The Milwaukee Brewers did not make major splashes in free agency. While their under-the-radar free agent acquisitions have been major contributors to their season so far, so too have the players they acquired via trade. In addition, the void left by one player who was traded has been filled by a rookie who has outperformed his predecessor thus far this season. So important have these trades been to the Brewers that Jim Bowden of The Athletic listed three trades in which Milwaukee was involved in his top 10 most impactful trades of the offseason.
1. The Milwaukee Brewers Trade that Netted William Contreras
One of the most surprising moves of the offseason was when the Brewers became players in the Matt Olson trade between the Oakland A’s and Atlanta Braves. All the Brewers had to give up was Esteury Ruiz and in return they received William Contreras. Additionally, Milwaukee received Justin Yeager and Joel Payamps. Of this deal, Bowden wrote:
“The Brewers made out well as they added Contreras, a middle-of-the-order bat who was the starting DH for the National League All-Star team last year. Contreras is a below-average catcher but he can hit, with 20 to 30 home run power (per season), and he’s not arbitration-eligible until 2025.”
Contreras has certainly been one of the best bats in the Brewers’ lineup. So far this season, he is hitting .313/.400/.354 with no home runs and four RBI. In contrast, Omar Narvaez, who Contreras replaced, is hitting .286/.353/.286 with no home runs and two RBI.
An underrated part of this trade was the acquisition of Payamps. He has been one of the most reliable arms in the bullpen this year, appearing in seven games with a 2.45 ERA and one save. While Bowden did not mention this aspect of the trade, it can be argued that Payamps has been just as important to the team as Contreras.
Bowden gave the Brewers a B for this trade while the Braves got an A and the A’s got a C.
2. The Milwaukee Brewers Trade Kolten Wong for Jesse Winker and Abraham Toro
The Brewers sent Kolten Wong to the Mariners for Jesse Winker and Abraham Toro in a move that many did not see coming, especially after Milwaukee picked up his option. So far, the Brewers have made out like bandits despite what Bowden suggested in his analysis:
“[Kolten Wong has] been consistent over the past two years and should deliver what the Mariners expect this season before reaching free agency in the fall. Meanwhile, the Brewers are betting Winker can bounce back from the injuries and offseason surgeries to his left knee and neck and return to his All-Star form with the Reds in 2021, when he slashed .305/.394/.556 with 32 doubles and 24 home runs. He, too, will be a free agent after this season. In Toro, the Brewers acquired a quality backup infielder who can play second and third base. The Mariners got more certainty in the trade with Wong, but the Brewers got more upside potential in Winker.”
So far this season, Winker is hitting .300/.389/.400 with nine RBI. He has missed some time with bronchitis, but has been one of the most reliable bats in the lineup. Abraham Toro is playing with the Nashville Sounds and serves as a valuable depth piece within the organization.
Another aspect of this trade that Bowden left out is how well Wong’s replacement is playing. Brice Turang made the Opening Day roster despite not having any Major League experience. In 16 games this season, he is hitting .283/.340/.435 with two home runs and six RBI. Wong, by the way, is hitting .106/.204/106. Not only that, but Turang is playing much better defensively (+1 defensive runs saved for Turang, -5 defensive runs saved for Wong).
Bowden gave the Brewers a B- for this trade while giving the Mariners a B.
3. The Milwaukee Brewers Trade Hunter Renfroe to the Los Angeles Angels
In what was one of the most shocking (for Brewers fans) moves of the offseason, Milwaukee shipped Hunter Renfroe, their best hitter in 2022, to the Angels for Janson Junk, Elvis Peguero, and Adam Seminaris. Junk got knocked around in an emergency start he made after being called up from Nashville in the wake of Brandon Woodruff’s injury. Otherwise, he has pitched well for the Sounds. Peguero and Seminaris also are solid arms in the Brewers’ system now.
Of this trade, Bowden wrote:
“The Angels added more power to their lineup at a relatively reasonable cost with Renfroe, who will be a free agent after this season. It was a smart move. Renfroe hit 60 home runs over the past two seasons with the Red Sox and Brewers. Last year, he batted .255 with a .315 on-base percentage and a career-high 126 OPS+. In the outfield, he flashes above-average defense but overall is average at best in right field.
“From the Brewers’ perspective, they lowered their payroll (Renfroe reportedly will make more than $11 million via arbitration this year) and acquired three pitchers who range in age from 24 to 26, none of whom have much upside, but all should pitch in the majors for them at some point.”
So far this season, Renfroe is hitting .267/.362/.533 with four home runs and 15 RBI. While the Brewers offense has been better this year, no outfielder is putting up that kind of power and run production (currently). That being said, their clubhouse seems a lot more fun.
Not surprisingly, Bowden gave the Angels a B for this trade while giving the Brewers a C-. I think a C- may be a little harsh because the team’s team chemistry is so much better.
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