​MLB insider notes that the Brewers have two upgrades in mind for the trade deadline, a story originally published by The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The Milwaukee Brewers sit atop the NL Central with a 5.5-game cushion over the Chicago Cubs as Sunday’s slate before the All-Star break gets underway. Even with such a comfortable lead, there are a few spots that could use reinforcement at this year’s trade deadline. Pat Murphy’s club is strong enough to contend in October as things stand, but taking down the Los Angeles Dodgers would require a bit more improvement.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Brewers are targeting two upgrades at this year’s deadline for different reasons. One arises from Brandon Woodruff’s uncertain timeline for returning to action, and the other from some struggles on the left side of the infield. “The Brewers’ urgency to acquire a starter at the deadline was heightened with the uncertainty of veteran Brandon Woodruff pitching again this season,” Nightengale writes. “They would also like to acquire an impact bat for the left side of their infield.”
With the Brewers aiming to add at the trade deadline, starting pitching help and an upgrade on the left side of the infield are the team’s top two needs. Grasping a rotation upgrade makes the most sense, given Woodruff’s uncertain status, Kyle Harrison’s recent trips to the injured list, and Jacob Misiorowski missing his Sunday start and the break-related return after fatigue. Logan Henderson’s potential return, plus Shane Drohan’s solid year, still leaves questions about Brandon Sproat and other rotation options that are becoming thin, which helps explain why the Brewers would pursue starting pitching reinforcements.
The left side of the infield, particularly the pursuit of an impact bat, also presents a strong case. Cooper Pratt is currently at shortstop with a .257 average and a .684 OPS, but the Brewers could reasonably seek an upgrade there. The big target area remains third base, where Joseph Ortiz is hitting .225 with a .598 OPS and David Hamilton is batting .240 with a .650 OPS. Upgrading at third base would be a significant boost and, while finding a quality third baseman at a fair price isn’t easy, the payoff could be substantial if the Brewers land an impact hitter for that spot.
Pairing a true slugger at third with another starting pitcher would create a formidable deadline for Milwaukee. While adding another reliever would help, the two most critical needs remain the left side of the infield and the starting rotation. An impactful acquisition at third base combined with rotation depth would set the Brewers up for a strong push through the stretch run.