Brewers: 3 Players Most Likely to be Traded This Season

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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 04: Lorenzo Cain #6 of the Milwaukee Brewers walks across the field during summer workouts at Miller Park on July 04, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Lorenzo Cain

This one hurts to write. Lorenzo Cain is universally loved by fans, media, and teammates alike. However, the current structure of baseball makes it a business, and business decisions are not always the most popular ones made.

The Brewers have been open to hearing offers on Lorenzo Cain in the past, and it appears that continues to this point. Jackie Bradley Jr is still out on the market, and the Brewers have been linked to JBJ. That creates a backlog in the outfield, as the Brewers would have to find playing time for an MVP, and two other Gold Glove winners.

Even without an addition of Jackie Bradley Jr, Lorenzo Cain appears to be a potential trade candidate. While he is older (turning 35 in April), and is owed $35 million over the next two seasons, he still provides immense value and elite defense.

Lorenzo Cain continues to be an elite defender, but with a hefty contract remaining, could he find himself traded at some point this season?

Cain would almost certainly have a smaller market than Hader would, given his contract situation, and the positional needs of most teams. Despite that, teams like the Mets, who missed out on George Springer, might be interested, and in a position to absorb that salary. Another team that may have some interest is Houston, who is looking to replace George Springer.

As opposed to Hader, who would bring in prospects, or multiple young players with years of team control, any trade involving Cain would likely be more along the lines of a salary dump. After the 2020 fiscal year, with no fans, and uncertainty about how many fans, if any, will be allowed into stadiums, teams are looking for ways to save money, and seeing Lorenzo Cain traded may be one way to do that.

Lorenzo Cain appears to be fired up and ready to go for 2021. He, like so many others, is in the best shape of his life, he should be back to patrol the outfield in the newly minted American Family Field, while still providing a solid presence in the lineup.

There is no imminent feeling of a trade involving Cain on the horizon, and he hopefully will remain a healthy contributor in Milwaukee.

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