The Brewers’ Biggest Need This Trade Deadline is Clear

[Jim French Stepstool]

3 hours ago, ChapelHeel66 said:

I would watch Schmitt closely this month.  You are right that he has some big chase issues.  If he can rein those in, his actual contact rates are quite good.  Unfortunately, he's trending in the wrong direction on chase.  Also, he hasn't walked since May 30 and only has 7 for the entire year.  His walk rate is less than half of LAST year's Chourio.  Does he have the plate discipline to be a Brewer? Yes on contact, but no on OBP.

He's got some power that makes up for it, and he would be moving from the worst HR park for right handed hitters to a slightly favorable one.  But I'm getting concerned about the barrel rate.  The first two months of Casey Schmitt were ideal.  But the last four weeks he's at 7.3%, which is more consistent with his history than the 12% rate he has for the entire season.   That 7.3% is a little below average.  Based on his swing timing metrics, I expect him to be around 8.1%, which is a little above average, but nothing like what the almost 15% rate he was rocking through May. 

I think Schmitt has found something new, but regression is catching up. I see him as a .750 OPS guy (with the OBP component around .300), and definitely not the .880 player he was through May.  

Granted, almost anything is a bat upgrade over the current 3b situation, so this is not an argument against Schmitt, who is a nice player with position versatility.  But I do think MIL needs to consider regression in deciding how much to give up for him, because he is a definitely a "sell-high" candidate for the Giants. 

 

The underlined works against this acquisition IMO. I get the gut feeling SF would want much more than we should be paying for someone who I don't think is a particularly good fit for the next three years. If he was a rental I'd like this idea much more. And given the team control there's a good chance SF doesn't really want to deal him.

I'd certainly check in on Ryan. And I could predict we'll add a BP arm but that's like predicting there will be water in Lake Michigan next month.

Here's a wild thought: If Fischer keeps threatening cars in parking lots over the next month & Yelich doesn't get hot during that time, is it possible we could see a 'back tightness' IL stint in August? I wouldn't bet on it due mainly to Fischer's swing-and-miss issues but at this point in his career DH is the one spot he could fill w/o having glove concerns. Far-fetched but interesting to think about.

[Brewersfan1]

On 6/28/2026 at 6:25 AM, Brian said:

So what are you saying, everything is just fine then? 

Honestly, yes. Get guys healthy and pitching right, I don’t think you’ll find much better. Sproat is borderline unhittable the first time through the lineup. He’s starting to figure out how to pitch deeper into games. Gasser is starting to figure things out too. Continue that trend and get healthy. Find bats. 

[Brian]

46 minutes ago, Brewersfan1 said:

Honestly, yes. Get guys healthy and pitching right, I don’t think you’ll find much better. Sproat is borderline unhittable the first time through the lineup. He’s starting to figure out how to pitch deeper into games. Gasser is starting to figure things out too. Continue that trend and get healthy. Find bats. 

I'm ok with that, just wish we had one more reliable starting pitcher.  I see MLB power rankings agree with you. https://www.mlb.com/news/power-rankings-for-week-of-june-28-2026 

[Brewersfan1]

6 hours ago, Brian said:

I'm ok with that, just wish we had one more reliable starting pitcher.  I see MLB power rankings agree with you. https://www.mlb.com/news/power-rankings-for-week-of-june-28-2026 

Things can change quick, of course. Maybe an innings eater type though. I think it’s tough to be the upside of what they already have. Obviously, Skubal has been talked about. I don’t want them to give up what people think it’s going to cost. It shouldn’t be anymore than what the Brewers got back for the Burnes trade. 

[Brian]

Gasser below avg

Kuhnel below avg

Sproat below avg

 

[brewmann04]

Hitting hitting more hitting