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.
Paredes to Milwaukee?
Mark Vientos (Mets) wasn’t that bad of a fielder.
idk a -10 DRS and a -7 OOA in less than half a season is pretty bad.
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!
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.
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