The Milwaukee Brewers are making strategic moves to bolster their pitching rotation, as they are on the brink of acquiring veteran right-hander Frankie Montas from the Cincinnati Reds. This trade, although yet to be officially confirmed by either team, is being reported by reliable sources within the league, indicating that the deal is imminent.
Trade Details
In this transaction, the Brewers will send outfielder Joey Wiemer and right-handed pitcher Jakob Junis to the Reds in exchange for Montas. The 31-year-old pitcher is currently on a one-year contract worth $16 million. Montas is expected to add depth to Milwaukee's rotation as they push towards the postseason, aiming to maintain their lead in the NL Central.
Montas' Recent Performance
However, Montas' recent performance has been a point of concern. His season statistics reflect a 5.01 ERA over 19 starts, totaling 93 1/3 innings. Over his last eight starts, Montas has struggled significantly, posting a 6.41 ERA and allowing opponents an OPS of .866. During this stretch, he has averaged fewer than five innings per outing, which raises questions about his current form and durability. The Brewers will be hoping that a change of scenery and pitching staff can help Montas regain his earlier form and contribute effectively as they head towards the crucial part of the season.
Brewers’ Recent Acquisitions
This move follows other strategic acquisitions by the Brewers earlier this month. They previously added right-hander Aaron Civale from the Tampa Bay Rays and secured right-handed reliever Nick Mears in a minor trade with the Colorado Rockies. These additions reflect the Brewers' commitment to strengthening their pitching arsenal as they navigate the final stretch of the regular season.
Player Profiles
Joey Wiemer, the 25-year-old outfielder heading to Cincinnati, had a rookie season in 2023 where he slashed .204/.283/.362 with 13 home runs. An alumnus of the University of Cincinnati, Wiemer is expected to bring some young energy to the Reds' lineup. Meanwhile, Jakob Junis, who is also on a one-year deal, will aim to provide stability and experience to the Reds’ pitching staff.
Reds' Perspective
As for the Reds, they are currently 4.5 games out of a postseason spot with a 51-55 record. This position suggests that they are open to retooling their roster, especially with rental players. Indeed, there has been talk of the Reds possibly moving other rental players, including relievers Lucas Sims and Justin Wilson, and there is even speculation about second baseman Jonathan India's future with the team.
Given the Reds' current standing and recent trades, shifting focus to the future and acquiring young talents like Wiemer makes strategic sense. Moreover, the arrival of Junis bolsters their pitching options, potentially providing more stability as they evaluate their long-term strategy.
Milwaukee, with a strong 60-45 record, currently maintains a six-game lead in the NL Central. With these latest moves, the team shows a clear intention to solidify their pitching depth, addressing both their starting rotation and bullpen needs, in a bid to sustain their performance through the remainder of the season.
The pending acquisition of Montas underlines the Brewers’ aggressive approach as they prepare for the challenges ahead. The effectiveness of these strategic decisions will soon be evident as both teams move forward with their respective goals for the season.