The Milwaukee Brewers undoubtedly will be sellers as this year's Major League Baseball trading deadline approaches.
Sure, the Brewers are playing much, much better as of late and are only 9 games out of the second wild-card spot (seriously; the team is now 35-34, including 25-18 since June 1, under Craig Counsell), but they have a number of teams they'd have to leap over and why not replenish a minor-league system that was ranked No. 19 in organizational talent by Baseball America before the season.
With the non-waiver deadline July 31, here's a look at some of the Brewers players who might be on the block. (Note: statistics through games of July 21; contract information courtesy Cot's Baseball Contracts)
Michael Blazek
Acquired as the player to be named for John Axford in 2013, Blazek spent the entire 2014 season in the minors. But upon his return to Milwaukee (he appeared in seven games after the deal), Blazek has flourished, thanks perhaps to his reliance more on his slider and curveball. Combined he throws those pitches more than half the time, 55.4 percent to be exact (in 2013, it was around 32 percent). The result has been a 1.76 ERA, 0.957 WHIP and 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings. Oh, and he hasn't allowed a home run. Relievers have gone up in value (see: Kansas City Royals), but Blazek is making only $508,500 this season and isn't arbitration eligible until 2018. The Brewers aren't pressed to deal him. He seems more like an answer the future rather than a tradable commodity -- unless a team is willing to overpay in prospects, which seems unlikely for a 26-year-old middle reliever.
Ryan Braun
Let's just get this out of the way quickly. Starting next year, Braun's new five-year, $105 million contract kicks in. Oh, and he also can block deals to all clubs except the Angels, Dodgers, Marlins, Rays and Nationals. In other words, get used to him in right field.
Jonathan Broxton
Broxton arrived in Milwaukee on Aug. 31 last year from Cincinnati, where he had pitched well since 2012. But things have not gone as well for Broxton with the Brewers, especially this season, where his ERA is a bloated 6.42 and WHIP 1.455. He is striking out 9.4 batters per nine innings and his Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) is 3.71. His velocity is fine, so maybe there's hope for a turnaround or help with a change of scenery. However, Broxton has a $9 million contract for this season and a $9 million option for 2016, with a $1 million buyout. The way he's pitching right now, he likely wouldn't fetch much other than clearing some payroll. Could hope he straightens out and be an Aug. 31 trade candidate. He'd likely pass through waivers.
Neal Cotts
Cotts' statistics aren't overwhelming but decent: 3.32 ERA, 1.263 WHIP, 9.5 strikeouts per nine innings. However, his FIP is 4.19 and he's allowed 1.4 home runs per nine innings. But he hasn't allowed a homer since May. In fact, Cotts has been stellar in June and July, allowing just one extra-base hit in 67 plate appearances and two runs in 16 1/3 innings. In addition, lefties are hitting only 186/222/288 off him. He is making $3 million this season and will be a free agent. Could easily see him being flipped.
Mike Fiers
Ken Rosenthal mentioned the Toronto Blue Jays were interested in Fiers. Of course, that doesn't mean the feeling is reciprocal. I'll categorize Fiers as one of those guys Milwaukee won't trade unless they get blown away by an offer. Fiers hasn't been 2014 great, but he's been pretty good, with a 3.79 ERA and 8.9 strikeouts per nine innings. His WHIP is a little high but an OK 1.355. And here's the more important "stat": He is making the league minimum ($512,500) and isn't eligible for arbitration until 2017 and free agency until 2020.
Matt Garza
Garza certainly hasn't helped his trade value in 2015, but Tuesday's performance gave it a bit of a boost. However, after that six shutout inning performance he is still just 5-10 with a 5.23 ERA and 1.533 WHIP. His K/9 (6.2) and HR/9 (1.5) are career worsts and his BB/9 (3.0) is his highest since 2009. Garza's contract also might ward off suitors. He is owed $12.5 million each season through 2017 plus gets $500,000 if he reaches 30 starts or 190 innings (quite doubtful in 2015). He also has a vesting/club option in 2018. Perhaps if he picks things up over the next month -- and he's off to a good start -- he could be an Aug. 31 trade candidate as he'd likely pass through waivers. But he'll have only one more start before July 31 (right now he's in line to start on that date as well).
Carlos Gomez
Surely, the Brewers don't want to deal Gomez, but he could fetch a good haul. Gomez has a pretty friendly contract: $8 million this year and $9 million in 2016. However, he'll be a free agent after 2016 and Scott Boras is his agent. Boras likes his clients going into free agency and Milwaukee is not expected to be a contender for his services. Gomez isn't quite performing like he has the past two years, but he still has an OPS+ of 113 (271/338/442) and is of course a top-notch outfielder. It might be time to sell, if a good offer is available.
