Boston still seeking a trade partner

[Turning2]

Found this interesting. And aggravating. The Brewers clearly need an above average bat upgrade added to the OF. Boston still has a surplus of them. 

The Yankees sign Cody Bellinger, the Mets trade for Freddy Peralta, and the Red Sox are still searching for a trade partner

[wiguy94]

This should be in the transactions and rumors forum

[CheeseheadInQC]

The problem is, it would probably have to be a more complex 3-teamer to meet the Red Sox’s objectives (like the Brewers being the third team in a deal that moves Abrams to Boston or something like that).

[Turning2]

45 minutes ago, CheeseheadInQC said:

The problem is, it would probably have to be a more complex 3-teamer to meet the Red Sox’s objectives (like the Brewers being the third team in a deal that moves Abrams to Boston or something like that).

Maybe. Depends on what specifically the Sox are looking for. Not sure how excited they get about prospects versus proven MLB commodities. We're forced to be content suckling on prospect potential. Bigger markets can demand real players that have already proven themselves at the MLB level. So, you might be right. Boston would probably laugh at a package that included Pena or Pratt and some pitching for Duran or Abreu. Then again, this article indicates that they are probably getting desperate to find a trade partner. 

[wallus]

No one is laughing at a package that includes top 100 prospects....

[Turning2]

The objective isn’t to have the most top 100 prospects. Many of whom turn into serviceable guys to field a team, but don’t live up to the hype. If the farm system shelves were bare, nabbing this pair would have made more sense. Don’t mind Sproat, but JW is redundant. He might surprise me with better power than I’m expecting, but I’m skeptical. 

[wallus]

JW Williams is defintely not redundant if he can take the position of Monasterio or possibly Seigler as the utility guy on the roster. Chris Taylor and Ben Zobrist gave their teams a big advantage years ago and Jett may be that guy for the Crew.

[KCBrewerfan34]

JW is probably moving to CF, definitely NOT redundant. 

[Turning2]

4 hours ago, KCBrewerfan34 said:

JW is probably moving to CF, definitely NOT redundant. 

That is my expectation as well. And that is why I view him as redundant. We already have a super fast, light hitting CF who winds up playing too much because the guy who has the frame to be a power hitting CF is hurt all the time. JW's minor league offense might translate to the bigs, or it might not. Not long ago, all those thumbing down my comments would have been as supportive of Tyler Black coming over in a trade because of his minor league stats too. They are close to a WS berth. They need a proven OF bat with more pop than Perk has shown or that JW "might" have. I don't even factor in Mitchell anymore. I enjoy prospects and watching them develop. However, it tends to put fans on a treadmill always chasing the carrot on the stick with the titillating promise of the prospect payoff which is perpetually just a couple years away. It really shouldn't have been too much to ask to land a solid (proven MLB) bat for a super cheap year of high quality, dependable starting pitching. That's all I'm saying. 

[BrewerFan]

On 1/23/2026 at 6:37 PM, Turning2 said:

Maybe. Depends on what specifically the Sox are looking for. Not sure how excited they get about prospects versus proven MLB commodities. We're forced to be content suckling on prospect potential. Bigger markets can demand real players that have already proven themselves at the MLB level. So, you might be right. Boston would probably laugh at a package that included Pena or Pratt and some pitching for Duran or Abreu. Then again, this article indicates that they are probably getting desperate to find a trade partner. 

Why not just include Made? If Prospects mean so little, particularly top 100, would they laugh at Made?

I'd ask where you think these young MLB stars come from, but... they must just materialize! 

[Turning2]

9 hours ago, BrewerFan said:

Why not just include Made? If Prospects mean so little, particularly top 100, would they laugh at Made?

I'd ask where you think these young MLB stars come from, but... they must just materialize! 

Of course prospects have value, that's not what I'm saying. Not all prospects have MLB top ten cache. And there is a time to push for proven rather than prospective talent. When you won the most games and made it to the small market consolation round (NLCS), it is prudent to pursue proven MLB value to get to the next round. 

[wiguy94]

5 minutes ago, Turning2 said:

Of course prospects have value, that's not what I'm saying. Not all prospects have MLB top ten cache. And there is a time to push for proven rather than prospective talent. When you won the most games and made it to the small market consolation round (NLCS), it is prudent to pursue proven MLB value to get to the next round. 

That's just not the way the Brewers operate and until there are major changes to the economic landscape of MLB it probably won't change. Brewers firmly believe in the "bites of the apple" approach of sustained competitiveness. In all seriousness, do you really think adding Duran significantly alter the odds of the Brewers beating the Dodgers in the playoffs? Does adding that one player suddenly make us their equals on paper?

[Turning2]

21 hours ago, wiguy94 said:

That's just not the way the Brewers operate and until there are major changes to the economic landscape of MLB it probably won't change. Brewers firmly believe in the "bites of the apple" approach of sustained competitiveness. In all seriousness, do you really think adding Duran significantly alter the odds of the Brewers beating the Dodgers in the playoffs? Does adding that one player suddenly make us their equals on paper?

