Milwaukee Brewers: Will the Cubs push them to make a deal?

The Chicago Cubs have added another bat to their roster with the acquisition of Daniel Murphy. Will the Cubs sense of urgency push the Milwaukee Brewers into making a deal?

The Milwaukee Brewers still have an incomplete roster. They have a solid lineup, a capable bench, and an awesome bullpen. However, they’ve made it through the season with a patchwork starting staff made of journeymen, rookies, and a few guys who actually belong in a Major League rotation. They need to add another starter for a playoff push.

The Chicago Cubs aggressiveness shows that they want to get back to the post season. Could their recent acquisition force the Brewers into a trade?

Why did the Cubs acquire Murphy?

The Cubs grabbed Daniel Murphy because he’ll only cost them money. Seriously. The Cubs absorbed his contract in exchange for nothing. They get a capable lefty bat who can slide into the lineup at second base or first base, and they didn’t give the Washington Nationals anything more than six weeks of salary relief.

Are the Nationals still selling?

Yes. They’ve moved on from Murphy, and Matt Adams. They also placed Bryce Harper on revocable waivers. The Los Angeles Dodgers were believed to have claimed him, but the Nationals pulled him back before a deal was worked out.

Could the Nationals sell a pitcher?

Yes. They won’t move Max Scherzer or Stephen Strasburg, but Gio Gonzalez could get moved before the August 31st deadline. It was rumored that the Milwaukee Brewers inquired on Gonzalez before the July 31st deadline, but they couldn’t come to a deal. If the Nationals are ready to sell off, the Brewers could add the left-handed starter that they’ve been searching for.

What would Gonzalez cost?

Not much. The Cubs got Murphy for nothing. Five weeks of Gonzalez might cost a name on the roster of the Milwaukee Brewers Dominican Summer League team, but it might not even take that much. If the Brewers claim Gonzalez, the Nationals could simply allow him to leave. The Brewers would be on the hook for the rest of his contract, but he’s a free agent in November.

The Chicago Cubs have added to their roster with a sense of urgency. They brought in Cole Hamels, Brandon Kintzler, and Murphy to strengthen for the stretch run. The Milwaukee Brewers need to respond in kind with an acquisition of their own. Whether they can add Gonzalez, Matt Harvey, or another name that hasn’t been mentioned, they need to do so quickly.