Brewers Rumors: Milwaukee named a surprisingly real suitor for top trade market arm

Chicago White Sox v Miami Marlins
Chicago White Sox v Miami Marlins | Rich Storry/GettyImages

For most Milwaukee Brewers fans, the expectation was that the Brewers wouldn't do anything particularly splashy this offseason. The team already let Willy Adames leave for the Giants and they could easily trade Devin Williams this offseason as well. Unfortunately for Milwaukee, the payroll crunch is constant and their path to contention seems to be hoping their budget moves and youth is enough.

At least that is what we all thought. However, a report from MLB insider Jon Morosi this morning turned that entire narrative on it's head as the Brewers are pursuing a trade for Garrett Crochet. There is a lot to unpack here.

Brewers reportedly very much engaged in trade talks for Garrett Crochet

Well, things have escalated quickly. Crochet is easily the most exciting player on the trade market at the moment. His combination of pure stuff, young age, and production to the tune of a 3.58 ERA with 209 strikeouts in 146 innings in 2024 has most of the league interested in him. The White Sox very clearly would love to trade Crochet for a haul of prospects, but Milwaukee had not been mentioned as a realistic landing spot until now.

However, the fit for the Brewers makes a lot of sense the more you think about it. Milwaukee could certainly use a frontline starter and Crochet would come with two years of cheap team control as he is only estimated to get $2.9 million in arbitration in 2025. A really good player who isn't making real money? That sounds like it is right up the Brewers' alley.

What we don't know is how competitive Milwaukee is in these talks especially with the rising cost of pitching this offseason. The Brewers would certainly have to raid the top of their prospect rankings to even be in the conversation here, but a lot of other teams including the Reds, Red Sox, and Braves among others have all expressed interest in Crochet as well. Even if Milwaukee comes up short here, it is heartening to see that the Brewers' front office is at least entertaining swinging big down at the Winter Meetings.

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