Let's Go Trade Deadline Shopping for the Brewers: National League Sellers

[Matthew Lenz]

With the July 31 MLB trade deadline looming on the horizon, urgency will begin to mount for many Major League Baseball teams. While some clubs are firmly entrenched in playoff contention and will be looking to bolster their rosters, there is a distinct group already facing the reality of a lost season. So, who are the likely sellers from the National League? What valuable assets might they put on the market, and how could the Milwaukee Brewers leverage these opportunities to their advantage? Let's delve into the teams poised to grind the rumor mill to life, and the potential impact on the Brewers’ playoff aspirations.

Colorado Rockies
The Rockies are on pace for all sorts of records, and not in a good way. They are currently on pace to win 31 games, which is 10 fewer than the 2024 Chicago White Sox. The Rockies don't have much in the form of rentals, with starters Germán Márquez (6.62 ERA) and Austin Gomber (just returned from a shoulder injury) the only expiring deals, but that's not to say they don't have trade chips. Most notably, many teams will be calling about starter Kyle Freeland (controlled through 2026) and third baseman Ryan McMahon (controlled through 2027). Freeland’s surface numbers are heavily inflated by pitching in Coors. On the road, the lefty has a 3.64 ERA (3.31 FIP) and a 14.6-point difference between his strikeout and walk rates, a strong figure. As for McMahon, Bob Nightengale of USA Today has reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs have already shown interest in the 30-year-old. Like Freeland, McMahon’s surface stats are also impacted by Coors: a .739 OPS overall drops by nearly 200 points on the road. Other, less notable names who could be available are infielders Thairo Estrada and Kyle Farmer, who both have mutual options for 2026. 

Miami Marlins
The Marlins are 15 games under .500 and well outside the playoff picture. However, they are the youngest team in Major League Baseball, which makes it a challenge to know how much they're willing to sell. Kyle Stowers, Connor Norby, and Agustín Ramírez have all been great, but they're also in their pre-arbitration years. Would the rebuilding Marlins really sell what looks to be a solid core of hitters? I doubt it.

On the other hand, starting pitchers Cal Quantrill (a free agent at season's end) and Sandy Alcántara (controllable through 2026) could be attractive buy-low options at the deadline. Quantrill has an ERA 1.27 runs higher than his FIP, and Alcántara, a former Cy Young Award winner, has underperformed his ERA by 2.43 runs. However, both have below-average strikeout minus walk rates, suggesting their upside might be limited. The Marlins have gotten some good production out of their bullpen, from guys like Ronny Henriquez, Janson Junk, and Patrick Monteverde. While these guys are controllable, it would make sense for the Marlins to listen to offers on any relievers.

Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates are in a race for second-worst team in the NL with the Marlins. There's been (mostly sarcastic) speculation that they may trade starter Paul Skenes, but I don't think they will—for now. Instead, they have a few assets who will likely have a market over the next month and a half. There have already been rumors floating around on infielder Isiah Kiner-Faleda, who has a solid (but empty) .714 OPS. Other solid players on expiring deals include outfielders Andrew McCutchen and Tommy Pham, as well as starter Andrew Heaney, and reliever Ryan Burocki. Aside from Burocki, whose peripherals suggest some positive regression, all players have been more than serviceable this season. However, the most valuable realistic trade chip is current closer David Bednar, who is controlled through the 2026 season. In 20 appearances, the righty has a 3.42 ERA, 2.14 FIP, and a 29.2-point strikeout minus walk rate. He may end up being the most sought-after reliever on the market. 

Brewers’ Needs
The promotion of top pitching prospect Jacob Misiorowski has resulted in some curious roster churning for the Brewers. The promotion shifted Aaron Civale to the bullpen, prompting his trade request, leading to Civale's move to the Chicago White Sox for Triple-A first baseman Andrew Vaughn. Subsequently, Jake Bauers has been made available. This sequence of events, however, hasn't directly addressed their most pressing needs.

