2026 Trade/Waiver Targets

[Jopal78]

1 hour ago, wiguy94 said:

The Brewers would say no to that. Plus I don't even think Houston is going to sell.

I think the Brewers would do it. A hitter who just landed in AA and a SP in AAA with less than 10k/9

You may be right about Houston though. 

[wallus]

33 minutes ago, Jopal78 said:

I think the Brewers would do it. A hitter who just landed in AA and a SP in AAA with less than 10k/9

You may be right about Houston though. 

.730 OPS away hitter. His bat is made for the place he plays. 

I don't think he is a big enough difference maker for that kind of package.

[wiguy94]

56 minutes ago, wallus said:

.730 OPS away hitter. His bat is made for the place he plays. 

I don't think he is a big enough difference maker for that kind of package.

He’s also super slow and not very good defensively so all of his value is in his bat which doesn’t profile very well for AmFam

[Jopal78]

1 hour ago, wallus said:

.730 OPS away hitter. His bat is made for the place he plays. 

I don't think he is a big enough difference maker for that kind of package.

Even a .730 OPS is 100 points higher than what they have received now from Hamilton and 200 points above Rengifo and Ortiz. 
 
For a low level minor leaguer who probably profiles as DH/LF and and a finesse SP neither of whom were top picks. 
 

[TURBO]

6 hours ago, Jopal78 said:

Hardin and Adamczewski for Paredes. Who says no?

Me, me, I say no, NO FREAKIN' WAY!

Paredes is a terrible fielder, plus, that is too much to give up.

[Jopal78]

10 minutes ago, TURBO said:

Me, me, I say no, NO FREAKIN' WAY!

Paredes is a terrible fielder, plus, that is too much to give up.

Too much? A 15th round pick who is multiple seasons away from the majors and profiles as a DH/LF, and a soon to be 25 year old finesse starting pitcher in AAA. If that’s too much, I would conclude you’re not expecting the Brewers  to add much at the deadline as both of those players are what you’d calm 2nd tier prospects. 

[wallus]

2 hours ago, Jopal78 said:

Even a .730 OPS is 100 points higher than what they have received now from Hamilton and 200 points above Rengifo and Ortiz. 
 
For a low level minor leaguer who probably profiles as DH/LF and and a finesse SP neither of whom were top picks. 
 

Hamilton is 1.0 bwar while Paredes is 1.5 bwar with playing in a favorable ballpark. I am not against making an upgrade but I want an actual upgrade.

All Adamczewski has done is hit and AA isn't low level, where he was drafted doesn't make much of a difference. We may need Hardin before the season is over in the rotation.

Again, not against moving prospects, never have been. Find someone that will make a difference if you are going to do it.

[brewmann04]

Cubs added  LH Reliever David Peterson from the Mets 

[liveforoctober]

1 hour ago, Jopal78 said:

Too much? A 15th round pick who is multiple seasons away from the majors and profiles as a DH/LF, and a soon to be 25 year old finesse starting pitcher in AAA. If that’s too much, I would conclude you’re not expecting the Brewers  to add much at the deadline as both of those players are what you’d calm 2nd tier prospects. 

I guess I would ask you this... Fangraphs has the Brewers chances of winning the World Series currently at 9.3%. We can argue that number or whatever but for this conversation's sake ... if we acquire Paredes and it is a marginal upgrade to what we currently have (better offensively, worse defensively) ... how much does that improve our chances? .5%? 1%? So is it a good organizational decision to give up two Top 15 prospects for a <1% increase in odds? Either way we are going to win the World Series 1 out of 10 times in both scenarios .. so why give up real capital for an upgrade that is a lateral improvement of projection?

[BrewerFan]

8 hours ago, Jopal78 said:

Issac Paredes.  Plays 3B, above average hitter, averages 25+ homers a season and comes with a $13M team option for ‘27.

Yelich, Chourio, Turang, Paredes. Contreras, Bauers/Vaughn, Frelick/Bauers, Mitchell, Pratt, pretty stacked lineup, and allows Hamilton to be used for defensive replacement, pinch running etc. 

Hardin and Adamczewski for Paredes. Who says no?

Houston... as they've said they're not going to sell and they're going to be buying. 

