The Milwaukee Brewers are looking to make it four playoff appearances in a row. While they haven’t won a playoff game since losing the National League Championship Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018, they currently sit atop the NL Central and have one of the best pitching staffs in baseball. Offensively is where they will want to upgrade.
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Current Position
Record: 53-39
Rank: First in the NL Central, 4 games up
Status: Buyers
The Brewers own the third-best record in the NL. This is largely due to a dominant top three in their rotation. Brandon Woodruff, Corbin Burnes, and Freddy Peralta have been lights out. Combined they have a 2.26 ERA, 0.873 WHIP and have struck out 37 percent of the batters they have faced. Let’s not forget the bullpen led by Josh Hader and Devin Williams with resurgences from Brad Boxberger and Hunter Strickland.
While the pitching may be fine, the lineup has had some bumps and bruises along with inconsistent hitting. Keston Hiura still has a paltry .573 OPS with Jackie Bradley Jr. even worse at .532. Kolten Wong is on the IL for the third time this season, and Travis Shaw isn’t expected back until mid-August.
Trade Candidates
Kyle Seager
The fact that Shaw will be out for another month, the Brewers could acquire Seager as a power-hitting left-handed bat who could play a solid defensive third base. There is a team option for next year, but the Seattle Mariners would likely part with the veteran this season to maximize his value. Seager has 16 home runs this year. His .691 OPS doesn’t blow anyone away, but he could be remotivated at a new park with a chance to make the playoffs for the first time in his career.
Mitch Haniger
Another Mariner enters the discussion. Haniger was a first-round pick by the Brewers back in 2012. He never played a game for Milwaukee, but they could bring him back. Haniger is a free agent after next season and he is having an excellent year with 20 bombs and a .798 OPS. He can play an adequate centerfield and would give the Brewers a boost this season as well as being a bridge to Garrett Mitchell and just-drafted Sal Frelick.
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Eduardo Escobar
There is no secret the Arizona Diamondbacks want to get something for their soon-to-be free agent infielder. Escobar, like Haniger, has 20 homers on the season. He also gives the Brewers some flexibility in the infield since he can play either third base or second. He will have a healthy trade market as many contending teams are looking for a power-hitting infielder. While that may drive up his price a bit, the Milwaukee Brewers still won’t have to part with any top prospects and can afford to give up a few lower-level ones.
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