Brewers: 3 Under The Radar Trade Deadline Targets

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The Milwaukee Brewers must look for improvements at the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline, and based on previous comments made by the front office, adding responsibly will be the name of the game. Here are 3 moves that could be made that fit this mantra

When determining the route the Brewers will go prior to the deadline, it is clear based on prior comments made by GM Matt Arnold and ace Corbin Burnes that they will be buyers. Talent will be added to this roster, and in clear areas of need. First base, third base, and a bullpen arm are three clear areas to potentially upgrade.

There are a couple of under the radar moves that could pay dividends both in talent additions to this roster, but also in the cost of acquisition cost when it comes to prospects. While we as fans dream of the heavy talent infusion type deals, involving elite talent, that has rarely been the Brewers modus operandi. Plus the Brewers have said they look to add "responsibly" meaning not selling the farm.

The most recent windows (outside of the Hader deal) give us an indication of the level of prospect cost the Brewers are willing to pay while simultaneously giving us insight into the roles said players acquired could play.

Under the radar Brewers Deadline target #1: Tigers RHP Jason Foley

Jason Foley of the Detroit Tigers is the first name up as an under-the-radar type move, the Brewers could make to beef up the bullpen. Foley, since his debut in 2021, has pitched to a 3.08 ERA in 114 games and 114 IP, with 86 strikeouts, and a 1.24 WHIP. Foley has a 5.3 % BB rate and has both a barrel % and chase rate at a level the Brewers tend to seek when looking for bullpen pieces.

Foley has a sinker on Statcast that can hit 97, and a slider that he uses predominantly as an out pitch against right-handed batters, and a changeup as a clear out pitch against lefties. While his slider does have 1.4 inches of movement, it is made even more deceiving when paired with a sinker at three inches of vertical movement.

Foley has a fairly elite pitch mix, and it is backed by a 71% chase rate. Foley paired with the already established 'pen pieces would make for a strength becoming even more elite. Foley is controlled through 2027 as well and would come at a fairly high acquisition cost relatively speaking too.

As Brewers fans are well aware, the farm system is on a huge upswing so any cost will feel substantial, but would a deal of Robert Moore straight up for Foley be doable or would the cost be more? Pierce Johnson of the Rockies was moved to Atalanta for the Braves #10 prospect, and Johnson ran an ERA of 6 at the time of the deal. Would you be agreeable with the Tigers asking for a Top 10 Prospect from the Brewers, while knowing the Brewers system is far deeper and better than the Braves, I do not think the cost comes at that level of prospect.

My trade suggestion:

Brewers send prospects RHP Justin Jarvis and C Matthew Wood to the Tigers for Jason Foley.

Under the radar Brewers trade deadline target #2: White Sox 3B Jake Burger

Jake Burger has a name befitting of the hot corner at American Family Field. He not only plays 3B but is also a right-handed power-hitting bat. While metrically Burger does not grade very well defensively at third base, the Brewers have been known for being defensive whisperers and could help improve Burger's defense steadily, while knowing the bat is the reason to get him.

Burger is in the first year of Pre-Arb and is not a free agent until after the 2028 season. That reason alone would require some level of expenditure either in prospect capital or big league roster players going to the White Sox.

Burger in 2023 is batting a measly .214 this year but his .504 SLG % would put him 8th in the AL. Burger has pop, and his 21 home runs would lead the Brewers by four, with Adames at 17 total on the season and his 47 RBIs would be 3rd. The kicker, Burger only has 276 at-bats. While the power stats are nice, his bat does figure well in a Brewers lineup, as he can also play 1B and DH of course.

The White Sox are a disappointment and have a need to acquire talent anywhere they can get in their farm system, ranked 27th out of a possible 30th. Right now, with the White Sox looking to sell, a need will be there for filling in the pitching that leaves, so an SP in Janson Junk could be an interesting addition to a package of two other prospects.

I don't think the White Sox would deny looking to move Burger, as Moncada is close to returning off the IL and talks have already started on where Burger plays going forward. The Brewers need to add power to the lineup with Rowdy Tellez underperforming, and adding Burger is a heck of a way of doing so.

My trade suggestion:

Brewers send prospects SS Daniel Guilarte, INF Robert Moore and SP Janson Junk to the White Sox for Jake Burger.

Under the radar Brewers Trade Deadline target #3: Rays INF Jonathan Aranda

My final under-the-radar move is one I would be quite excited about, and that is a trade for Jonathan Aranda of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Aranda is a 25-year-old, lefty-hitting batter who has played first, second, and third base thus far in the minors in 2023. As of now, Aranda has spent all of 2023 at AAA Durham, minus 4 games and 15 plate appearances for Tampa. While in Durham, Aranda's bat has been on fire, hitting an elite .344/.454./.589, adding 17 HRs and 62 RBIs, it's the level of defense play the Brewers would be all over, as defensively he is outstanding at 2B with great range and hands. Aranda lost his rookie eligibility after the 2022 season.

The necessity of the Rays to add Aranda to their major league lineup however has been lacking, as they do not have the roster space to add him at present time. The Brewers on the other hand would have to be ecstatic adding a multi-postional player with an elite minor league tested bat who just needs reps at the major league level. Aranda also has the minor league results outside of 2023 also showing his bat is not a one-year fluke as his career slash line in 491 games and over 1,700 at bats is .305/.390/.474.

The addition of Aranda would add a layer of offense potential not seen at least in the last few years, and I do not think the Rays are opposed to the idea of moving Aranda in the right deal either. I think the Rays obvious focus will be to buy this trade deadline, and possibly make a significant splash. Would the Rays knowing this, be open to trading Aranda, and replenishing their farm system in the process? Moving Aranda would open up a 40 man roster spot for Tampa that they could use for whoever they want to add in another trade.

The Brewers and Rays made a well-known trade just two years ago so it is highly possible they are able to come to the table again and make a trade well worth the investment. Aranda would be cost-controlled through the 2029 season, and would not hit arbitration until 2027.

My Trade Suggestion:

Brewers send prospects SS Freddy Zamora, 2B Felix Valerio, and LHP Ethan Small to the Tampa Bay Rays for Jonathan Aranda.

All of the aforementioned trades would bring a level of offense that is much needed to a team ranking near last in most offensive metrics and a further level of surety a strength in 2023 in the bullpen.

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