The Milwaukee Brewers learned a tough lesson a season ago at the trade deadline. At the time David Stearns was President of Baseball Operations and he made a controversial decision to trade Josh Hader. This deal sent shock waves through the club house and the Brewers missed the play-offs. A further reflection of the trade (and the subsequent trade of Esteury Ruiz) a year later shows that Milwaukee ended up with an elite high leverage reliever, their catcher of the future, and one top 100 pitching prospect in return.
This year Milwaukee is capitalizing on the returns of the Hader trade, but they could still get more. In the big leagues William Contreras has shown incredible defensive strides while maintaining a positive offensive output and Joel Payamps has been a shutdown relief pitcher. Robert Gasser currently is in the minor leagues but is knocking on the door of a promotion. Lastly, Justin Yeager has unfortunately spent a lot of time being injured.
Team wise the Brewers are currently sitting on top of the National League Central, but could use some upgrades offensively. Here is how current GM Matt Arnold can go all in this year without compromising long term success.
Milwaukee Brewers: GM Matt Arnold can go all in this year without compromising long term success.
Unlike last season, Matt Arnold has indicated that he is not entertaining the idea of trading key players like Corbin Burnes. This isn’t irresponsible of him, rather it signifies that he understands that the teams best chance of making it far this year is with an ace like Corbin Burnes on the team.
If Matt Arnold desired he could make a blockbuster trade for a major offensive threat without compromising long term success. Shohei Ohtani may be impracticable, but players like Tim Anderson, Justin Turner, Randal Grichuk, Teoscar Hernandez, Ty France, Lane Thomas, and Mark Canha could all move the needle for the Crew. Trading for any of the above mentioned players may cost Matt Arnold a top prospect or two, but the good news is he could restock during the off-season by trading Corbin Burnes.
Milwaukee fans are not used to seeing their organization make blockbuster all in type moves, but Matt Arnold could make a statement by doing so this year and then restocking during the off-season. It’ll be interesting to see if he elects to take a more conservative or aggressive approach at this year’s trade deadline.
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