Steve Drumwright

Perhaps as a way to limit the loss of prospects, the Milwaukee Brewers would be willing to pay the remainder of the $32 million salary in order to acquire reigning two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Friday. Skubal will be owed about $9.4 million when he is dealt. The Brewers are MLB's smallest market, yet posted the best record last year and are just 1½ games behind the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers (69-40) at 67-41 for this year's best record. That $9.4 million matches catcher William Contreras' salary for 2026, which is the third-highest salary for the Brewers behind Christian Yelich's $24,032,625 and Brandon Woodruff's $22,025,000. The Brewers' had the No. 19 payroll on Opening Day at $124.8 million, per Cots. By taking on more salary and relieving that burden from the Tigers, the damage in losing prospects is lessened. Basically, the Brewers are paying to keep prospects. If the Tigers would pay the remainder of Skubal's salary, they would be buying better prospects. The Brewers have baseball's best farm system and can absorb the loss of key prospects, but the hesitancy from a team such as Milwaukee that values prospects like a golden egg, is the rental of Skubal for the rest of the season might be too much of a price to pay. However, if Skubal helps the Brewers get to or win a World Series, that cost could be worth it. View full rumor

The price for Tarik Skubal will be high regardless of what team acquires the reigning two-time AL Cy Young Award winner from the Detroit Tigers. With the Milwaukee Brewers possessing the top farm system in MLB, they are well-positioned to deal for this year's biggest prize on the trade market. The deadline for making trades is Monday at 5 p.m. CT. But what does that package look like? No better expert to put a proposal together than JJ Cooper of Baseball America. Cooper spent the time identifying packages from six teams, led by the Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers. Without further adieu, here is what he put together for the Brewers: Shortstop Luis Pena Third baseman Andrew Fischer Outfielder Josiah Ragsdale Shortstop Ricki Moneys Cooper said that Pena's path to the majors with the Brewers might be a little tougher with how their infield is currently constructed and with No. 1 prospect Jesus Made soon to join that group. Another top prospect, Cooper Pratt, has taken over as the starting shortstop and Brice Turang is a former Gold Glove second baseman. That leaves third base as Made's likely position, perhaps as soon as Opening Day next year. Fischer, last year's first-round draft choice, is a corner infielder who leads the minors in home runs with 33 entering play Thursday. Ragsdale is having a breakout season that has raised his prospect profile at High-A Wisconsin and Double-A Biloxi. Moneys was the Brewers' top international signing in January who is a power-hitting infielder. What do you think? Is that too much for the Brewers to give up for a chance at the franchise's first World Series championship? View full rumor

It can be a little dangerous at the trade deadline when columnists and beat writers get bored by a lack of activity from MLB teams. So take this with that grain of salt: The Milwaukee Brewers should trade for San Francisco Giants right-handed starter Logan Webb. At least that is the thought of Joel Sherman of the New York Post, who presented outside-the-box deals for three contenders. Webb is a true ace, not just a No. 1 pitcher on a staff. A three-time All-Star, Webb has finished in the top 11 of NL Cy Young Award voting in the last four years, including second in 2023 and fourth in 2025. The Giants need help in resetting their roster and Webb would help that process. Of course, the financially fickle Brewers would have to absorb Webb's contract, which pays him $23 million this year, $23 million in 2027 and $24 million in 2028. Having that type of guarantee of Webb being around for two more full seasons would make dealing away the prospects needed to acquire the right-hander a bit more palatable. Webb has a 3.44 FIP (3.93 ERA) with a 6.2% walk rate and 19.1% strikeout rate. As Sherman points out, Webb would also fit the Brewers' pitching plan and emphasis on defense. He is a groundball pitcher who will give you innings. He averages just about 6⅓ per outing, which would give the Brewers' bullpen a break. Webb slotting in atop the rotation with young right-hander Jacob Misiorowski and former Giants left-hander Kyle Harrison would be a pretty decent trio heading into a postseason series. With the Brewers having just spent a few days in San Francisco, perhaps Brewers president of baseball operations Matt Arnold and his Giants counterpart, Buster Posey, had a chance to discuss a few things. View full rumor

