Brewers Check In With High-Value Trade Targets Tarik Skubal, Mason Miller

In case fans were wondering if the Milwaukee Brewers were shopping in the deep end of the pool, they appear to be doing just that.

The two hottest names on the trade market at the moment are reigning two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres right-handed closer Mason Miller. According to Brewers beat writer Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, the Brewers have been in contact with both teams about those superstars.

Skubal and Miller's cost could be somewhat similar even though their contractual situations vary greatly. Skubal, who is making $32 million this year, is a free agent after this season, while Miller is under club control through 2029 with three more years of arbitration. He is making $4 million this year.

As the two most prominent players on the market, the price to pry either away from the Tigers or the Padres will be significant. But the Brewers have the top-ranked farm system in MLB with a plethora of prospects to deal to improve the team's chances in the postseason. The Brewers entered Thursday with a seven-game lead over the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central and the second-best record in MLB at 64-38, just a half-game behind the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers (65-38).

Presumably, Double-A Biloxi shortstop Jesus Made, as MLB's No. 1 prospect, would be unavailable, but others starting with High-A Wisconsin shortstop Luis Pena, Brewer Fanatic's No. 2 prospect could be shopped to acquire those high-valued pitchers.

Of Skubal and Miller, the Brewers might be more willing to trade for Miller, who would be in the fold beyond this year and give the Crew a killer back end of the bullpen alongside right-handers Trevor Megill and Abner Uribe.