Also... Paredes has hit more than 20 HRs in a season one time... which isn't bad, wouldn't mind him, but like I said when they were 11 under, they've been there before, they usually get back into it and the weak AL is making it easier than before.

They also have a whole starting rotation on it's way back, let by their ace Hunter Brown. So... doubt they'll sell. "No chance" on Yordan when he could bring back the largest in-season package in a LONG time outside Soto, same on Pena when he's got the same team control as Paredes. 

Quote

For a low level minor leaguer who probably profiles as DH/LF and and a finesse SP neither of whom were top picks. 

Being a late round pick is ... really bad reason to trade a player. And AA/AAA... not really low level+... and of course, I don't think 10K per 9 is suddenly the cut off for "finesse" pitchers. 9.8, finesse, if he gets to 10.0 is he a strike out pitcher?

Of course his stuff would play up just fine out of the pen. 97+ with a good slider and good command. 

[Jopal78]

6 hours ago, liveforoctober said:

I guess I would ask you this... Fangraphs has the Brewers chances of winning the World Series currently at 9.3%. We can argue that number or whatever but for this conversation's sake ... if we acquire Paredes and it is a marginal upgrade to what we currently have (better offensively, worse defensively) ... how much does that improve our chances? .5%? 1%? So is it a good organizational decision to give up two Top 15 prospects for a <1% increase in odds? Either way we are going to win the World Series 1 out of 10 times in both scenarios .. so why give up real capital for an upgrade that is a lateral improvement of projection?

The Brewers were the best team in baseball last year, and their talent level was easily exposed by the Dodgers in a sweep. If you don’t think Paredes would raise the overall talent level on the roster then I guess your a proponent of just running it back because Juan Soto isnt going to be available to drive up that 9.3%

 

…. And Top 15 prospects?  That’s Antione Kelly, Ethan Small, Eric Brown Jr. territory. They’re crap shoots, might be something but just as likely to be nothing and the exact type that should be traded when they can net a major league regular. 

[liveforoctober]

58 minutes ago, Jopal78 said:

The Brewers were the best team in baseball last year, and their talent level was easily exposed by the Dodgers in a sweep. If you don’t think Paredes would raise the overall talent level on the roster then I guess your a proponent of just running it back because Juan Soto isnt going to be available to drive up that 9.3%

 

…. And Top 15 prospects?  That’s Antione Kelly, Ethan Small, Eric Brown Jr. territory. They’re crap shoots, might be something but just as likely to be nothing and the exact type that should be traded when they can net a major league regular. 

I never said he wouldn't raise the talent level on the team. 

But if we trade for Paredes last year (or his equivalent for that team) does that win us the Dodgers series?

[Jopal78]

27 minutes ago, liveforoctober said:

I never said he wouldn't raise the talent level on the team. 

But if we trade for Paredes last year (or his equivalent for that team) does that win us the Dodgers series?

There is no way of knowing that. However, I do know that Joey Ortiz went hitless in that series and was up to bat with runners on base in Games 1, 3 & 4. Issac Collins also went hitless in the series, and in fact pinch hit for Ortiz late in Game 3 and in Game 4 both times with runners on base. So maybe, but who knows? 
 

Like I said, it seems you’re just a proponent of running it back with who they have, and waiting for the kids who may or may not arrive in 2028 to maybe push them over the top. That’s certainly one way to look at things. 

[Roderick]

15 hours ago, Jopal78 said:

Issac Paredes.  Plays 3B, above average hitter, averages 25+ homers a season and comes with a $13M team option for ‘27.

Yelich, Chourio, Turang, Paredes. Contreras, Bauers/Vaughn, Frelick/Bauers, Mitchell, Pratt, pretty stacked lineup, and allows Hamilton to be used for defensive replacement, pinch running etc. 

Hardin and Adamczewski for Paredes. Who says no?

I think that is too much for Paredes.  Wasn't he a free agent this last summer and the Brewers didn't sign him then, so makes me think the Brewers probably don't value him as much as others might.  Or was his name just bandied about because we would trade for him?

[Jopal78]

7 hours ago, BrewerFan said:

 

Being a late round pick is ... really bad reason to trade a player. And AA/AAA... not really low level+... and of course, I don't think 10K per 9 is suddenly the cut off for "finesse" pitchers. 9.8, finesse, if he gets to 10.0 is he a strike out pitcher?

