Brewers: Selloff begins—breaking down the Aramis Ramirez trade
By Phil Watson
Jul 17, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Gerardo Parra (28) drives in a run with a base hit in the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Who’s Next?
The Brewers are considered to be looking to do a fairly significant fire sale before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, with veteran outfielder Gerardo Parra, right-handers Kyle Lohse and Jonathan Broxton and left-hander Neal Cotts all eligible to be free agents this winter.
“I can’t say it’s the start,” Melvin said. “It’s the first deal. You never know what happens. We thought we had a deal the other day on something. It looked like it was going to happen and then it didn’t. It was a lesser deal. Teams are talking to a lot of other teams at this time.
“I’ve probably got four, five different things I’ve talked to teams about, but I have to wait and see what their thoughts are.”
Jul 22, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Kyle Lohse (26) reacts after giving up a three-run home run to Cleveland Indians center fielder Michael Brantley (not pictured) in the third inning at Miller Park. Lohse was charged with a loss as the Indians beat the Brewers 7-5. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
There have also been rumors swirling around center fielder Carlos Gomez, right-hander Mike Fiers and closer Francisco Rodriguez, among others.
Parra is making a heck of a contract-year push, hitting .317/.355/.510 in 93 games for the Brewers this season, with 23 doubles, four triples, nine home runs and 31 RBI.
A two-time Gold Glove winner with the Diamondbacks, Parra was acquired at the non-waiver deadline last year in exchange for left-hander Anthony Banda and outfielder Mitch Haniger.
Lohse is in the final year of the three-year, $33 million contract he signed in March 2013, but has just about killed any possible trade value by going 5-11 with a 6.29 ERA and 1.451 WHIP in 20 starts and 113 innings. He has 83 strikeouts and has surrendered 23 homers.
The 31-year-old Broxton has a mutual $9 million option and a $2 million buyout for next season. He came to Milwaukee last Aug. 31 for players to be named later, with the Cincinnati Reds acquiring right-handers Kevin Shackelford and Barrett Astin on Sept. 10.
Broxton has struggled this season, posting a 6.17 ERA and 1.400 WHIP in 38 appearances and 35 innings, with 36 strikeouts.
A former All-Star closer with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he has mostly been used in setup work the last three seasons.
Cotts, 35, signed a one-year, $3 million deal in January with the Brewers after making a comeback from a hip injury that cost him three seasons.
After struggling initially, Cotts has a 3.46 ERA and 1.308 WHIP in 39 appearances and 39 innings with 40 strikeouts.
Next: Prospect Harrison Breaks Ankle, Out For Season