Brewers' confidence in current infield group pays off in first game after trade deadline

After weeks of speculation, the Milwaukee Brewers showed their hand at the 2025 trade deadline, and while they didn’t swing for the fences, they made one message loud and clear: they believe in the guys they already have.

Despite constant chatter about a potential move to upgrade the left side of the infield, the Brewers chose to roll with what’s already in the clubhouse. No blockbuster for a new third baseman. No flashy upgrade at shortstop. Just a pure double down on faith in Joey Ortiz and Caleb Durbin. Milwaukee is betting on its youth, its development system, and its own evaluations.

Milwaukee bets on Ortiz and Durbin instead of deadline upgrades

Sure, the Brewers weren’t completely quiet. They made some classic, calculated Milwaukee-esque moves. Veteran catcher Danny Jansen came over from Tampa Bay to stabilize the backup catcher position. Shelby Miller adds some veteran experience to the bullpen. Outfielder Brandon Lockridge, who fits the Brewers' mold, arrived via San Diego. And they also dealt Nestor Cortes and prospect Jorge Quintana, signaling a willingness to shuffle pieces, but only in ways that didn’t touch their infield core.

The decision not to add an infielder wasn’t born of complacency. It reads as very intentional. Joey Ortiz may be batting just .214 with a .577 OPS through 365 plate appearances, and sure, his -0.4 WAR doesn’t exactly scream postseason hero, but he’s been a steady glove at shortstop, logging 106 games and sticking in the lineup despite the offensive struggles. His seven home runs and 33 RBI don’t mask the inefficiency, but Milwaukee’s not giving up on him.

At the hot corner, Caleb Durbin is earning his keep. The rookie has been a quietly valuable piece, hitting .263 with five homers, 37 RBI, and nine stolen bases. His .716 OPS shows he’s not just surviving, but he’s contributing. The contact-heavy profile and the positional flexibility check a lot of boxes for a team that values grit and baseball IQ over highlight reels.

In their first game following the trade deadline, Ortiz and Durbin each collected three hits, with Ortiz collecting a double and 2 RBI in the process. While fans questioned the front office's inactivity at the deadline in regards to the infield market, Ortiz and Durbin let their play on the field do the talking, quickly silencing any second guesses about whether or not the team should have acquired an upgrade on the infield.

What this all says is that the Brewers are doubling down on their identity. They won’t chase headlines. They don’t panic at the deadline. And they don’t make moves just to make moves. By standing pat in the infield, they’re sending a message to Ortiz, Durbin, and the rest of the roster: this is your shot. Earn it and run with it.