3 realistic Brewers trade deadline predictions

The 2025 trade deadline is shaping up to be one of the more unpredictable in recent memory, and the Milwaukee Brewers are still right in the thick of it. Despite sitting atop the division in a two-way battle with the Chicago Cubs, the Brewers aren’t going to blow up their farm system just to try and run away with it all. If anything, they’ve been steadfast in ensuring that every move they make will be calculated, forward-thinking, and built around controllable talent and roster flexibility.

However, that doesn’t mean they’ll be quiet. Milwaukee is uniquely positioned to make multiple smart plays. They don’t need to swing for the fences to come out ahead. They just need to be, well… the Brewers: opportunistic, disciplined, and one step ahead.

3 realistic Brewers trade deadline predictions

1. Brewers will find the perfect trade partner in the Marlins

Don’t sleep on the Miami Marlins as a legitimate trade partner for the Brewers. While the two clubs may seem like they’re in very different places competitively, their needs and timelines could align surprisingly well at this year’s deadline.

Let’s start with the most likely outcome: Milwaukee targeting reliever Anthony Bender. The 30-year-old right-hander has quietly put together a solid season with a 1.83 ERA and 35 strikeouts over 45 appearances. Most importantly for the Brewers, he comes with two years of team control. That alone is enough to make Milwaukee’s front office take notice. In a market flooded with rental relievers, Bender represents more of a long-term view, something the Brewers traditionally prioritize when making deals. He’d be a plug-and-play option for a bullpen that could use another boost.

But what if things escalated? What if this turned to more than just bullpen help?

There’s a world where this deal grows legs, and Joey Ortiz is at the center of it. If the Brewers are bold, they could package Ortiz in a deal for former top prospect Xavier Edwards. The 25-year-old infielder doesn’t offer much in the power department, but he’s a high-contact, high-speed weapon. Edwards is currently slashing .293/.359/.360 with 17 stolen bases and 26 RBIs, the kind of profile that fits right into Milwaukee’s mold of manufacturing runs and playing aggressive, opportunistic baseball.

Admittedly, dealing Ortiz might feel like an overpay on the surface, especially given his upside and defensive value. But the truth is, his bat hasn’t been consistent this year, and the Brewers have enough infield depth to make this kind of move if it improves the roster balance. Edwards, a switch-hitter with elite speed and versatility, could be a spark plug down the stretch and beyond.

The Brewers have the prospect capital to pull this off without including Ortiz. But if they’re serious about chasing October, they shouldn’t be afraid to use either of these options.

2. Milwaukee will not take the bait on Eugenio Suárez

At one point, it felt like the Brewers were in the driver’s seat to land Eugenio Suárez. With one of the deepest collections of young arms in baseball and a need for power at third base, the fit was obvious. But now? It’s time to face reality: this deal isn’t happening, at least not at Arizona's current asking price.

The Diamondbacks have been aggressive in shopping for Suárez, to the point where it’s simply gotten out of hand. And just like the Mariners and Yankees, who have made the decision to pivot, the Brewers aren’t about to be strong-armed into overpaying for a rental. Milwaukee’s front office has never operated out of desperation, and they’re not going to start now.

Arizona might eventually get a team like the Astros or Phillies to play ball — both of whom are more aggressive spenders and more likely to chase a veteran presence for a postseason push. But Milwaukee is too calculated to bite on this one. If the Diamondbacks don’t come down on their demands, the Brewers will walk away without a second thought, and frankly, they should.

3. Brewers will flip an expiring arm to the desperate Astros

Speaking of Houston, if the Brewers aren’t already working the phones with the Astros as you’re reading this, it’s borderline malpractice. The stars are aligning for a mutually beneficial deal, and the timing couldn’t be better.

The Astros are sitting atop the AL West, and while their offense could also use a jolt, their entire roster is in flat-out survival mode. With just four healthy starters and a worn-down bullpen, Houston’s rotation depth has been pushed to the brink. Sound familiar? It should, it’s the same bind Milwaukee found itself in earlier this season.

The difference? The Brewers have weathered the storm. Their rotation is finally healthy, and they suddenly have the flexibility to dangle one of their veteran arms on an expiring deal — namely Nestor Cortes or José Quintana. Cortes is on the verge of returning to action, while Quintana still holds value as a dependable back-end innings-eater. Either pitcher could help stabilize Houston’s injury-ravaged rotation.

The Brewers wouldn’t just be dumping salary or clearing space — they’d be getting something in return. By flipping one of these arms to Houston, Milwaukee could recoup a prospect or two to replenish the depth they may lose in other trades. It’s a clean, efficient baseball move that keeps the long-term plan intact while giving another contender a shot at October.

It’s the kind of deal smart front offices make. And the Brewers, if nothing else, are one of the smartest in the game.

The Brewers don’t need to dominate the headlines to win the deadline. They just need to stay true to what’s made them successful: patience, precision, and knowing exactly when to strike. With the postseason in sight and the front office holding firm to its identity, Milwaukee is positioned to make moves that matter without losing sight of the big picture. The chaos of deadline week may swirl around them, but the Brewers are playing their own game, and they will play it well.