Monday's surprise trade sending Rookie of the Year finalist Caleb Durbin from Milwaukee to Boston plugged a hole in the Red Sox' infield while ostensibly opening one for the Brewers. Not only did the Brewers trade their incumbent third baseman, the deal also sent Andruw Monasterio and Anthony Seigler to Boston -- two of Milwaukee's top options on the third base depth chart. The Brewers picked up speedster David Hamilton in that swap and will give him some spring reps at the hot corner, but he's played all of one game professionally at third base. Hamilton's value is derived primarily from plus second base glovework and his abilities on the basepaths. He's not a natural fit to take the reins at third base.
Though the Durbin trade opened up a hole at third base, it also further deepened the Brewers' already deep collection of starting pitchers. Even after trading ace Freddy Peralta to the Mets for top prospects Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams, the Brewers boast a starting staff that'll include Brandon Woodruff, Jacob Misiorowski, Quinn Priester and Chad Patrick in the top four spots. Plausible candidates for the fifth spot include Sproat, Logan Henderson, Robert Gasser, DL Hall, Aaron Ashby and newly acquired lefties Kyle Harrison and Shane Drohan, who came to Milwaukee alongside Hamilton.
The Brewers are no strangers to putting the finishing touches on their big league roster once spring training is already underway. In fact, it's become almost something of an annual tradition. In 2025, Milwaukee didn't sign Jose Quintana until early March. Even their trade for Priester came a week or so into the season. In 2024, they signed Gary Sánchez and re-signed Brandon Woodruff after camp had opened. Their late signings in 2023 included Luke Voit, Justin Wilson and Jon Singleton.
By the time camp opens, many clubs have finished conducting the bulk of their heavy lifting. That hasn't been the case for the Brewers, and with at least one open question in their infield, it's fair to think president of baseball operations Matt Arnold and his staff are looking into one more finishing piece even as pitchers and catchers travel south to Arizona for the beginning of the Cactus League season.
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Before Lindor’ s injury was reported, I thought they had discussed parameters of a Baty trade when Peralta went to the Mets. I’m not so sure what is next now that it’s not likely the Mets would deal Baty now.
Ronny Mauricio is as good as Batty.
He hasn’t shown it and after his injury, Mauricio took a step backwards. If the Mets believe in him, perhaps they will still deal Baty. Last season’s second half, Baty impressed me big time defensively at third. His timely hitting was a surprise but it seemed like no one else contributed in September when the team collapsed.
Ronny didn’t get any playing time in the stretch run because they went all in on McNeil for some reason. Anytime he got consistent playing time he flashed the bat.
Paredes to Milwaukee?
I just doubt it, as a team fan, not in their history. While a clear fit on paper, I’m not sure he’s that much more productive than any Buber of dice rolls: moving Turang to short and Ortiz the 3rd, putting Jett at 3rd, or just slotting the best player during spring training in there and making continual adjustments based on who is hot at the moment? Continuity at the position would be dandy, but that’s almost a luxury for a small market team.
I can’t understand why a Casey Schmitt for a Brewers rotation or bullpen piece wasn’t mentioned. It’s such an obvious fit.
idk a -10 DRS and a -7 OOA in less than half a season is pretty bad.
Vientos if he has an MLB future, it should be at first base or preferably DH. I’m just not sure which was real, 24 or 25.
I think the Brewers were smart to sell high on Durbin. He was a nice player for them last season, but it’s easy to see him regressing enough to be just a guy. I believe they will figure out a solution that will make them better long term and have the extra prospects the trade returned.
As a Sox fan I’m happy to have him.
Are there casinos in Wisconsin? Asking for a friend..
Potawatomi is less than 2 miles away from the stadium!
Northstar Casino located in the center of the state
Does Boston really have a use for 3 inf the Brewers sent them. Can’t wait for Boston to waive or DFA 1 of the 2 backups and Brewers claim them.
They all have options and Boston can stash them in the minors if necessary.
Durbin is good, Mona is versatile, Seigler isn’t good.
Durbin and Monasterio are solid contributors who will be missed by the Crew, no doubt. Are they replaceable? That’s what we’re about to find out!
Note to MLBTR team: it would be cool if the comment section on these front office pieces was readable for all but only subscribers can comment.
Why
Higher quality comments to go with the higher quality articles.
Then people would only be commenting who were able to read the article. I think the poster is just saying limit the commenters on the articles not available for non-subscribers to read. To me, that is ok either way
More NY team content. Yaaay!
Whoah! That’s a big ask.
Thanks to their incompetent off-season, this will be year 44 of the Brewers missing the World Series.
Honestly I think the Brewers have everything they need in the organization they gotta start locking guys up and buying out some free agent years. Frelick, Burke, Made, Fischer, Conteras and some more pitchers like they did with Ashby and Peralta.
Made needs to be locked in. Small market teams must realize that.
They did it with Chourio so they’ll probably do it with Made.
Well past when it makes sense to lock up Contreras, hed rightly be asking for something close to what hed get in FA this close to his control window being over
I like how the Brewers have done it, extending promising pitchers when they can be had for little risk(Ashby, Peralta) and locking up superstar potential guys(Chourio, and reports are they tried/are trying with Miz.)
With the season everyone is expecting, im sure theyll try to lock Made up for a decade, but doubt it makes sense for someone like Sal, hes great but isnt likely to provide much surplus value ARB3, let alone FA years, and Milwaukee cant sustain many mid sized deals gone bad.
has Ashby been a success or failure?
They’ll find some semi-retired submarine wind up pitcher that has been working as part of their maintenance and grounds crew but in the off season he works at Wisconsin Dells where he runs and operates the Go-Karts. The “professional track” where you need a driver’s license to be allowed to drive one.
I bet you are referring to Big Chief Go Karts in the Dells. That place is is pretty amazing. But as a long time Carl Spackler of many golf courses, I am curious as to hear who the pitcher is that you speak of that they will be getting.
Honestly I have no idea. I had to Google to see if Wisconsin Dells was still open and what rides it had. It’s been probably close to 30 years since I’ve been there.
FYI bbref link for Garrett Mitchell links to Luis Pena, Brewers Class-A prospect
The Brewers never trade with the Cubs, but…
The Cubs have a guy who they’re sure can learn right field (?) and CC seems to want any pitcher who’s ever worn a Brewers uniform…
Vientos to Brewers for Front Row Amy
Mets have to pay Vientos’ salary and all of Amy’s outstanding plastic surgery bills