Failed Brewers infield experiment may finally have an end in sight

Given how well the Milwaukee Brewers have played over the last month, it's surprising that there are still several spots in their lineup from which they are receiving very little production. These glaring holes, which start with the left side of the infield, couldn't be more noticeable, and for a team and fanbase wanting the Brewers to take the next step and finally return to the World Series, they must soon be addressed.

It's a testament to the rest of the roster that despite the obvious shortcomings of a few bats, the Brew Crew still leads the NL Central by 4.5 games entering play on June 10. It does make one wonder though, how much more dominant the Brewers could be with even just league-average options on the left side of the infield. Luckily, the Brewers fans in "Wisco," and around the world, may not have to wait too much longer for a change to their infield group.

In a recent report for The Athletic, longtime MLB insider Ken Rosenthal suggested that the Brewers may be waiting for a very specific date to reshape their infield. Under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, a team cannot trade a free agent whom they signed the offseason prior without the player's consent until June 16. Luis Rengifo, whom the Brewers signed as a free agent in the aftermath of the Caleb Durbin trade with the Boston Red Sox back in February, falls under this category, and Rosenthal notes in his article that the Brewers may try to find a trade partner for the struggling infielder.

Ken Rosenthal noting Brewers' ability to trade Luis Rengifo on June 16 should have fans' ears perked up

Any Brewers fan can tell you that Rengifo doesn't currently have a great deal of trade value, and Rosenthal acknowledges this reality. The former Los Angeles Angel is currently sporting an OPS+ of 50 (100 is league average) and has been a negative value player in regard to Wins Above Replacement. Regardless of how optimistic an opposing team might be about a sudden breakout, Rengifo's profile doesn't scream "trade candidate."

However, Rosenthal is anything but uninformed. If he's going out of his way to mention that Rengifo could be traded on or shortly after June 16, it's entirely possible that some semblance of a trade market has materialized for Rengifo. From the Brewers' perspective, so long as the team continues winning games, why not wait and see if you can get something back for the failed free agent signee?

That said, fans hoping for another Aaron Civale for Andrew Vaughn trade shouldn't hold their breath. It's likely that any trade involving Rengifo looks like the Brewers sending the struggling infielder and cash to another team for at most a low-level prospect. Rengifo signed a $3.5 million deal in the offseason, meaning from June 16 until the end of the season, the infielder will be owed roughly $2 million. The trade could involve the Brewers sending Rengifo and $1.5 million to another team and getting practically nothing in return, saving the Brewers $500k as opposed to if they simply designate Rengifo for assignment.

In regard to who would replace Rengifo at the big-league level, Brewers' No. 4-ranked prospect Cooper Pratt, who signed an eight-year, $50.75 million contract back in April and is already the owner of a 40-man roster spot, appears ready for a shot at the big leagues. Pratt got off to a slow start in Triple-A this year, but after posting an OPS of .800 in the month of May and maintaining a .906 OPS through his first seven games of June, his MLB debut should be rapidly approaching.

Pratt, who is one of the best defensive shortstops in all of baseball, would not take over Rengifo's spot at the hot corner, but would rather become the Brewers' everyday shortstop. The move would push David Hamilton, whose bat is starting to come around, to third base and Joey Ortiz into a utility infielder's role.

Making the switch to Pratt now, or on June 16 if the Brewers think they can find a trade partner for Rengifo, allows the team to test out a new infield group before the midseason trade deadline. If by the end of June, it's clear that either Pratt isn't ready for the big leagues or the Brewers could use an upgrade over Hamilton at third base, then they can start exploring short-term stopgaps to help with their 2026 postseason push.

While a trade of Rengifo certainly feels unlikely, Rosenthal's mention of the key date of June 16, and the Brewers' history of getting creative to save money wherever they can, could result in the struggling infielder being traded before the end of the month. If such an unlikely scenario does occur, expect Pratt to finally make his MLB debut, and the Brewers to re-evaluate their infield group at the deadline in two months' time.

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