Milwaukee Brewers: The Tampa Bay Rays want to deal pitchers

OAKLAND, CA - JULY 17: Jake Odorizzi
OAKLAND, CA - JULY 17: Jake Odorizzi

If the Milwaukee Brewers decide to look to the trade market for answers, the Tampa Bay Rays are great potential partners.

Recent chatter says that the team is willing to, and looking to, move Jake Odorizzi and Alex Colome. There is also speculation that if they are willing to deal those two, that Chris Archer could be available as well.

Alex Colome

The closer would be good for the bullpen, but there is not really a fit with the Milwaukee Brewers. Corey Knebel is locking down the closer spot in a very fantastic way. So unless he is willing to step into a setup role, it will not work for Colome in Milwaukee.

Jake Odorizzi

This is an interesting option. It would be a reunion too. The Brewers originally drafted Odorizzi in the first round back in 2008. However, when Zack Greinke came to the Crew, Odorizzi went to the Royals.

Since then, Odorizzi has established himself as a fairly reliable back end arm. He will consistently have an ERA in the mid three’s or low four’s. That is a solid arm to have, and an upgrade for Matt Garza’s vacant spot in the rotation.

It could be a fairly cheap option considering no one has called for him yet. It also is a cheapened price tag because of the fact that Odorizzi has only a year left on his contract. It is certainly a reunion to think about for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Chris Archer

I will be brief here, because it is something I have explored in the past. But, Archer is the best potential option this offseason. He is young, he is full of talent, and he has years of control. The is an expensive, but worth it, combination.

What It Means

It means that a call to Tampa is in order for David Stearns. The two can most certainly strike a deal based on what each team brings to the table. At the end of the day, Archer is the prize, but Odorizzi is no slouch of a haul either.

Next: Michael Brady signs a minor league deal

Either way, something will happen that makes the Milwaukee Brewers better heading into the 2018 season. That is the important thing. It comes down to what can push this team into October baseball.

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