Milwaukee Brewers: 5 current players who could get traded soon

The Milwaukee Brewers have a deep pitching staff and a glut of outfielders throughout their organization. If the team looks to add to other areas, they could choose to deal from their two positions of strength. We have five names that could end up with a new address for the 2019 season here.

If the Milwaukee Brewers are going to upgrade their roster this off season, they’re going to need to shed salary or talent from other areas. Ace starting pitchers either cost a ton in free agency, or require a substantial return in a trade. If the trade rumors for J.T. Realmuto are to be believed, then the cost of acquiring a franchise catcher is also hefty.

The good news is that the Milwaukee Brewers have a deep roster to pull from. They also have several affordable contracts that could be flipped for a solid return.

5. Keon Broxton

The arrival of Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich meant that Keon Broxton would either spend most of the year in Triple-A or ride the bench. That’s pretty much how his 2019 season played out.

Broxton played 143 games for the Brewers in 2017, but only made 51 appearances in 2018. He’s still only 28 years old, under team control, and has skills that a Major League team can use. He posted a .254/.323/.421 slash line in Triple-A, and is only one year removed from a 20/20 season with the Brewers. He still has value, even if 2018 was a lost year for him.

There were trade rumors swirling around Broxton last year, so it makes sense that there’s smoke around him again this year. Broxton could get added to a trade package for a solid starter, or get flipped for a useful arm.

3. Zach Davies

Zach Davies has over 400 innings on his resume at the Major League level, and he has three seasons of arbitration eligibility left. He also may not have a starting role with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2019.

Davies suffered through shoulder and back problems in 2018 that limited him to only 13 starts with the Brewers. He posted a 4.77 ERA with 49 strikeouts and 21 walks in 66 innings.

Jhoulys Chacin, Corbin Burnes, Freddy Peralta, Brandon Woodruff, Chase Anderson, and Jimmy Nelson are all in the mix for the starting rotation. And that list doesn’t even include a high-priced free agent, or a trade target that the Brewers could acquire.

Davies would find a larger role on another roster, and he could also feature in a package for a starter or catcher.

2. Eric Thames

Eric Thames is the Milwaukee Brewers version of Wally Pipp.

Thames was expected to deliver another 30+ homer season and drive in a ton of runs. However he suffered through thumb and leg injuries, and Jesus Aguilar stepped up to take the every day first base role from Thames.

Thames only played 96 games, but still bashed 16 homers, and posted a .219/.306/.478 slash line.

He was essentially forgotten by the time September rolled around, and the Brewers even acquired Curtis Granderson to fill a role similar to Thames. He was also left off the playoff roster in the NLDS and NLCS. It’s clear that he may not have a future with the Brewers, despite an affordable contract that runs through 2019 with a club option for 2020.

He has legit power, but probably shouldn’t play everyday in the field. If the Brewers could find a match with an American League team with a need at first base/DH, Thames could get flipped for a solid prospect, or get added into a package for a larger catch.

1. Chase Anderson

Speaking of players who were forgotten come playoff time, the Milwaukee Brewers also have Anderson on the roster.

Anderson made 30 starts for the Brewers in 2018, and worked 158 innings. He struck out 128, walked 57, and managed a 3.93 ERA. He was also left off the playoff roster, and also may not have a role in 2019.

Anderson is under contract with the Brewers through 2019 and has club options for 2020 and 2021. He’ll turn 31 before the start of the 2019 season, and he’s worked over 700 innings in the Majors.

Any team in need of rotation depth should look to add Anderson. He’s better than most fourth or fifth starters in the league, and will take the ball every fifth day. He’s not overpowering, but he’ll gobble up innings, and keep the game from getting out of hand. His contract will only pay $25 million over the next three season if every option is picked up, so affordability isn’t a concern.

There are a lot of reasons to like Anderson, but he may not be a good fit for a team looking to contend for a World Series in 2019.

The Milwaukee Brewers don’t just have these five players who could get flipped before Spring Training starts, but they are the most likely. Jonathan Schoop could go, Orlando Arcia could also draw interest, and any of their young arms except Josh Hader could also end up in a trade package. There are a lot of moving parts to the Brewers off season plans, but they have the pieces available to make a few big moves happen while staying within their budget.