Article: Brewers Farm System X-Factors: Potential Trade Targets, Part Two - Position Players

[Harold Hutchison]

Should the Brewers have to trade Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, Willy Adames, or other players who have impending free agency, pitchers will not be their only targets. It would be a form of tunnel vision that would not benefit the team in the long run. After all, teams must score runs to win, not just prevent the other team from scoring.

Image courtesy of Brock Beauchamp

As with pitchers, we assume the Brewers will avoid strengthening division rivals or potential contenders in the NL. After all, the team is looking for playoff runs, and aiding rivals is a bad way to make the playoffs.

So, which position prospects might the Brewers be going for? There is a veritable cornucopia for the Crew.

IF Jordan Westburg, Baltimore Orioles
The Brewers could look to enhance their options at third base in a deal with Baltimore, and Westburg would make for a nice fit, given his right-handed bat. Westburg has a higher strikeout rate, and given the Crew’s experience with Keston Hiura, that may have them nervous. Unlike Hiura, Westburg at least can play defense well.

C Bo Naylor and SS/2B Brayan Rocchio, Cleveland Guardians
As a destination for Burnes and/or Woodruff, Cleveland has the potential for some real returns for the Crew. Naylor, a left-handed hitter, might make for an excellent platoon partner for Jeferson Quero and allow the Brewers to have William Contreras be the full-time DH (or platoon with Darrien Miller). Rocchio is a switch-hitting middle infielder with some pop and a high baseball IQ, giving the Crew another option in the infield.

C Yainer Diaz and OF Justin Dirden, Houston Astros
While both Diaz and Dirden made Bleacher Report’s Top 100 prospects list, they are at relatively strong positions for the Brewers. That said, Diaz also played a lot of first base so he could be at least an option there with Miller or other prospects. Dirden is a center fielder who often pulls the ball and has strikeout issues. That said, American Family Field is conducive for left-handed hitters to succeed.

IFs Zach Neto, Kyren Paris, and Livan Soto, Los Angeles Angels
The Angels could give the Brewers some real options for depth – either for their system or to flip in deals (see the Trevor Richards for Rowdy Tellez deal in late 2021). Neto is a shortstop with a good bat who may move to second, while Paris seemed to have something click hitting-wise. Soto is more a speed merchant and bench asset – a poor man’s Brice Turang – but bench assets are often very useful.

IF Brett Wisely, San Francisco Giants
Wisely is an intriguing hitter, reminiscent of Jeff Cirillo, while adding some real ability to steal bases. Maybe he can’t beat out prospects like Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, Joey Wiemer, Brice Turang, Tyler Black, and Cam Devanney for playing time, but he could end up being the guy who still gets a hundred starts by giving each of them a day off – or by filling in when someone is on the disabled list.

IF Curtis Mead and OF Tristan Peters, Tampa Bay Rays
Mead was a steal for the Rays, who broke out in 2021 and featured a very dynamic bat that could play first, second, or third for a team. He has excellent OBP skills, and his power is on an upward trend. The Crew’s best shot to get him may be a mid-season deal if the Rays are in a pennant hunt. Peters was part of a trade that did not go well for the Brewers, and the Giants dealt him to Tampa, but his high-contact bat, speed, and doubles power could be handy off the bench when the Crew needs a hit at a crucial time.

IFs Orelvis Martinez and Addison Barger and 1B Spencer Horwitz, Toronto Blue Jays
The Brewers could easily lock down their corner infield spots if they strike a deal with the Blue Jays for some of their players. Martinez and Barger are both third-base prospects, one batting right-handed, the other left-handed. Horwitz could be the long-term answer the Brewers have sought at first base since Prince Fielder left as a free agent after the 2011 season.

Overview
If the Brewers are looking to bolster the position player group, they could have a lot of young options to do so. Ideally, they would fill holes at first base and third base rather than bank on converted shortstops, but some players could be extremely valuable role players. Durability demonstrated by Lou Gehrig and Cal Ripken Jr. is rare, so a team can always have a little depth.

 

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