Offensively, the Brewers' performance ranges from average to below-average, primarily due to significant weaknesses on the left side of the infield. Both shortstop and third base collectively rank last in the league in OPS. Compounding this, their third basemen (chiefly Caleb Durbin, Vinny Capra, and Oliver Dunn) are defensive liabilities, though Joey Ortiz offers a plus glove at shortstop. Some of the Rockies' utility infielders may be good fits for the Brewers. While the Brewers' pitching staff has been average overall, Misiorowski's addition is a definite boost to the rotation, and they anticipate further production from returning injured starters. Nevertheless, bolstering the bullpen would be a good idea, and their influx of young infielders could help them land a reliever.

Given their reliance on young talent, it wouldn't be surprising if the Brewers mostly stood pat at the trade deadline. However, acquiring one or two low- to medium-leverage relievers seems like a plausible, low-cost move.

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What moves do you believe the Brewers should prioritize to strengthen their roster? Or is standing pat the best strategy? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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[Michael Trzinski]

I believe that the Brewers are willing to keep Durbin at third, as he has an OPS of .766 (.366/.400) over the last month. While not great, it is pretty solid. Joey Ortiz might be another story. If a decent SS can be found, they might reach for him externally. Outfield and pitching staff look pretty good, so there is no immediate need there.

[Ron750]

Andrew Vaughn does nothing to help the left side of the infield. He is a downgrade from Jake Bauers, so it doesn’t make sense to make Bauers available. 
The Brewers look like they’re going to waste another window of pitching excellence.  Ortiz is killing the offense. I think he deserved a nice long trial this season but he’s done.  He should be a utility fielder now. 

[Brian]

Agree with you on Joey Ortiz, he averages 18 hits every 100 at bats. That is not MLB quality, pretty bad actually. 

[Brian]

Is there any chance Zamora will be called up at SS? Or would that be a huge drop off in defense? 

https://www.milb.com/player/freddy-zamora-668965?stats=career-r-fielding-minors&year=2025

[eddiemathews]

2 hours ago, Brian said:

Agree with you on Joey Ortiz, he averages 18 hits every 100 at bats. That is not MLB quality, pretty bad actually. 

Then again, Joey is a 1 war player so far. Willy Adames is a 2 war player. So keeping Willy wouldn't have made much sense. Those young shortstops can't get ready fast enough.

[endaround]

34 minutes ago, Brian said:

Is there any chance Zamora will be called up at SS? Or would that be a huge drop off in defense? 

https://www.milb.com/player/freddy-zamora-668965?stats=career-r-fielding-minors&year=2025

Ortiz's defense isn't great.  More like average.  But Zamora doesn't project to be a real improvement offensively.  A Zamora promotion is more "we've run out ideas (or patience)" move than a solution.

[Brewer77]

Ortiz has been swinging the bat better over the last few weeks. Still not great, but not the black hole he was earlier in the year

Hoskins has quietly been pretty bad over the last month or so. It’s like it’s impossible for this offense to get 3 or 4 guys swinging a hot bat at the same time

[Brian]

Contreras has been just as bad. Hard to believe they will stay cold all season. 

[Brewer77]

19 minutes ago, endaround said:

Ortiz's defense isn't great.  More like average.  But Zamora doesn't project to be a real improvement offensively.  A Zamora promotion is more "we've run out ideas (or patience)" move than a solution.

DRS has Ortiz as one of the worst SS this year, while OAA has him as one of the best

I wonder how long it’ll be until we have a universal defensive metric, or at least ones that more often tell the same story

[Turning2]

They are not close to being serious contenders for anything more than a wildcard spot and another quick exit. They need at least 3 solid bats. They are not going to trade for that many impact players. They are biding their time, pinning their hopes on a new crop of prospects to all mature simultaneously into being above average players to complement whatever of the current crop is left in a couple years. Any huge trade(s) would block the path of those prospects the front office is banking on too. (Of course, some of them would be in the trade exchange). 

It is a little disappointing that there doesn't seem to be any feasible short term 3B options that could plug in for a couple of cheap years until Wilken, Pratt, Boeve or whoever comes up. 

