The Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds have reportedly struck a rare inter-divisional trade that will send starting pitcher Frankie Montas to the Brew Crew in exchange for two MLB caliber players. This deal was first reported by Mark Feinsand and has been confirmed by numerous other sources.
Milwaukee Brewers send two MLB caliber players to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for starting pitcher Frankie Montas.
Per Mark Feinsand the Brewers are sending outfielder Joey Wiemer and pitcher Jakob Junis to the Reds in exchange for Frankie Montas. This year Wiemer has been blocked from consistent MLB playing time and has spent most of the season in Triple-A whereas Junis, a free agent signing, missed a large chunk of the season with an injury. Montas on the other hand has made 19 starts for Cincinnati and has a 5.01 ERA.
What is the contract situation for all of these players?
In all reality this deal breaks down to the Reds receiving $1 million from the Brewers, the possibility to control Jakob Junis through the 2025 season ($8 million mutual option), and control of Joey Wiemer through the 2028 season. Milwaukee is paying $1 million for Montas and in all likelihood they will decline his $20 million mutual option for the 2025 season.
To clarify: Montas has a $20M mutual option with a $2M buyout. Junis has an $8M mutual option with a $3M buyout. So the Reds will receive ~$1M from the Brewers to account for the difference in the buyouts.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 30, 2024
Did the Milwaukee Brewers overpay the Cincinnati Reds for Frankie Montas?
At first glance this trade seems like an overpay for the Brewers. They are getting Frankie Montas, who as mentioned has an elevated ERA this year, for two months whereas the Reds may get one year and two months of Jakob Junis and multiple years of Joey Wiemer. Unfortunately for Milwaukee acquiring starting pitching was a must for them at this year’s trade deadline and the cost was them giving up Junis, who was providing value to the MLB club, and also Wiemer but he was clearly blocked from big league playing time.
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