The Milwaukee Brewers are preparing to bolster their pitching staff with the acquisition of veteran right-hander Frankie Montas from the Cincinnati Reds. In a move that signals their ambition for the postseason, Milwaukee will be sending outfielder Joey Wiemer and right-hander Jakob Junis to Cincinnati. While neither team has officially confirmed the deal, sources within the league indicate that the trade is imminent.
Frankie Montas: Experienced Yet Struggling
Frankie Montas, 31, is currently on a one-year, $16 million contract. His performance this season has been shaky at best. Over 19 starts, Montas has posted a 5.01 ERA in 93 1/3 innings. His recent form is even more concerning, with a 6.41 ERA and a .866 opponent's OPS in his last eight starts. During this stretch, Montas has averaged fewer than five innings per outing, a clear indication of his struggles on the mound.
Brewers' Strategy
The Brewers' decision to acquire Montas comes on the heels of other strategic moves. Earlier this month, Milwaukee added right-handed pitcher Aaron Civale from the Tampa Bay Rays. In another minor trade, they acquired right-handed reliever Nick Mears from the Colorado Rockies. These transactions underscore Milwaukee's commitment to reinforcing their pitching roster as they march towards the playoffs.
Joey Wiemer and Jakob Junis: The New Faces for Cincinnati
Heading to Cincinnati in exchange for Montas are outfield prospect Joey Wiemer and pitcher Jakob Junis. Wiemer, 25, is coming off a rookie year where he slashed .204/.283/.362 with 13 home runs. An alum of the University of Cincinnati, Wiemer offers promising potential for the Reds as they look to build. Jakob Junis, who is also on a one-year contract, has been included in the deal, though further details about his current season performance were not provided.
Reds’ Rebuilding Efforts
The Reds, who currently hold a 51-55 record and are 4.5 games out of a postseason spot, appear to be in a tactical position to offload some of their rental players. Besides Montas, Cincinnati is reportedly open to moving relievers Lucas Sims and Justin Wilson, and there’s burgeoning talk about potentially trading second baseman Jonathan India. These moves suggest that Cincinnati is looking to retool and fortify their lineup for future seasons.
Brewers Lead the NL Central
Meanwhile, Milwaukee stands firm with a robust 60-45 record, maintaining a six-game lead in the NL Central. With these recent moves, the Brewers are clearly aiming to solidify their standing and enhance their chances of a deep playoff run. Adding Montas, despite his recent woes, can be seen as a calculated risk, banking on the right-hander regaining his form at a crucial time.
As the trade deadline looms, the dynamics of Major League Baseball continue to shift. While the official confirmation from both teams is pending, this potential trade hints at a framework that aligns with the strategic interests of both clubs involved. Milwaukee aims to arm itself with experience, while Cincinnati focuses on the future by acquiring young talent.