5 players the Milwaukee Brewers should try to acquire before the trade deadline
By Todd Welter
The Milwaukee Brewers are sitting at the top of the National League Central division.
Sweeping the Cincinnati Reds over the weekend is how the Brew Crew got back to being in first. It was a dominant start to a brutal stretch in the schedule.
The Crew’s pitching allowed just three runs in three games. Those runs came on Sunday.
The Milwaukee Brewers complete a small road trip against the Philadelphia Phillies and began 1-1. They come back to American Family Field for a six-game homestand against the Atlanta Braves and the Reds. Then they go out to Atlanta for a three-game road series before finally getting a reprieve against the Nationals in Washington.
If the pitching continues to dominate as it did against the Reds, the Milwaukee Brewers have a great chance of entering August still on top of the NL Central.
That does not mean this team is perfect.
The franchise still has needs at first base, right field, and designated hitter. The Brewers can always use help in the bullpen, especially another left-handed pitcher. Also, third base can be upgraded even though Owen Miller is having a good season.
He can always move to second if third base and first base (we will get to that in a second) are addressed.
Injuries keep testing the Brew Crew’s depth. Brian Anderson just went on the IL, but Tyrone Taylor returned to the lineup. Although, Taylor was struggling at the plate before he went back on the IL.
Rowdy Tellez’ stay on the IL was unexpectedly extended after a freak injury. That means Miller has had to play a lot of first base–his weakest defensive position.
The Milwaukee Brewers are getting next to nothing out of their DH. Jesse Winker has gotten the majority of the at-bats, but he is hitting under .210 with an OPS below .600 and just one home run.
Brewers’ general manager Matt Arnold is hopefully working the phones to acquire upgrades at those positions.
He has prospects to dangle. Sal Frelick is considered a top-25 prospect whose path to the Major League roster is blocked. A team might be interested in a reclamation project in Keston Hiura since he is raking in Triple-A.
Remember, Mark Attanasio still owns this team, so do not expect him to authorize Arnold to go after Shohei Ohtani.
These are five players that Matt Arnold could consider acquiring before the August 1st trade deadline that is more in the Crew’s price range.