As the likelihood of the Detroit Tigers trading reigning two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal increased with Wednesday's devastating defeat, the heat is being turned up with the clock ticking toward Monday's trade deadline. With one NL executive telling MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, "The offers should start flowing in any minute," another source said there are three teams that are the clear top suitors in terms of prospects for what it would take to pry the left-handed starter away from the Tigers. One of those teams is the Milwaukee Brewers. "The Brewers, Rays and Dodgers have the most high-end prospects to move,” one source said. “It would be somewhat surprising if he didn’t wind up with one of those three teams." For fans of the Crew, that shouldn't be surprising. After all, the Brewers have the consensus top farm system in MLB. Per MLB Pipeline, the Brewers have six players on that Top 100 list. Baseball America has seven Brewers prospects on its Top 100. For the Brewers, that begins with Double-A shortstop Jesus Made, still the No. 1 prospect in baseball (and not surprisingly at Brewer Fanatic) on most every list. With that quality as well as young controllable starting pitching already in the majors, the Brewers can definitely put together an attractive package, it is just a matter of will they be willing to meet the Tigers' asking price. The Dodgers and Rays have multiple players on those Top 100 lists. View full rumor

As the Milwaukee Brewers look for a way to limit the regular-season innings from their young starting rotation, that creates opportunities and good stories. One of those is left-handed starter Thomas Pannone, who had his contract selected from Triple-A Nashville and will start for the Brewers in Wednesday's series finale against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Right-hander Garrett Stallings was optioned to Nashville. The Brewers had two openings on the 40-man roster, so a move there was not necessary. Pannone is back in MLB since a one-game stint in 2023 with the Brewers. Before that, he made 49 appearances over the 2018-19 seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays. Also, left-handed reliever DL Hall's rehab assignment was moved from Triple-A to High-A Wisconsin. Hall is making his way back from a left pectoral strain. The 32-year-old Pannone missed all of the 2025 season after sustaining a flexor tendon injury in his left forearm in spring training with the Brewers. He has posted a 4.13 ERA in 16 games (all but one a start), walking 22 and striking out 57 in 72 innings. Left-hander Shane Drohan, Wednesday's scheduled starter, has earned a regular spot in the rotation, but has also pitched 95⅔ innings between Triple-A and the Brewers, already far more than the 54 innings he threw in 2025 as he came back from shoulder surgery and forearm inflammation. Stallings, in his second stay with the Crew this year, pitched two innings in Monday's 3-0 loss to the Giants. View full rumor

With the Detroit Tigers now having lost three in a row and having to leapfrog five teams in the AL wild-card standings, suitors are starting to contact the team about adding two-time reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. One of five teams mentioned by The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal on Tuesday, a day after the Tigers' 8-5 loss to the Baltimore Orioles, is the Milwaukee Brewers. As expected, it would take a huge haul for the prize of this year's trade deadline. On top of being a two-time Cy Young, the left-hander has regained that form after having some bumpy starts (from a Skubal perspective) following a nano-needle procedure to remove a single bone chip from his left elbow. In his last start, Skubal struck out 12 over 7⅓ innings in a 2-1 win over the Kansas City Royals on Friday. Skubal is scheduled to make his final start before Monday's trade deadline Wednesday. Rosenthal notes that front offices kept their distance as the Tigers hovered on the line of contending, but following Monday's loss five teams had plans to touch base again and possibly ramp up negotiations for Skubal. Joining the Brewers in that pursuit are the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees and Atlanta. The Brewers have the No. 1 farm system in all of baseball, according to several outlets, so there is no shortage of prospects to pull from. Rosenthal says that Scott Harris, the Tigers' president of baseball operations, would likely ask to have access to every player in any suitor's system. For the Brewers, that would include Double-A shortstop Jesus Made, the No. 1 prospect in all of baseball by most outlets and obviously the No. 1 by Brewer Fanatic, as well as High-A shortstop Luis Pena, Brewer Fanatic's No. 2 prospect. The Tigers would no doubt be in search of a young pitcher as well, which could put right-hander Logan Henderson in play. A move for Skubal by the Brewers would harken back to the 2008 blockbuster for left-hander CC Sabathia, who put together a storybook run en route to getting the Brewers to the postseason for the first time since 1982 and then cashed in with a huge free-agent contract. Like Sabathia was, Skubal will be a free agent following the season. He is making $32 million this year. View full rumor

