Milwaukee Brewers: Trade deadline rumor roundup

With the trade deadline is only five days away, rumors are swirling around the Milwaukee Brewers. The team is looking to add pitching depth, but are there arrivals imminent or are the rumors just idle chatter?

The Milwaukee Brewers have already dealt prospect Ryan Cordell to the Chicago White Sox for reliever Anthony Swarzak. While the addition of Swarzak bolsters their bullpen, there could be more deals on the way in the next few days.

Deal With Detroit?

The Milwaukee Brewers have been linked to Tigers ace Justin Verlander, reliever Justin Wilson, and even Ian Kinsler. Both Justins seem like legitimate trade targets, but Ian Kinsler’s name as a possibility for the Brewers is odd. He’s in his age-35 season and owns a .729 OPS. It’s possible that Kinsler is included in a deal for Wilson as a salary dump, but dealing for a limited player like Kinsler makes little sense for the Brewers.

Sonny Gray On His Way?

We’ve explored a Sonny Gray deal in-depth and the Milwaukee Brewers have been sniffing around him for a month. He would cost a King’s Ransom, and the Brewers are unlikely to part with top prospects, even in a deal for Gray.

Are There Other Relief Options Available?

Addison Reed and Brad Hand could be possibilities. Hand will likely cost a top prospect or two, while Reed should come at a much lower cost. Blue Jays reliever Joe Smith is also a name that’s gained traction as a possible fit for the Brewers. Smith is available for a minimal cost, probably less than Swarzak, and comes with a better track record. He has 49 strikeouts in 32 2/3 innings with a 3.58 ERA in 35 games this season. Adding Smith as a bridge to closer Corey Knebel would go a long way towards solving the Brewers bullpen woes, and the price may be right.

What About Yu?

There are zero rumors linking the Milwaukee Brewers to Texas Rangers ace Yu Darvish. While it would be fantastic to see Yu leading the Brew Crew into the playoffs, there’s virtually no chance of Darvish coming to Milwaukee. The Brewers won’t meet the Rangers asking price even if Darvish is available.

Next: Check Out Out Trade Deadline Predictions

The Milwaukee Brewers are likely to add another arm or two in the next few days. It won’t be a true impact starter. Trades for low-cost options like Anthony Swarzak are a possibility, but the team clearly isn’t willing to go all-in at this point.