Milwaukee Brewers: What 4 trade packages for Shohei Ohtani might look like

The Milwaukee Brewers wrestled first place in the NL Central away from the Cincinnati Reds with a weekend sweep.

The Crew has the starting pitching to win the division. The bullpen is getting better after injuries and underperformance plagued them in June. This team is still far from being a finished product if it hopes to win in the playoffs.

The lineup still struggles to score runs.

General manager Matt Arnold needs to be active before the MLB trade deadline. He needs to find a first basemen especially with Rowdy Tellez’ stay on the IL being extended after a freak injury to one of his fingers.

The team needs better production from the designated hitter. Tyrone Taylor coming back as Brian Anderson goes on the IL might not be the best solution in right field. An upgrade at third base would also be nice.

One player that could solve the Milwaukee Brewers’ issues is Shohei Ohtani.

The superstar might be on the trade block since he will become a free agent after the season. He is rumored to possibly get a deal between $500-600 million.

The Los Angeles Angels not only have to hand out a huge deal to keep Ohtani, but they will also have to compete with deep-pocketed teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and the New York Mets.

The chances of them losing him for nothing are high.

That is why they might be motivated to move him, especially since they are nine games back in the AL West and six back of the final Wild Card spot.

The Giants and the Tampa Bay Rays are rumored to be willing to trade for Ohtani.

If a small-market team like the Rays are willing to chase Ohtani, then the Milwaukee Brewers should as well.

First, the Brewers have four players in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100, including the third-best prospect to offer up. Second, this would not be the first time that owner Mark Attanasio has signed off on acquiring a superstar player at the deadline.

Mark Attanasio signed off on the trade for CC Sabathia in 2008. Sabathia was a rental player, much like Ohtani will be. CC pitched the Brewers to their first playoff appearance since 1982.

Ohtani’s presence might finally be what gets the Brewers that elusive World Series appearance.

Third, Ohtani solves so much of the Milwaukee Brewers’ problem with their lineup. We are talking about the league leader in home runs with an OPS over 1.000. Plus, he takes the ball every five days and dominates on the mound.

He is a modern-day version of Babe Ruth, only playing against a diverse player population.

That is why the price will be high for Shohei.

Fox analyst and Sports Illustrated writer Tom Verducci said on Chicago sports radio station, 670 the Score, that Angels owner Arte Moreno will only listen to an offer if it includes the team’s best hitter and pitcher.

https://twitter.com/670TheScore/status/1680986778818191361?s=20

Moreno does not want to give up the league’s best hitter and one of the best pitchers without getting as close to equal value.

If that is the case, along with Jon Morosi’s report of needing top prospects, a trade package to get the owner interested would have to look something like this…

This is probably not a deal that Matt Arnold and Mark Attanasio are willing to make. Ohtani can replace Yelich and Burnes, but then the Brewers lose a big chunk of future contributions from Chourio and Frelick.

Plus, it is highly unlikely Arnold would trade Burnes for a rental.

Winning a World Series would be worth it.

The Crew can also win a World Series with Yelilch and Burnes and a couple of minor deals to upgrade the lineup. It would be better to have Yelich, Burnes, and Ohtani.