Brewers Acquire Lance McCullers Jr. From Astros

patrickgpe · 2026-07-15T14:55:04Z

Image courtesy of Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Needing a little more starting pitching depth, the Milwaukee Brewers have found a veteran arm, but also one that needs fixing.

The Brewers on Wednesday acquired right-handed starter Lance McCullers Jr. from the Houston Astros, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. The return was not immediately known. The Brewers are also getting left-hander Colton Gordon, a 2021 eighth-round draft choice, in the deal.

McCullers had a no-trade clause in his contract, which he waived, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic.

McCullers, a two-time World Series champion with the Astros, is currently on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. He was scheduled to make another rehab appearance with the Astros' Double-A team Friday, when the minor-league season also resumes.

He also has a 6.86 ERA this season. He is making $17.7 million this season and is set to become a free agent this offseason.

The 27-year-old Gordon had made 24 major-league appearances over the last two seasons with the Astros, including 15 starts. He has a 10.39 FIP (11.57 ERA) with a 5.1% walk rate and 19.3% strikeout rate.

More to come ...

Thanks to @patrickgpe for starting the thread.

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JoeyWiemerTruther · 2026-07-15T15:04:26Z

Wonder who they sent back. Hopefully just cash

patrickgpe · 2026-07-15T15:05:56Z

2 minutes ago, JoeyWiemerTruther said:

Wonder who they sent back. Hopefully just cash

i would guess a lottery ticket young player on Wilson.

adambr2 · 2026-07-15T15:07:21Z

Well hopefully they know what they’re doing here. This guy was good in his heyday but has been injured or disastrous since 2022.

Ron Robinsons Beard · 2026-07-15T15:07:23Z

Just now, patrickgpe said:

i would guess a lottery ticket young player on Wilson.

Depends on how much salary the Astros are picking up. This is 100% a pure salary dump.

JoeyWiemerTruther · 2026-07-15T15:10:08Z

Guy was crucial in both Astros World Series runs, mainly 2017

jay87shot · 2026-07-15T15:10:28Z

I cant believe we would give up much of anything and the Astros likely will pay almost all of the salary. I wouldnt be to surprised if he transitions to a reliever. He has a 5 pitch mix, if they could edit that to say 3 and get a mph or two with shorter stints there could be something there.

His fip is just above 5 almost 2 runs less than era. He has good whiff and grounder rates, not much else. Making him a 1/2 inning reliever and getting rid of a problem pitch or 2 can hopefully highlight the good. Also getting a better fielding team should be huge.

brewerfan82 · 2026-07-15T15:10:49Z

It's kind of a head scratcher at this point. He's been injured or very bad for 4 years and is owed $6.672M. Feels like there's gotta be something more to it, like we're getting someone else as well but had to take on McCullers to get the deal done. Otherwise it'd be weird for us to 1.) take on the money for someone that's been so bad recently, or 2.) for the Astros to pick up a bunch of the money and still not get much for him since he's been so bad.

homer · 2026-07-15T15:11:44Z

I'll always remember him for this:

Ron Robinsons Beard · 2026-07-15T15:18:04Z

Apparent

6 minutes ago, brewerfan82 said:

It's kind of a head scratcher at this point. He's been injured or very bad for 4 years and is owed $6.672M. Feels like there's gotta be something more to it, like we're getting someone else as well but had to take on McCullers to get the deal done. Otherwise it'd be weird for us to 1.) take on the money for someone that's been so bad recently, or 2.) for the Astros to pick up a bunch of the money and still not get much for him since he's been so bad.

Apparently LHP Colton Gordon is also coming back in the deal.

Brock Beauchamp · 2026-07-15T15:18:18Z

Watch the Brewers somehow magically get a 3.40 ERA from McCullers down the stretch.

Jopal78 · 2026-07-15T15:18:25Z

Like when they picked up Dallas Keuchel, they need arms. With Misiorowski having a sore arm Harrison, Woodruff on the IL and a bunch of rookies with injury histories they need someone to take the ball.

Bulldogboy · 2026-07-15T15:18:46Z

Out of all the pitchers in baseball this is not someone who I would expect to help at all. Tobias Meyers is available

patrickgpe · 2026-07-15T15:21:18Z

He has made 3 rehab starts and has a 2.45 ERA

Ron Robinsons Beard · 2026-07-15T15:22:35Z

3 minutes ago, Bulldogboy said:

Tobias Meyers is available

Which says pretty much everything I need to know about how the Brewers feel about Tobias Myers.

Turning2 · 2026-07-15T15:28:07Z

I'm going to play the "I'll trust the organization on this one" cliche card.

MrTPlush · 2026-07-15T15:30:41Z

This would have been exciting a decade ago.

Brewcrew82 · 2026-07-15T15:30:51Z

Brewers taking on McCullers in what amounts to a “salary dump” for the Astros. And I was told Attanasio is the cheapest man alive…

MrTPlush · 2026-07-15T15:31:08Z

20 minutes ago, JoeyWiemerTruther said:

Guy was crucial in both Astros World Series runs, mainly 2017

Did he bang the trash can between starts?

JoeyWiemerTruther · 2026-07-15T15:36:02Z

I like this as a buy low move if McCullers can stay healthy he can help this team.

Since they’re also getting Colton Gordon maybe the Brewers are taking on all of McCullers remaining contract $

still waiting to see what Brewers gave up. Wouldn’t shock me if it was like Brock Wilken or something

Dadbauer · 2026-07-15T15:37:56Z

There's no way we are giving up Brock Wilken for a 27 year old AAA pitcher and 7 million dollars of Lance McCullers. This sounds like a salary dump with a prospect attached so they don't have to pay it.

JoeyWiemerTruther · 2026-07-15T15:40:03Z

1 minute ago, Dadbauer said:

There's no way we are giving up Brock Wilken for a 27 year old AAA pitcher and 7 million dollars of Lance McCullers. This sounds like a salary dump with a prospect attached so they don't have to pay it.

Brock Wilken is a guy who at most will probably get a cup of coffee in the MLB. He doesn’t have a ton of value anymore. And trust me I am the biggest Wilken fan there is

patrickgpe · 2026-07-15T15:40:04Z

2 minutes ago, Dadbauer said:

There's no way we are giving up Brock Wilken for a 27 year old AAA pitcher and 7 million dollars of Lance McCullers. This sounds like a salary dump with a prospect attached so they don't have to pay it.

is that the rumored return? I haven't seen that.

JoeyWiemerTruther · 2026-07-15T15:41:00Z

Just now, patrickgpe said:

is that the rumored return? I haven't seen that.

No just my speculation

TURBO · 2026-07-15T15:43:35Z

12 minutes ago, Brewcrew82 said:

Brewers taking on McCullers in what amounts to a “salary dump” for the Astros. And I was told Attanasio is the cheapest man alive…