MLB Trade Deadline season brings a lot of excitement to fans especially those who are contending. What piece will our team pick up to put our team over the top? For the Crew, three of my favorite deals come to mind.
In 2008, Milwaukee acquired CC Sabathia from the Guardians for Matt LaPorta, Michael Brantley, Zach Jackson, and Rob Bryson. That was the greatest trade in the last 10 years with Sabathia finishing with an 11-2 record a 1.65 ERA and 128 strikeouts. Sabathia helped the Brewers clinch their first postseason berth since 1982. Sabathia is arguably the greatest deadline acquisition in MLB history.
In 2011, after the All-Star Break, the Brewers acquired Francisco Rodriguez from the Mets for Adrian Rosario and Danny Herrera. K-Rod was slotted as the setup man for closer John Axford. That was the lynchpin for Milwaukee winning 96 games and winning the NL Central before losing to the Cardinals in the NLCS. Milwaukee had a unstoppable offense with Rickie Weeks, Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, Corey Hart and Nyjer Morgan but the real threat was the bullpen, if the Brewers had a lead in the 8th and 9th innings you might as well have gotten ready for the next game, because teams weren’t getting hits off K-Rod or John Axford who at one point converted 49 consecutive saves.
Near the deadline in 2018, the Brewers acquired Mike Moustakas from the Royals for Jorge Lopez and Brett Phillips. That move was interesting at the time as Milwaukee already had a third baseman in Travis Shaw. The plan was to make Milwaukee weaker on defense but stronger on offense. Milwaukee decided to shift Shaw to second base and slot Moustakas as the regular third baseman. It worked, Milwaukee was a great offensive team and were one game away from the World Series before losing to the Dodgers.
That’s why I’m trying to rationalize Milwaukee picking up three bullpen arms.
I think Taylor Rogers and Matt Bush will do just fine for the Crew but I can’t say the same about Trevor Rosenthal.
A once dominant closer for the St Louis Cardinals, Rosenthal hasn’t been the same pitcher since leaving St Louis. Rosenthal has been hit hard by the injury bug and hasn’t pitched in an MLB game in over two years and isn’t supposed to be ready for the Brewers until late August as he’s rehabbing a hamstring strain.
Who did Milwaukee give up to acquire Rosenthal
Tristan Peters:
Drafted by the Brewers in the seventh round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Southern Illinois.
Peters this season, slashed a .306 AVG, with seven home runs, 51 RBI’s and 45 walks in 90 games for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers the High-A Affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers.
