The Greatest Trade The Brewers Never Made

Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Back in early November, the Milwaukee Brewers were rumored to have shown interest in trading for New York Mets first baseman Ike Davis. However, talks failed to materialize as Brewers general manager Doug Melvin was unwilling to part with a young pitching prospect.

The pitching prospect the Mets coveted from the Brewers was Tyler Thornburg. And thus begins the greatest trade the Brewers never made.

Let me start off by saying this. If Sandy Alderson (Mets GM) was of the opinion that the Brewers would be willing to send one of their top pitching prospects in return for a player who was an offensive mess in 2013, then the Mets are more incompetent than I thought.

However, Milwaukee may be just as, if not more, incompetent. The Brewers already have an Ike Davis on their roster – his name is Juan Francisco and he is essentially a Davis replica with the bat. If the Brewers don’t believe Francisco is capable of manning first base – which they clearly don’t considering they’ve been linked to every free agent first baseman – why would they think Davis would be any better? It’s like trading a box of oranges to replace a bag of oranges. It’s ridiculous.

Yet we must give credit where credit is due. Thumbs up to Melvin & Co. for standing their ground when the Mets expressed interest in Thornburg.

Thornburg, 25, has the potential to be a solid three or four starter in this league. In fact, manager Ron Roenicke has already claimed he has a leg up for the fifth spot in the rotation for this upcoming season. He proved capable when he posted a 1.47 ERA in seven starts in 2013, deeming his struggles in Triple-A (0-9, 5.79 ERA) inconsequential.

As of a week ago, the Brewers and Mets were still in the midst of discussing a deal for Ike Davis. The Mets have apparently lowered their disproportionate demands.