Article: Brewers Trade Rumor Roundup: Targeting Middle Infielders, Dangling a Catcher

[Jason Wang]

With the trade deadline just over 80 hours away, the Brewers still have work to do. Adding Carlos Santana was nice, but it can't be their only move. Let's round up the rumors swirling around the Crew and their chief targets.

The Search For Middle Infielders
In a recent interview with MLB.com Brewers beat reporter Adam McCalvy, general manager Matt Arnold emphasized the team’s focus on wanting to continue building around their strengths, saying:

Quote

I think we want to try to help this team, but we know we’re built around pitching and defense. Anytime you want to add a quote-unquote bat, sometimes those guys aren’t very good defenders.

The main rumor, reported by Jon Morosi, is that the Brewers are among four teams primarily targeting middle infielders, along with the Blue Jays, Mariners, and Giants.

None of the three names mentioned are particularly enticing options, as Tim Anderson is having a ghastly season, posting a .564 OPS for a 57 OPS+ and a -1.3 WAR, Vidal Brujan has a career OPS of .450 over 246 plate appearances, and Paul DeJong is (at the very best) not quite as good as Willy Adames.

The case for Anderson could be framed as him having an unusual down year, while still having the potential to be great at the plate as an ex-batting title winner. His trade value might also be exceptionally low, given his performance thus far and his $14-million club option for 2024, making him little more than a rental. Nonetheless, it seems that he would be more of a liability to the team than anything, even if he’s placed at second base instead of shortstop. The upside is in that potential defensive move, for Anderson and for DeJong, and also in the fact that Anderson is hitting .327 with a .397 OBP since the All-Star break.

Caratini Could Be Sent Elsewhere
Victor Caratini has been good this season, slashing .248/.338/.372 over 148 plate appearances, but he’s seen limited use given the consistency of William Contreras both at and behind the plate. There are a few teams on the edge of playoff contention who could absolutely use help at the catcher position. 

One such team is the New York Yankees, who recently lost Jose Trevino for the remainder of the season due to a torn ligament in his wrist. However, the Yankees might have a worse offense than the Brewers, and thus have little to offer.

The Diamondbacks might need help at the position after Gabriel Moreno was placed on the 10-day IL. His two possible replacements, Carson Kelly (.416 OPS, 15 OPS+, 69 PA) and Jose Herrera (.619 OPS, 73 OPS+, 73 PA) leave much to be desired. In a close race for the wild card and NL West division, every little bit counts. Furthermore, Arizona has excellent depth at second base, a middle infield position that could help the Brewers immensely. If Caratini were to get dealt for a meaningful bat, however, the Brewers would likely have to send along some prospects as well.

It’s Not Turner Time Just Yet
There were some rumors that the Brewers were exploring a trade to acquire Justin Turner from the Boston Red Sox, but it’s now being reported that the Red Sox are planning on keeping him around for just a little longer. One of the better hitters on the team, it’s no surprise that Boston wants to wait, as they are currently just two games out of the AL Wild Card race. He’s posted a .841 OPS for an OPS+ of 123 over 423 plate appearance thus far.

Justin Turner was one of the best potential trade options on the market, but now that he’s been flagged as a no-go, the Brewers might have to look for the next big thing. 

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[jay87shot]

I wouldn't be a fan of trading Caratini.  We do have 2 solid AAA catchers (3 with Naveretto) however I can't see us getting more than a prospect like Johnny Severino (Santana trade). To me that just isn't worth risking a Burnes decline. 

 

[CheeseheadInQC]

You’ve got the following options for the 13 position players:

Locks: Two catchers. If Caratini isn’t dealt, these are set. Santana, Adames, Yelich

Near locks: Wiemer, Frelick

Hitting well, right now at least: Monasterio, Toro

Expected back in August: Tellez, Anderson

If you have all of these, which obviously some aren’t locks, leaves two spots:

Second base: Turang, Miller, Urias

4th Outfielder: Taylor, Perkins

Wild card: Hiura

[sveumrules]

1 hour ago, CheeseheadInQC said:

You’ve got the following options for the 13 position players:

Locks: Two catchers. If Caratini isn’t dealt, these are set. Santana, Adames, Yelich

Near locks: Wiemer, Frelick

Hitting well, right now at least: Monasterio, Toro

Expected back in August: Tellez, Anderson

If you have all of these, which obviously some aren’t locks, leaves two spots:

Second base: Turang, Miller, Urias

4th Outfielder: Taylor, Perkins

Wild card: Hiura

Good summary, I’ve been trying to put together something like this, but there are just so many moving pieces.

My best guess at the position player group post-deadline is…

Ca: Contreras, Caratini
1B: Santana
2B/3B: Urias/Monasterio
SS: Adames
LF: Yelich
CF: Wiemer
RF: Frelick
DH: TRADE

Bench: three of Miller, Perkins, Taylor, Toro

[ClosetBrewerFan]

Not quite sure I would pencil in Monasterio as a starter for the rest of the season.  He's been great so far, but its just been 115 PA and he has a 400 BAbip.  There is a good chance he will regress.

[CheeseheadInQC]

1 hour ago, sveumrules said:

Good summary, I’ve been trying to put together something like this, but there are just so many moving pieces.

My best guess at the position player group post-deadline is…

Ca: Contreras, Caratini
1B: Santana
2B/3B: Urias/Monasterio
SS: Adames
LF: Yelich
CF: Wiemer
RF: Frelick
DH: TRADE

Bench: three of Miller, Perkins, Taylor, Toro

It feels like so much is going to be down to internal evaluations. How much of Rowdy’s decline was injury-related and is he going to be fully healthy? If you think he is going to get back to his hitting of last year and early this year he is probably the best of the lackluster DH market. Who is more likely to regain last year’s form, Urias or Tim Anderson? Can you count on Brian Anderson to come back and at least provide a floor should Monasterio and Toro’s hot streaks come to an end?

[sveumrules]

4 hours ago, ClosetBrewerFan said:

Not quite sure I would pencil in Monasterio as a starter for the rest of the season.  He's been great so far, but its just been 115 PA and he has a 400 BAbip.  There is a good chance he will regress.

Yeah, think it will definitely be fluid between the four 2B/3B options, plus Anderson when he comes back too. And maybe even Turang in the mix again come September for defense/speed.

Riding the hot hand, trying to play matchups. Toro being the only switch hitter among a bunch of righty options could play in his favor too.

[TURBO]

Trading Burnes personal catcher would probably be a pretty bad idea.  Why on earth would we do that when the return would probably not be anything that great.

[Brock Beauchamp]

33 minutes ago, TURBO said:

Trading Burnes personal catcher would probably be a pretty bad idea.  Why on earth would we do that when the return would probably not be anything that great.

I think it really depends on the desperation of other teams like the Yankees. I think it's *probably* a bad idea to trade Caratini but given how few teams are selling and how many teams have needs, I'd be picking up the phone on literally any player right now.

[endaround]

Thing is is that teams that are selling about the only thing they have are catchers:

White Sox : Grandal

Royals: Perez, Fermin

Tigers: Rogers

A's: Perez, Pina