3 relievers the Brewers could add to their bullpen at the deadline

Just two days remain before the MLB Trade Deadline, and while the Milwaukee Brewers kicked things off with a minor trade for Tampa Bay Rays' catcher Danny Jansen, their deadline is likely far from over. Not only will the Brewers continue to monitor the offensive market for a power bat that they can add to their lineup and shop one of their veteran starting pitchers, but they also may tap into the relief pitcher market, in hopes of finding another shut-down arm that they can add to their group of firemen.

The Brewers certainly don't need another reliever; they have a strong group of bullpen arms as it is, but adding another arm at the deadline is never a bad idea, especially given how much the Brewers’ current batch of relief pitchers has worked so far this season. That said, if the Brewers are to add a reliever at the deadline, it should be someone who is a clear upgrade from their current relief corps. Unless they target a reliever who has experience in high-leverage situations, an ability to close games if needed, and higher upside, one could make the argument that the Brewers could just rely on their internal depth to offer a break for their relievers.

Adding someone with closing experience would not mean that Trevor Megill's role would change — he's been excellent as the Brewers' closer. Rather, it would mean that manager Pat Murphy has more options to work with when scheduling out the 7th and 8th innings and potentially the 9th when Megill needs a break. When the Crew added K-Rod back in 2011, they already had a closer in John Axford, and when they nearly made the 2018 World Series, they had three relievers who could close games: Corey Knebel, Jeremy Jeffress, and Josh Hader.

As such, here are three relief options with closing experience that the Brewers could target before Thursday at 5:00 p.m. CT that would give the team more options at the back-end of their bullpen.

1. Pete Fairbanks - Tampa Bay Rays

Over the last few seasons, the Tampa Bay Rays have been relatively good in the early part of the season and then fallen off right after the All-Star Break. The same could be said for the current Rays team, as they are 3-6 since the break and sit at 53-53 and 4th in the AL East division. Though yesterday's trade of Danny Jansen doesn't fully indicate that the Rays will be sellers at the deadline, it does show that they are willing to part with some of their veteran pieces.

The Rays' closer, Pete Fairbanks, also has been in trade discussions the last few seasons, and his name is being talked about again. With a 2.75 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, and 18 saves on the season, Fairbanks has been excellent for the Rays. He's on an expiring contract but does carry a club option worth $7 million for the 2026 season.

A seven-year veteran with plenty of high-leverage experience and an ability to close games if needed, Fairbanks is an intriguing name for any contender. On the Brewers, he would immediately join Abner Uribe as the team's two main set-up men, allowing Pat Murphy to give his flame-throwing young reliever more days off.

2. Kyle Finnegan - Washington Nationals

There were hopes that the Washington Nationals would be able to compete for a playoff spot with their exciting young core of players in 2025, but as the deadline approaches, they fall clearly into the "sellers" category. Washington won't part with most of their young players, and it remains to be seen if they will trade talented starter MacKenzie Gore, who still has 2.5 years of team control, but they would be silly not to trade their veterans on expiring contracts.

One such veteran is closer Kyle Finnegan, who has collected at least 10 saves for the Nats in each of the last five seasons. His best year came a season ago, when he converted 38 of his 43 save opportunities and earned his lone All-Star appearance.

While things haven't gone as well for Finnegan in 2025, his four-seam-splitter combination still plays relatively well at the back-end of a bullpen. He's struggled mightily since his final appearance before the All-Star Break, but as recently as July 10, he held a stellar 2.36 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. Those two marks are up to 4.38 and 1.28, respectively, entering play on July 29.

Even still, Finnegan has plenty of closing experience, collecting more than 100 saves in his last five seasons, and he would certainly be an intriguing addition to the Brewers' bullpen, so long as he quickly puts this rough patch of games behind him.

3. David Bednar - Pittsburgh Pirates

Another option for Matt Arnold and the Brewers' front office would be to stay within the division and swing a trade for Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar. The Pirates are once again in last place in the NL Central, and flipping a few of their veterans for prospect talent could expedite their rebuilding process.

Bednar qualifies as a veteran trade candidate, but he is technically not on an expiring contract — he has one more year of arbitration eligibility in which he will earn at least the $5.9 million that he received this year. That high price tag for a relief arm with a shaky track record could be enough for the Brewers to exit the conversation.

However, on the field, Bednar is in the midst of one of his best seasons as a major leaguer. He's a perfect 17 of 17 in save opportunities in 2025, holds a 2.37 ERA, and is striking out far more than a batter an inning. That said, it's been a tough road to get where he is right now, as Bednar struggled to a 5.77 ERA with seven blown saves a season ago and spent time in the minor leagues at the beginning of this year.

Reports have surfaced that Pittsburgh is looking for at least a top-five prospect in return for Bednar, which is likely not a price that the Brewers will match. However, if that price comes down, and the Brewers are willing to take on some risk for what could be a high reward, Bednar could be an intriguing option.