Is Jeff Passan's latest Brewers deadline intel a smokescreen or a sign of things to come?

Trade deadline time is one of the most fun times in baseball. Big names are being traded, and the moves come fast and furious as the deadline approaches. Contenders are looking to get the one or two extra pieces that they think can take them over the top, while less fortunate clubs are trying to offload impending free agents who were likely to leave in the offseason anyway.

The Milwaukee Brewers are almost always active at the deadline, whether it be as a buyer or seller. Very rarely does the team stay put. After a slow start to the season, the Brewers hold the best record in baseball, despite not having a true superstar on its payroll. Milwaukee has gotten extraordinary value from younger players, as well as early-season acquisitions like Quinn Priester and Andrew Vaughn.

These acquisitions, combined with the call-up of Jacob Misiorowski and the return of Brandon Woodruff, have seemed like massive deadline pickups already. Brewers fans on social media, however, are clamoring for the team to finally go "all in" and pick up another bat, namely Eugenio Suárez.  That said, one major insider thinks these fans will be disappointed.

Jeff Passan reports Brewers are expected to stay quiet

In a piece for ESPN that came out Wednesday morning, MLB insider Jeff Passan was a wet blanket for Brewers fans everywhere. In the piece, when discussing varying levels of activity from top contenders, Passan wrote that he expects the Brewers "won't do much, unless value falls into their laps." If you listen close enough, you can hear a collective sigh from the state of Wisconsin.

There definitely is an argument to be made about staying put, and it’s not a bad one. Injuries can happen, and maintaining the strong organizational depth at key spots can certainly be a positive, and there is no guarantee that the move will work. You could end up acquiring a player who doesn't pan out, while giving away the next superstar.

Milwaukee has found its rhythm over the last two months, and any move could potentially disrupt the clubhouse mojo, dampening the power of friendship.

Could it all be a smokescreen?

Lil Wayne once said, “Real G’s move in silence like lasagna." Could that be the case for the Brewers at the deadline? Analysts and fans alike are desperately pleading for the Brewers to land Eugenio Suárez to upgrade the offense in the infield.

Milwaukee has also been rumored to have checked in on a few other players, with Ryan O'Hearn and Josh Naylor being the biggest names. Naylor has already been traded to the Seattle Mariners, leaving O'Hearn and Suárez as two of the biggest bats still on the potential trade block. The Brewers already made a move this week, landing Wisconsin native Danny Jansen for its backup catcher slot.

It is hard to imagine that the Brewers don't make another move, even if it’s simply acquiring a bullpen pitcher, or moving Nestor Cortes or José Quintana ahead of his impending free agency. Andruw Monasterio and Anthony Seigler have struggled off the bench, and aren't exactly ideal options to be a plug-and-play option in a big postseason spot, so another small move for a bench bat could be in the cards as well.

Will a move be made? We will see. Milwaukee really doesn't typically make moves just to make moves. However, to Passan's point, what does value look like? Is it simply a guy with control beyond this season? Or a can’t-miss guy that doesn't cost the farm? Buckle up, Brewers fans; the next 24 hours could be fun.