TRADE: Brewers Acquire Catcher Danny Jansen from Tampa Bay Rays

There were reports over the weekend that the Brewers wanted to upgrade the backup catcher spot on their roster. Now, we know that there was smoke to go with that fire. Milwaukee has acquired catcher Danny Jansen, an Appleton West alumnus, in a trade with the Rays.

Jansen, 30, signed a one-year deal worth $8.5 million with the Rays this winter. There's a mutual option included in the contract. He's batting .204/.314/.389 in 259 plate appearances this season, showing his usual above-average pop for a catcher and delivering roughly average defense behind the plate. The move figures to displace Eric Haase from the backup catcher role, though it could also facilitate at least a short-term stint on the injured list for William Contreras, who has played all season with a fractured finger on his catching hand.

Born in Elmhurst, Ill., Jansen largely grew up in Appleton, Wis. He's been a target for the team in the past, but the price was right now, at the deadline. He's owed just under $3 million for the balance of this season.

Milwaukee's top need at this deadline, arguably, is a bit more in the way of right-handed power. Jansen offers it. Of all batters with 150 or more plate appearances this year, Jansen ranks fifth in the percentage of his batted balls that are in pulled fly balls, trailing only Cal Raleigh, Isaac Paredes, Cedric Mullins and new teammate Rhys Hoskins. With Hoskins down with a thumb injury (which might linger upon his return, too), Jansen's infusion of pop from the right side is crucial. It also stands in contrast to the very low pulled fly ball rates of both Haase and Contreras.

To land that upgrade, the Crew surrendered infield prospect Jadher Areinamo.

That's no insignificant price. Baseball America ranked Areinamo 10th on their recent midseason update of the Brewers' top 30 prospects list, and he's been a favorite of many a member of our own Brewer Fanatic community. His glove is an asset at either second or third base, though he's smaller than the prototypical player at the latter spot. He's also batted .300/.359/.468 for the High-A affiliate in Appleton this year. His future might be as a utility infielder, but he's only 21 and looks ready for the test of Double-A pitching.

Tampa Bay sending money to help cover Jansen's salary does help, in two small ways. Firstly, it leaves Matt Arnold more in whatever budget Mark Attanasio has allotted for other acquisitions at this deadline. Second, it might have been necessary to get the deal done. The Rays, like some other clubs, often insist upon paying down salaries on players like Jansen in order to ensure they get the best possible return for them. Still, being on this side of such a transaction is tough, as it reinforces how highly everyone involved esteemed Areinamo. Milwaukee will hope that Jansen's jolt behind the plate can make that price easier to stomach.