The Brewers have acquired utilityman Mike Brosseau from the Rays in exchange for minor league right-hander Evan Reifert. Both teams have officially announced the trade.
One of many multi-positional players coming through the Rays’ pipeline, Brosseau was an undrafted free agent who rose through Tampa’s ranks to appear in 143 games over the last three seasons. Brosseau hit .284/.343/.500 with 11 homers over 240 plate appearances in 2019-20, and looked to be on the verge of becoming a regular in the Rays’ infield mix before struggling in 2021.
Brosseau never seemed to get on track in the early going, and then found himself frequently shuttled back and forth between Tampa Bay and Triple-A Durham. An oblique strain in July further hampered his season, and overall, Brosseau hit only .187/.266/.347 over 169 PA for the Rays. This apparently made Brosseau an expendable piece for a Rays team deep in infield depth, and as broadcaster Neil Solondz notes, the Rays now also open up a roster spot in advance of the 40-man roster deadline on November 19.
The Brewers have a pattern of seeking out versatile players, and Brosseau has plenty of experience at multiple positions. He has mostly played second base and third base throughout his pro career, but also has seen a decent chunk of action as a shortstop, first baseman, and corner outfielder. A right-handed hitter, Brosseau can serve as a complement to lefty swingers Kolten Wong at second base or Rowdy Tellez at first base. With Brosseau now in the fold, it could increase the chances that Milwaukee parts ways with at least one of Daniel Vogelbach or Jace Peterson prior to November 19, or the December 2 non-tender deadline.
Reifert is also technically an undrafted player, as though he was a 30th-round pick for the Rangers in 2018, he opted to attend college rather than begin his pro career at that stage. He instead signed with the Brewers in 2020, as Reifert wasn’t selected in the shortened five-round 2020 draft.
The 22-year-old righty looked good in his first season, posting a 2.10 ERA with a stunning 40.23% strikeout rate over 60 combined relief innings with the Brewers’ high-A and A-ball affiliates. Those missed bats came with some shaky control, however, as Reifert’s walk rate was a concerning 14.06%. Reifert possesses an upper-90s fastball, so if the Rays can improve his command, the team will have yet another hard-throwing bullpen weapon at their disposal in the next season or two.
This trade is not going to work out to benefit either team. It’s essentially meaningless. I think the only reason it happened is because both teams are cash strapped and feel they constantly have to make trades in order to compete with the higher payroll teams.
For who?
Sorry when I posted only the first 8 words were up. I see now!
The only thing meaningless about it is your comment.
We’ll have to wait and see. Brosseau seems to add some depth to the infield. Granted if he returns to pre-2021 form, could provide some great backup.
The benefit the Rays get is exactly what they wanted out of this trade. An open spot on the 40 man roster to use for protecting Rule 5 eligible players.
@kylelohse: That basically proves my point. The Rays needed an empty space. The player they got is meaningless. He’s literally less valuable than the absence of a player that they really wanted to gain.
How is a player who is just 22 and can throw in the upper 90’s meaningless to the Rays or any team for that matter?
I guess you missed the part where the rays consistently turn unheralded pitchers into dominant relievers, @mets, lol.
Sigh. Ken Rosenthal over here.
As meaningless as your comment ⚾️
@Mets
You have the brain capacity and critical thinking skills of a possum
Sterns-I just googled possum(opossum) for the heck of it and found out that they are actually fairly bright and useful animals.
I respectfully have to disagree with you about your comparison.
Rays need a open 40 man roster spot & accepted back a lottery ticket in return that doesn’t require a 40 man roster for awhile. The Brewers pick up potential backup that can play multiple positions.
This will fix the brewers offensive woes, this guy can rake. Ahahahaha!
He had one bad season out of 3. No one has EVER rebounded from one bad season. Apparently you haven’t been watching baseball for long. But hey, at least you think you sound cool.
Typically when a player bottoms out to the level we saw, it’s hard to come back from that.
