5 infield trade targets the Brewers need to strongly consider this offseason

Orioles 3B Coby Mayo

Many thought Coby Mayo would be a target of the Brewers last offseason when the Corbin Burnes trade discussions were happening. A top prospect at a position of need, it made logical sense. Instead the Brewers picked a different Orioles infield prospect to headline the return for Burnes in Joey Ortiz. So far, the acquisition of Ortiz looks to be a good call.

That doesn't mean also adding Mayo wouldn't be a good call either and perhaps Baltimore will be open to trading him this winter. The Orioles have a logjam of infield prospects. Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg, and Jackson Holliday are the favorites to get the starting positions at second, short, and third in no particular order. Ryan Mountcastle has first base locked down as well. Despite being MLB ready heading into 2024, Mayo didn't get much run in the majors.

He, like Ortiz, may need a change of scenery to get opportunity at the big league level and Milwaukee may just be the perfect place for him. The departure of Willy Adames likely slides Joey Ortiz to shortstop, and even if Turang wins that job, Ortiz can slide to second base if the Brewers bring in Mayo.

Mayo played in just 17 games in the big leagues this year with some pretty rough numbers. In Triple-A though, Mayo hit .287 with 22 homers, so the bat can play. Keep in mind, Ortiz also got limited run in the majors with Baltimore with not very good numbers in 2023, so the situations are very similar.

Also similar is that the Brewers have a star pitcher entering his final year of team control that they could trade in order to get this highly touted Orioles infield prospect. Devin Williams is a very likely trade candidate this winter and he could intrigue the Orioles, who scuffled down the stretch in part because their closer, Craig Kimbrel, crumbled.

Milwaukee and Baltimore lined up on a big trade in the past and perhaps they do so again this offseason.