​Brewers would be surprised by MLB insider if they don’t add two positions by the trade deadline, originally published on The Sporting News. The Sporting News is listed as a preferred source by clicking here. The Milwaukee Brewers, who sit atop the NL Central, are widely expected to be buyers at the trade deadline this year. That expectation should come as little surprise to anyone. Yet just how far Milwaukee will go remains uncertain.
Tarik Skubal has already been linked to the Brewers, but if Milwaukee continues its pattern of prospect-hugging, Skubal and other top arms might not be within reach. Regardless of the caliber of player the Brewers pursue, MLB insider Robert Murray of Fansided.com would be “surprised” if Milwaukee doesn’t target two positions this summer: a starting pitcher and perhaps an everyday bat. “But it would be a surprise if the Brewers left the deadline without a starting pitcher and potentially another bat,” Murray writes.
The Brewers could benefit from additions at third base, in the bullpen, and in the rotation. Of these needs, adding a starting pitcher might be the most likely resolution. Even with Jacob Misiorowski and Kyle Harrison rising through the ranks, they are entering innings-count territory this season that is uncharted. Gaining additional pitching support to ease the postseason workload would be a significant boon.
Possible targets in the rotation include Robbie Ray of the San Francisco Giants, Freddy Peralta of the New York Mets, Skubal of the Detroit Tigers, Reid Detmers of the Los Angeles Angels, along with Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha of the Kansas City Royals. These players represent the Brewers’ top options in the starting-pitching market. While Skubal could be pricey, Peralta and Ray appear to be more realistic, affordable targets for Milwaukee. The Brewers don’t necessarily need the best pitcher available, given that they already have Misiorowski and Harrison in their rotation.
When it comes to adding “another bat,” the outlook is more open-ended. Milwaukee could seek infield or outfield upgrades through a move, with potential fits including Luis Arraez, Willson Contreras, and Matt Chapman among possible options. That said, the exact trade targets and the specifics of any deal remain uncertain.
Nonetheless, Murray would be surprised if the Brewers exit the August 3 trade deadline without adding a starting pitcher and perhaps another hitter. The expectation remains that Milwaukee will swing for help in two areas, even if the specifics of the players involved are still up in the air. The trade-deadline landscape could also feature related developments and discussions around other teams’ interests, all shaping how Milwaukee navigates its borderlines of need and opportunity. The broader context of MLB trade chatter continues to spotlight the Brewers’ position as a potential central figure in the summer’s acquisitions.