Brewers Trade for Catcher Danny Jansen in Deal With Rays

The Milwaukee Brewers have added veteran catcher Danny Jansen in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. In return, the Rays received minor league infielder Jadher Areinamo. Tampa Bay will also send cash to Milwaukee to help cover the $2.667 million left on Jansen’s $8 million contract.

The move brings Jansen back home — he’s originally from Appleton, Wisconsin.

Brewers Looking for Help Behind the Plate

The Brewers weren’t expected to make a move at catcher. William Contreras has become one of the league’s top catchers since arriving in Milwaukee, hitting .283 with solid defense from 2022 to 2024. But this season, Contreras has played through a fractured finger and his offense has suffered — he’s batting just .242 with a .340 slugging percentage.

Backup catcher Eric Haase hasn’t helped much either. Over the last month, Contreras and Haase have combined to hit just .228.

That’s where Jansen comes in. While he’s hitting only .204 overall this year, he’s been much better recently. Since May 11, Jansen is hitting .232 with a strong .486 slugging percentage in 163 plate appearances.

Jansen’s Strength vs. Lefties Gives Brewers a Boost

Jansen has also shown value against left-handed pitching. Even though he’s batting just .197 against lefties, he’s reached base at a .356 clip and slugged .465 against them. Since 2022, he has posted solid on-base and power numbers in those matchups.

By comparison, Contreras is hitting just .223 with a .266 slugging percentage against lefties this season. Haase is struggling even more — hitting .160 in limited action.

Defense Still a Question, But Milwaukee May Have the Fix

Jansen’s defense was once a strength, but his framing and throwing have declined recently. Still, Milwaukee has a strong track record of helping catchers improve in those areas. Jansen will likely share time behind the plate with Contreras, possibly giving Contreras a chance to rest his injured hand. Haase could lose his spot on the roster, though the team might carry three catchers for now.

Who is Jadher Areinamo?

The Rays get 21-year-old infielder Areinamo in return. He signed with Milwaukee out of Venezuela during the 2021-22 international period.

This season, Areinamo is hitting .297 with 11 home runs, 24 doubles, and 15 stolen bases in High-A ball. He’s spent most of his time at shortstop but has more experience at second base and has also played third. He’s known for his strong contact skills but tends to be overly aggressive at the plate — something that may be tested as he faces tougher pitching.

Areinamo doesn’t have much power, but scouts think he could become a starting second baseman or a utility infielder who moves around the diamond.

More Moves Coming in Tampa Bay?

This may not be the only change at catcher for the Rays. They’re also close to adding Nick Fortes from the Marlins in a separate deal, as they continue to reshape their catching group.