Could the Milwaukee Brewers reunite with former ace Freddy Peralta? In the latest edition of his podcast "Sources Tell Jeff Passan," ESPN's MLB insider sorts through a bunch of names as Monday's trade deadline approaches and, when talking about Peralta, Passan brings up a potential return to the Brewers for the right-hander, who Milwaukee shipped to New York in the offseason for two key prospects in infielder-center fielder Jett Williams and right-handed starter Brandon Sproat. The Mets were expected to be a contender in the NL East with the addition of Peralta, but enter play Tuesday at 45-62, the second-worst record in the NL and fourth-worst in MLB. The Brewers, meanwhile, sit atop the NL Central at 66-40 and trail the Los Angeles Dodgers for the best record in MLB by one game. Peralta's 4.47 FIP is the worst of his career and his 4.99 ERA is second-worst behind the 5.29 he put up in 2019, his first full season in the majors. Last year, Peralta had a 3.64 FIP and career-best 2.70 ERA, finishing fifth in NL Cy Young Award voting. "He's been terrible and it hurts playing in front of a Mets defense that (has been bad)," Passan said. While also mentioning and then dismissing the Chicago Cubs as a potential destination in a discussion with co-host Richard Staff, Passan broached the reunion possibility, which would mean David Stearns, the former Brewers president of baseball operations who now runs the Mets' front office, would ship Peralta back to not only the pitcher's former team, but the executive's ex-franchise as well. "One thing I did hear this week, Richard, is that the Mets have been talking with the Brewers about Freddy Peralta," Passan said. "I don't know if that's going to happen, but it's the kind of deal where you see what they would get back from Milwaukee, considering what they gave up, is that a trade that David Stearns politically—already just getting fileted every time he's mentioned in New York—is that something he can pull off? Could he actually deal him back to Milwaukee?" Staff, a Mets fan, retorted that the conspiracy theories would flood the radio talk shows with the much lesser return for Peralta than what the Mets gave up. View full rumor

The Milwaukee Brewers don't often swing and miss with draft picks, but they did with one high-profile selection. Right-handed starter Aidan Knaak announced on Instagram on Monday that he was returning to Clemson for his senior season, a blow to the Brewers, who had selected him in the fifth round. Knaak's decision also had an effect on the Brewers' bonus pool as his slot value of $425,400 was subtracted from their available money, which was $8,042,900 to begin with. Knaak was the 117th-ranked prospect by Baseball America and 210th by MLB Pipeline when he was taken by the Brewers with the 163rd pick of the draft. Players had until Monday at 4 p.m. CT to sign. However, Knaak was not the only draft pick the Brewers did not sign. Of their 20 selections, the Crew brought 17 into the fold. The two others who did not decide to begin their pro careers now are 14th-round left-hander Daunte Bell of Milliken High School in Long Beach, Calif., and 16th-round right-hander Bradyn Havard of George County (Miss.) High School. Bell has a college commitment to Houston and Havard to Pearl River Community College. Here is a rundown of the Brewers' draft picks and their signing bonuses as reported by Baseball America: Trey Ebel, SS, $2,800,000 Sawyer Strosnider, OF, $2,100,000 Kyle Jones, OF, $675,000 Julian Garcia, RHP, $1,497,500 Aidan Knaak, RHP, did not sign Ryan Oshinskie, RHP, $222,500 Grant Hill, RHP, $200,000 Kellan Tom, 1B, $175,000 Chase Mora, RHP, $5,000 Andrew Gaines, RHP, $5,000 Gavin Perry, RHP, $150,000 Marcus Kruzan, RHP, $150,000 Carson Hart, OF, $380,000 Daunte Bell II, LHP, did not sign Keaton Maiorana, RHP, $230,800 Bradyn Havard, RHP, did not sign Chance Ruby, SS, $150,000 Brady Smith, RHP, $150,000 Sam George, LHP, $100,000 Carsten Sabathia III, 1B, $50,000 Players drafted in Rounds 11 to 20 did not count toward the Brewers' bonus pool unless they surpassed $150,000. For example, Maiorana, the 15th-round pick, signed for $230,800, but only $80,800 counted toward the bonus pool. Teams are allowed to surpass their bonus pool by 5% with a financial penalty of a 75% tax on the overage. According to Brewer Fanatic's Draft Tracker, the Brewers went $50,400 over their allotment. View full rumor

