Orioles hold key to Brewers’ dark horse trade candidate as they ponder deadline plans

All signs point to the Milwaukee Brewers being more aggressive at the 2026 trade deadline than they were a season ago. Tied for the best record in baseball entering play on July 29 and possessing the best farm system in baseball, the Brewers have the opportunity to add an impact piece at the deadline and challenge the Los Angeles Dodgers as the World Series favorites in 2026.

Thus far, Milwaukee's reportedly aggressive approach at this year's deadline has led many to dream about what Tarik Skubal or Mason Miller would add to the Brewers' first-place roster. The former is the reigning back-to-back AL Cy Young Award winner, and the latter is the best closer in the game. Either's addition to Milwaukee's pitching staff would immediately propel the Brewers to new heights and give them a real chance of toppling the Dodgers in the postseason.

However, it should be noted that just because the Brewers' front office plans on being more aggressive at this year's trade deadline, doesn't mean they are necessarily the favorites to land one of the top names on the market. Rather, it could simply mean that the organization is prepared to part ways with more significant prospect capital than they did a season ago, which would be required even if the Brewers were to target one of the second-tier names on the trade market.

Matt Arnold and the Brewers' front office tend to operate in areas of the trade market that are overlooked by other organizations. The ever-strategic "ivory tower," as Pat Murphy refers to the Brewers' front office, generally searches for places on the trade market where they are likely to get a better deal than if they were to prioritize the most popular names available.

One of these "dark horse" trade candidates that few are talking about as names like Skubal, Miller, Reid Detmers, and Joe Ryan are being thrown around exists on an AL East ballclub that is reportedly considering a major sell-off at the 2026 trade deadline. Should they elect to go forth as sellers before the August 3 deadline, this starting pitcher could be the perfect fit for the Brewers.

Southpaw Trevor Rogers continues to fly under the radar as Orioles consider major sell-off at trade deadline

The Baltimore Orioles enter play on July 29 four games below .500. Despite being just 2.5 games out of the final spot in the American League's crowded Wild Card race, the Orioles fall under the category of teams that aren't mathematically "out of it," but certainly don't have the roster to make any noise in the postseason. As a result, Baltimore's front office is reportedly considering some major changes ahead of next week's trade deadline.

As reported by ESPN's MLB insider Jeff Passan on his podcast "Sources Tell," the Orioles have had conversations with other teams regarding several of their young, controllable players, including second baseman Jackson Holliday, outfielder Colton Cowser, and catcher Adley Rutschman. While it's unlikely that the Brewers swing a deal for any of those three players, Baltimore's willingness to revamp their roster ahead of the deadline should make starting pitcher Trevor Rogers, who is flying under the radar as a trade candidate, available to starting pitching-needy teams like the Brewers.

Rogers' 4.17 ERA doesn't necessarily scream "playoff starter" in the way that the Brewers need their deadline addition to, but peeling back the layers, the 28-year-old southpaw could be Milwaukee's perfect trade acquisition this week. First, Rogers has a track record of success that indicates his early-season struggles were more a fluke than a new norm. In 18 starts for the Orioles last year, the former 13th overall pick posted a 1.81 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP.

Additionally, Rogers is starting to rediscover his form as of late, with a 1.44 ERA in his last seven starts leading up to today to prove it, making it the perfect time for the Brewers to swoop in and acquire him. Though he has just one postseason start to his name, and it was an unsuccessful one back in 2020, Rogers has far more big-league experience than anyone in the Brewers' rotation. On top of that, Rogers is playing on just a $6.2 million salary this year and is on an expiring contract, so he would be relatively easy for the Brewers to acquire, especially if other buyers' attention continues to be elsewhere.

Brewers fans are certainly hoping for a Skubal or Miller blockbuster, but if that ends up being unfeasible for the front office, Rogers is certainly a strong and much cheaper alternative. If Baltimore ends up selling ahead of the deadline, the southpaw should absolutely be on the Brewers' list of deadline targets.

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