Brewers acquire former first round pick in trade with New York Mets

The Milwaukee Brewers have made yet another trade to add pitching at the Trade Deadline. With the deadline just over a week away, GM Matt Arnold has made a swap with his former boss, David Stearns, now of the New York Mets.

On Sunday, the Milwaukee Brewers acquired left-handed pitcher Tyler Jay from the Mets in exchange for minor league righty TJ Shook. The Athletic's Will Sammon was first to report the move.

Jay has pitched in three games for the Mets this season, the first games of his MLB career. He had a 7.71 ERA in those three games.

Who is new Brewers pitcher Tyler Jay?

Tyler Jay was a first round pick of the Minnesota Twins back in 2015, selected 6th overall. Now 30 years old and just making his MLB debut, the prospect status for Jay hasn't panned out the way the Twins were hoping when they took him that high nine years ago. Jay has bounced around, spending a few years in independent ball before signing with the Mets on a minors pact last year.

Jay had been great out of the bullpen for Triple-A Syracuse this year, posting a 2.40 ERA in 23 appearances with 30 strikeouts and just four walks.

However, that success didn't translate to the majors in his three outings and Jay was designated for assignment by the Mets on Wednesday.

The Brewers had an open 40 man roster spot after designating Joel Kuhnel for assignment on Sunday. Kuhnel was DFAed to make room for Jared Koenig's return from the injured list. Because Jay was in the DFA process, he'll get a 40 man roster spot.

The Brewers have immediately optioned Tyler Jay to Triple-A Nashville. He has a full slate of three minor league option years remaining.

In return, the Brewers send Double-A righty TJ Shook to New York. The Brewers signed the now 26 year old Shook as an undrafted free agent back in 2020 out of South Carolina.

He's steadily risen up the minor league system, primarily as a starter, but has posted ERAs in the 4.50-5.00 range every single season. This year for Biloxi, Shook has a 4.90 ERA in 64.1 IP with 77 Ks.

The Brewers are choosing to buy low on a former first round draft pick, hoping they can add some more depth to their bullpen mix down the stretch at a very minimal cost.