That revenge homerun off Chapman was epic
He was a 1.0 bWAR player in just 169 PA
Over a full seasons 600PA, that calculates to near 4 WAR
If a guy “bottoms out” to the tune of 4 WAR ability shown, the potential he holds must be unbelievable!
Anyway, he’s never even had a season. We have no idea about him really because he’s had 3 roughly equal SSSs over a 3 year span. Combined he has just 409 PA, which is 2/3 of a single season. He’s just a backup infielder going to another team where who knows, maybe he lucks into more playing time and shows us what type of hitter he actually is
Why even make a trade with the Rays at this point. They’re getting your good minor league prospect
Reifert has absolutely dominated and you just traded a good prospect for a bench player you can literally get anywhere
Its a minor league relief pitcher who was already let go by the team who originally drafted him. I think the Brewers will survive lol
Look at his stats
Impressive yes, but a lot more to prove. He is practically only fresh out of college.
He has 60 IP in the low minors. He struk out a ton, but also walked guys at a 5.5 BB/9 rate – an impressive feat against raw kids who often swing at anything remotely near the plate
He’s a project that needs a ton of work, not a top prospect (low minors RP are almost never prospects by default, btw.) His walk rate indicates his Ks are largely from his inability to throw a strike. They teach him control and sure, maybe he becomes slightly useful
Augold, I miss your point. He got drafted and opted to attend college. He didnt get released. He obviously has a live arm and doesn’t have to be protected on the 40 man, and if the Rays can harness his control, ( walks, not homers) they have a future piece for their bullpen. Brousseau is what he will be. A good swiss army knife, can do everything kinda guy. Ceiling is much higher on the Reifert than Brousseau.
I misunderstood that he was an UDFA pick up by the brewers so his draft status still says Rangers, 30th.
Either way, he is still a minor league RP, with above average stuff and below average control. Those kind of players are a dime a dozen. Sure his ceiling could be higher given he is still 22, but its not like he will ever be an elite CP.
The right coaches could unlock that potential in him. Luis Garcia always struggled with command, till last year
Of course, but people are acting like this is some cant miss prospect lol
The Rays will make him look good.
He wasn’t let go by the team who originally drafted him. He went to college instead of signing. He then went undrafted because there were only 5 rounds in 2020 due to covid.
I agree it’s not a massive give, and in return the Brewers got a proven MLB hitter who can play 4 or 5 positions but struggled last year. It’s not an earth shattering trade, but it wouldn’t be surprise me if Frenchy is a regular for the Brewers the next few years. It also wouldn’t surprise me if neither of these guys makes any future impact in the majors.
Oh, I am heartily tired of hearing about what The Rays are going to do. Some of you always seem to think they are suddenly going to turn a double somersault, and land in our rear and on both of our flanks at the same time. Go back to your teams and try to think what we are going to do ourselves, instead of what The Rays are going to do. – Ulysses S. Grant, The Wilderness 1864
Willy Adames says hi.
I’m prematurely assuming he throws 99+ mph
This is a very stereotypical trade between these two teams.
Absolutely correct!
Like many others, I don’t judge teams yearly moves by individual trades or signings, anymore than I think individual players statistics explain the year a team had.
This is one of many moves these 2 teams will make this offseason and into the 2022 trading deadline. It’s a part of setting both teams up to do some other things, depending on how the 2 players work out (or don’t work out) in early to mid-2022.
Can not see why any Brewers fan would complain about this trade. If Brosseau returns to form this will be a good trade. Dude can hit and play several positions.
No one is complaining other than those that are compelled to whine about something.
See: Gothamcityriddler
They should complain. Anytime the Rays want one of your pitchers, you hang up the phone. Never trade a pitcher to the Rays.
Stearns can hold his own with Neander. The Adames trade is working out just fine for MKE.
@ Bud Selig Fan;
It worked out fine for both teams.
