3 former Brewers the Crew could reunite with at the MLB trade deadline

We are now just hours away from the MLB trade deadline. Among the teams wheeling and dealing over the past several teams have been the Milwaukee Brewers, who have addressed gaps in their pitching staff.

They got an early jump on the deadline when they acquired starter Aaron Civale from the Rays just before the All-Star break. Then, as the deadline drew closer, they made a pair of moves to acquire reliever Nick Mears from the Rockies and starter Frankie Montas from the Reds.

While those moves should help strengthen the Brewers down the stretch, there's plenty reason to believe that the team isn't necessarily done making moves. There are a number of available players still out on the market, including a few former Milwaukee players the team could choose to reunite with.

1. 1B/OF Mark Canha

It was only a 50-game run (plus playoffs) for Mark Canha in Milwaukee, but it was a pretty successful one. The now 10-year veteran hit .287 with a .800 OPS for the Brewers down the stretch and ended up being one of the Crew's top run producers during their successful quest for a division crown.

Canha would still be owed a good chunk of his $11.5MM salary on the season, which could be a roadblock. It would also make sense if the Brewers traded away one of their two backup catchers first to make room on the roster. But if Milwaukee wants to beef up the offense with a bench bat, you could certainly do worse than Canha.

2. RHP Lucas Erceg

A couple years ago, it seemed pitcher Lucas Erceg was on the verge of making the Brewers roster after being successfully converted from position player to reliever. Instead, he would be traded to the A's, who promoted him to the majors themselves. Since then, he has become an effective bullpen piece for his new team.

Erceg has a 3.68 ERA in 38 appearances this season and is striking out batters at a rate of just over 10 per nine innings. Similar to their star closer Mason Miller, the A's supposedly have a high asking price for Erceg, but if the Brewers are still looking to upgrade their bullpen, it would be fun to bring this former project back into the fold.

3. LHP Taylor Rogers

Speaking of the bullpen, it's true that reliever Taylor Rogers didn't work out the way Brewers fans would have wanted when he was acquired by the team at the 2022 deadline in the now infamous Josh Hader trade. But things have mostly worked out for Rogers everywhere else he has pitched, including his current home in San Francisco.

In a year and a half with the Giants, Rogers has a 3.09 ERA and 1.221 WHIP in 104 appearances. Unfortunately, he also has a hefty contract and is owed $12MM next season so while he's controllable, he's also very likely out of Milwaukee's price range.