Milwaukee Brewers Top 5 Major League Trade Chips

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 12: Aaron Ashby #26 of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts after hitting Travis d’Arnaud #16 of the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning in game four of the National League Division Series at Truist Park on October 12, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Brewers top trade chips #4: LHP Aaron Ashby

Aaron Ashby‘s trade value is trending almost the exact opposite of Keston Hiura’s right now. Ashby’s value has probably never been higher. He was a 4th round pick a few years ago, has continually performed well throughout the minor league system, and rocketed his way up to making his MLB debut this past season.

Ashby’s first season in the big leagues went well, and further proved he has the stuff to succeed at this level. As much as the Brewers and their fans noticed that, so did other teams. Naturally, those other teams are going to be calling and wanting to see if they can pry Ashby away from Milwaukee.

As a rookie with six years of team control ahead of him, Ashby is incredibly valuable, probably more valuable in a trade than any of the top three options that are on this list, but we’ll get to them later. The reason Ashby is at #4 instead of being higher is because the likelihood of the Brewers trading him is so incredibly low. He’s a valuable trade chip, and if the deal is right Milwaukee could move him and still be just fine in the rotation. But that “right deal” isn’t likely to pop up.

The Brewers love Ashby, and they envision him being a stalwart in their starting rotation for years to come. If the opportunity comes up to get maximum value back, Stearns will probably take it. He’s stated multiple times before that he’ll listen on anyone and if the value is right, he’ll make a deal.

Given the state of the Brewers rotation right now with Ashby on the outside looking in currently, Stearns may be willing to part with Ashby for the right price, which would undoubtedly include a position player that could play everyday and provide a big boost to the lineup. Does that deal exist out there? Probably not.

Teams around the league know that the Brewers have become a factory for starting pitching and just like when they made early calls on Woodruff and Burnes and they will want to acquire Ashby before he becomes established and his price rises even more.

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