Milwaukee Brewers: What are the latest trade rumors?

The 2018 Milwaukee Brewers look like a playoff team through half the season. Now, general manager David Stearns must decide whether to make a trade for a playoff run.

The Milwaukee Brewers won 50 games before any team in the National League. Recently, MLB.com writer Mike Petriello wrote an article on trade rumors, and he often mentioned the Brewers as a possible landing spot.

The Brewers are a good team. They also are a deep team. Milwaukee’s outfield depth has saved them at times during the 2018 season.

Starters Lorenzo Cain, Christian Yelich, and Ryan Braun all missed time due to injury this season. The team also demoted Domingo Santana to Triple-A after a slow start.

However, shortstop, second base, starting pitcher, and catcher appear to be where the Brewers are looking to make an upgrade with a trade.

What are the latest rumors for pitchers?

Stearns said the Milwaukee Brewers have decent starting pitching depth, too. But even he admitted he is looking to add a front-of-the-rotation type guy for the right price.

Brewers shortstop Orlando Arcia struggled with his bat much more than predicted to start the 2018 season. Second baseman Jonathan Villar has been merely adequate. Plus, Manny Pina has some clutch hits, but poor overall numbers at the plate as the team’s main catcher.

Most chatter around starting pitching revolves around Mets starters Noah Syndergaard and Jacob DeGrom. Petriello, however, lists the Brewers as a potential fit for Angels starter Garrett Richards.

If the Angels are selling, this could be an intriguing option for the Brewers. The Mets will desire several good prospects for their aces. Perhaps the Brewers could find a lower cost deal for Richards?

Richards has pitched well lately and has a high strikeout and impressive groundball rate. Those traits work well in hitter-friendly Miller Park. The risk with Richards is his health. He has a past with injury.

What about trade rumors for infielders and catchers?

If Arcia continues to struggle, the Milwaukee Brewers have Brad Miller and Tyler Saladino. Manager Craig Counsell will likely play the hot-hand of those two.

Petriello also linked the Milwaukee Brewers to a couple of second basemen.

Trade rumors connected the Brewers to second baseman Whit Merrifield of the Royals in the past. Petriello, however, suggests Milwaukee could look at the Rockies DJ LeMahieu and the Athletics Jed Lowrie.

The catcher position is more complicated. Brewers pitching looks very good and that likely has something to do with Pina.

Tampa Bay will likely trade catcher Wilson Ramos before the trade deadline. Ramos has proven he is an effective middle-of-the-order hitter and good defensive catcher when healthy. This season, Ramos is healthy and has played All-Star quality baseball.

Next: Could the Brewers deal for Matt Harvey?

The risk in acquiring Ramos is that h is only a rental. His contract runs out after this season. There is no accounting for how he will gel with the Brewers pitchers. His bat would be welcomed, but will his cost outweigh his value considering Pina has been good with the Brewers staff.