Milwaukee Brewers Rumors: Crew In “Serious Discussions” With Orioles

In fresh Milwaukee Brewers rumors, the Crew is reportedly getting close to making a move on some more Trade Deadline additions.

Ken Rosenthal is one of the most highly respected baseball insiders there is. And when he hears a rumor, it’s usually true. That’s what makes this bombshell a nice surprise for Milwaukee Brewers fans.

The Milwaukee Brewers have a need for both a middle infielder and a starting pitcher. The Orioles just so happen to have both available for trade.

Jonathan Schoop is one of the top remaining middle infield options on the trade market. He’s been hot the entire month of July, to the tune of a .369 batting average. He was in a slump to start the season, but his recent hot streak is cause for optimism if the Brewers were to acquire him.

Could it be Gausman?

Kevin Gausman has been pretty mediocre for most of his career. His FIP for the past four seasons have been above 4.00. He hasn’t lived up to his potential of being a top of the line starting pitcher. But current Brewers starter Wade Miley, who is a former teammate of Gausman’s, said he’s got ace-level ‘stuff’.

Baltimore has never really been able to develop pitching. It’s been a major struggle for them over the years. One of their more famous mistakes was Jake Arrieta. Arrieta started his career in Baltimore, struggled, was traded away to Chicago and became a Cy Young-level pitcher for the Cubs.

Gausman could be the Milwaukee Brewers’ Jake Arrieta. He could be. There’s no guarantee that Gausman can immediately turn things around and help out the club this season in a meaningful way. Pitching coach Derek Johnson will have a big job to do if Gausman indeed becomes the Crew’s acquisition.

What would it cost?

This depends on which player the Orioles send to Milwaukee. It could just be Schoop, just Gausman, or both. Schoop is under control through next season and Gausman has two more years of arbitration, becoming a free agent after the 2020 season.

Gausman has the same amount of control as Jacob DeGrom, but will cost significantly less since he’s been far less successful in his career.

If both players are packaged together, the Brewers might be able to offer Luis Ortiz to headline the return. Rumors have it that the Brewers were trying to use him as the headliner in the Manny Machado sweepstakes, maybe the Orioles still have some interest. Despite his injury history, he still has a ton of potential. Then again, the Orioles are well known for flagging medical reports on prospects.

Things could move quickly with the Trade Deadline now four days away.

The Milwaukee Brewers still need a bat in the middle infield and a starting pitcher to add to their rotation. Packaging both Schoop and Gausman together kills two birds with one stone.