Milwaukee Brewers: Creating A Trade Package For Jacob DeGrom

The New York Mets appear ready to sell at the July Trade Deadline. What could the Milwaukee Brewers offer for the biggest name on the pitching market?

The Mets have taken a big step backwards after their hot start to the season. They have reportedly considered trading at least one of Noah Syndergaard and Jacob DeGrom. DeGrom is the more expensive of the two, but he’s healthier and more consistent than Syndergaard.

The Milwaukee Brewers could use a pitcher like Jacob DeGrom. He has a 1.69 ERA through 16 starts this season, He doesn’t allow many home runs, he doesn’t allow many walks, and he can go deep into games. The Mets haven’t provided him with much run support, but if he comes to Milwaukee, he shouldn’t have that issue with Lorenzo Cain, Christian Yelich, and Jesus Aguilar atop the lineup.

The Brewers may be hesitant to go into negotiations with the Mets after the Carlos Gomez–Wilmer Flores debacle in 2015. Even though Doug Melvin isn’t the GM anymore, it still upset many in the Brewers front office after the Mets went back on the agreed upon deal. David Stearns will have to be wary of that possibility again as the Mets ownership might not be willing to trade their ace.

With reports that the Brewers are going to be “aggressive” in the starting pitching market, acquiring DeGrom would be the most aggressive move they can make. They have the prospects to acquire DeGrom if they want to. It’s just a matter of who they’re willing to give up.

Why would DeGrom be so expensive?

Besides the fact that he has a sub-2.00 ERA and has been a relatively healthy and consistent starter for the past several years. Also, he’s under team control for a few years. DeGrom won’t reach free agency until after the 2020 season.

That should be music to GM David Stearns’ ears. Two and a half seasons of control for a staff ace is hard to find on the trade market. And that should be music to Mets GM Sandy Alderson’s ears.

What package could the Brewers put together?

This package is going to be painful to look at for those Milwaukee Brewers fans who pay attention to the farm system and have taken a liking to some of the top prospects the Crew has. This will not be easy.

I don’t want to make a trade package that is too one-sided and will try to keep it as realistic as possible. With that said, here is the prospect package it could take to acquire Jacob DeGrom.

There’s no way this deal gets done without Keston Hiura headlining the return package. The Mets could use some help at second base after Asdrubal Cabrera‘s contract ends after this season. Hiura would be a wonderful fit that could make their roster soon. Hiura will be able to hit wherever he goes, but it’s his glove that will always be a question mark.

Corbin Burnes is the most difficult to part with. I love what this kid can do on the mound and his ability to command his four pitch mix gives him a future as a frontline starting pitcher. Giving that up is not easy. But with DeGrom in the picture, the need for Burnes isn’t there as much. When the Crew acquired Yelich, they moved Lewis Brinson, because he was no longer necessary after Yelich came in. If I’m David Stearns, I only give up Burnes for a frontline starter in return.

Corey Ray was the Brewers 2016 first round pick and he’s finally showing us why he deserved that selection this season. In Double-A, Ray has a .245/.340/.441 with nine homers, 31 RBIs, 18 stolen bases.

Zack Brown has come on strong this season. He has a 6-0 record with a 2.53 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. He’s been a starter, but he may end up in the bullpen. And if he does, he could be a future closer.

Package Summary

In return for DeGrom, the Mets get the Milwaukee Brewers No. 1, No. 2, No. 6, and No. 23 prospects. All of these prospects are close to the big leagues as well. Burnes is in Triple-A, while Hiura, Ray, and Brown are all in Double-A. The Mets have said they don’t want to go into a full-blown rebuild, and getting prospects close to the big leagues helps that.

It’s a difficult deal to do if you’re the Brewers. Hiura and Burnes are two of the most hyped prospects to come through the system in a long time. The last time the Crew had a pitching prospect as hyped as Burnes, it was Jimmy Nelson and he’s turned out pretty good.

Next: Should they add an outfielder at the deadline?

A lot of things can happen between now and July 31st, but the Brewers should still be at or near the top of the division and be ready to buy. DeGrom will have a lot of suitors as well.