UPDATE: Gomez was traded July 30 to the Houston Astros, along with pitcher Mike Fiers, in exchange for four prospects: left-hander Josh Hader, right-hander Adrian Houser and outfielders Brett Phillips and Domingo Santana.
Adam Lind
Lind had a rough May but otherwise has had a nice season for the Brewers, batting 285/368/497. He continues to mash righties (297/384/537) but struggle against lefties (232/295/321 with 0 home runs). He is a definite commodity and has a friendly contract -- he is owed $7 million this year and has just a $500,000 buyout next year (when he has an $8 million option). Which contenders could use a first baseman (or designated hitter), and also don't mind a platoon-type player? The Astros, Cardinals, Giants and Nationals could be possibilities.
Kyle Lohse
Another case of the Brewers perhaps hoping he can turn things around in the next few weeks and flip him before the Aug. 31 deadline. After two decent seasons with Milwaukee, Lohse has -- understatement coming -- struggled in 2015, posting a 6.17 ERA, 1.398 WHIP and allowing a career high 1.8 home runs per nine innings. He is due $11.5 million this season (plus $350,000 if he reached 190 innings, which he should) and will be a free agent in the offseason. If the Brewers can find a taker, that team is buying low. Hard to see Milwaukee getting too much back in return at this point.
Jonathan Lucroy
Lucroy's name keeps popping up in trade rumors. The question: Why? His value certainly is at a low. Coming off three good seasons, he is at 237/301/329 (OPS+ of 74) in 2015, likely affected by injuries (hamstring, fractured big toe) earlier in the year. He also has a very friendly contract: $3 million this year, $4 million in 2016 and an option for $5.25 million in '17 (with a $250,000 buyout). OK, sure, he just turned 29, but he's been a you're not going to get full value and have no catching prospect ready to take over. Not to mention he's also one of the best catchers at framing pitches. I don't get any trade here, but am including him just because of the speculation.
Gerardo Parra
Could qualify as the Brewers player most likely to be traded. The left-hander is having his best year offensively (315/352/514, OPS+ 135) and is a Gold Glove-caliber outfielder who can play any of the three positions. Unlike Lind, he is not a platoon player. Although he hasn't faced lefties much this season (52 PA), he is batting 298/346/489 against them. Is due $6.237 million this season and then will be a free agent. Really, no reason for the Brewers not to deal him and let Khris Davis play left field. Plenty of teams are looking for outfield (and left-handed) help.
Aramis Ramirez
Ramirez has let it be known this is his final season. He has no intention of changing his mind. Ramirez still has some pop in his bat (11 homers, .431 slugging percentage) and he has been scorching hot in July (347/424/510). There are a number of teams who could use a third baseman (could a reunion with the Pirates be in order?), including the Giants and Mets.
UPDATE: Ramirez was traded July 23 to the Pirates for minor-league pitcher Yhonathan Barrios. Milwaukee also sent cash considerations to Pittsburgh.
Francisco Rodriguez
There is a market for closers out there (see: Jonathan Papelbon, Tyler Clippard, etc.), and K-Rod has been among the best in the game this season. He has converted all 21 of his save opportunities while posting a 1.32 ERA, 0.824 WHIP and striking out 10.1 batters per nine innings. However, his contract isn't as inviting. He is making only $3.5 million this year, but that jumps to $7.5 million in 2016. In 2017, there is a $6 million option with a $2 million buyout.
Jean Segura
Perhaps the most interesting case on the Brewers at the July 31 deadline. Segura has not followed up on his 2013 All-Star season, batting 246/289/326 last season and 282/310/361 this year. Yet, he's only 25, is making the MLB minimum ($534,000 in his case) and is under team control through 2018. Segura has shown signs of life in July, batting 429/458/482, however he has only two extra-base hits since June 1 (home runs on June 5 and July 21). With two of Milwaukee's top prospects playing shortstop (Luis Sardinas and Orlando Arcia), Segura is someone who plays a valued position that perhaps could get a prospect in return. Of course, flipping him for marginal players isn't worth it, as this wouldn't be a salary dump. A trade of Segura would be about another team seeing potential in the shortstop -- and wanting to pay for it.
Will Smith
Again, I mention Smith just because his name seems to make it out there in trade speculation. Unless someone blows the Brewers out of the water with an offer, hard to see why the team would trade him. Smith is making just $512,000 and can't be a free agent until 2020 (although he is arbitration eligible next year). He has been fantastic this year with a 1.77 ERA, 1.94 FIP, 12.4 K/9 and just one homer allowed. While Smith is a lefty, he has been death on righties, who are batting just 139/215/181 against him. Unless you get a treasure trove back, what's the upside in dealing Smith?
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