[Stubby66]

So maybe we trade Hoskins, Haase, Bauers, and send down Monso, Ortiz, Avan. Then bring up Perkins, Mitchell, Black, Quero, Boeve  Seigler by the end of June and go with that. Turang can handle short move Conteras to first some with Black. Quero can catch with Conteras behind the plate. Seigler/ Boeve/ Black/ Frelick can handle second and third. Seigler also catches too

[Brian]

4 hours ago, Stubby66 said:

So maybe we trade Hoskins, Haase, Bauers, and send down Monso, Ortiz, Avan. Then bring up Perkins, Mitchell, Black, Quero, Boeve  Seigler by the end of June and go with that. Turang can handle short move Conteras to first some with Black. Quero can catch with Conteras behind the plate. Seigler/ Boeve/ Black/ Frelick can handle second and third. Seigler also catches too

Mitchell is the one that should be traded. He plays like 10 games in a row then he gets hurt again. 

[Brian]

5 hours ago, Stubby66 said:

So maybe we trade Hoskins, Haase, Bauers, and send down Monso, Ortiz, Avan. Then bring up Perkins, Mitchell, Black, Quero, Boeve  Seigler by the end of June and go with that. Turang can handle short move Conteras to first some with Black. Quero can catch with Conteras behind the plate. Seigler/ Boeve/ Black/ Frelick can handle second and third. Seigler also catches too

You are the Harbinger of misfortune? LOL, You forgot Chourio turns into Keston Hiura. 

[Snoebird]

22 hours ago, Turning2 said:

They are not close to being serious contenders for anything more than a wildcard spot and another quick exit. They need at least 3 solid bats. They are not going to trade for that many impact players. They are biding their time, pinning their hopes on a new crop of prospects to all mature simultaneously into being above average players to complement whatever of the current crop is left in a couple years. Any huge trade(s) would block the path of those prospects the front office is banking on too. (Of course, some of them would be in the trade exchange). 

It is a little disappointing that there doesn't seem to be any feasible short term 3B options that could plug in for a couple of cheap years until Wilken, Pratt, Boeve or whoever comes up. 

Sal Frelick is willing to do anything to help his team win. I'd like to see him tackle third base when Mitchell, Black and Perkins return. 

[Turning2]

2 hours ago, Snoebird said:

Sal Frelick is willing to do anything to help his team win. I'd like to see him tackle third base when Mitchell, Black and Perkins return. 

That probably isn't a horse you can reasonably expect to change in midstream. Did he even work out at 3B in spring training this year? I know he did last year, but don't recall hearing anything about that this season. Sal is a gamer though no doubt. 

[JohnBriggs12]

On 6/16/2025 at 7:50 AM, Brian said:

Agree with you on Joey Ortiz, he averages 18 hits every 100 at bats. That is not MLB quality, pretty bad actually. 

He's hitting .278 over his last 12 games and they love his defense.  Even if they add a bat, and he's relegated to utility role the last couple months, I don't believe they will give up on Ortiz just yet.

[Jim French Stepstool]

On 6/16/2025 at 11:09 AM, Brewer77 said:

On 6/16/2025 at 11:09 AM, Brewer77 said:

DRS has Ortiz as one of the worst SS this year, while OAA has him as one of the best

I wonder how long it’ll be until we have a universal defensive metric, or at least ones that more often tell the same story

 

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Analytics.

I think Ortiz has been for the most part pretty outstanding defensively, and I believe the odds pretty strongly favor them rolling with both him & Durbin on the left side as opposed to competing with other teams for whatever else is out there & overpaying. 

There was a plan here, and it did not include Boeve & Wilkin being derailed by injuries (there's at least a chance they'd both be in AAA by now & ready to help) and Black being plagued both by health issues and, frankly, by not being all that good when he was here last year. Someone mentioned Contreras possibly playing some 1B. That's questionable but even then, Quero would be the replacement at C and, once more, we're talking about a guy who missed a full year of development by getting hurt.

There's a path to success--great success--for a team in Milwaukees' position. But that doesn't include people getting hurt, screwing up the timeline & then simply overcoming that by using prospect capital to buy replacement parts. And as others have mentioned, Durbin & Ortiz HAVE been better at the plate recently.