Grading Bleacher Report's bizarre proposed trade for the Milwaukee Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers have been in the MLB rumors all offseason with talks of their star players moving on. Non-tendered starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff has often been tied to New York and Corbin Burnes and Willy Adames are two players that some feel could be the next ones out the door.

Bleacher report put together a very bizarre trade proposal that would see Burnes head to the Baltimore Orioles. Let's get into the details.

Corbin Burnes to Baltimore Orioles trade proposed by Bleacher Report

I am not really sure where to start with this trade. We know that Corbin Burnes could potentially be moved with him entering the final year of his contract and the speculation around him not returning to Milwaukee, but, to give up him and the 5th ranked prospect in the Brewers organization for just one player is madness.

This is no slight on Coby Mayo and what he can offer as a player. He is their 4th ranked prospect and expected to arrive in the Majors this coming season. Milwaukee has spots open at first and third base and Mayo definitely is someone that could be of use to them but this trade is just madness.

Robert Gasser is highly thought of within the Brewers organization and by fans. The left-hander is expected to enter the Majors this coming season and with Aaron Ashby still returning from injury, there could be a serious opportunity for Gasser to slot into the rotation if he impresses the coaching staff.

With the details out of the way, let's take a closer look.

The Milwaukee Brewers’ perspective on this trade with the Baltimore Orioles

The Brewers just won't do this trade. There has been interest in Burnes from a plethora of teams and Baltimore could be one who would look to add him to their pitching staff.

Milwaukee does need to find a first baseman that is well known and Tyler Black could arrive anytime soon in the clubhouse to battle it out for the third base slot. Mayo, as mentioned, is a talented player and would be someone the Brewers would look to as they attempt to tie down the corner positions.

In Triple-A, Mayo hit .267 and had an OBP of .393. Add on 12 home runs and 55 RBIs and he is a dangerous player at the plate. His arm leads the way on his scouting grades at 70 and then his power follows next at 60.

Mayo fits the Brewers timeline well with top prospect Jackson Chourio set to be the cornerstone of the franchise moving forward. The pitching staff is forever finding gems and with multiple highly ranked pitching prospects that area looks solid moving forward.

Moving the 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner and one of your best prospects for one prospect would just be ludicrous from Milwaukee's point of view. I understand the potential of losing Burnes and getting nothing in return, but the idea of moving Gasser as well for one player is crazy.

If the Brewers were to use this package of sending Burnes and Gasser somewhere, I would be expecting it to be for another star player in the league or for multiple high ranked prospects and I mean 1st and 2nd ranked within organizations that can go on and be the faces of the franchise.

The Baltimore Orioles’ perspective on this trade with the Milwaukee Brewers

If the Baltimore Orioles received a call offering this trade up I think they would hang up thinking it is a prank call. They would absolutely do this trade if it somehow came about.

Baltimore won 101 games last season. Adding one of the best pitchers in the league to that team would absolutely give them a shot at winning the World Series. They have stocked up on prospects over recent years so their lineup is strong but their pitching staff could improve, which this trade would of course do.

In the 3-0 ALDS defeat to the Texas Rangers, Baltimore gave up 18 runs in the final two games and that is something they will look to address this offseason. They lost both Kyle Gibson and Jack Flaherty to free agency and Burnes would more than fill the void as Grayson Rodriguez looks to build on his strong form in 2023.

Giving up their 4th ranked prospect for a left-handed pitcher is a no brainer for them with Ryan Mountcastle and Ramon Urias or Gunnar Henderson slotting in at third base. Mayo almost becomes expendable for them due to their strength at the corners.

If they also showed Burnes they are a contender going forward then they may be able to convince him to sign a long-term deal.