SOURCE: The Brewers are Close to a Deal
PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 23: Miami Marlins center fielder Christian Yelich (21) smashes a double to right field during the eighth inning of the MLB baseball game between the Miami Marlins and the Arizona Diamondbacks on September 23, 2017, at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ. The Marlins defeated the Diamondbacks 12-6. (Photo by Carlos Herrera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The cold stove might be turned on soon. According to insider Jerry Crasnick, it appears that the Milwaukee Brewers are close to a deal.
Hearing some buzz that the #Brewers are getting close to a trade. No more details at present, but they’ve been discussing outfielders with multiple clubs.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) January 21, 2018
If the #Brewers have a trade brewing, as I’m hearing, it’s not with the #SFGiants. They’ve also been talking to the #Whitesox, among other clubs.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) January 21, 2018
There aren’t many details, but it appears that the team is looking to add a veteran outfielder. Some have kicked around the idea of a Jacoby Ellsbury or perhaps even Christian Yelich. Another option is the Chicago White Sox for possibly Avisaíl García. Let’s discuss…
I’m not 100% sold that Milwaukee wants to deal the prospects to get Yelich. While they do have the 7th Best Farm System, I would just assume they looked to Lorenzo Cain before trading away some youth. Miami is looking for a huge return, which is why he hasn’t been moved yet. The Brewers might need to go three deep, maybe a Lewis Brinson, Corbin Burnes, and then someone? I’d pass.
The White Sox certainly want to continue to go younger, and they have been in the Yelich conversations. If the Brewers wanted to grab a veteran outfielder, it would likely be Garcia, but how does that help Milwaukee? They have Ryan Braun in left field, and at this point, he is probably there until he doesn’t want to be. Garcia wouldn’t play center, so a swap for Keon doesn’t make sense. Then Domingo Santana had a 30 homer, .278/.371/.505 season. This would be the first interest in Garcia since the first week of the offseason. Not that I wouldn’t believe a deal would be in the works for the veteran outfielder, I just don’t believe it is a fit in Milwaukee.
That’s why this is the most logical…
Yankees send Ellsbury to Milwaukee for Keon. The Yankees want to shed salary so they can compete in the free agent pitcher market. By trading Ellsbury, and his remaining $84.5 million, they would clear another $21 million this next season. That is assuming the Yankees don’t eat a big portion of the Ellsbury deal. If the Yankees are able to shed Ellsbury money, it makes them a player in the Yu Darvish or Alex Cobb conversations. The Yankees also want a young and affordable third baseman, and there were already rumors of the Brewers dangling 3B Travis Shaw. The expectation would be, the Brewers would turn around and sign Mike Moustakas.
This gives the Brewers a centerfielder and leadoff hitter, plus it gives the Yankees more payroll flexibility and a third baseman.
Make no mistake, the Brewers see the next three or four seasons as their window to win. The Chicago Cubs are still above them and should be heavily favorited, but they are working to close that gap.