(I decided to cut the length of my original response)

I'm usually on board with how they operate in building towards a WS. But once you plateau with a plan as they have, and are literally just a couple pieces away, as they are, I don't think it's unreasonable to be a notch more aggressive. 

It wouldn't have to be Duran specifically. That appeared to be a good trade needs match for both clubs to come away with immediate help. Duran alone probably wouldn't have helped the '25 NCLS, but it's about adapting and upgrading for '26. They simply don't have enough offense coming from CF and counting on Mitchell's bad luck to change is unwise. Baddoo, Lockridge, Perkins, and now Jett are all pretty much the same player.  Granted, Jett's bat might play more eventually. I don't think they expect anything more from Berroa or Avans than providing emergency depth.

 

[jay87shot]

With Jett on board I really wouldnt have interest in Abreu or Rapheala. I dont think the Sox are interested in. trading Duran at this point. I do agree that a 3 team deal would be the only way this makes sense because the Sox are probably looking for 2B or 3B.

[wntrtxn21]

I would love to get Abreu if he's cheaper prospect wise than Duran.  Abreu is a GG rightfielder and has power. Like Duran, he'd make Milwaukee better right away. Williams is still a ways away. He may or may not be of any help this year. He has to learn to  hit AAA pitching before moving up. Mitchell is far to injury prone to be counted on and Perkins is a 4th OF.

[Devinep]

44 minutes ago, wntrtxn21 said:

I would love to get Abreu if he's cheaper prospect wise than Duran.  Abreu is a GG rightfielder and has power. Like Duran, he'd make Milwaukee better right away. Williams is still a ways away. He may or may not be of any help this year. He has to learn to  hit AAA pitching before moving up. Mitchell is far to injury prone to be counted on and Perkins is a 4th OF.

I would ask Boston which of Abreu or Durran they’d be more willing to deal. Then I’d try to see what is needed to add beyond Koenig and Perkins to make a trade happen. 

[Jopal78]

19 hours ago, Devinep said:

I would ask Boston which of Abreu or Durran they’d be more willing to deal. Then I’d try to see what is needed to add beyond Koenig and Perkins to make a trade happen. 

How about better players. Perkins and Koenig are major leaguers but of the “nice to have” kind and definitely not the type where someone is trading major league assets to get them. 

[Turning2]

They already are looking to trade from surplus OF, so I don't see them needing Perkins. Maybe Tyler Black could find a role there along with a controllable pitching prospect?  Futile speculation regardless. There's no smoke or fire between MIL and BOS. 

[Madhawk23]

I threw this out in a separate thread, but I'd absolutely try to engage the Red Sox for someone like Wilyer Abreu. As already noted, they have a surplus of OF's right now and Abreu would certainly appear to be a good match for us.  Gold glove caliber OF with pop and is cost-controlled for a number of years.  

The package I threw out was Megill, Pratt and Letson for Wilyer. But, the more I think about this - the more that I'm now realizing that this is probably too light of a package. So, it might take something like Megill, Pena and Letson?  I guess it would depend on how "high" the Sox FO is with Pratt, as there are obviously some huge concerns there if he's ever going to be able to hit enough?  

[edfunderburk]

On 1/26/2026 at 3:06 PM, Madhawk23 said:

I threw this out in a separate thread, but I'd absolutely try to engage the Red Sox for someone like Wilyer Abreu. As already noted, they have a surplus of OF's right now and Abreu would certainly appear to be a good match for us.  Gold glove caliber OF with pop and is cost-controlled for a number of years.  

The package I threw out was Megill, Pratt and Letson for Wilyer. But, the more I think about this - the more that I'm now realizing that this is probably too light of a package. So, it might take something like Megill, Pena and Letson?  I guess it would depend on how "high" the Sox FO is with Pratt, as there are obviously some huge concerns there if he's ever going to be able to hit enough?  

I’d prefer Megill, Peña, Letson … but I’m all in for Wilyer Abreau

[BrewerFan]

On 1/25/2026 at 10:11 AM, Turning2 said:

Of course prospects have value, that's not what I'm saying. Not all prospects have MLB top ten cache. And there is a time to push for proven rather than prospective talent. When you won the most games and made it to the small market consolation round (NLCS), it is prudent to pursue proven MLB value to get to the next round. 

Ok, well, I'd point out first that Made wasn't a top 10 prospect last year and Pena's pretty damn close to top 10, though just outside for the moment. 

But I'm not sure what the argument you're making here is then. IS the argument that you center your trade around Made? Personally speaking, I'd rather pair him with Chourio and approach him in a similar manner and try and lock him up to a large deal(provided he continues to progress like seemingly everyone believes he will). 

Would that be who you're trading for a ~.250/.320/.440-ish GG OF from Boston? That's about where Abreu, Duran and Rafaela put up as a slash line(little above, little below). Is that going to get us through the "small market consolation round?" 

