After the tumble the Brewers took following the Josh Hader trade last MLB Trade deadline, I’d have thought there was no way would the Brewers sell this year with a chance to win the NL Central.
A year ago, the Brewers dealt Hader while leading the Central by three games. The result was a fall down the standings, and ultimately Milwaukee missed the playoffs entirely. Players spoke out about how much the team was affected by the move.
2023 MLB Trade Deadline: Are the Brewers Buyers or Sellers?
Could the Brewers Sell Again at the MLB Trade Deadline?
Now, the Brewers seemingly could be in a very similar situation at this year’s trade deadline. Milwaukee is in a tight battle atop the division, but this year’s team isn’t as talented as last year’s squad. They didn’t think the 2022 team could make a deep playoff run; why would they think this year’s team would?
This team just seemingly has too many glaring holes offensively. This squad needs numerous bats at third base, second base, first base, and designated hitter to really be contenders. The Brewers are in the bottom five of nearly every major offensive category.
After the 2024 season, both Willy Adames and Corbin Burnes will be free agents, so the Brewers could make a move at the deadline to give teams more than one year with them. It would bring back a big haul. Adames has hit the most HR of any shortstop since 2019. Burnes is a past Cy Young Award winner.
So here is the dilemma, if the #Brewers are going to trade #Burnes this year at trade deadline or after the season, why not just trade him now for an even bigger package?
— Steve Fifer (@SparkyRadio) March 22, 2023
Are Brewers Buyers at the MLB Trade Deadline?
My hope is that with Brandon Woodruff coming back in the second half, the Brewers make some win-now moves at the deadline. Optics also could have something to do with whether the Brewers become buyers this year. They likely don’t want the press that comes with selling two years in a row when in position for a postseason berth.3
While the offense has been spotty, the pitching and bullpen have been good enough to win and contend even with injuries and underperforming arms. Aaron Ashby, Woodruff, Eric Lauer, and even Burnes have either been injured, underperformed, or both in the case of Lauer.
Yet, the Brewers are just one game back of the NL Central-leading Reds at the All-Star break. The Brewers could go a middle-of-the-road route also. Some hitters are free agents following the season who likely wouldn’t command much. The Brewers could acquire, say, CJ Cron or someone like that and not have to give up any of their highly-touted prospects.
Right now, the Rockies and White Sox are the perfect trade partners for the Brewers for the trade deadline.
Rockies: Grichuk/Profar/Suter
White Sox: Kelly/Lynn/Cease/Anderson— Jahmai Jones SZN (@BrewersRaptor) June 19, 2023
Interesting MLB Trade Deadline for GM Arnold, Brewers
This is a very interesting MLB Trade Deadline for GM Matt Arnold. Will he buy? Sell? In all actuality, he probably should sell and reload for a roster that better aligns with burgeoning prospects: Jackson Chourio, Tyler Black, Sal Frelick and Jeferson Quero.
However, after last year’s disastrous deadline, optics wouldn’t be good in a wide-open NL Central not to go for some needed offensive additions and bullpen help.
I think the Brewers will look to add some low-risk, high-reward players who won’t cost top prospects but could help the team with a potential playoff run. Even the reliever they traded at last year’s deadline says the Brewers should go for it!
Josh Hader thinks his ex-team the @Brewers should go for it! pic.twitter.com/YXdWsc520s
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) June 28, 2023
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