Of course his stuff would play up just fine out of the pen. 97+ with a good slider and good command. 

Don’t know where you’re getting 97+ for Hardin, but here’s MLB’s scouting report. Their words not mine “average velocity”. 
 

Maybe you’re right about Houston but they have a lot of guys 35 or older and pitchers with ERAs of 5, so anything can happen over the next 5 weeks. 

[Jopal78]

2 minutes ago, Roderick said:

I think that is too much for Paredes.  Wasn't he a free agent this last summer and the Brewers didn't sign him then, so makes me think the Brewers probably don't value him as much as others might.  Or was his name just bandied about because we would trade for him?

No, he’s never been a free agent. He only has 4 years service time 

[liveforoctober]

11 minutes ago, Jopal78 said:

There is no way of knowing that. However, I do know that Joey Ortiz went hitless in that series and was up to bat with runners on base in Games 1, 3 & 4. Issac Collins also went hitless in the series, and in fact pinch hit for Ortiz late in Game 3 and in Game 4 both times with runners on base. So maybe, but who knows? 
 

Like I said, it seems you’re just a proponent of running it back with who they have, and waiting for the kids who may or may not arrive in 2028 to maybe push them over the top. That’s certainly one way to look at things. 

Assuming I want to stand pat because I don't want to overpay for Isaac Paredes? Ok, man. Have a good day. 

It's like walking into a grocery store and being offered a grapefruit for $18 and when I say no the cashier says "well I guess you must not be hungry then"...

[Jopal78]

10 minutes ago, liveforoctober said:

Assuming I want to stand pat because I don't want to overpay for Isaac Paredes? Ok, man. Have a good day. 

It's like walking into a grocery store and being offered a grapefruit for $18 and when I say no the cashier says "well I guess you must not be hungry then"...

Define overpay? The two farmhands I mentioned are not amongst Milwaukee’s top echelon.  Sheesh. Thats more like a grapefruit being .99 and leaving it in the bin because it’s too expensive, because you’re only willing to spend a quarter on a grapefruit. 

[liveforoctober]

9 minutes ago, Jopal78 said:

Define overpay? The two farmhands I mentioned are not amongst Milwaukee’s top echelon.  Sheesh. Thats more like a grapefruit being .99 and leaving it in the bin because it’s too expensive, because you’re only willing to spend a quarter on a grapefruit. 

The whole point is if I'm hungry I don't want a grapefruit regardless of cost. If you are going to upgrade the position, upgrade the position. This is a move just to make a move. 

[sveumrules]

27 minutes ago, Jopal78 said:

Define overpay? The two farmhands I mentioned are not amongst Milwaukee’s top echelon.  Sheesh. Thats more like a grapefruit being .99 and leaving it in the bin because it’s too expensive, because you’re only willing to spend a quarter on a grapefruit. 

The Brewers have one of the deepest systems in all of MLB, so not being among the Brewers top echelon doesn't necessarily make them any less valuable.

There are 1,002 hitters in all of the minor leagues with at least 700 PA going back to 2024 when Adamczewski debuted. His 157 wRC+ is 2nd on that leaderboard, just ahead of Luke Adams (currently #13 on the BF Top 20) in 3rd with a 155 wRC+. Kevin McGonigle (167 wRC+) is in the #1 spot.

In 2025 Hardin was one of 415 pitchers with at least 90 IP in the minor leagues. His 2.35 FIP was 3rd on the leaderboard, his 5.65 K/BB ratio was 5th. Since being promoted to Nashville this year he is one of 84 pitchers in the International League with at least 40 IP. His 3.39 FIP again comes in 3rd, while his 3.42 K/BB ratio again comes in 5th. His 2.25 ERA is 4th, his 0.95 WHIP is 3rd, his .183 average against is 5th.

Adamczewski might be the best pure hitter in the system, Hardin is certainly the most MLB ready SP option in the system, I wouldn't be looking to deal either of them for 1.5 years of one dimensional Paredes.

Looking at the current rankings here my best offer for Paredes would probably be Blake Burke (#10) plus whoever they like best among Coleman Crow (#16), Jaron DeBerry (#19) or JD Thompson (#20).

