Milwaukee Brewers Trade Deadline Recap: Did They Do Enough to Keep Pace?

Seattle had plenty talent to spare. The traded prospects all rank 22 or higher in Arizona’s top 100 per MLB.com (those players are Tyler Locklear, Hunter Cranton, and Juan Burgos).

As for the Brewers, they watched fellow NL contenders scoop up some help before the clock struck a figurative midnight.

The Cubs acquired a starter in Michael Soroka, two relievers in Andrew Kittredge and Taylor Rogers, and Twins utility man Willi Castro. Hardly blockbuster moves but clearly they add immediate value to the roster.

The Mets stocked up on late-inning arms (Gregory Soto, Ryan Helsey, and Tyler Rogers, Taylor’s twin).

The Phillies, battling New York atop the NL East, splashed for Minnesota closer Jhoan Duran and outfielder Harrison Bader.

Among the Padres’ acquisitions were Oakland’s Mason Miller, a gem in the closer market, and starter JP Sears. From Baltimore, they brought in outfielder Ramon Laureano, who’s having a career year, and first baseman Ryan O’Hearn, previously linked to the Brewers.

Will deadline inertia come back to bite them?

While the Cubs are their most direct competition, the Brewers could end up battling the others for wild card position if Chicago captures the NL Central.

After taking two of three from the Cubs this week, they hold a one-game division lead.

Obviously, that they have been doing well with the guys they have is a massive understatement. For over two months now, Milwaukee has been the best team in baseball by record. They have overcome both pitching injuries and Rhys Hoskins’ absence at first base, where earlier trade pickup Andrew Vaughn continues to pulverize the pill.

Leading up to the deadline, Brewers owner Mark Attanasio suggested that the team was prepared for an atypically aggressive trade season. Obviously, that didn’t happen.

Knowing team tendencies, what might be more surprising is the fact that did nothing to capitalize on their excess of starting pitchers. True, some of them may simply serve as replacements for pending free agents. Jose Quintana, Nestor Cortes, and Brandon Woodruff can all leave this offseason. Woodruff is the only one the franchise seems likely to pursue in earnest.

As the dust settles, how the Brewers fare down the stretch and in the playoffs will do much to determine how fans look back at their deadline decisions or lack thereof.