Brewers: 5 Controllable 2021 Trade Deadline Targets

MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 21: General manager David Stearns of the Milwaukee Brewers talks on the phone before the game against the Miami Marlins at Miller Park on April 21, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** David Stearns
MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 21: General manager David Stearns of the Milwaukee Brewers talks on the phone before the game against the Miami Marlins at Miller Park on April 21, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** David Stearns
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Name a better duo, David Stearns and acquiring players with control and options. The Milwaukee Brewers will be buyers at this year’s trade deadline, and plan on them adding a few pieces before July 30th comes to a close.

But don’t just look for the Brewers to get any of the high-name rental targets. Stearns has done it before, but it is usually for a veteran bench bat like Curtis Granderson. And as much fun as it would be, don’t hold your breath for players like Kris Bryant, Trevor Story, or Max Scherzer.

It’s hard to predict any trades when it has to do with the Brewers. Who saw the Willy Adames trade coming? It seemed out-of-nowhere, but has elevated the team to the top of the NL Central. So if the Brewers will be adding pieces near the trade deadline, the focus will probably be players with a year or two of control or options.

Currently, the Brewers could use another power bat, proven corner position player and an arm or two. Here are a few possible controllable trade deadline targets for the Brewers.

1. RHP Kyle Gibson

Adding Kyle Gibson would give Milwaukee maybe the best rotation in baseball. Your normal five would suddenly be Brandon Woodruff/Corbin Burnes/Freddy Peralta/Gibson/Adrian Houser.

The 33-year-old has one more year left on his contract and would earn $7MM in 2022. That isn’t a bad amount if he continues to pitch well and you have players like Woodruff, Burnes and Peralta under affordable team control until 2024.

Gibson currently has a record of 6-1 and a 2.29 ERA over 17 games this season and earned himself a spot on this year’s All-Star team roster. It has been a complete turnaround from his 2020 season with the Texas Rangers. During his first year with the team, he had a record of 2-6 with a 5.35 ERA over 12 games.

The Texas Rangers’ price on Gibson might be too high for the Brewers. The Brewers would also need to figure out what to do with Brett Anderson and Eric Lauer. Both could be used for middle relief and Lauer still has options. Milwaukee has also done mostly a six-man rotation this year to help get extra rest for their starters. Anderson could be number six if healthy and Lauer could fill in or come in if a pitcher leaves early on a high pitch count.

The big downside besides having to give up higher prospect is that if Gibson declines again, you then have another expensive pitcher like Josh Lindblom on your roster that is not in your rotation.

It might cause some initial headaches, but adding a pitcher like Gibson would suddenly have a Milwaukee Brewers rotation with four All-Stars on it.

Jul 17, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Miami Marlins first baseman Jesus Aguilar (24) hits a two run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 17, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Miami Marlins first baseman Jesus Aguilar (24) hits a two run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

2. 1B Jesus Aguilar

You can’t open up a Brewers social media platform without seeing fans wanting Jesus Aguilar back on the team. The Miami Marlins could be sellers at the trade deadline, and have already unloaded Corey Dickerson to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Aguilar just makes too much sense. The team still needs a solid option at first base and a power bat on their bench when needed. The only downside, if we want to get into random details, is that it would be David Stearns having to basically admit he made a mistake back in 2019 when he traded him to the Tampa Bay Rays. But one would hope everyone can get over that if it leads to a deep postseason run. Stearns has publicly admitted mistakes with his moves before, so it wouldn’t be a huge hindrance to a deal.

Aguilar is batting .275 with 17 home runs and 68 RBIs. If he would join the team today, he would be in the top 5 in batting average, be tied for first in home runs, and would lead in RBIs.

Adding a former player who is already beloved and would be at the top of your offensive charts is a no brainer. You find a solution at first base and increase your team’s batting average and stats automatically. Aguilar also has one final year of arbitration next season and currently making $4.35MM. Again, this one just makes too much sense.

3. RHP Richard Rodriguez

Usually, there is a pretty high division tax when it comes to trading. But the Pirates and Brewers have made plenty of trades before. Just a few weeks ago, the team acquired a utility infielder from Pittsburgh for left-handed pitcher Nathan Kirby.

Adding another reliever wouldn’t hurt Milwaukee. Hopefully, Devin Williams’ injured list stint is minimal. But if for some reason it is longer than expected or another pitcher goes down, the Brewers will need a few more options in the bullpen. Relievers like Jake Cousins and Miguel Sanchez have stepped up and played great, but Rodriguez makes the depth that much better.

Over 36 games this year, Rodriguez has a 2.65 ERA, a record of 4-2 and 13 saves under his belt. He would be an amazing alternate closer or setup man for Josh Hader.

The 31-year-old also has two more years of arbitration after this season. He’s currently making $1.7MM, and that would definitely increase for next season. One downside would be having to go to arbitration the next few years with two top relievers. Also, there will be a lot of competitors vying for Rodriguez, and the price to get him will be high.

Jul 21, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder Joey Gallo (13) receives congratulations from shortstop Eli White (41) after scoring in the second inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 21, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder Joey Gallo (13) receives congratulations from shortstop Eli White (41) after scoring in the second inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

4. LHP Joely Rodriguez

If the Brewers aren’t going to look at starting pitchers from the Texas Rangers, they have a couple of relievers that might draw interest at the trade deadline. One of those relievers is Joely Rodriguez.

Rodriquez doesn’t have amazing stats this year so far. The Rangers setup man has a 1-3 record with a 5.84 ERA. But he would add another left-handed arm to the bullpen. His mostly sinker and changeup combination also leaders to a lot of ground balls and strike outs. He has 27 strikeouts over you guessed it, 27 games.

A fresh team might be able to lower his ERA just like Trevor Richards earlier this season. Rodriguez signed a two-year, $5.5MM deal with the Rangers. He has a $3MM club option next year. So if he does great, he isn’t too expensive to have next year. If not, they can release him and save the salary for a different arm in the offseason.

5. OF Joey Gallo

Now that we have listed a few other Texas Rangers already, why not make a blockbuster trade and also throw in Joey Gallo?

Gallo, like Aguilar, has another year of control going into 2022. He’s currently making $6.2MM this season. He would make the outfield pretty pricey next yeas with Christian Yelich, Lorenzo Cain, Avisail Garcia and Jackie Bradley Jr. all already making more than $10MM a year each out there.

What is appealing about Gallo is that he can also play first base and third base. You now have a power hitter who can play first base or the outfield if needed. His 24 home runs and 52 RBIs so far this season also doesn’t hurt. His slash numbers are a bit lower with .235/.394/.910, but that high OPS is nice to see. And with a Milwaukee team of lower batting averages already, why not add one more who can bring in a ton of runs?

It would obviously cost the Brewers a lot if they got Gallo from the Rangers and that might keep them out of the sweepstakes. But, if the team could get Gallo and another top reliever or starter, their odds to make the World Series would also jump quite a bit. It would also leave the team with Gallo for another year.

Next. 3 Untouchable Prospects At The Trade Deadline. dark

There are multiple players in the outfield right now with options, so the Brewers could also save some money and not have to pick up as many of those options if you know you have Gallo in one of those spots.

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