2 Brewers trade rumors we hope are true, 1 we hope doesn't happen

The Brewers getting Jeimer Candelario would be excellent

Jeimer Candelario is one of the few decent bats that should be readily available at the trade deadline. The Nationals are terrible this year and with Candelario making just $5,000,000 in 2023 and set to become a free agent, he is the exactly the type of player that Washington is going to be looking to move.

It isn't just the contract status that is appealing in Candelario's case as he has slashed .254/.335/.478 with 16 homers this season while putting up sterling defensive numbers up at third base this season. The whole package has amounted to 2.8 fWAR in 97 games in 2023. He isn't a star, but a guy who has an aboe average bat that also plays strong defense would be a great addition.

On the Brewers' side, the fit makes a lot of sense which is why Dan Szymborski identified him as a nice option at the trade deadline for them. Brian Anderson hasn't lit the world on fire at the plate this season and is currently hurt even if Milwaukee thought he was on the verge of breaking back out. Candelario is also versatile enough to slide over to first base or could DH if roster shuffling needs to happen.

Most importantly, this is the kind of move that Milwaukee would be willing to make. The Brewers' front office manages a tight ship to put it nicely when it comes to their payroll. Their strong preference is to develop their own players and make value trades when opportunities present themselves instead of throwing money and/or big prospect trade packages at their problems.

Candelario should be pretty cheap both in terms of prospects as well as financially and would an offensive upgrade the Brewers sorely need. Make this deal happen.