The Milwaukee Brewers shook their fanbase to their core last night. In a late-night deal similar to when he was acquired by the Brewers, Hunter Renfroe was shipped off to the Los Angeles Angels. In return, Milwaukee received three pitching prospects, including Janson Junk. After the trade, general manager Matt Arnold refuted the notion that the move was a salary dump. Renfroe is expected to make north of $11 million in 2023, his last year of arbitration. Despite what Arnold said, ESPN’s Buster Olney had an entirely different message, one that included the next Brewers player who will be traded.
Kolten Wong Will Be the Next Player the Brewers Trade
Earlier this offseason, the Brewers surprised many by picking up the $10 million option for second baseman Kolten Wong. It seems, though, that their intent is to trade the two-time Gold Glove infielder.
The Hunter Renfroe deal is a salary dump: An organization pitching-starved, pitching-thin gives up three arms to the Brewers, who had been shopping Renfroe aggressively; he could make $11m in arb in '23. The expectation among rival teams is that Kolten Wong will be the next to go
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 23, 2022
This in and of itself is not too surprising. The Brewers were reportedly looking to trade Wong ahead of the trade deadline last season.
Kolten Wong Struggled with the Brewers in 2021
Last season, Kolten Wong hit .251/.339/.430 with 15 home runs and 47 RBI for the Milwaukee Brewers. It was the second consecutive season in which his on-base percentage was below .350. His batting average also fell by 21 points. What was most concerning, though, was how far Wong fell off defensively. In 2021, Wong was a Gold Glove finalist after finishing with a .995 fielding percentage and six defensive runs saved. Last year, he had a .963 fielding percentage and -1 defensive runs saved.
What Will the Brewers Do at Second Base If/When Wong Is Traded?
Do not forget, the Brewers still have Keston Hiura, who came up as a second baseman.
Just kidding. That experiment is all but over.
If the Brewers trade Kolten Wong, that will open the door for number four prospect Brice Turang to have a shot at a starting role on Opening Day. Last year, Turang hit .286/.360/.412 with 13 home runs, 78 RBI, and 34 stolen bases for the Nashville Sounds. He only played seven games at second base, however, having spent most of his time at short stop. Turang also played a handful of games at third base and center field last year.
If the Brewers do not opt to go with Turang at second base to start the season, the job could go to Luis Urias. The problem, of course, is that Urias is coming off of a down season as well. Milwaukee may be better off using Urias in a utility role going forward.
Of course, the Brewers could venture into free agency to find a second baseman. The free agent market is thin at second base, which benefits the Brewers in two ways. First, it makes Wong a desirable trade candidate. Second, the free agents on the market will not be overly priced. Former Brewers infielder Jean Segura, for example, currently has a market value of just under $5 million, per Spotrac.
There May Not Be Room for Wong in the Lineup
For a great deal of his time in Milwaukee, Wong was the Brewers’ leadoff hitter. He does not hit for much power and is a left-handed hitter. Here’s the thing: Turang, Sal Frelick, and Garrett Mitchell are all left-handed hitters that do not hit for much power. They are, however, incredibly fast and adept at getting on base. These were the qualities the Brewers wanted from Wong, but did not get enough of in 2021.
Additionally, left-handed hitting Christian Yelich thrived as the Brewers’ leadoff hitter after moving to the top of the lineup. There are simply too many Kolten Wong-like hitters on the roster right now. Aside from Yelich, Wong is the most expensive one. It is likely he will be traded next.
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