The Milwaukee Brewers' look at Lance McCullers Jr. lasted just two games. After acquiring the two-time World Series champion in a trade July 15, McCullers was designated for assignment Sunday by the Brewers. Right-hander Garrett Stallings was called up from Triple-A Nashville. The Brewers now have two open spots on their 40-man roster as the trade deadline approaches. McCullers was a relatively low-cost acquisition, costing the Brewers minor-league outfielder Jadyn Fielder, son of former Crew slugger Prince Fielder, and covering $2 million of his remaining salary. But McCullers, a starter with six career relief appearances before being traded, made both of his appearances out of the Brewers' bullpen, including one Saturday in an 8-3 win over the Colorado Rockies. McCullers had a 4.18 FIP (3.86 ERA) in 4⅔ innings, giving up five runs (two earned) on three hits with five walks and five strikeouts. These were McCullers' first two MLB games since going on the injured list in mid-May with right shoulder inflammation. The Brewers are still looking for a quality arm to replace veteran right-hander Brandon Woodruff in the rotation. Stallings was called up at the end of June and made his MLB debut with a pair of appearances, allowing just one hit and one walk with four strikeouts over three innings. View full rumor

After pursuing a trade for Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams in the offseason, the Milwaukee Brewers are checking in on him again as the Aug. 3 trade deadline approaches. At least that is according to Spencer Nussbaum and Will Sammon of The Athletic in an article posted Saturday. Abrams is making $4.2 million this season and under club control for an additional two seasons. Abrams, whose defense has been questioned but is in the midst of a terrific offensive year, would likely shift over to third base as the Brewers would value the defense provided by rookie Cooper Pratt at shortstop. During the offseason, the Brewers were one of several teams to go after Abrams, but the Nationals' asking price was too high, according to The Athletic. At the time, Abrams was coming off a .257/.315/.433 slash line with 19 homers, 60 RBIs and 31 stolen bases in 144 games. But this year, the left-handed hitter has put up a slash line of .288/.361/.544 with 24 homers, 76 RBIs and 16 stolen bases in 100 games entering play Saturday. It also must be noted that Abrams caused a stir late in the 2024 season when he was out late at a Chicago-area casino, first being suspended by the Nationals and then demoted to the minors for the rest of the season. Currently, the Brewers are riding with Joey Ortiz at third base after Pratt supplanted him as the starting shortstop. David Hamilton, just activated off the 10-day injured list, will also get time at third base. But Abrams would be an offensive upgrade at the hot corner, a position he has never played, even in the minors. Since being traded to the Nats in the Juan Soto deal with the San Diego Padres, the only position Abrams has played is shortstop. View full rumor

