Reviewing The Brew
FanSided

Brewers Wheel and Deal Their Way Towards The Future

By Kyle Lesniewski

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It’s been a whirlwind past few days for the Milwaukee Brewers during the run up to the trade deadline. The disappointing results this season have led to the Brewers beginning a rebuild in earnest, and GM Doug Melvin did not disappoint fans that were hoping to see plenty of deals. All said, the Brewers traded away 20% of their major league roster before this afternoon’s 3 pm non-waiver trade deadline, and added seven minor league prospects to what was an already improving farm system. Without further ado, here is the wrap-up of the Milwaukee Brewers’ non-waiver trade deadline action.

July 23

Brewers send 3B Aramis Ramirez and cash to PIT for RHP Yhonathan Barrios
The Brewers traded their veteran third baseman, in the last season of his career, back to the city where he started his big league career back in 1999. The Pirates had injuries in the infield that created interest in Aramis Ramirez, and they also received about $2.75 mil in cash in the deal. In exchange, the Brewers received 23 year old righty Yhonathan Barrios. A converted infielder, Barrios can hit triple digits with his fastball but needs refinement with his command and secondary pitches. Effectively a lottery ticket, Barrios was assigned to AA Biloxi and has pitched a scoreless inning in his only appearance since the deal.

July 30

Brewers Trade Mike Fiers and Carlos Gomez to HOU for Four Prospects
After a failed trade to the Mets, the Brewers packaged Carlos Gomez, Mike Fiers, and the number 76 international bonus slot in a deal to the Houston Astros in exchange for OF Brett Phillips, OF Domingo Santana, LHP Josh Hader, and RHP Adrian Houser. Phillips, 21, is a potential five tool player and now ranks as the Brewers number two prospect. Santana, 22, has big power but also struggles with whiffs, but could be an everyday outfielder. He slots in at number 7. Hader, 21, is lefty that can hit the mid 90s with his fastball, but needs work on his secondary pitches and command. He slots in at 15. Houser, 22, has struggled during his minor league career but has the type of projectable build and ground ball tendencies the Brewers like in their pitchers. He slots in at 28.

July 31

Brewers Send Gerado Parra to BAL for RHP Zach Davies
Gerardo Parra is having the best season of his career, and the versatile outfielder was an obvious fit for an Orioles team that has struggled with outfield production all season long. A free agent at season’s end, Parra was one of the most sought after players on the market, and the Brewers were able to get a good prospect in return for his expiring contract. Zach Davies, 22, has long put up strong numbers in the minors, including a 2.84 ERA in AAA this season. He’s a diminutive fellow but specializes in ground balls, flashing a plus changeup and above average control. Doug Melvin has said Davies could be a rotation candidate next season, and he slots in as the Brewers number 11 prospect.

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Brewers Send Jonathan Broxton and cash to STL for OF Malik Collymore
Jonathan Broxton struggled all season long in part due to a fluky strand rate and a .346 BABIP against (though his hard hit against rate is 2% above his career average, as well). While his 5.59 ERA looks ugly, Broxton sports a 3.65 FIP, has found his lost fastball velocity, and bumped his strikeouts back up to more than a batter per inning. With a cFIP- of 90, Broxton is an interesting buy low candidate for the Cardinals, who also receive $3 mil as apart of the deal. The Brewers received 20 year old outfielder Malik Collymore in exchange. He has a career .286/.360/.429 slash in 347 plate career rookie league appearances, though he’s struggled this year in the Appalachian League. Unranked among the Brewers top 30, Collymore is another lottery ticket type player in the low minors.

In addition to all the trades, the Brewers made several roster moves to replace their departed players. Tyler Thornburg and Logan Schafer were recalled, Elian Herrera‘s contract was selected from the AAA Sky Sox, and the Brewers claimed reliever Preston Guilmet off waivers from the Dodgers. The well traveled Guimet, 28, has a career 6.43 ERA in 21.0 major league innings, but he sports a 1.95 ERA and 45.8% ground ball rate in 32.1 innings at AAA this season, with 32 Ks against 10 BB. The Milwaukee Brewers figure to feature plenty of young players looking to make their mark for the rest of the season, and debuted their first “rebuild lineup” for tonight’s game against the Cubs.

Next: Brewers Unafraid to Begin Rebuild In Earnest

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