Milwaukee Brewers: 2017 MLB Trade Deadline Preview

As the calendar turns to July, the baseball world begins to focus on the upcoming non-Waiver Trade Deadline at the end of the month. So what will the Milwaukee Brewers do at the deadline? They’ve got a couple of options.

Noone thought before the season started that the Milwaukee Brewers would have a 3 1/2-game lead over the Chicago Cubs on Independence Day, but here we are.

The 2017 Brewers are in a position to buy at the trade deadline for the first time since 2014. But these are two very different teams. The 2014 Brewers were a veteran team that was expected to produce and make the playoffs. The farm system was in rough shape and they were hoping for one last crack at the postseason.

The 2017 Brewers are young, mostly inexperienced, and have zero expectations weighing them down. The rebuild that began in 2015 has added a ton of talent to the organization and looks to be ahead of schedule. The results have created quite the dilemma for GM David Stearns. Should he continue selling moveable assets? Should he stand pat and just call up prospects? Or should he buy?

Owner Mark Attanasio is notorious for being competitive and doing everything he can to help the team win. So perhaps it was a little surprising to hear his recent comments that he would not pressure David Stearns to make a playoff push at the deadline. That’s the smart move, honestly, and it’s refreshing to hear.

Since we don’t know what the Milwaukee Brewers will do at the deadline, it’s best to prepare for any scenario. What kind of players could they buy, if they decide to do so? Which prospects could get the call instead? Which current players could get traded away, if Stearns decides to sell?

Potential Players To Buy

This is tough. The Milwaukee Brewers aren’t likely to land any top players at any position since that would require parting with prospects. It’s extremely unlikely the Brewers give up any of their top 30 prospects in a deadline deal, so look for some buy-low guys. It’s hard to find cheap options since no one really knows if that player is available until they’re traded, but we’ll try.

The Brewers have been said to be looking for bullpen help and it’s not hard to see why. The offense is good, the rotation has some depth, but the bullpen has underwhelmed outside of Corey Knebel.

Swarzak was signed to a Minor League deal this past winter, but has done a solid job in the White Sox bullpen. He’s posted a 2.52 ERA through 39.1 innings with 41 strikeouts. His WHIP is at 0.99 and he’s only walked 10 batters this year. Swarzak has allowed only 11 earned runs in his 34 appearances.

As a sixth or seventh inning option that will be a free agent at the end of the year, the 31-year old Swarzak can be had for very little in return. He’s having a great season but the White Sox aren’t going anywhere and most of their players will be up for sale.

Perhaps a Class-A pitcher that isn’t highly regarded can be sent to Chicago in return for Swarzak.

McGowan is another impending free agent at the end of the year, but is having a great season on team that’s willing to sell. McGowan has a 2.86 ERA through 31 appearances. The 35-year old reliever has 37 strikeouts through 44 innings of work and has a 4-0 record with a 1.16 WHIP.

He would present another option in the sixth or seventh inning and has a longer record of recent success than Swarzak. McGowan is coming off of a good year in 2016 where he pitched to a 2.82 ERA in 67 innings of work. His price might be slightly higher than Swarzak, who has yet to post consecutive sub-4.00 ERA seasons in his eight-year career.

So perhaps instead of a single Class-A player, maybe it will cost two Class-A players. But neither will be highly regarded prospects, otherwise Stearns is unlikely to do the deal.

Madson used to be a well regarded closer and then he missed all of 2012-2014 with injuries. But now, as a 36 year old pitcher, he’s settled in to a setup role and has thrived in it this year. Madson has a 2.41 ERA through 35 appearances and 32 strikeouts. He’s walked only six batters all year and has 14 holds.

He owns a WHIP of 0.87 and has done an exceptional job in middle relief. Madson does come with a somewhat hefty price tag as he’s in the middle of a three year/ $22 million contract and is signed through next season.

David Stearns would like Oakland to eat a chunk of that money for the Brewers to get him but that would force Stearns to give up a better prospect return which he may not be willing to do. The Brewers have the lowest payroll in MLB so they can absorb that contract without putting a burden on the team.

Potential Prospect Call-Ups

The most likely outcome at the trade deadline is that the only additions the Milwaukee Brewers make to their roster are their own prospects. So who could they be?

Dubon was recently promoted to Triple-A and is the Brewers #9 prospect. He’s having a great year and could be in Milwaukee very soon. He’s competent at the plate and with the glove. He won’t hit for much power, but he’s speedy and would fit at the top of the order.

Jonathan Villar has been nothing short of awful this season and Eric Sogard has been a nice surprise, but he’s 4-for-his-last-24. His hot streak may be over.

So if Villar isn’t hitting, and Sogard begins to regress, who do the Brewers put at second base to fill the void? Mauricio Dubon, who is likely the second baseman of the future for Milwaukee, is ready to step in if need be.

Burnes could be the first player from the 2016 Draft to make it to the Major Leagues. He’s been outstanding this year and has already earned a mid-season promotion to Double-A. Burnes has pitched to a 7-1 record with a 1.13 ERA across both levels and a 0.84 WHIP.

He’s dominated this season and he could ride this success all the way to Milwaukee before the season is over. The Brewers don’t want to rush their prospects, but he’s been having so much success, there’s almost no reason not to bring him up.

While there may not be a rotation spot for him this year, he will be a Major League starter at some point soon. He’s been unstoppable, so why not bring up your organization’s best performing pitcher for the stretch run for the playoffs?

Brinson’s first stint with the Major League club didn’t go very well, but as soon as he went down to Triple-A again, he started to mash. Brinson can hit and he will do so for the Brewers, but he needs regular opportunities.

If an opening comes up in the outfield due to injury, Brinson figures to get the call and show us why he is the organization’s top prospect.

Of course, that open outfield spot could come from a trade of a player already on the big league roster, instead of an injury to one.