The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Chicago Cubs 8-4 on Monday night to take sole possession of first place in the National League Central Division and the best record in all Major League Baseball. As impressive and important as the win was, though, one of the biggest stories surround the team actually took place before the game began.
This, of course, was the acquisition of Appleton West High School graduate Danny Jansen, a catcher, from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for High-A infielder Jadher Areinamo, who is hitting .297/.355/.463 with 11 home runs, 51 RBI, and 15 stolen bases this season.
Jansen is hitting .204/.314/.389 with 11 home runs and 29 RBI in 73 games played so far. The Brewers will be his fourth team in the last two seasons.
After the trade, backup catcher Eric Haase was designated for assignment.
Why the Milwaukee Brewers Decided to Trade for Danny Jansen
Needless to say, trading for another backup catcher was not what many Brewers fans expected the team to do ahead of the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline. That being said, Milwaukee rarely does what fans expect, and for the most part, they are right.
Jansen may not have a high batting average, but he has more home runs (11 compared to two) and a better on-base percentage (.314 compared to .289) than Haase. As the season reaches its stretch run, Milwaukee needs as good of an offense as it can field.
Furthermore, Jeferson Quero recently re-injured his surgically repaired shoulder and will be out 3-4 weeks. William Contreras, of course, is out of minor league options and would not be sent down even if he did. Haase, too, had no minor league options available.
So, by acquiring Jansen, the Brewers were able to designate Haase for assignment. They did the same thing last year.
When/if he clears waivers, Milwaukee will send him to Triple-A Nashville where he will help fill in for Quero.
Milwaukee Brewers Manager Pat Murphy Will Miss Eric Haase
After the win over the Cubs, Murphy was asked about his feelings regarding the trade for Jansen and the departure of Haase. While the 2024 NL Manager of the Year trusts the front office and likes Jansen, he is sad to lose Haase.
According to Brewers inside Adam McCalvy, Murphy said, “It’s a hard day for the Brewers in some ways, because Haase, for two years, has been an incredible team member. When he plays, he helps us win. Any time we subtract a guy who’s been a leader in that clubhouse, too, it’s a really tough day. As great as the win is, as great as my children are, all the great things I have to be grateful for, it hurts, too.
“I don’t know Danny Jansen. I know his reputation. I know he’s a great player. And I trust our front office. I just do. They’re trying to make upgrades in every little area they can, so I trust them.”
It will be interesting to see what more trades Milwaukee is able to pull off in the next 24 hours or so prior to the deadline. Jansen surely will not be the only addition, nor Haase the only departure.
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