Brewers Poised for Key Trade with Reds
The Milwaukee Brewers are on the verge of bolstering their pitching rotation by acquiring veteran right-hander Frankie Montas from the Cincinnati Reds. In exchange for Montas, the Brewers are set to send outfielder Joey Wiemer and righty Jakob Junis to Cincinnati. Although neither team has formally confirmed the trade, sources within the league suggest that an announcement is imminent.
Montas' Recent Performance and Contract
Frankie Montas, 31, is currently on a one-year, $16 million contract. This season, he has struggled on the mound, posting a 5.01 ERA over 19 starts, covering 93 1/3 innings. The last stretch of eight games has been particularly challenging for Montas, where he recorded a 6.41 ERA and an opponent's OPS of .866. Additionally, during this period, he has averaged fewer than five innings per outing. Despite these struggles, the Brewers appear hopeful that Montas can provide a much-needed boost to their pitching staff.
Brewers’ Recent Movements
This isn't the only move the Brewers have made to strengthen their roster. Earlier this month, Milwaukee acquired pitcher Aaron Civale from the Tampa Bay Rays. Additionally, they added right-handed reliever Nick Mears in a minor trade with the Colorado Rockies. These moves indicate the Brewers' commitment to maintaining their lead in the NL Central.
The Brewers' current record stands at 60-45, giving them a solid six-game lead in the division. By bringing Montas into the fold, the Brewers are clearly gearing up for what they hope will be an extended postseason run.
About Joey Wiemer
Joey Wiemer, who is heading to Cincinnati as part of the trade, is a 25-year-old outfielder. In his rookie season in 2023, Wiemer slashed .204/.283/.362 with 13 home runs. A University of Cincinnati alum, Wiemer's potential is something the Reds hope to harness as they look towards the future.
Jakob Junis’ One-Year Deal
Right-hander Jakob Junis, also part of the package for Montas, is working on a one-year deal. His inclusion in this trade further underscores Cincinnati's strategy of acquiring valuable assets while offloading rental players.
Reds' Position and Strategy
The Reds currently find themselves with a 51-55 record, sitting 4.5 games out of a postseason spot. Given their position, Cincinnati appears open to moving their rental players. This includes relievers Lucas Sims and Justin Wilson, and there is also talk about potentially moving second baseman Jonathan India.
The strategy to trade away established players like Montas indicates a broader vision for the Reds' future. By acquiring younger talent like Wiemer and possibly other assets in subsequent trades, Cincinnati seems focused on rebuilding and positioning themselves for success in the coming seasons.
As the trade deadline approaches, both teams are making pivotal moves. The Brewers aim to solidify their hold on the NL Central and augment their playoff chances, while the Reds look to rebuild with an eye on the future. With sources indicating that the Brewers-Reds trade for Frankie Montas is imminent, the next few days could provide further clarity on each team's direction as they navigate the latter part of the season.