Brewers: Zach Davies and Trent Grisham traded to Padres in 4-player deal

Milwaukee Brewers GM David Stearns is running through the offseason pulling some moves. Some that we weren’t really expecting.

In a deal according to MLB.com’s Jon Morosi, the Milwaukee Brewers made a huge trade with the San Diego Padres and are receiving 22-year old Luis Urias and 24-year old LHP Eric Lauer in exchange for OF Trent Grisham and RHP Zach Davies.

After playing such important roles in 2019, Grisham and Davies weren’t expected to be on the trade block, but when the right deal arrives, Stearns is not opposed to making it.

Who Did The Brewers Get?

With receiving Urias, this brings up some potential help at shortstop with the decline of Orlando Arcia, who’s status will be more clear come the Monday non-tender deadline. If the crew decides to keep Arcia around, him and Urias will have to go head-to-head, competing for that shortstop position.

But, Urias can also play 2B and 3B, meaning he could very well be taking the spot of Mike Moustakas if he doesn’t return to the crew for 2020, or if Travis Shaw keeps his spot in the 40-man roster. Second base is already taken by Keston Hiura so putting Hiura and Urias side by side in the infield could potentially create a very strong middle infield duo.

Urias has only been in the major leagues for parts of two seasons, but in his two seasons with the Padres, he slashed .221/.318/.331 in just under 300 plate appearances. While his big league numbers weren’t eye-popping, Urias slashed .308/.397/.433 in his six seasons in the minor leagues.

Eric Lauer, on the other hand, was a 2016 first round pick for the Padres, posting a 14-17 record with a 4.40 ERA in 261 innings over the last two seasons in San Diego.

Who Did The Brewers Give Up?

Trent Grisham, a 22 year old former first round pick for the Brewers, is the headliner going back to San Diego in the deal. Grisham forced his way into heavy playing time in the second half of the season with strong offensive numbers in the minor leagues and continuing that trend in the big leagues. He posted a .738 OPS in just 51 games after joining the Brewers.

Zach Davies played in five different seasons with the Brewers, finishing with a strong comeback year after a 2018 injury prone season, where he went 10-7 with a 3.55 ERA, and 1.29 WHIP in the 2019 season.

It definitely came as a shock to see these two traded to San Diego, but, trading for two prospects could potentially move the Brewers in the right direction if they want to have a back-to-back-to-back postseason appearance. We wish all the luck to Grisham and Davies as they head out to the west coast for the 2020 season.