Brewers Announce Trade With Rays Before MLB Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Troy Lippman | Last updated Mar 24, 2026 10:45 PM ET

The Milwaukee Brewers are coming off an excellent 2026 MLB season in which they had the best record in baseball at 97-65. Their rotation took a hit with the loss of ace Freddy Peralta who was traded to the New York Mets in January.

The Brewers made a trade to acquire former St. Louis Cardinals first-round pick Jake Woodford from the Tampa Bay Rays. The club announced the transaction on its X account. The Brewers sent over minor-league prospect KC Hunt in return to the Rays.

Woodford made his debut in 2020 and spent his first four years with the Cardinals often as a long reliever and filling into the rotation when needed as a spot starter. His best year came in 2022 when he posted a 2.23 ERA, 4-0 record and 1.117 WHIP in 48 and 1/3 innings pitched.

We've made the following trade with the Tampa Bay Rays pic.twitter.com/4xmPPKM6MD
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) March 24, 2026

Overall he owns a career 5.10 ERA, 10-17 record and 168 strikeouts in 256 innings pitched. It's been very up and down for Woodford in his career since 2021 as he has been ineffective the last three seasons with an ERA above 6.00 in each one.

He is coming of a poor season with the Arizona Diamondbacks posting a 6.44 ERA, 0-4 record, 22 games, 23 strikeouts and 1.5 WHIP in 36 and 1/3 innings pitched. The Brewers needed depth and they get some with Woodford as he has experience pitching from the bullpen or in the rotation if needed there.

Woodford who is out of options, signed a minor-league deal with the Rays in November but a trade occurred after he wasn't going to make the team. The Rays will receive KC Hunt who has yet to make his MLB debut at 25 years old.

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy (49) © Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

The Rays are notorious for making small trades that impact their club as they don't have the financial might to sign big free agents frequently so Hunt could make an impact fairly soon. Hunt spent last year at Double-A making 26 starts with a 4.45 ERA in 121 and 1/3 innings pitched.

Meanwhile Woodford will try to rebound from his difficult 2025 season and contribute to a team that was the best in baseball a year ago. The Brewers will give him a shot and see if Woodford can unlock the 2022 version of himself.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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