3 trade deadline targets to fill Brewers lineup void following Christian Yelich injury

It won't be easy replacing the things Christian Yelich has done this season, but his absence leaves a huge hole in the Brewers lineup. With the trade deadline approaching, Milwaukee has to think quick and decide whether or not they feel the need to go out in the market and acquire another outfielder or fill the void with internal options.

Here are three outfielders that the Brewers could realistically acquire at the Trade Deadline.

1. Jesse Winker, Washington Nationals

A familiar player in the Brewers clubhouse Jesse Winker would be a solid and fairly cheap acquisition at the deadline. The Nationals currently sit at 47-55 and are expected to be sellers next week and Winker is considered a player that will be sent away. Winker is having one of his best seasons, hitting .258/.376/.427 along with 11 HR, 43 RBIs, and a .803 OPS in 97 games. A reunion with the Brewers could be what both sides need, although his time with Milwaukee didn't go well as he hit .199/.320/.247 along with a .567 OPS.

The important part of acquiring Winker is that the cost should be cheap and he's also a free agent next season, making this only a rental pickup and nothing more. His walk rate has significantly jumped but he was been striking out more than usual at a 22% rate. His Barrel% is at 8.8 which is quite impressive because it hasn't been that high since 2021 back when he was with the Cincinnati Reds.

Winker has played 65 games in left field this season but has been below average, which he has been defensively for most of his career. He'll do the job out there but he definitely will not bring you top tier defense at any given moment. He has 5 fielding assists, 2 errors, 97 putouts, and only 1 defensive run saved this season with the Nationals. The Brewers could look to give him more reps at DH like last year.

2. Mark Canha, Detroit Tigers

Another familiar face in the clubhouse that is viewed to be potentially dealt is former Brewer Mark Canha. He had a short stint with Milwaukee last season after being traded from the Mets at the trade deadline. Canha has been solid with his new team in Detroit as he is hitting .236/.341/.361 along with 7 HR, 36 RBIs, and a .701 OPS in 88 games. The numbers may not be Yelich level but he's been hitting the ball very well with 89 hard-hit balls and a HardHit% of 37.6.

Mark Canha will be a free agent this upcoming offseason, making this a rental move if the Brewers were to acquire him. The Tigers have primarily used Canha at 1B whenever he's playing defense but he has plenty of experience in left field. Just this season alone he's played a total of 19 games in the corner outfield but 474 career games over there. The main issue with Canha is how weak his arm is, he's had four straight years of a negative ARM (Outfield Arm runs above average). Not only that but he also has a negative DRS this season, currently at -2.

3. Tommy Pham, Chicago White Sox

The White Sox are once again expected to be sellers at the trade deadline, making outfielder Tommy Pham available. If the Brewers were to make this move, it would probably move Sal Frelick to left field and stick Tommy Pham in right field where he has played most of this season. Not only does Pham bring you a veteran presence in the clubhouse but he can make great contact with the baseball.

In just 36 games this season, he is hitting .236/.337/.384 with 5 HR, 18 RBIs, and a .721 OPS. His expected numbers are even better as his xBA is .284, xSLG is .428, and xwOBA is .341. Pham would be a great addition to the lineup in the absence of Christian Yelich. His defensive abilities aren't spectacular as he is 36 years old but he is definitely a presence nonetheless.

Tommy Pham will hit free agency this upcoming offseason. He signed a minor-league deal with the White Sox during the season on April 15th. Acquiring Pham shouldn't cost much which leaves the Brewers farm system in tact paving the way to make other moves at the deadline to make a playoff run.