Brewers trade for division rival pitcher and sell high on former Top 100 prospect

Everybody and their mother were under the impression that the Milwaukee Brewers would trade for a starting pitcher at this year's MLB trade deadline. After watching a bunch of dominos fall, GM Matt Arnold finally went and got himself one.

The Brewers are reportedly trading for right-handed starter Frankie Montas from the NL Central rival Cincinnati Reds. The trade was reported by FanSided's MLB insider Robert Murray on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Montas was a standout pitcher for the Oakland A's for years before being traded to the New York Yankees at the 2022 deadline. He would call New York his home in 2023 as well but would make just one appearance that year due to injury.

Montas signed with the Reds as a free agent this offseason and has made 19 starts on the season so far. Up to this point, the 31-year-old is 4-8 with a 5.01 ERA, a 1.44 WHIP, and a .256 batting average against. His career numbers are a bit better at a 4.05 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP, and a .251 batting average against.

The Brewers are reportedly giving up two players in the deal. According to MLB.com senior national writer Mark Feinsand, Milwaukee is sending outfielder Joey Wiemer and pitcher Jakob Junis to the Reds.

Wiemer, 25, was a 4th round pick of the Brewers back in the 2020 draft and at one time was a top 100 prospect in all of baseball. He was supposed to be part of the next generation of Milwaukee outfielders. But while some of his fellow prospects have successfully made the jump, Wiemer struggled to a .201/.277/.349 career slash line in 151 games and has spent most of 2024 in the minors.

Junis, 31, was signed as a free agent this offseason and expected to be part of a new look Brewers rotation. He got hurt after his first start, though, and was a long reliever upon his return from injury. With many pitchers around to fill that role, he ended up being the odd man out.

With the Reds falling out of contention, they get a player in Wiemer who can help their future while the Brewers get a starter in Montas who fills a big need now. Like most trades this time of year, it's a move that serves both parties well.