospects Jackson Chourio, Sal Frelick, Jacob Misiorowski, and Jeferson Queroto to remain on the team. This lets the Brewers build the upcoming powerhouse in Milwaukee.

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