 

[Jopal78]

6 minutes ago, liveforoctober said:

The whole point is if I'm hungry I don't want a grapefruit regardless of cost. If you are going to upgrade the position, upgrade the position. This is a move just to make a move. 

Ok, now I got it. Paredes a two time all-star 12.6 career WAR player is not an upgrade at the position over Ortiz (career WAR 3.0) and Hamilton (4.5). Thanks for clarifying your point. 

 

[Jopal78]

12 minutes ago, sveumrules said:

The Brewers have one of the deepest systems in all of MLB, so not being among the Brewers top echelon doesn't necessarily make them any less valuable.

There are 1,002 hitters in all of the minor leagues with at least 700 PA going back to 2024 when Adamczewski debuted. His 157 wRC+ is 2nd on that leaderboard, just ahead of Luke Adams (currently #13 on the BF Top 20) in 3rd with a 155 wRC+. Kevin McGonigle (167 wRC+) is in the #1 spot.

In 2025 Hardin was one of 415 pitchers with at least 90 IP in the minor leagues. His 2.35 FIP was 3rd on the leaderboard, his 5.65 K/BB ratio was 5th. Since being promoted to Nashville this year he is one of 84 pitchers in the International League with at least 40 IP. His 3.39 FIP again comes in 3rd, while his 3.42 K/BB ratio again comes in 5th. His 2.25 ERA is 4th, his 0.95 WHIP is 3rd, his .183 average against is 5th.

Adamczewski might be the best pure hitter in the system, Hardin is certainly the most MLB ready SP option in the system, I wouldn't be looking to deal either of them for 1.5 years of one dimensional Paredes.

Looking at the current rankings here my best offer for Paredes would probably be Blake Burke (#10) plus whoever they like best among Coleman Crow (#16), Jaron DeBerry (#19) or JD Thompson (#20).

 

I guess I’m tired of this. Even the prospects lists themselves are full of variance. MLB pipeline has Adamczewski at 10 and Hardin at 15 which are nearly the exact  ranks you suggested just filled by different players from whatever source you used.

I guess there are only four things to be sure of in life: 1. death, 2. Taxes 3. Any veteran player available at the deadline isn’t worth a  prospect if anyone has heard of him. 4. Because all, Brewer prospects are destined to be future major league contributors .
 

 

[sveumrules]

Just now, Jopal78 said:

I guess I’m tired of this. Even the prospects lists themselves are full of variance. MLB pipeline has Adamczewski at 10 and Hardin at 15 which are nearly the exact  ranks you suggested just filled by different players from whatever source you used.

I guess there are only four things to be sure of in life: 1. death, 2. Taxes 3. Any veteran player available at the deadline isn’t worth the prospects. 4. Because all, Brewer farmhands are destined to be future major league contributors .

Right, prospect rankings vary across platforms, that's why it's best to look at each individual player's specific skillset and how that might fit within the larger context of organizational strengths and weaknesses.

Some veteran players available at the deadline are worth the prospects, some aren't. I personally don't believe that Paredes is worth Adamczewski/Hardin.

Guess all we can really do is wait to see if the Astros end up trading Paredes before the deadline, what kind of return they get if they do, and how that return compares to Brewers farmhands if it isn't the Brewers they trade him to.

[Jopal78]

9 minutes ago, sveumrules said:

Right, prospect rankings vary across platforms, that's why it's best to look at each individual player's specific skillset and how that might fit within the larger context of organizational strengths and weaknesses.

Some veteran players available at the deadline are worth the prospects, some aren't. I personally don't believe that Paredes is worth Adamczewski/Hardin.

Guess all we can really do is wait to see if the Astros end up trading Paredes before the deadline, what kind of return they get if they do, and how that return compares to Brewers farmhands if it isn't the Brewers they trade him to.

Thats fair, personal opinion. I always liked Bauers more than probably warranted so I understand. I think you’re right about skill sets, but the metrics supporting your argument are just observations of outcomes not direct measurements of skills. Just like a doctor would not make a diagnosis based off of a blood pressure reading, I don’t think metrics really tell much about how successful someone may be in the future. But like you said , time will tell. 

[Lloyd330]

Just move Vaughn to 3B for the next month and see how it works out