The Milwaukee Brewers' stolen base leader is back in the fold. Just what role he plays now is a question. Infielder David Hamilton was activated off the 10-day injured list Friday by the Brewers, with infielder Braden Shewmake designated for assignment. Hamilton went on the IL July 7 with a strained left hamstring after having to quickly stop and scurry back to second base in the game the day before. He played in two rehab games before being activated for the Brewers' series against the Colorado Rockies. Hamilton has been an offensive spark plug, putting up a slash line of .240/.317/.333 with three home runs, 15 RBIs and a team-high 18 stolen bases, while also being a good defender while seeing most of his time at third base. But that situation has changed with Joey Ortiz being more productive offensively at third base and rookie Cooper Pratt the full-time shortstop. Hamilton, in addition to backing up both of those positions, could give Brice Turang an occasional break at second base. Shewmake was acquired by the Brewers on July 12 after being DFA'd by the Houston Astros as he was seen as an upgrade over Greg Jones, who was DFA'd to make room for Shewmake. Shewmake appeared in just four games, going 2-for-7, with both hits coming in Saturday's 8-6 win over the Miami Marlins. His big moment was a double that started a four-run sixth-inning rally in which he also scored, then also singled and scored in a two-run seventh. He also had a sacrifice fly in the game. View full rumor

Having already saved cash on all of their other signings in the first 10 rounds of the MLB Draft, the Milwaukee Brewers used some of that surplus on their second- and fourth-round selections. TCU center fielder Sawyer Strosnider signed with the Brewers for a bonus of $2.1 million, more than the slot value of $1,353,100, while California high school right-hander Julian Garcia received a bonus of $1.5 million, above the $585,700 slot vale. Per Brewer Fanatic's Draft Tracker, the Brewers used up most of the savings they had achieved on deals with six of their other picks in the first 10 rounds. Those deals leave the Brewers with $560,400 to give to other draft picks. Only two of their picks in the top 10 rounds have yet to sign: Clemson right-hander Aidan Knaak and Alabama high school right-hander Grant Hill. There were some questions about Strosnider's hitting ability caused him to fall from a probable first-round selection to the Brewers' pick at No. 66 overall. After putting up a slash line of .350/.420/.650 with 11 homers and 51 RBIs en route to being named Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year in 2025, Strosnider followed that up with a .273/.415/.590 mark with 13 homers and 47 RBIs this spring. He does have the skillset to remain a center fielder, but also possesses an arm that would be suitable in right field. View full rumor

With a short window in which to sign their draft picks, the Milwaukee Brewers have four more secured. A day after signing first-round selection Trey Ebel to an underslot bonus, third-round pick Kyle Jones and three other of their top 10 choices have their deals done, according to Baseball America. Ebel signed for $2.8 million, with the assigned slot value for the 21st overall pick at $3,696,000. Kyle Jones, a speedy center fielder who hit leadoff for Florida this spring, received a signing bonus of $675,000, slightly under the slot value of $770,600. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Jones slashed .317/.418/.478 with 27 stolen bases for the Gators. The Brewers also came to terms with their eighth-, ninth- and 10-round selections, all for underslot. Corona Del Sol (Ariz.) High School first baseman Kellan Tom, picked in the eighth round, received a $175,000 bonus, coming in under the $220,400 value. Ninth-rounder Chase Mora, a right-hander out of Texas State, and 10th-rounder Andrew Gaines, a right-hander from St. Joseph's, each got bonuses of $50,000. The slot values for those two picks were $202,500 and $191,900. Combined with sixth-rounder Ryan Oshinskie, a right-hander from Brown who inked for $222,500 on Friday, the Brewers have signed six of the 20 draft picks, all in the first 10 rounds. The reported bonuses for those six checks in at $3,882,500, which is a savings of $1,532,100. The Brewers' bonus pool is $8,042,900, leaving them plenty of flexibility with their remaining draft selections. Picks in the 11th to 20 rounds can receive up to $150,000 without counting against the bonus pool. Draft picks have until July 27 to sign. View full rumor