With the MLB trade deadline just nine days away, rumors are about to heat up. For months now, the Milwaukee Brewers have been linked to power-hitting third basemen on the trade block. But one major development means they should look elsewhere for a boost in the batter’s box.
Milwaukee Brewers Don’t Have Room for Suarez
The Brewers have not had issues scoring runs. Despite the lineup’s lack of power, they rank 7th in runs scored at 4.8 per game. Nonetheless, they could use some insurance while first basemen Rhys Hoskins and Jake Bauers spend time on the injured list.
Acquired from the White Sox earlier this season, Andrew Vaughn has filled in amply. In 27 at bats in Milwaukee, he has 12 RBIs and a 1.071 OPS. Missing both Hoskins and Bauers leaves the Brewers a bit thin, however, and vulnerable if Vaugn slumps again like he did all year in Chicago. His season OPS still hovers down at .605.
The ability to play first, not necessarily as a primary position but at least as an alternative, should be a requirement in any potential trade for some offensive thump. One name the pundits won’t stop linking to the Brewers, however, is Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez. Ken Rosenthal of FOX, who notes that Milwaukee’s pitching surplus gives them trade options, recently went on air reiterating the Suarez fit.
Trading for Suarez, now in his second season in Arizona, no longer makes any sense for Milwaukee. Sure, his massive power is tempting – he’s hit 49 homeruns before and already has 36 in 2025 – but he hasn’t played an inning of first base in his life. Even though his contract expires after this year, he would probably command a decent return haul in the form of prospects. Why give up assets when Brewers rookie Caleb Durbin is doing just fine at the hot corner: a lot better than fine.
Durbin’s Emergence Highlights Actual Roster Needs
In addition to flashing the glove most of the year, Durbin has been tearing the cover off the baseball for over a month, after showing an extended stretch of improvement before that. Since June 12, he’s hit .362 with excellent pop. He’s walked more than he’s struck out in July. There is no reason to take at bats away from him.
Durbin could potentially play elsewhere on the infield, but second baseman Brice Turang lacks the arm for shortstop and the former fits best at third. Shuffling infielders probably would not go well.
As for plugging in Suarez at designated hitter, that’s Christian Yelich’s spot. He isn’t a good outfielder at this point in his career, and the team wants to keep him off his feet to preserve his bat and reduce injury risk. He leads the Brewers in both HR (19) and RBIs (66).
This isn’t to say that Milwaukee should not look for some insurance at the dish, but investing in a third baseman would not be wise. It simply doesn’t match the roster. On the other side of the infield, picking up a bat like Baltimore’s Ryan O’Hearn would be a better option, though someone with more positional versatility – he can play the outfield but grades out poorly – would be ideal for when Hoskins returns.
A first baseman who has a solid outfield glove, or vice versa, an outfielder who can play first, is the archetype Milwaukee should look for.
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