Brewers Rumors: Brewers could look to trade from outfield depth

In his latest article for ESPN, Major League Baseball insider Jeff Passan wrote about the 2024 trade deadline. The Milwaukee Brewers fit into his section on "Teams trying to thread the needle" by potentially adding and subtracting.

Passan mentions that regardless of what happens at the trade deadline for the Brewers they get to add an All-Star closer and a young starter with a bunch of potential when Devin Williams and DL Hall return from their rehab assignments in AAA Nashville.

Passan goes on to say the Milwaukee Brewers are unlikely to add a big piece to their roster, nor should they. This current team is exceeding expectations thanks in large part to the performance of their young players like Brice Turang, Sal Frelick and Jackson Chourio. Trading one of their young stud position players plus prospects for one of the hot names on the trade block may help them in 2024 but hurt them in 2025 and beyond.

So as the Brewers do, they'll look to add help without trading the farm to do so. According to Passan the Milwaukee Brewers are "kicking plenty of tires" for potential additions.

Finally the last thing that Passan mentions in his paragraph about the Brewers is a pretty well know fact about the Brew Crew, they're super deep in the outfield and this is where they could look to deal from.

Obviously the resurgent Christian Yelich isn't going anywhere, neither is Jackson Chourio who since June 1st looks like the superstar that the Brewers envisioned when they signed him to his unprecedented pre-debut deal that looks like a bargain. After that, should the Brewers be open for business?

Garrett Mitchell, Sal Frelick, Blake Perkins, and Joey Wiemer are the names mentioned. Not mentioned by Passan but still outfield depth are Luis Lara and Carlos D. Rodriguez. Could they be dangled?

Brewers have outfield depth to trade

Garrett Mitchell shouldn't be on the trade block in 2024, due to a couple unfortunate injuries we haven't seen what a full year of production could be from him. When he's right, he looks like a potential star and a possible five tool player.

Sal Frelick might be the most underrated position player on the Milwaukee Brewers. Often lambasted for the fact that he's not a home run hitter, Frelick is unfairly criticized for his lack of power because he does literally everything else. Since June 7th he's batting .304/.361/.375. Yes, that means his OPS is a lower number than others but we've established Frelick is not a power guy.

Based on those numbers, Pat Murphy could think about sticking Sal Frelick in the leadoff spot in light of Brice Turang's recent struggles at the plate. Frelick also ranks in the 94th percentile for squared up percentage, 96th percentile for whiff percentage and 81st percentile for strikeout percentage. Not to mention, Sal Frelick is 8th in all of Major League Baseball in batting average with two strikes at .244. Sal Frelick is a quality hitter.

That leaves one outfielder at each level, Blake Perkins in the majors, Joey Wiemer in AAA Nashville, Carlos D. Rodriguez in AA Biloxi and Luis Lara at Single-A Wisconsin.

Blake Perkins should not be dealt for three reasons. First, he is insurance for days when Christian Yelich's back is bothering him. Second, he is an elite defender. Third, having a switch hitter to bring off the bench is always valuable.

That leaves the guys in the minors. Out of the three, Joey Wiemer makes the most sense to dangle in trade talks, he's got major league experience, is closest to contributing and is the oldest of the three.

Whatever the Milwaukee Brewers decide to do, trading an outfielder certainly makes sense as it is their deepest position.