Adames was blocking Franco and the Rays (always) want more pitching.
Could well be the 2 smartest FO’s in MLB…..along with 2 of the smartest managers.
Yep…both teams probably got what they wanted. And it’s not tough to argue that Sterns and Neander lead the pack, as do Counsel and Cash. Actually, Brousseau strikes me as a Counsel type, somebody who has got to go full tilt all the time just to hang around.
In reality, Brousseau was probably going to be waived for 40-man considerations, Sterns must like him, and gave the Rays a lottery ticket.
@Samuel — agree & agree.
Unless they offer the next Willy Adames lol
Brosseau had an injury-riddled, down year in 2021. Based on his past history, the Brewers never could have acquired him for a high A bullpen arm, even one with really good stuff like Reifert. Just a very Rays move stockpiling bullpen arms.
I like the trade this can help both teams. This can all honestly can help the Brewers save 40 man spots. In all right they could non tender Vogel, Peterson, Reyes, and Mathias,
Reifert will be a monster in the Rays pen eventually.
Rays seem to always come up with the same type of pitchers that fit the mold they use… and having been doing it for several years
Solid move you need a lot of good players to help on a bench. Guy has playoff experience and will provide good spot start ability to keep players fresh.
Very cliched’ but this will be a good trade for both teams…
Well there goes my option of trading Olson for Ethan Small , and others . Though I was not fully sold on Garrett Mitchell who would have to be part of that package for the A’s . I’m still into Chapman for Ethan Small . I want that pitcher on the A’s
Why? You really think this guy is in line to start at 1B?
Also you think you can get both Small and Mitchell?
How is Brosseau’s nickname not BRAH?
It’s the greatest move in Brewers history. We can now say adios to Pablo Reyes. Time for a cold one to celebrate!
The fact that Milwaukee just hired a TB dude to be their hitting coach, I’m sure, contributed mightily to this deal.
The fact is, Pablo Reyes sucks.
The Adames trade from TB worked well for the brewers. Idk why people still feel the need to question the moves the brewers make. Most seem to work in their favor. They just hired a hitting coach from TB and trade for a TB bat. I’m sure they feel they can fix him after seeing something in his swing. Relax people, if anything, they picked up a bench bat, and sent Pablo Reyes packing.
Maybe Brosseau has trouble seeing the ball in TB like Adames did too.
Brosseau is gonna be in the UT mix for the Brewers. Solid defense at 2B/3B and has a little bit of OF experience. I doubt he gets regular playing time though because he’s inconsistent at the plate.
If anyone can fix Reifert, the Rays can. Don’t write him off just yet.
Chapman probably doing the Dance of Joy that Brosseau is no longer on the Rays.
Why would anyone write off a 22 year old with great stuff?
This isn’t Tebow trying to make the majors in his mid 30s here
Lord. This guy.
No problem with seeing him in the NL Central.
I love Mike B., hopefully it happens like Adames and he gets a 2nd wind. Now about the Rays… when the Rays wants your pitching prospects DON’T trade them… run for the hills, this guy will rake! upper 90’s fastball and young? Many of the past recent relief pitchers trades the Rays had it was similar and most of them pitch lights out.
Stearns won’t run. He knows a good position player trumps a good bullpen arm. Besides, the Brewers do just fine developing pitching, in case you haven’t noticed, their pitching blows away Tampa’s. Actually, the rest of baseball as well, at least with experienced, prime-aged & controlled pitching.
Well for your peace of mind I hope Im wrong… Rasmussen and Feyerisen vs Adames, it kind of worked for both sides. Rasmussen seems like a #3 and feyerisen seems ok too. Anyways I hope Brosseau brings a comeback player of the year award in 2022.
Agree that the trade worked for both sides. While Feyereisen is likely to regress this upcoming season, Rasmussen is the prize anyhow, as long as he can keep that elbow healthy. The Rays are smart enough to limit his innings which should help in that endeavor.