2 realistic power bats the Brewers could add at the deadline

With the All-Star Break behind us, baseball's next milestone is the MLB Trade Deadline, which is set for July 31 at 5:00 p.m. CT. Over the next few weeks, teams in the cellar of the league will be trading their few bright spots to contenders for hauls of prospects. Sometimes they work out, other times they fall flat.

Some experts are making bold predictions, with the Milwaukee Brewers landing guys like Alex Bregman or Ronald Acuña Jr., in exchange for top prospects, and seemingly, half of its active roster. Trades like that can change the trajectory of a franchise, for better or worse. Winning a World Series has to happen; otherwise, you sacrifice the next five years of your team in vain.

Of course, there are other options that are a bit more realistic for baseball's smallest market. Milwaukee's biggest needs at the deadline tend to point towards its offense, with the main focus being at the corner infield spots. The Brewers do have plenty of ammo to make a deal, whether it be a short term rental, or someone on club control. Let's take a look at two realistic trade candidates, and one who would fall into the "franchise-altering" category.

Option 1: Josh Naylor

The injury to Rhys Hoskins has really made the Brewers’ trade deadline plans even more interesting. Milwaukee acquired Andrew Vaughn when they sent Aaron Civale to Chicago last month, and when he was finally called upon in the series against the Dodgers this week, Vaughn came up huge in more than one moment. That said, his track record isn't drastically different from what Hoskins has done for his career. He will hit for power, but not average on a consistent basis.

Josh Naylor, on the other hand, provides pop and average. He has popped 11 home runs, 18 doubles, and driven in 58 runs so far this season, all while hitting for a .296 average. That would put him 2nd on the Brewers in average, doubles, and RBI as the team is currently built.

A deal for Naylor likely wouldn't drain the farm system. He is currently in the final year of his deal, one that is only paying him $10.9 million. Maybe Andrew Vaughn will continue to exceed expectations, and Milwaukee won't need to trade for him. But if Vaughn doesn't work out over the next few weeks, a deal for Naylor could help the Brewers stem the tide until Hoskins returns from his thumb sprain, at which point Pat Murphy could platoon the two hitters, or put Hoskins into the DH rotation as well. Adding Naylor to the lineup would likely mean that Yelich sees more time in the outfield, as one of Hoskins, Vaughn, or Naylor would likely occupy the DH spot.

Option 2: Ryan O' Hearn

This one has been picking up a lot of steam over the last couple of days, as analysts, including Jeff Passan, have been connecting the Brewers and Ryan O'Hearn. Just like Naylor, O'Hearn is in the final year of his deal, and it is a cheap one at that. Also like Naylor, he is putting together an impressive year; O'Hearn was the starting DH for the AL All-Star team on Tuesday night.

While Andrew Vaughn's performance will be a major indicator of whether the team needs to make this move, it is also worth noting that both Naylor and O'Hearn can play in the outfield, which could also chase Jake Bauers out of Milwaukee. O'Hearn is hitting .286 this season, with 11 home runs and 32 RBI. The average alone makes him an interesting addition.

The Orioles are in need of pitching help, something Milwaukee has in a plentiful bounty. Acquiring O'Hearn likely doesn't cost the Brewers any of their top-end prospects, and while he is a free agent after this season, resigning him likely doesn't break the bank either. Passan called this "the perfect move" for the Brewers. Should they execute the trade, time will tell if it actually is, but on paper, it makes a lot of sense.

Bonus: José Ramírez

Shoutout to Locked on Brewers podcast host Chuck Freimund for speaking this one into existence. If the Brewers are going to make a massive splash, it shouldn't be for Bregman or Acuna; it should be for José Ramírez. Over the last eight years, Ramírez has been a perennial MVP candidate in the American League, including his 2017 campaign that saw him bring home the hardware.

While Ramirez turns 33 later this season, he is still producing at an incredibly high level.  So far this season, he is hitting for a .301 average, has hit 17 home runs, 17 doubles, and driven in 45 runs.  All numbers that would put him near the top of the 2025 Brewers. While he may not be the best defensive 3rd baseman in the league, he's still an above-average one, collecting three outs above average (OAA) so far this season.

This one does get a bit complicated in terms of return. Ramirez is under contract through the end of the 2028 season, by which point he will be 36. He will also be owed over $69 million over that time frame, with the money being owed increasing each season. So while he is producing at an incredibly high level, his contract may deter some teams because of the money, but those extra years of control could demand a big haul from a potential suitor.