Milwaukee Brewers: Why the Brewers should Go the Trade Route

The Milwaukee Brewers, have had a very underwhelming off-season.  There could be many reasons for this slow activity.  One, maybe the market is just too overpriced for the Crew to make any real deals.

Maybe the Milwaukee Brewers do not want to shell out a huge wad of cash to a player hoping that it pans out in the end.

Today we here at RTB will examine why the Milwaukee Brewers should stay away from the big spending of dollar signs and just cash in something a little bit more valuable. They could look to subtract from their stacked farm system instead.

Over the past couple of seasons.  The Milwaukee Brewers have been a part of some pretty significant trades. They were of course, on the rebuilding end so they received the minor league TBD portion in any deal made. Now coming off of an 86-76 season it is time for the Brewers too put some of this depth to good use.

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Who are their best trade chips?

Of course, first to be discussed in any significant deal will be Lewis Brinson (number one prospect). Many view the speedy outfielder as “untouchable”, but with Brett Phillips making a great first impression. There is a true possibility of Brinson being dealt. In the right deal of course.

To go along with Brinson the Brewers also have a more under the radar prospect, but he is a potential superstar. Finally, healthy Monte Harrison had a breakout campaign in 2017. Harrison still just 22 years old was drafted by the Brewers in 2014.  In 2017 he hit .272/.350/.481. He smashed 21 home runs and drove in 67 RBIs.

Harrison was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League. He didn’t do too shabby in the spotlight either. He hit 5 home-runs and owned a slash line of .283/.333/.604.  If the Brewers do get deeply involved in talks with any team. Harrison would definitely be a player a lot of general managers would want in any deal.

The Brewers also own a fairly talented and young pitching staff in their system. Corbin Burnes, Freddy Peralta, and Luis Ortiz are just a few examples of the talented arms the Brewers are currently developing. Burnes just missed out on winning the minor league pitcher of the year award in 2017.  Peralta posted a 2.63 Era between Double-A Biloxi and High A Carolina. Ortiz has a very high ceiling as a big power arm.

Why using prospect depth works best

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When you are a small market ballclub, such as the Milwaukee Brewers. You do not really have the luxury of being able to spend big on multiple free agents year after year. Instead, you must rely upon building a strong farm system.  The Milwaukee Brewers have truly accomplished this feat and now deserve to reap the fruits of their labor.