On 1/25/2026 at 12:42 AM, BrewerFan said:

Boston would probably laugh at a package that included Pena or Pratt

If they're going to laugh at a deal that would include a 19-year-old top 15-20 prospect+ pitching... it doesn't seem like there' a whole lot to talk about. It would have to be Made we'd trade based on what's "prudent" to you...

Of course the same article that is "aggravating" to you is one that cited the Mets as a team that was a potentially partner, but as the article says "the Mets are becoming a less ideal trade candidate as they continue to clear out interesting young players."

To be clear, those prospects are Jett Williams, a pretty similar prospect to Pena. A SS/2B/CF prospect and pitching. 

I think we have a different idea of what's prudent. We could add a staggering amount of talent... for a year or two and... though, Year 2 may not even take place in this world due to the Dodgers ~420 million dollar payroll... which is also why I don't think just going out and trading for one OFer, frankly, even if it was Aaron Judge would EVER put us on equal footing -on paper- with the Dodgers. 

 

So I think it's prudent to keep stacking as much young talent as we can to the farm system and if there's a real difference maker who becomes available like Yelich... make a move. 

 

 

[BrewerFan]

49 minutes ago, edfunderburk said:

I’d prefer Megill, Peña, Letson … but I’m all in for Wilyer Abreau

I gotta say, I'm not seeing a "Megill/Pena/Letson" type upgrade here;

https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/versus-finder.fcgi?player_id2=frelic000sal&year_min=2025&player_id1=abreu-002wil&seasons_type=forall&request=1&utm_id=abreuwi02&utm_source=br&utm_campaign=2023_01_wdgt_player_comparison&utm_medium=sr_xsite

Quote

@Jopal78How about better players. Perkins and Koenig are major leaguers but of the “nice to have” kind and definitely not the type where someone is trading major league assets to get them. 

Koenig is a nice pitcher. Seems like the Brewers have... really squeezed just about everything out of him. 

Perkins is pretty unlikely to make the Boston roster and Koenig may not either given their expensive LHed relievers and their young talented LHPing. 

Those are players are afterthoughts in any substantive deal. 

But I also really just don't see the Boston players being the... MASSIVE upgrades like people are suggesting on here. Insofar as we're "missing" a player, it's a guy like Soto or Judge, that BIG bat you can put in the #2/3 hold and it impacts the players ahead of him because you don't want to face him with runners on and the players behind him because... you're facing them with runners on. 

 

Boston has VERY good young OFers. I'd love to have them. I doubt they'll trade Anthony, though for him, I'd give up a whole lot, but the other three, I don't think it makes a lot of sense to make this big offer. 

[Devinep]

On 1/26/2026 at 1:19 PM, Jopal78 said:

How about better players. Perkins and Koenig are major leaguers but of the “nice to have” kind and definitely not the type where someone is trading major league assets to get them. 

Beyond Koenig and Perkins would actually be a good prospect or 2. But Boston could use a lefty reliever and Perkins would be their 4th OF, especially with two lefties and Rafaela possibly playing some IF. But yeah, just because I listed those two doesn’t mean the other piece(s) would just be lottery ticket types

[Turning2]

On 1/25/2026 at 4:45 PM, wntrtxn21 said:

I would love to get Abreu if he's cheaper prospect wise than Duran.  Abreu is a GG rightfielder and has power. Like Duran, he'd make Milwaukee better right away. Williams is still a ways away. He may or may not be of any help this year. He has to learn to  hit AAA pitching before moving up. Mitchell is far to injury prone to be counted on and Perkins is a 4th OF.

Either / or would be fine. Bottom line for me is that MIL should be looking for an immediate upgrade the OF offense.

[MNBrew]

On 1/25/2026 at 3:12 PM, Turning2 said:

(I decided to cut the length of my original response)

I'm usually on board with how they operate in building towards a WS. But once you plateau with a plan as they have, and are literally just a couple pieces away, as they are, I don't think it's unreasonable to be a notch more aggressive. 

It wouldn't have to be Duran specifically. That appeared to be a good trade needs match for both clubs to come away with immediate help. Duran alone probably wouldn't have helped the '25 NCLS, but it's about adapting and upgrading for '26. They simply don't have enough offense coming from CF and counting on Mitchell's bad luck to change is unwise. Baddoo, Lockridge, Perkins, and now Jett are all pretty much the same player.  Granted, Jett's bat might play more eventually. I don't think they expect anything more from Berroa or Avans than providing emergency depth.

 

I'm not sure how you can assert that they've plateaued with a plan.  They're definitely at a strong high point.  Plateau implies knowns rather than assumptions on what hasn't happened yet.

Baddoo, Lockridge, & Perkins -- I agree, that's enough of those types -- don't need more.  We don't know that Jett's that same kind of player at the MLB level.  Perkins & Lockridge haven't been 17-HR guys.

Avans isnt in the Brewers organization anymore.  To me, Berroa's one of the first guys waived/DFA'd/etc. if we need to open space on the 40-man, which we don't yet.  If we hadn't been in a bind last year, I'm not sure Berroa would've ever made the 40-man.