Brewers rumors: Jake Bauers on the trade block after team acquires 1B/DH Andrew Vaughn

The Milwaukee Brewers made their second significant trade of the 2025 season when, following a rare trade request, they sent pitcher Aaron Civale down I-94 to the Chicago White Sox and received first baseman/designated hitter Andrew Vaughn in return.

The deal allows Civale to continue operating as a starter, which was his goal in leaving Milwaukee, but it also gave the Brewers a controllable asset with a proven track record of success in the big leagues.

Andrew Vaughn is likely to impact the Brewers at some point in 2025

Since 2021, in over 610 career MLB games, Vaughn has compiled an OPS of .710 and a wRC+ of 97. From 2022-2024, he has hovered around 20 home runs a season with 70-80 RBI. This year, a slow, but also unlucky, start snowballed on him, and as a result, he was demoted to the minor leagues before being traded.

Vaughn joins the Brewers under team control through the 2026 season. He and the White Sox agreed on a salary of $5.85 million for this season in Vaughn's second year of arbitration of which the Brewers are on the hook for roughly $3.4 million. He also has minor league options, which Milwaukee has already used by sending him to Triple-A upon acquiring him. However, it's likely that Vaughn will play a role in the big leagues again this year, which means the team's current backup first baseman could become available in trade talks.

Brewers make Jake Bauers available to trade

After posting slightly disappointing numbers as a backup first baseman in 2024, including a .662 OPS and a batting average below .200, Bauers redeemed himself with some postseason heroics, and re-signed with the Brew Crew this off-season on a minor league deal.

Bauers ended up making the big league roster out of camp and has had more success this year, occupying the same backup role to Rhys Hoskins than he had a year ago. In 2025, Bauers has a .762 OPS and a few more clutch hits on his resume that include a pinch-hit go-ahead double against the Phillies and a game-tying sac fly against the Padres. He also just missed a game-tying home run against the Reds, but was robbed by TJ Friedl.

Given the fact Bauers was unable to get a MLB deal as a free agent this winter, it's hard to imagine the Brewers will get a significant return by for Bauers on the trade block. However, according to Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com they are already open to listening to offers.

Between injuries to contending teams and Bauers’ performance this year, there may be a suitor out there who needs a power-hitting lefty who can come off the bench for big moments of ball games.

Trading Bauers would make room for Vaughn to come up to the big leagues, but the Brewers are by no means obligated to do this. However, if the scouting department identifies a player they want, Bauers could easily find himself on the move.