Milwaukee Brewers Acquire Jeremy Jeffress Back From Texas

The Milwaukee Brewers have made a move to acquire a reliever at the Trade Deadline. It’s a familiar face, one we saw leave town last year: Jeremy Jeffress.

Last year, Jeffress, along with Jonathan Lucroy went to Texas for Lewis Brinson, Luis Ortiz, and Ryan Cordell. This year, Lucroy has just been sent to Colorado for a PTBNL and Jeremy Jeffress has been sent back to Milwaukee. I know GMs don’t like to view trades as wins or losses, but the Milwaukee Brewers won that trade.

The interesting thing about this trade is that there were literally no rumors about it. The Rangers were reportedly shopping Jeffress but there was no report that Milwaukee was pursuing him. The news only came out after the deal was done.

What makes this trade even better is that Milwaukee didn’t give up much of anything in return. The trade last year included three top 30 prospects but now, the return package didn’t include a major prospect in the system. The player going to Texas is one that most fans probably haven’t heard of.

RHP Taylor Scott heads to the Rangers. He was signed from Independent Ball a year ago and pitching with the Double-A Biloxi Shuckers this year. He’s 25 years old and his having a decent season as a reliever.

Jeffress did a good job as the Brewers closer in 2016 before he was traded. In Texas, he hasn’t been able to have that sort of success. This year, in 40 and 2/3 Innings Pitched, Jeffress has only 29 strikeouts and a 5.31 ERA to boot. His WHIP of 1.67 isn’t that good either. But there’s a silver lining.

Jeffress has an incredible support system in Milwaukee. This organization has taken him into their arms and has been able to support him through whatever issues come up. He was suspended twice in the minor leagues for drug use but Milwaukee has stuck with him. He was the Brewers first round pick back in 2006.

When Jeffress was in Milwaukee from 2014-2016, he never posted an ERA above 2.65 and while he hasn’t been the biggest strikeout pitcher, he was incredibly effective. He totaled 27 saves in Milwaukee but he was never used in the closer’s role in Texas.

Jeffress won’t become a free agent until after the 2019 season and his poor season this year led to the light return for Texas. Jeffress loves Milwaukee and he won’t want to leave again. Now that the Brewers are ready to contend for years to come, it’s unlikely he goes anywhere else.

And Jeremy Jeffress, if you’re reading this: Welcome Home. We’ve missed you.

Next: The State Of The Rotation

Looking at it now, the Lucroy/Jeffress deal with Texas has given the Brewers Lewis Brinson, Luis Ortiz, Anthony Swarzak, and Jeremy Jeffress and the Texas Rangers have gotten one year of Lucroy, Taylor Scott, and a PTNBL from Colorado. Chalk up another win for GM David Stearns. Jeffress will contribute in the Milwaukee Brewers bullpen in a way he couldn’t in Texas.