Brewers: 5 Controllable 2021 Trade Deadline Targets

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.

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.